Ex-Smiths Legend Johnny Marr Makes ‘Portlandia’ Cameo

Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr made an unlikely cameo on a recent episode of the hipsterific comedy series ‘Portlandia’, playing an art-loving bicyclist who somehow keeps his cool while dealing with inept bike valets.

Stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein play the valets, who offer to park bikes for guests attending an art opening. All seems to be going well until Armisen rattles the key rack, knocking some of the keys off their assigned slots.

When the art event ends, Marr is the first person out. He approaches the valets, who promise to retrieve his ride. Instead, they keep bringing back the wrong bikes, testing the British rock star’s patience as he repeatedly sends them back to get the right one.

“What’s that accent? Are you from California?,” asks Brownstein’s clueless valet. Armisen eventually gets mad at Marr, saying, “You’re being very choosy.” Marr finally goes to pick out the bike himself. “It’s the one on top,” he declares, pointing out his bike atop an awkwardly-stacked pile of two-wheelers. “Give us about 45 minutes,” Brownstein says. The so-so skit was not ‘Portlandia”s finest moment, but Marr pulled off his cameo convincingly.

‘Portlandia’ is a satire of progressive, hipster life in Portland, Ore., that frequently features musicians as guest stars. Among those who have appeared previously are Sarah McLachlan, Aimee Mann, Joanna Newsom, Eddie Vedder, and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse.

Watch Johnny Marr on ‘Portlandia’