The Kevin James Meme Phenomenon - marketing ploy or spontaneous viral moment?
We’ve all seen it 100 times over… even though the original post wasn’t even that funny (objectively!), the Kevin James headshot meme has completely taken off. I can’t remember the last time a meme had enough staying power to still write about days later - they hang around, but rarely dominate like this. The collective internet hivemind baffles us once again…is it just because he’s so affable? Are we making fun of him? Or do we see ourselves in him?
Maybe, we should look to the sitcom that started it all, King of Queens - undoubtedly one of the most successful sitcoms of the early aughts. The show premiered on CBS on September 21, 1998, 25 years to-the-date that the meme took off (happy coincidence?). We may never know if Doug Heffernan fans were working overtime to create this viral moment or it was a stunt seamlessly pulled off by the folks at Viacom.
Nonetheless, we might contribute some of the meme’s staying power to the sitcom format. A format that endured so long because of its familiarity. Characters like Doug feel like our friends and the sets feel like home. In the age of on-demand streaming, shows like King of Queens are enjoying a resurgence and on September 30th, likely thanks to the viral meme, this old show was ranked the 57th most popular TV show online.
Lapse First Impressions - More life and less likes?
Two weeks ago, my friend texted me “ok this is cute” with a link to what looked like a BeReal dupe. I forgot about it until yesterday, when another friend texted me saying, “obsessed” with the same link. Is anyone else kind of over the exclusive and AuTHeNtiC apps? Cause I am. @juicyjarryn hasn’t posted a BeReal since the spring, but yeah I caved to my desire to stay hip and downloaded “The invite-only disposable camera” app: Lapse.
Similar to the app Dispo, Lapse allows users to capture and share disposable camera-style photos but only allows them to view the photos later (1-3 hours in Lapse’s case). Once the photos “develop,” users swipe left or right to archive or post photos onto their journals. Users can also create a private roll with their friends, limited to 36 shots and “developed” 24 hours later. Lapse photos can’t be reviewed, can’t be edited in real-time, nor is there a selfie cam. The idea is that you “stay in the moment,” according to their website, focusing on “MORE LIFE. LESS LIKES.”
While the app comes with fun, dumb features like sending friends a “vibe🔥” or selecting 5 emojis that describe you on your profile pic, to even begin using the app I had to add 10 existing friends, invite 5 new friends to the app (with a cringey automated text), and create a lock-screen widget. The process was tedious and reminded me of a pyramid-scheme.
But I still did it. And so did a million other people. Once again, we flocked to another social media app that claims it will better our digitally consumed lives, fully knowing the best remedy is just staying away. Instagram photo dumps were promising, until they became too methodically curated, and BeReal felt wholesome, until no one actually posted on-time. What we’re craving is a platform that doesn’t fold to inauthenticity so quickly. Lapse says they’re the one, but in a time where the word ‘authentic’ feels severely diluted, I’m skeptical. Just not enough to delete the app.
The Ubiquitous US Open Cap - sign of true fandom, functional purchase, or cultural flex?
During the US Open Tennis Championship, it was impossible not to notice boldly colored, souvenir caps atop every head on the subway, in the office, at the bar. New Yorkers were eager to announce that they were in the know.
It’s not just the US Open, baseball caps generally are rising in popularity. The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article titled, “The Hottest Shop in America Is Your Local Gas Station,” touting the popularity of quirky hats you can’t buy anywhere else. The e-commerce platform Depop reported a 72% rise in searches for baseball hats this year. Some are calling caps the new tote bag, a way to signal intelligence, culture, and personality.
Right now, we’re all trying very hard to look like we’re not trying. Just look to New York Fashion Week where quiet luxury, athleisure and high/low fashion took center stage. Yes, in a post pandemic world we’re leaning into comfort and functional clothing but we haven’t given up on finding ways to stand out. In fashion, even the most casual sportswear continues to be a marker of status.
Fast Facts (Taylor’s Version)
Thanks to Taylor Swift women are tuning into Sunday Night Football in droves. Her relationship with Travis Kelce has increased female viewership by more than two million.
Taylor’s appearance at the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jets game on Sunday (10/1) is credited with driving a 400% spike in Kelce jersey sales and making the game the highest-rated NFL game of the week among female viewers between 12-49 years of age.