Ben Stiller, Tramell Tillman bring ‘Serverance’ to ‘Zoolander’

The Apple TV+ workplace drama “Severance” was part of a surprise appearance by Ben Stiller and Tramell Tillman at a screening of “Zoolander,” in the form of a marching band.

The August 16 Cinespia screening of “Zoolander” at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery was supposed to be just a showing of the classic 2001 comedy. However, before the movie began, attendees were given a bit of an Apple TV+ surprise.

To introduce the movie, Cinespia founder John Wyatt welcomed the crowd, then brought Ben Stiller on stage, reports Variety. Appearing in character as the titular character, “Derek Zoolander,” Stiller thanked audiences for attending a nine-year anniversary screening of “Zoolander 2” before correcting himself.

However, the star’s comedy introduction was interrupted by another part of the Stiller-verse. Tramell Tillman, who plays “Seth Milchick” in the Apple TV+ show “Severance,” arrived on the other side of the stage, complete with the USC Band.

The band’s appearance is in reference to the finale of the second season of the show. Stiller is an executive producer of “Severance.”

Stiller responded by introducing Tillman and the band, before saying “this is kind of more like a Zoolander’ thing than a Severance thing.” When he asked for a more movie-appropriate song, Tilman blew his whistle and the band started to play “Relax” by Powerman 5000, which appears in the film.

The appearance is the latest promotion for the show, which has seen considerable success for Apple TV+. The show dominated the 2025 Emmy Awards nominations list, with 27 total nominations.

There will be more Lumon antics in the future, as a third season for the show was confirmed back in March.

Previous promotional instances have included a massive mural and a pop-up “office” in Grand Central Terminal in New York. “Severance” itself has has also been a victim of a promotional gatecrash, with Brad Pitt and Apple CEO Tim Cook promoting the “F1” movie during a themed Today at Apple session.