People: Apr. 7, 1986

Are even television shows Republican or Democratic? Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger both did their bits for Dynasty. Tip O’Neill appeared on Cheers three years ago, and now so has Gary Hart. When the producers of the popular Boston barroom series were casting a three-part season-closing episode involving politicians, they invited the Colorado Democrat to do an eight-line walk-on as himself. The cameo, which will air in May, calls for Hart to enter the bar just after Diane (Shelley Long) has finished chastising Sam (Ted Danson) for dropping politicians’ names. The Senator, having met Sam the night before, shows up to return his coat and is gone 90 seconds later. “It helps my reputation,” said Hart. “It’ll probably ruin the show’s.” Viewers will record the final vote, but for the cast and crew it was Hart by a landslide.