Following on the heels of appearances from has-been hall-of-famers Fred ''Rerun'' Berry and Al (Happy Days) Molinaro in Snoop Doggy Dogg and Weezer clips, respectively, a new wave of bands has added some kitsch to their shtick. Here's a guide to other campy cameos:
Cameo: Erik Estrada in Bad Religion's ''Infected.''
Role in video: Plays a paunchy, farcical California Highway Patrolman.
Credentials: Played a farcical California Highway Patrolman named ''Ponch'' in the '70s TV series CHiPS.
Why he really got the part: Don Knotts was busy.
Cameo: Rocker Marshall Crenshaw in Yo La Tengo's ''Tom Courtenay.''
Role in video: Plays a former cast member of ''Beatlemania'' who must entertain the band as they prepare to open for the absent Fab Four.
Credentials: Genuine former cast
member in a traveling company of ''Beatlemania''; entertained moviegoers as Buddy Holly in La Bamba.
Why he really got the part: Only Beatles-connected celeb who wouldn't overshadow band's bland persona.
Cameo: Fabio in Jill Sobule's ''I Kissed a Girl.''
Role in video: Lantern-jawed testosterone receptacle.
Credentials: Portrays lantern-jawed testosterone receptacle on frothy romance
novel covers.
Why he really got the part: Who else could so convincingly turn off Sobule's character to men?
Cameo: Ken Ober in Blues Traveler's ''Run Around.''
Role in video: Behind-the-scenes master of manipulation exposed by brainless, heartless characters drawn from The Wizard of Oz.
Credentials: Behind-the-podium master-of-ceremonies idolized by brainless contestants on MTV trivia show Remote Control.
Why he really got the part: Availability.
