Watch The Real Stephen Blatt

The Real Stephen Blatt is a mockumentary-style web series produced by Funny Or Die that premiered in 2017. The show stars Justin Long as the titular character, Stephen Blatt, a struggling actor who is convinced that he's on the verge of stardom. The show is a hilarious look at the life of an actor in Hollywood who can't seem to catch a break.

The show is filmed in a documentary style and follows Blatt around on his daily adventures, from auditions to acting classes to odd jobs. He's accompanied by his friend and filmmaker, played by Darren Goldstein, who is making a documentary about Blatt's life in pursuit of fame.

The series is structured around a series of vignettes, each focused on a single aspect of Stephen's life. We see him at an audition for a toothpaste commercial, where he's confident he'll get the part, despite being told that he's not right for the role. Later, he's teaching an acting class to a group of bored teenagers who are less interested in his lessons and more interested in their phones.

Throughout the series, we see Stephen's delusions of grandeur get in the way of his success. He's unable to take criticism, convinced that he's a genius who's simply misunderstood. He's constantly comparing himself to his more successful friends, like the actor who's been cast in a TV pilot or the friend who's just landed a high-profile commercial.

Despite his setbacks, Stephen remains determined to make it as an actor. He has a quirky charm that wins over the audience, even when he's at his most frustrating. There's a sense that if he could just let go of his ego and his unrealistic expectations, he might actually make it in Hollywood.

The humor in The Real Stephen Blatt comes from its authenticity. The show feels like a real documentary, with Long and Goldstein giving excellent performances that make the viewer forget that it's all a sham. The situations that Blatt finds himself in are both relatable and absurd, from the audition where he's asked to mime brushing his teeth to the uber driver who recognizes him from a small role he played ten years ago.

One of the most interesting aspects of the show is the way it plays with the line between reality and fiction. While the show is clearly scripted, Long and Goldstein have a way of making it feel spontaneous and authentic. There are moments of improvisation that add to the show's humor, and there's a sense that the actors are having fun with their roles.

Overall, The Real Stephen Blatt is a hilarious and relatable take on the life of an actor in Hollywood. Justin Long and Darren Goldstein give standout performances, and the show's humor comes from its authenticity and the relatability of its situations. While the show only lasted for one season, it's a must-watch for anyone who has ever dreamed of making it in showbiz.