Paul Rudd is a timeless, precious gem.
The 50-year-old (yes he’s 50, let that fact sink in for a moment) actor is reminding the world of why we love him so much thanks to a clip from Sean Evans’ YouTube series Hot Ones. Rudd appeared on an episode late last week and engaged in a conversation that quickly went viral. The clip promptly spread online, transforming into everyone’s new favorite meme.
me and my friends remembering all the reckless things we did in college and yet we’re alive, not in jail and living full adult lives pic.twitter.com/hNMfGYhiJq
— ❌ (@pizzaexprezz) October 21, 2019
The meme centers around the simple exchange between Evans and Rudd. The show puts Evans and an interviewee on either side of a table, eating increasingly spicy hot wings and answering questions. The relatable reactions from both parties quickly made Evans’ YouTube series skyrocket in popularity after it premiered in 2015.
“Look at us,” Rudd says earnestly in the clip. “Hey, look at us.”
“Look at us,” Evans agrees, eliciting a huge, heartwarming smile from Rudd.
“Who would’ve thought,” Evans continues, to which Rudd simply responds, “Not me!”
The meme sprung from this short exchange. In no time, people were sharing the clip with brief, funny captions about finding oneself in an unexpected situation. “Me and my sister hanging out like normal adults after beating the shit out of each other daily throughout our entire childhood,” Twitter user @ballerguy wrote.
Me and my sister hanging out like normal adults after beating the shit out of each other daily throughout our entire childhood pic.twitter.com/H4WCxeXXiX
— Carol (@ballerguy) October 22, 2019
A freelancer to their check when it finally comes in the mail pic.twitter.com/JWidCt0ph1
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) October 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/ShowofTheColton/status/1185693131213283329
When you and your boo finally decide on a place to eat pic.twitter.com/fEdlU5T8EV
— Anthony Rodriguez (@saint_papii) October 21, 2019
People found no lack of inspiration for the meme, using it to poke fun at everything from financial problems to following through with drunk plans and even mental health.
“When you make next morning brunch plans when you’re hammered and then actually follow through with them,”@Mr__Tweeets wrote.
Me and my friends after being sober for a full 24 hours. #lookatus #paulrudd pic.twitter.com/7YpIqaeK1W
— killa kai (@VivaLaKai) October 22, 2019
Paul Rudd when he bumps into Tom Hanks and they acknowledge that they’re both so loved for being precious gems of men. pic.twitter.com/tIIFjZOGwg
— Nola Thee Journalist (@NolaMarianna) October 23, 2019
Me and my bank account after I've made $50 stretch for a week and a half pic.twitter.com/OrG3eIKkjp
— DJ Kyle Roguer (@DJJordanJetson) October 20, 2019
when I follow through with any plans I make https://t.co/3JgUoQ3nUV
— chubbawub (@chelseymai04) October 21, 2019
When you make next morning brunch plans when you’re hammered and then actually follow through with them pic.twitter.com/dWu31q0CQe
— Ry (@Mr__Tweeets) October 20, 2019
me & my mentally ill friends when we complete small tasks like getting up before noon & completing an assignment pic.twitter.com/WuIBEkNEeu
— babie (@dznyella) October 21, 2019
The meme became so popular that talking about the meme became a meme. It meme-ceptioned. It meme-produced.
As of press time, the internet cannot stop obsessively talking about this meme. Quippy lines about it are spreading nearly as quickly as Rudd’s beautiful face. “I appreciate the ‘look at us! who would’ve thought?—not me!’ meme bc it serves as a critical reminder that Paul Rudd is an ageless, glowing deity,” @NatPurser wrote. The sentiment was echoed all over the web.
https://twitter.com/sophvelly/status/1186809744851382272
https://twitter.com/kelvinmjohnston/status/1186718371972296714
I appreciate the “look at us! who would’ve thought?—not me!” meme bc it serves as a critical reminder that Paul Rudd is an ageless, glowing deity.
— Nat My President (@NatPurser) October 22, 2019
I need to see the Paul Rudd “look at us” hot ones clip at least 1x daily for the rest of my life in order to not deplete all of my serotonin
— Hannah Stoutamyer (@hannahbeefit) October 22, 2019
We’ll update this story as the meme continues to evolve.
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H/T BuzzFeed