Another TV boss is ready for a close-up

Fox Television Group Chairman Sandy Grushow took time from his busy schedule last week -- which includes wrestling with how to improve the network’s lineup -- to continue a well-established Hollywood tradition.

He played himself in a prime-time sitcom.

Grushow will be seen next year -- possibly during the February sweeps -- in an episode of “Yes, Dear,” the CBS comedy sandwiched between “King of Queens” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Although the program is on a competing network, it’s partly produced by 20th Century Fox Television, which Grushow oversees.

Like most executives ready for their close-ups, Grushow didn’t have to audition for the part. Executive producers Alan Kirschenbaum and Greg Garcia wrote him into a script, given that one of the show’s characters works at a studio.

“It was a little bit self-deprecating, which I liked,” said Grushow.

Regarding his performance, he said he was told he was “a natural” by people who “undoubtedly” were kissing up.

Actually, Garcia said pandering wasn’t the issue. Producers, he noted, frequently do such things largely to entertain themselves, from using writers in walk-on roles to naming characters after friends, relatives or former prom dates.

“When you’re doing a show, there’s a lot of things that you do just for fun for you,” Garcia said.

The late Brandon Tartikoff was perhaps most responsible for popularizing the practice of executive cameos. During his tenure at NBC, he hosted “Saturday Night Live” and appeared on “Alf” and “Night Court.”

Tartikoff’s successor, Warren Littlefield, showed up on “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Blossom.” Warner Bros. Television President Peter Roth danced with Lisa Nicole Carson on “Ally McBeal.” NBC Studios President Ted Harbert recently played himself on HBO’s Larry David series “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Former CBS Entertainment President Jeff Sagansky turned up a few times, and current CBS Television President Leslie Moonves -- who began his career as an actor -- has been seen on multiple shows, the latest being HBO’s “Arli$$.”

Asked why they chose Grushow instead of Moonves, Kirschenbaum quipped, “We didn’t think it was big enough for Les.”

After shooting the scene, Kirschenbaum introduced Grushow, and had the studio audience give him a standing ovation. Referring to the challenge of getting an audience to laugh, the producer said, “It makes powerful people humble.”

One of the more amusing cameos may have belonged to former CBS executive Rod Perth, who took part in the network’s pursuit of David Letterman.

In the HBO movie “The Late Shift,” documenting the succession battle over Johnny Carson’s throne, Perth is mistaken for actor Ed Begley Jr., who co-starred as Rod Perth.