On tonight's Modern Family, Nathan Lane guest-stars as a friend of Cameron and Mitchell's who hosts a dreadful fete. Perfect casting, no? Modern Family is a series that could benefit from more of these zippy cameos, and we've got the five actors who should be jumping at the chance to swap quips with the Pritchetts.
Who She Should Play: The salacious mother of Manny's new crush
Adam Sandler: And speaking of reunions: Julie Bowen may be an Emmy-nominated star now, but in the '90s she was Happy Gilmore's critical girlfriend Virginia Venit. With Sandler on board for a cameo, we can revisit the primal exasperation that made her an ideal foil to Sandler's maniacal character.
Who He Should Play: Phil's aggressive new golf instructor
Henry Winkler: Winkler killed on Arrested Development, The Practice, and Rob Huebel's rib-tickling Children's Hospital, inarguably proving his character prowess beyond the realm of The Fonz. For as recognizable as the Yale grad's face is, he disappears into all comic roles with an unbeatable knack for timing.
Who He Should Play: The Dunphys' child psychiatrist
Jane Fonda: The two-time Oscar winner is a virtual stranger to the small screen, and that's a shame, because Modern Family poses a real chance for her to redeem the utter shame of Monster-in-Law. Her snappy, casual articulation -- as evinced in those Klute psychiatrist sessions -- are perfect for mockumentary confessionals.
Who She Should Play: Phil's compulsively rule-driven mother, who bears a strange resemblance (physically and emotionally) to Claire
John Goodman: Since he's perhaps the greatest sitcom dad of the past 20 years, John Goodman seems like a natural fit for Modern Family's chaos. Out of 11 Emmy nominations, he's only picked up one for a guest spot on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. His next trophy should honor his patriarchal comic chops.
Who He Should Play: Cameron's staunchly proud father. (Yes, he's only 19 years older than Eric Stonestreet, but Goodman can play anyone from age 65 to 40.)