SEATTLE — In its 14 seasons, several big-name celebrities made appearances on Almost Live! on KING 5 – some of whom weren’t yet household names.
Comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen DeGeneres both performed stand-up in the show’s early days, when it took on a variety show format. Host Ross Shafer also met television host Jay Leno at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for a comedic bit.
The show transformed into a sketch comedy show in 1988 when John Keister took over as host. Under that format, Jamie Lee Curtis made an appearance in a sketch as herself.
Here are some of the most notable people who appeared on the show and their full performances.
Jerry Seinfeld
In 1986, Jerry Seinfeld was several years out from debuting the blockbuster sitcom “Seinfeld.” However, he had been on The Tonight Show and The David Letterman Show numerous times by the time he came on season three of Almost Live! Seinfeld’s stand-up routine on Almost Live! included bits on airline travel before sitting down to chat with Shafer.
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres appeared on Almost Live! in 1987, a year after her big break appearing on The Tonight Show. DeGeneres had made headlines by becoming the first female comedian that Johnny Carson invited over for a chat. DeGeneres performed stand-up on Almost Live! before chatting with Shafer.
Jay Leno
Jay Leno, who was regularly appearing on The Tonight Show when he came on Almost Live! in 1986, had a unique appearance. Leno didn't have time to come to the KING 5 studios, so Shafer met him at Sea-Tac Airport. Photographers filmed their interaction walking through the airport -- which has great throwback travel vibes -- before parting in the pick-up lane.
Joe Walsh
Singer Joe Walsh of The Eagles came on Almost Live! in 1987. Walsh joked with Shafer about getting recognized in public and his affinity for trashing hotel rooms before performing a song with Almost Live!'s house band. Walsh played "Rocky Mountain Way," which was off his second studio album.
Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue was already a household name when he came on Almost Live! in 1987. Dubbed "the king of daytime talk," Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show. Donahue joined Shafer for a chat on Almost Live!
Jamie Lee Curtis
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis made a guest appearance in a 1999 sketch, playing herself. Curtis joined one of the recurring segments on the show, Unsolved Mysteries, with Pat Cashman. In the sketch, Curtis plays a woman, who Cashman said "looks astonishingly similar to Jamie Lee Curtis."
