I was doing a bit of research to try and explain perhaps why attractive actors seem to get all the fan adoration while so-called “average Joes” seem to get less love. I think it can be explained by a cognitive bias known as the Halo Effect. Essentially, attractive people are considered by many to be more intelligent and kind than non-attractive people. It’s sad but true.
Well, like all of us at least, I don’t see MRJ as average joe. He’s adorable, but not “swashbuckling” I guess. I wonder sometimes about the ages of the meanest segments of the fanbase. I can’t help but see these as crazy teenagers who perhaps behave this way at school. I have a very hard time thinking these are the coveted 18-49 demographic. I guess some adults are this crazy, but it smacks of 13-14 y/os to me, and considering the 7/8PM time slot and “family friendly” aspect of the show, maybe it is. Just a theory.