Lindsay Lohan: Funny or Die

On Tuesday, April 14, 2009 actress Lindsay Lohan aired her most recent video, a sketch comedy poking fun at herself. Currently featured on the cover of two tabloid magazines and a constant target of the “Queen of all Media,” Perez Hilton, Lindsay decided to turn the tables on the unforgiving media and embrace some serious self-deprecating humor. Making light of the recent problems in her personal life by creating a fake eHarmony ad for the comedy website Funny or Die, Ms. Lohan attempts to defend herself through her gift of acting. The question ultimately remains: Does the video accomplish what she intended? 

First, Lindsay brashly jests about her recent break-up with DJ Samantha Ronson before highlighting other lows she has endured including a police chase, assault charges,  and reported empty bank account. However, Funny or Die features many celebrity skits that are written and directed by premier Hollywood talent. The director for L.L.’s eHarmony ad, Eric Appel, spoke out about the video shoot and had nothing but extraordinarily high praise of the actress saying “She improvised [during the video] and threw in a bunch of fun, funny stuff” and furthered by stating “She came in, did her thing, was really professional. People forget Lindsay Lohan’s, like, a good actress. There’s so much attention [to everything she does], but…you forget this girl has really good comic timing.”

Ultimately, I believe that this video will be a hit among audiences of an age that relate to previous Lindsay Lohan films such as Mean Girls. If the public didn’t care about Lindsay Lohan, for better or worse, tabloid publications and news services would stray from featuring her turmoil on a daily basis. While the video lasted only one minute and thirty-two seconds, it did allow her to work with professional writers and directors who were more than willing to sing her praises in front of the media. Like any corporation, a celebrity’s most important possession is their voice. By being able to make fun of herself publicly she is attempting to make the first step towards a Britney Spears-like comeback. Most often media starlets hide behind the voices of their publicist, but it’s truly refreshing to see someone willing to take a serious risk to rehabilitate their own image.

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