“I’m sorry, but this is Jean Ralphio,” my best mate dropped into a group chat.
Her observation was accompanied by a link to an incredibly serious and academic Twitter thread that theorised that young Leon Trotsky, the Russian Soviet who was assassinated by Josef Stalin, resembled Pauly D from Jersey Shore.
Intrigued, I clicked on the link and found myself unable to acquiesce. No. This was in fact a 19th century Jean Ralphio appearing before my eyes.
The original tweet was posted by stand-up comedian Kate McVay
young trotsky looks like pauly d pic.twitter.com/wGMrEX8Nbc
— Listen I’m Scary OK (@katiemcvay) November 28, 2018
While I recognise that there may be a slight resemblance between the two and respect the take – I cannot in good conscience get behind it. To the eyes of this mere mortal, Young Buck Trotsky is far more reminiscent of the best the wooooooooooorst character on Parks & Rec – Jean Ralphio, also known by his actual name, Ben Schwartz, I guess.
Disclaimer: I do not think that Jean Ralphio is ‘the wooooooooooorst’ charatcer . I merely said this for the quip. You understand.
Unsurprisingly, I was not the only person to come to this correct conclusion. A slew of Twitter comments justified my stance.
Looks like pic.twitter.com/rBHP5gJGsY
— u coulda had 69 u cowards (@RyanHicks_8Bit) November 28, 2018
Getting more of a Jean Ralphio vibe, personally. pic.twitter.com/JFBMlVdSv6
— vote from the rooftops click click click (@chibbitychoo) November 28, 2018
— kevin romeis (@KevinRomeis) November 29, 2018
Some have also concluded that Trotsky also resembles Steve (Joe Keery) from Stranger Things, and I totally see it in that glorious mane.
Steve looks exactly like young Leon Trotsky from StrangerThings
— hannah! (@Potter_Hannah3) November 29, 2018
Ben Schwartz and Joe Keery have actually been compared to it each other quite a lot, to the extent that they met up, dressed alike and bro’d out for laughs.
Andrew Garfield comparisons were also thrown into the mix. Again, it’s the hair.
I was thinking trotsky garfield pic.twitter.com/ch2PxiIybX
— mike⛽️???? (@kurtruslfanclub) November 28, 2018
But despite these other, lesser, contenders – I’m morally obliged to die on the hill of Jean Ralphio. For now that I have born witness to this photographic revelation, I cannot unsee it
Now let’s sell some of grandma’s jewellery and go clubbing.