Dan Fogelman’s The Neighbors, which premiered on ABC in 2012, combined a suburban family comedy with an alien premise. Across two seasons and 44 episodes, it followed the Weavers after their move into Hidden Hills, a gated community populated by aliens disguised as humans. These visitors, known as Zabvronians, had spent a decade on Earth awaiting instructions from their superiors. Their attempts to imitate human behavior provided much of the comedy: they drew nourishment from books rather than food, and green liquid flowed from their ears when they cried.
George Takei made four appearances as Big Bird, father of the alien leader Larry Bird, beginning with the first-season finale, “It Has Begun...” His role brought him into a scene with Mark Hamill, who played Commander Bill. The exchange incorporated references to both Star Trek and Star Wars, while Big Bird’s communication equipment supplied another visual joke. Resembling an ordinary toaster, the device transmitted bread to Earth with messages burned into its surface.
Fogelman secured Takei’s participation through a personal letter. Recounting the invitation in a 2013 interview, he explained that several staff members were Star Trek fans and that he himself enjoyed Takei’s appearances on Howard Stern’s show. Takei agreed to join the cast and later delivered his familiar “Oh myyy” catchphrase in an episode. Although the series initially received poor reviews, its second season earned favorable reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. It did not return for a third season.
