If you’re like us, then you probably devoured the Netflix series You like a piece of chocolate cake. Sure, Joe’s (Penn Badgley) semi-hotness is problematic given that he’s a delusional murderer/stalker, but it’s a quick (steamy) binge, right? Well, not if you remove the voice-over.
Netflix trolled You fans today and shared a clip of what the show would be like without Joe’s quippy inner monologue, and it’s completely cringe-worthy. Don’t believe us? Then take a quick look at this.
The streaming platform captioned the clip with a massive understatement, writing, “@YouNetflix is kinda awkward when you remove Joe’s voiceover.”
Yep, just when you thought the whole Mr. Eight Seconds thing couldn’t get any more uncomfortable, it totally does. And Joe may have seemed witty and charming with his clever commentary, but without it he just seems poorly versed in social interactions and really, really quiet.
As a reminder, Joe (with voice-over) said, “Who are you? Based on your vibe, a student. Your blouse is loose. You’re not here to be ogled, but those bracelets, they jangle. You like a little attention. OK, I’ll bite…you’re not the standard, insecure nymph hunting for Faulkner you’ll never finish. Too sun-kissed for Stephen King. Who will you buy?” when he first saw Beck (Elizabeth Lail). He was deep, bookish and kinda cool.
Joe sans voice-over stares at people for way too long when they talk to him, as evidenced by both his interactions with the coolly chic and unhinged Peach Salinger (Shay Mitchell) and his beloved Beck.
Note to Netflix: Definitely keep the voice-over for season two. (But also, thank you for this.)