Ben Affleck’s ‘Bored’ Reaction to the Grammys Motown Tribute Raised Eyebrows
Ben Affleck became one of the breakout memes of the 2023 Grammy Awards on Sunday night without doing much at all. The actor accompanied his wife Jennifer Lopez to the award show where he didn’t do much dancing, singing or even smiling. The camera cut to “Bennifer” often, and before long social media commenters were poking fun at Affleck’s frown.
Affleck sat beside his wife and stood up when appropriate, but by all appearances, he didn’t get much out of the Grammys this weekend. Commenters thought he looked “bored,” and in general they found this hilarious and even relatable. However, Affleck did take some criticism for wearing his frown during a lively Motown music tribute performance, which included a sensational performance by Stevie Wonder. Some music fans wondered how anyone could look that stone-faced at such a concert, while self-professed introverts all over the internet said that Affleck’s batteries were simply running dry.
Ben Affleck is me as a kid being dragged somewhere I didn’t want to go. pic.twitter.com/YJRgB7eoPR
— Dr. Jebra Faushay (@JebraFaushay) February 6, 2023
Sincere critics thought that Affleck was being disrespectful to the performers at a certain point, and perhaps even playing up his vacant expression knowing it has gone viral before. However, his defenders pointed out that Affleck could hardly have expected to be on camera as often as he was given that he is an actor, not a musician. The collective conversation even touched on Affleck’s sobriety, with fellow alcoholics commiserating that it can be difficult to sit through a long night of festivities like this one while others are drinking.
In all likelihood, there wasn’t that much behind Affleck’s behavior – or lack thereof – at the Grammys. The 50-year-old actor has become easy meme fodder in the last few years just by being his authentic self. Here’s a look at some of the top tweets about Affleck on Sunday night.
Lauded Performance
us: enjoying some of the best music motown has put out.
ben affleck: pic.twitter.com/qQm274YVye
— aaron. (@theaaronwash) February 6, 2023
Affleck’s boredom became a meme throughout the entire night, but it got particular attention during this segment because many fans were genuinely enthralled by this performance.
prevnext
Context
Ben Affleck wants to go home Jen. Everyone in this video looks like they are vibing to a different song 😂 pic.twitter.com/a3KlNyVskD
— Sakshi Narula (@mssakshinarula) February 6, 2023
In fairness to Affleck, fans pointed out that the responses to this performance didn’t make much sense anywhere in the crowd. At least he avoided the pitfalls of dancing off-beat.
prevnext
Boston Music
Ben Affleck looking around for Dropkick Murphys pic.twitter.com/XIy3b4eE5R
— Mike Scollins (@mikescollins) February 6, 2023
Fans joked about what kind of music would have put more energy into Affleck, leaning heavily on his reputation as a Bostonian.
prevnext
Perspective
however bad of a day you’re having, I promise you’re not as miserable as Ben Affleck at the Grammys right now pic.twitter.com/OQxA54H9P1
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) February 6, 2023
Fans joked that Affleck’s disinterest in the Grammys put their own experiences into perspective, as they could not be having as bad a time as this actor.
prevnext
Act Energetic
Surely J-Lo could’ve afforded to turn Affleck’s energy regulator up a notch or two, take him off stand-by mode just for the Motown tribute.
— LC (@bah_sneh) February 6, 2023
they forgot to update ben affleck’s software before tonight pic.twitter.com/GO3c7Mz04h
— some bitch in sweatpants (@mrsstuckey2) February 6, 2023
Viewers wondered why Affleck didn’t at least act like he was enjoying himself a bit more, and why people close to him like Lopez didn’t advise him to step it up a bit.
prevnext
Laugh Factor
Whoever keeps cutting to Ben Affleck as he gets more and more exasperated, thank you
— Elamin Abdelmahmoud (@elamin88) February 6, 2023
On the other hand, many viewers were entertained by Affleck’s demeanor and were pleased it featured so heavily in the night’s broadcast.
prevnext
Introvert
Ben Affleck is every introvert everywhere. You can see his batteries draining in real time. Man is already at 23% 🪫 #GRAMMYs #SaveBen pic.twitter.com/Yv5zmzbPhr
— Dr. Kinda Decent Human (@amsi81) February 6, 2023
Ben Affleck giving off big “Only sober guy at a wedding where you know nobody other than your wife” vibes. pic.twitter.com/hCQHH3K4X1
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) February 6, 2023
Many fans sympathized with Affleck as a fellow introvert, feeling like his behavior didn’t reflect on the performance itself but the long, drawn-out event.
prevnext
Dunkin
someone get ben affleck a cigarette and a dunkin coffee stat pic.twitter.com/5Es3pxjBZF
— ilana kaplan (@lanikaps) February 6, 2023
Ben Affleck looks like he’d rather be at Dunkin #Grammys pic.twitter.com/tpRxT3x4ZJ
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 6, 2023
Finally, as with any Ben Affleck meme, this one included plenty of references to his beloved Dunkin Donuts coffee franchise.
prev0comments