Explore Allison’s rich television history below, starting with her best-known and longest-running series, followed by a section containing early appearances and guest spots.
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The Diplomat (Netflix)
Announced January 25, 2024. Allison is joining Season 2 of ‘The Diplomat’. Allison will play the Vice President. Allison is shooting her portions in London between March and April 2024.
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Palm Royale (Apple TV+)
Now Streaming! Shot between May-December 2022, Palm Royale premiered on Apple TV+ in March 2024. Palm Royale is a comedy series set in 1969 thfo llows Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) and her attempt to secure her seat at America’s most exclusive table: Palm Beach high society. Allison plays Evelyn, a key member of the social set. The season contains 10 episodes. Explore the Palm Royale page for still photos, video, red carpet premiere photos & interviews and behind the scenes content.
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Mom (CBS)
From 2013-2021, Allison appeared (and won two Emmys) as Bonnie Plunkett alongside Anna Faris in Chuck Lorre’s edgy multi-camera sitcom about a mother and daughter in recovery from substance abuse. Evolving as the series went on to include other women in the Plunkett’s AA group, the series inspired countless viewers to pursue addiction treatment and seek support of their own. Running for a total of 8 seasons and 170 episodes, MOM is Allison’s longest-running television series.
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Masters of Sex (SHO)
Allison’s role as repressed housewife Margaret Scully on Showtime’s critically acclaimed series spanned 9 episodes over the course of three seasons and garnered her three Emmy nominations and one win: the 2014 Emmy for Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
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Mr. Sunshine (ABC)
This short-lived but hilarious single-camera comedy ran for one season in 2011 and saw Allison join forces with Matthew Perry to portray the comings and goings at a large multipurpose arena in San Diego.
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The West Wing (NBC)
Between 1999 and 2006, Allison’s role as C.J. Cregg on Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking political drama garnered her four Emmy Awards as well as four Screen Actor’s Guild Awards and countless other nominations. The role propelled Allison’s career to new heights and opened up the door to greater film roles following the conclusion of the series.
Other Television Appearances:
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Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO - April 7, 2024)
Allison guest stars opposite Larry David in the serie finale, Season 12 / Episode 10.
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Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love (NBC - April 26, 2023)
Recorded March 2, 2023, this tribute to comedy legend Carol Burnett is set to air on NBC in honor of the star’s 90th birthday: April 26, 2023
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Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC - 2022)
Aired July 24, 2022. Allison’s maternal ancestry is traced back to before the Mayflower in this installment of the popular celebrity genealogy series.
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Celebrity IOU (HGTV - 2020)
Aired December 21, 2020. Allison appeared in one episode of the Property Brothers’ home renovation show to surprise her longtime assistant Ilana with the kitchen of her dreams.
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A West Wing Special to Benefit 'When We All Vote' (HBO Max - 2020)
First streamed October 16, 2020, almost all of the original cast members of the drama series came together to stage a presentation of the "Hartsfield's Landing" episode; includes commentary from former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda.
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The Kominsky Method (Netflix - 2019)
Streamed in October 2019. Allison appeared in one episode of this Netflix comedy by Chuck Lorre, portraying herself opposite Michael Douglas. Season 2 Episode 8: “A Thetan Arrives!”
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Nobodies (TVLand - 2017)
April 6, 2017. The team give their elevator pitch to Allison in an actual elevator. "Unfortunately", the doors close so she'll just have to see them at the Oscars.
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Hollywood Medium (E! - 2017)
Aired June 20, 2017. Allison has a psychic reading with Hollywood medium Tyler Henry. See a clip and read an article below:
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I'll Have What Phil's Having (PBS - 2015)
November 2, 2015. Allison joins foodie friend Phil Rosenthal in Episode 6 for a tour of DTLA’s Grand Central Market. Available via Amazon Prime Video.
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Break A Hip (Web Series - 2015)
Allison played Niblett in this star-studded web series created by friend Cameron Watson. When 80-something Biz Brantly, a cranky forgotten actress, hires 20-something Wincy, a clueless naive actor who's just hit town, to help her run errands, an unlikely friendship develops which leads to hilarious adventures in Hollywood.
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Hollywood Game Night (NBC - 2014)
February 27, 2014. Allison teams up with Jason Sudeikis and Don Cheadle. Watch some B-Roll/Behind the Scenes video here. Watch Allison and her team’s interview below:
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Web Therapy (SHO - 2014)
Starring Lisa Kudrow as a therapist who worked with patients over the internet, Allison appeared in three episodes of Season 4 as patient Judith Frick: “Coital Consequences”; “Learning Experience”; and “Looking at Other Things” (2014)
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Veep (HBO - 2013)
Aired June 9, 2013. Allison appeared in one epsiode of HBO’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus comedy playing a reporter doing a “puff piece” at the home of the VP. Season 2 Episode 8 “First Response”
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The Big C (SHO - 2012)
Allison appeared as a big-shot producer Rita Strauss in the episode “Life Rights”; aired May 3, 2012.
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Lost (ABC - 2010)
Allison played “Mother” in the 6th season episode “Across the Sea”, a very polarizing episode for fans of Lost. Read below this EW article from 2020 which discusses the lingering confusion of the episode.
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Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC - 2007)
Revisiting Aaron Sorkin post-West Wing, Allison played a version of herself in the 2007 episode “The Disaster Show” in which she’s hosting and everything goes wrong. Watch all her scenes in this video below:
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Two and a Half Men (CBS - 2007)
Allison played Beverly in the 2007 episode “My Damn Stalker” as a date for Alan.
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Weeds (SHO - 2005)
Allison played a punchy attorney Ms. Greeinstein in a scene opposite her West Wing co-star Mary Louise Parker.
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Frasier (NBC - 2002)
Aired March 5, 2002. “Three Blind Dates”. Allison plays Susanna, an artist set up on a blind date with Frasier.
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A Girl Thing (SHO - 2001)
Television film. An NYC shrink sees four different women with different issues - attraction to another woman, friction between 3 sisters, cheating husband, and wanting revenge after being fired. Allison plays Kathy, one of the three sisters.
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LateLine (NBC - 1999)
Allison starred in one episode of Al Franker’s LateLine which aired in January ‘99; she played a fan who was in love with Al.
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David and Lisa (1998)
Allison played Alix in this TV movie that also starred Sidney Poitier and Brittany Murphy.
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Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing (1997)
Allison played an Assistant District Attorney. The full film is available for free below:
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First Do No Harm (1997)
In this made-for-TV movie with Meryl Street, Allison plays a doctor with no bedside manner.
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Cosby (CBS - 1996)
Allison played a nurse in one episode of Cosby.
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Guiding Light (NBC - 1994/1995)
Allison played a recurring role as Ginger, one of the Spaulding maids.
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Law and Order (NBC - 1992/1994)
Allison has appeared in two episodes of the iconic New York City crime drama: the small part of Nora in “Star Struck” (1992) and more significantly, the part of Ann Madsen, witness to a mafia crime in “Old Friends” (1994).
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Blind Spot (CBS - 1993)
Allison played Doreen in this television movie starring one of her mentors, Joanne Woodward. Watch two clips featuring Allison below:
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As The World Turns (CBS - 1993)
Allison played Vi Kaminski.
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Morton and Hayes (CBS - 1991)
Allison appeared in two episodes of this short-lived series which was centered on the "rediscovered" work of a fictitious comedy duo; each episode presented what was purported as a newly-discovered Morton & Hayes comedy short from the late 1930s or early 1940s. Six episodes were shown from July 24 to August 28, 1991.