The meme of Kevin James smirking and shrugging became the star of memes of late 2023. And honestly, it was just a stock photo. James depicted grinning as if he’s been caught doing something a little naughty went viral all over the internet. If you’ve been online in the past week (which, let’s be honest, who hasn’t?) you’ve probably come across this incredibly self-satisfied picture preceded by a caption so wickedly playful you can practically hear the smug. But how did Kevin James become the internet’s newest sweetheart? Stay tuned folks because this article might just be even more adorable than Kevin James’ subtlety-perfect sheepish expression.
A Photo Born in 1998, Rediscovered in 2023
This whole journey started much earlier, precisely on January 1, 1998. Promo photos for CBS’s then-new sitcom, The King of Queens were photographed by Tony Esparaza who caught Kevin James on camera doing silly poses. Of them, one specific photograph: James, a smirk on his lips, shoulders raised in a careless shrug, emitting all at once wit and charisma – was stored in the vast vaults of Getty Images.
Fast forward a generation: memes are the currency of the internet, and this photo reemerges thanks to one enthusiast named Andrew Champagne who attempted to make it go viral in 2020. It fizzled. But on September 21, 2023, Champagne gave it another go, this time captioning it:
“me after 1 double rum and diet.”
It exploded. The post on X (formerly Twitter) received more than 2 million views and 24,000 likes within the first three days. It took a short time for the meme to storm the internet, as everyone who read the phrase could find the onset of Kevin James’ face perfectly embodied shy, mischievous self-acceptance.
Kevin James Meme in its Glory
By September 26, the meme had evolved. The King of Queens co-stars hopped on in the fun. Leah Remini said she loved the meme and Ben Stiller, son of Jerry Stiller, another cast member, also chimed in to appreciate it.
It was James’ response though that helped make the meme even more endearing to fans. He recalled shooting the picture while appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in January 2024. In a hilarious cold-open sketch, James and Fallon recreated the pose, with James feigning exasperation:
“When you first get a sitcom, you just listen to anybody. You’re just so happy to be there. And the photographer, he was just telling me to do goofy things. And he was like, ‘Smile. Now like you’re sexy, now like you’re shy, but now you’re kind of—’ and I got into this position where I’m like, ‘What the hell am I doing?’”
“I got into this position where I said please bury that one, and [the photographer] said yeah no worries—that won’t come back.”
“Twenty-five years later, this thing pops up.”
Well, it was a joke that the actor had during the shoot and he didn’t plan on it becoming the publicity emblem. And yet, here it was, credited as the cultural touchstone that it became.
A Meme Fit for All Occasions
The Kevin James meme is not only notorious for its trickster nature but indeed for its functionality. It has been combined with descriptions of various situations; starting with self-conscious cringe to full-blown defiance. Case in point: its use in politics.
When Senator Chuck Schumer responded to Senator John Fetterman’s informal attire by re-adopting a formal dress code for the Senate, the former used the Kevin James smirk in the tweet.
Why We Can’t Get Enough?
One thing that makes the meme rather endearing is its provenance. Unlike many perfectly staged PR moments, this was candid: a picture from the time before James realized that he was going to become an internet meme. That’s why it clicks, it feels real.
Furthermore, the meme focuses on the universal concept. There is real chemistry between Kevin James’ indifferent shrug and a smirking, guilty-proud look.
As James himself said during his Fallon appearance, with mock despair:
“Yeah, I can’t stop doing it!”
Trending
Neither can we, Kevin. Neither can we.
Also Read: The Funniest memes capturing the internet’s reaction to 'Jacob Elordi’s new beard'
Reply
