We all know People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” title is mostly about selling magazines, a wink-wink, nudge-nudge acknowledgment of Hollywood’s absurd beauty standards. But this year, the absurdity has reached delightful new heights with the coronation of John Krasinski, revealed with appropriate fanfare on Tuesday’s Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Krasinski has been having a pretty decent run lately, transitioning from affable paper salesman to action star and director with surprising ease. Now, add “Sexiest Man Alive” to that ever-growing resume. It’s the kind of career trajectory that would make even Dwight Schrute envious.
Before the big reveal, Krasinski subjected himself to a standard Colbert interview, but the real meat of the evening was the announcement itself, complete with a pre-taped “instructional video” from the newly-minted Sexiest Man, offering tips on achieving similar levels of, let’s say, “Krasinskiness.” And because one dose of Hollywood handsomeness wasn’t enough, the video included a surprise cameo from former winner Chris Evans, offering his own expert advice on the matter.
Predictably, the internet exploded, with “Krasinski” and related terms trending across social media. Some celebrated, others questioned, and many just generally enjoyed the playful absurdity of it all.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 PM on CBS.
