The Galifianakis Schtick: Too Much of a Good Thing?

In 2008, if you were to ask someone who Zack Galifianakis is they would have no idea. Fast forward two years later and the scruffy comedian is an overnight sensation with three movies being released in 2010—this begs the simple question—why?

Zack Galifianakis is a household name. Since his breakout role in “The Hangover,” Galifianakis has been making a steady run at Hollywood with an HBO show, numerous guest appearances on television and over six feature films –all in various stages of production.

“The Hangover” had not yet even gone to DVD when hoards of teenage males were already wearing t-shirts that had an illustration of a baby in a carrier, in reverence to Galifianakis’s character. This marked the start of the inexplicable popularity of The Galifianakis Schtick.

Galifianakis is funny, but he is not hilarious. I am in wonderment as to why he is now suddenly so popular when he has been playing the same character for 16 years.

Have you ever seen the little-known ski bum movie “Out Cold”? Zack Galifiankis co-stars as Zack Galifiankis. How about “G-Force” or “What Happens in Vegas”? His new releases, “Due Date” and “Dinner For Schmucks,” are more of the same song and dance.

Galifianakis consistently plays the token “awkward confused guy trying to figure things out” role. Is he funny? No doubt. A good sidekick? Absolutely. But he is not iconic funny.

The only explanation is that there has been some shift of equilibrium in the humor of the average American—an almost reverse phase of Advancement. Though it seems as if the shift could be evening itself out as people start to question the staying power of a one trick pony.

Starpulse recently released an article titled “Will Audiences Get Tired Of Zach Galifianakis?” The article compares the ascent of Galifianakis to that of Jack Black, who is about as popular as Andy Dick—well, maybe not that bad. The author writes “His [Galifianakis's] career trajectory seems eerily reminiscent of Jack Black who rose from being the funniest person in a scene to quickly being the most annoying person on camera.”

Galifianakis is smart in his style of acting—he is creating a brand. But a brand needs to evolve. Choosing roles that offer little creative diversity and releasing projects back to back could very easily lead to overkill-then pretty soon Galifianakis would not just be playing the confused guy trying to figure things out.