In the Loop small roles, Samantha Harrington, Eve Matheson, and Will Smith. The only characters from the show, however, are Malcolm Tucker (Capaldi) and Jamie McDonald (Higgins), with brief appearances by Tucker's secretary Sam Cassidy (Harrington) and journalist Angela Heaney (Lucinda Raikes). The other "Thick of It" actors who appear play new characters, albeit very similar to the ones they portrayed in the series. Likewise, Anna Chlumsky went on to portray a similar but nominally different character in the subsequent American series, "Veep". The writing of "In The Loop" followed the methods developed during "The Thick of It" television series. Co-writer Jesse Armstrong
The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase spin-offs. Troy walks by a poster of "The Jeffersons" (a spin-off of "All in the Family") twice, because the writers could not think of any more spin-offs. "Chief Wiggum, P.I." is a parody of police-dramas, such as "Miami Vice", "Magnum, P.I." and "Starsky and Hutch". Skinner emulates Don Johnson from "Miami Vice" in order to look scruffier. The character of Big Daddy is based on Dr. John, who comes from New Orleans. The chef in the restaurant resembles Paul Prudhomme. "The Love-matic Grampa" is a parody of fantasy sitcoms such as "Mister Ed", "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Bewitched" as