Sophia Michaels
The “Riverdale” cast have seen the jokes, but they’re not laughing. In an Aug. 15 interview with Vulture, the cast spoke about the rampant meme-ification of “Riverdale,” and why the internet just can’t seem to take the show seriously. “I think it’s important to acknowledge that our show is made fun of a lot,” Lili Reinhart said, referencing the clips she said are often “taken out of context” on social media at the actors’ expense. “It’s really not been easy to feel that you’re the butt of a joke.”
The general discourse seems to focus on the show’s melodramatic script (who could forget the “epic highs and lows of high school football”?) as well as the plot, which strays further from reality with each season. Reinhart, however, made it clear that’s all intentional. “When the absurdity of our show became a talking point, it was difficult,” Reinhart said. “It is, ‘What the f*ck?’ That’s the whole point.'” Casey Cott added that it’s their job as actors to embrace the conversation, even if it ends up being used for viral posts and hit tweets. “It only works if we lean in,” he said.
“It is, ‘What the f*ck?’ That’s the whole point.'”
On a more pointed note, Camila Mendes addressed some of the internet’s hypocrisy, saying it hasn’t been entirely fair in its assessment of what’s considered cringeworthy. “Superhero movies are the main thing at the box office these days, and those are the most absurd stories you could imagine! You’ve got a f*cking talking raccoon fighting aliens in space! No one’s like, ‘This makes no sense,'” she said. “We’re a comic book; it’s supposed to be fun and fictional and weird.”
Cole Sprouse claimed American audiences just aren’t getting it (and perhaps never will). “That’s the natural life cycle of a cult program. North America is the only part of the world that raises vocal opposition to the absurdity of the show,” he said. According to him, countries like England and France are different thanks to their “fascination” with Americana and more “dry” sense of humor.
“This used to be how every actor got their start,” Sprouse said. “These shows used to be that proving ground. And now they’re not really going to exist.” To his point, “Riverdale” is ending after seven unpredictable seasons this March. Thankfully, the internet lasts forever.
