Quinta Brunson, who plays schoolteacher Janine in the Disney+ sitcom, Abbott Elementary, pulled off two very different looks for a Halloween party in last night’s episode, ‘Candy Zombies.’ She initially dresses as basketball player James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers, even donning a fake beard; and later transforms herself into Marilyn, wearing a pink gown inspired by the ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ number from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – leaving fellow teacher Gregory speechless.
Sofia Vergara previously wore another ‘diamond dress’ as a Halloween costume in a 2016 episode of Modern Family, with screen husband Ed O’Neill cosplaying Joe DiMaggio.
Blake Lively took things a step further, recreating Marilyn’s signature musical number in a dream sequence for a 2012 episode of Gossip Girl (not Halloween-related), facing off against Leighton Meester as Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Marilyn’s ‘subway dress’ from The Seven Year Itch – another Travilla creation – is also a popular choice for Halloween costumes, as seen on Elisha Cuthbert (looking rather like Carroll Baker) in a 2011 episode of the sitcom, Happy Endings.
And finally, Vanessa Williams throws a Halloween party in a 2010 episode of Desperate Housewives, but is upstaged when neighbour Lee (Kevin Rahm) arrives in the same Marilyn-inspired dress.
Another iconic Marilyn look – the ‘Happy Birthday Mr President’ dress – is comparatively underrepresented on TV. Maybe Kim Kardashian’s recent Met Gala controversy will be reflected in this year’s Halloween costumes, on and off the screen?
The Marilyn Report 
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