Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

A-List, B-List


By

Jen Chung

Published May 30, 2003

Modified Mar 6, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Chung

Published May 30, 2003

Modified Mar 6, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Joey; Photo - WireImageRenee; Photo - WireImageThe L.A. Times takes a look at the inevitable phenomenon of actors and actresses who seemed headed for success at one point but then Hollywood realized they were just a doppelgangers for others with more potential to be successful. Specifically the idea that there are A-list and B-list versions of the same model of actor, like Renee Zellweger and Joey Lauren Adams are pretty similar, in looks and attitude, but Renee is A-list, Joey B-list, through the forces of God and Harvey Weinstein.

Other examples they give are Reese Witherspoon and Alicia Silverstone, Johnny Depp and Skeet Ulrich, and Matthew Broderick and Jon Cryer. Gothamist has played this game before, but we've called it "Poor Man": "Jennifer Esposito is the poor man's Jennifer Lopez." The game can also be adapted to genres as well: "William Fichtner is the action David Strathairn." And it can be changed for hours of fun.

Tagged

alicia silverstone

celebrities

david

David Strathairn

entertainment

fun

gothamist

harvey weinstein

hollywood

jennifer lopez

johnny depp

jon cryer

Matthew Broderick

movies

Poor Man

reese witherspoon

renee zellweger

the L


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.

A new film focuses on the strange career of a location scout in New York City.

By

Sonia Rao

Published Sep 26, 2026


There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.

See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Arts & Entertainment

There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.

See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.

By

Hannah Frishberg


A massive MTA archive ended up in a Virginia warehouse. A Brooklyn man brought it home.

By

Hannah Frishberg

How a Harry Styles pop-up in the East Village led to a nearby bookstore owner's arrest

By

Sonia Rao

NYC’s creative workers are increasingly self-employed, report says

By

Hannah Frishberg


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .