It’s Mean and Beastly and Not At All Funny

John Travolta, Johnny Depp, Nicole Kidman and Britney Spears are among the celebrities who’ve been Photoshopped to look like mere commoners. 

Comments

[Mags]

Nicole Kidman wins. I don't know why, she just does.

[Anna]

What, no Jennifer Aniston?

[David]

It reminded me of this item from the ephemera archives. And which, for some reason, still amuses me.

[Glen Slagg]

Funny as they are, the comments are even more amusing given that many visitors don't seem to have realised that it is a spoof. For instance, some git commenting on Rihanna(sp?) "is dis 4 real?"(sic). Cock. And about two dozen saying "this has been photoshopped!". Double cock. Some poor old bloke, obviously randomly surfing for pictures of the Olsen twins was shattered and said "What happened? They used to be so cute". Those commenting on "Lady" Gaga just assumed that it was her latest look.

[David Gillies]

It's not just the technical artistry that's amazing here; it's the mise en scene. Transforming celebrities into fatter, blotchier versions of themselves is one thing. Transforming them into middle managers and suburban housewives and blue collar workers is astounding. The puffy sleeves on that awful shot of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The studio photograph and nerd glasses in the one of Beyonce and Jay-Z. The sensible wool suit Rihanna is wearing. Each picture feels like it has a back-story. Brilliant.