Has actors playing themselves gotten old? – Quibbling Siblings

Bob:

It seems like there is a new trend on television. Maybe it’s not all that new, but it’s one that I’ve noticed lately. I think it was Apartment 23 that did it for me. It seems like everywhere I look there is an actor playing him or herself on a new show. In the case of Apartment 23 that actor is James Van Der Beek, but you can look elsewhere and find more examples (see Matt LeBlanc in Episodes, Warrick Davis and company in Life’s Too Short, before that there was Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Jennifer Grey in It’s Like, You Know…, and the list goes on). When you add in guest appearances and cameos, the list becomes quite long indeed.

The question is: Is this trope completely played out or is it still comedic gold?

The contrarian in me wants to roll my eyes and tell you how over it I am, but I can’t bring myself to do it. It’s still funny. Van Der Beek is funny on Apartment 23, LeBlanc is a bit of a revelation on Episodes, and every celebrity appearance on Life’s Too Short (and Extras before it) makes me smile. There’s just something about actors poking fun at themselves that gets me every time.

Debbie:

I agree, it’s hilarious.

I had high hopes for Apartment 23, but James Van Der Beek is the only reason to watch … and he’s so funny that I’m still watching. I know Jennifer Grey did it ages ago, but I feel like Neil Patrick Harris really made it a thing when he completely played a douchbag version of himself in the Harold and Kumar movies. Though, it could be that the phenomenon has its roots in the very good sports that host SNL who play themselves in some of the skits — Alec Baldwin and Justin Timberlake come to mind. And of course Christopher “More cowbell!” Walken.

I know they aren’t playing themselves as their real selves, but I think part of what makes it so funny is that these actors are capable of laughing at themselves. It just makes them seem all the more relatable and human, and less like untouchable celebrities.

Bob:

Okay, so it looks like I need to play the devil’s advocate now. Can we say that even if the trend might be funny, it’s a little lazy? Even if it continues to make me smile, it seems like it’s starting to be overused as a joke. After all, isn’t Van Der Beek essentially playing the same exact character that Neil Patrick Harris did in Harold and Kumar? How many times can the same joke be funny?

I guess it just seems that whenever an actor plays himself, he is really just playing the stereotypical, over-the-top “celebrity.” It might be fun to see a unique and different take on it, but it doesn’t seem like anyone is choosing to do that. I guess it’s because, at the end of the day, it’s still kind of funny.

Debbie:

Now I’ll play devil’s advocate the other way, and say that it is not lazy … it’s an extremely clever marketing scheme. Take Neil Patrick Harris as the perfect example. An actor tries to get back in the game after a one-hit wonder (Doogie) and fails. Enter playing yourself (Harold and Kumar). The general public sees you in a whole new light, and your career is suddenly booming again (HIMYM, various guest spots). A happy ending for everyone.

It seems even more relevant these days, with all of the social networking, and how fans think they “know” their favorite stars because they follow them on Twitter, Facebook, whatever. I’d like to think the celebs are poking fun from that point of view as well.

Bob:

It’s true, though I wasn’t really referring to it being lazy on the actor’s part, but on the part of the writers. I’m always appreciative of something clever or different, and this trope is quickly becoming neither of those things.

Debbie:

I don’t know … I’m not sure yet. It could definitely go the way of been-there-done-that, but I don’t think it’s there yet. Van Der Beek really does take it to a whole new level, and maybe whomever the next celeb to try it will as well. The writers could be as lazy about this as they are about other things; it depends on the writers and the celebs to make it successful, but I don’t think the trope itself is what will wear out.

Clacked by Bob Degon
on May 02, 2012 @ 20:01 EST5EDT