 " The Dog and Pony Show " was co @-@ written by producers Robert Borden and Deborah Oppenheimer , and directed by Steve Zuckerman . The episode was inspired by the British comedy film The Full Monty . Following its release in the United States , Drew Carey saw the film three times and loved it so much he invited the cast to appear in the episode , while they were promoting the film . However , Andrew Essex from Entertainment Weekly reported that cast members Mark Addy , Paul Barber , Steve <unk> and Hugo Speer were not allowed to perform on the show after being stopped by the American immigration department because they did not have work permits . The cast members were instead billed as " guests of honor " due to Actors Equity rules preventing them from being paid for their cameo . 
