Prince: 10 best TV appearances

The legendary music icon Prince crossed into all genres of pop culture, including television.

While rarely appearing as anyone other than himself, Prince had quite a few iconic TV moments over the years. Here are some of his best on the small screen.

New Girl (2014)

Prince was an enigma in many ways. But he also was a really funny dude. Case in point: his much-hyped episode of New Girl, which aired after the Super Bowl on Feb. 2, 2014.

In this season 3 episode, aptly titled "Prince," Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Cece (Hannah Simone) attended a party at Prince's house. After giving an awkward finger-gun response when Nick (Jake Johnson) told her he loved her, Jess actually got a little love tutorial from Prince himself. Also, he had a pet butterfly.

Saturday Night Live (2014)

Prince appeared twice previously on the venerable sketch comedy series, but it was his November 2014 musical guest slot (the host was Chris Rock) that made history with his electric eight-minute performance.

Most musical acts have to settle with two segments but Prince's talent and stature merited an epic medley, featuring "Clouds," "Plectrumelectrum," "Marz," and "Another Love." This marked his final TV performance before his death on April 21, 2016.

Super Bowl XLI (2007)

It's been called one of the greatest halftime performances of all time. And watching it again, it's hard not to get chills seeing Prince perform a medley in an almost ludicrously intense rainstorm. And yet he doesn't miss a beat.

The medley included "We Will Rock You," "Let's Go Crazy," "Baby I'm a Star," "Proud Mary," "1999," "All Along the Watchtower," and "Best of You," culminating with "Purple Rain," which became even more powerful given the weather.

The View (2010)

The singer surprised the hosts and the crowd by showing up live on air and presenting them with tickets to his show.

"Oh my God — is that Prince?!" yelled Whoopi Goldberg. Sherri Shepherd nearly fainted and then Prince ran away when she announced she's always wanted to "make love to him."

46th Annual Grammy Awards (2008)

One of the all-time best Grammy duets found Prince teaming with fellow superstar Beyoncé for a killer medley of their songs, including "Purple Rain," "Baby I'm a Star," "Let's Go Crazy," and "Crazy in Love." This is why wind machines were invented.

American Idol (2006)

The star showed up at the season 5 finale with very little fanfare and crushed it with two songs from his album 3121: "Lolita" and "Satisfied."

If you can get Paula Abdul to stand up and dance, you know it's a good time.

SNL 40th Anniversary Party (2016)

No, he didn't actually appear in the SNL 40 special, nor in this episode of The Tonight Show, but Jimmy Fallon tells such an awesome story about Prince's surprise appearance at the anniversary party that it's worth watching.

The American Music Awards (2015)

Prince showed up to present the first award, and, as always, his ensemble was funky, especially his third-eye sunglasses.

Prince presented the Weeknd with the Best Soul/R&B Album, and, with Prince's passing, this moment has a tinge of sadness.

Muppets Tonight (1997)

Prince, then known as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, once again showed off his comedic side on this short-lived reboot of The Muppets.

This is worth watching if only to hear Prince adopt a Southern accent as a Hee Haw-esque character named Jed and sing a song called "Raspberry Sorbet."

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions (2004)

Along with a crew that included Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Steve Winwood, Prince performed a tribute to George Harrison ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps"), capped with his truly incredible guitar solo. Even when he doesn't sing, he commands the stage.

The Arsenio Hall Show (1993)

Introduced by Arsenio Hall and Patti LaBelle, Prince does a killer version of "Purple Rain," and yet another ridiculous guitar riff. You can sort of hear the crowd chanting and doing Arsenio's trademark fist pump.