History CelebrityParadox / WebOriginal

* A variation of this trope is often run into in JournalRoleplay games that use "fandom" characters. Many games have a "no fourth-walling" rule--i.e., one character can't reveal to another character that they're fictional, or use knowledge of their original canon to their advantage.

* In WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd fan game ''AVGN: Game Over'', there's a level based on ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaIISimonsQuest'' called James' Quest (referring to Creator/JamesRolfe, who plays the Nerd). AVGN comments "Who's James?"

* If ''Series/{{Elementary}}'' existed in the ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'' universe, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMADukPN57w this is what would happen]].
* In the ''WebVideo/KateModern'' episode "Fictionality," Ralf Little's character, Gavin, complains that people keep accusing him of being a professional actor.
* Both averted and not in ''WebVideo/TheLizzieBennetDiaries''. The vlog that Lizzie does is available in-Universe and is clearly relatively successful. Most characters are aware of it. On the other hand, none of the characters has ever heard of ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice''.

* Literature/NewYorkMagician: Discussed when Michel meets [[spoiler:Cthulhu.]] He's sitting in a bar later on, more than a little disturbed, and points out to the [[spoiler:djinn]] he's discussing the incident with that said Elder is supposed to be fictional. The [[spoiler:djinn]]'s response is basically "That doesn't mean he isn't real."

** In the TGWTG Team Brawl special, the Nostalgia Critic and [[WebVideo/BumReviews Chester A. Bum]] [[spoiler: are both in the fight]], and then "Ask That Guy" comes in near the end [[spoiler: and gives the entire brawling mass a lecture about misdirected creative energies]], and proceeds to take a group photo.

* {{Lampshaded}} in WebVideo/ObscurusLupa's ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'' reviews. One storyline involves Phoebe dating a character whose actor is also on ''Series/SexAndTheCity.'' As a gag, at one point she holds a DVD box for ''Series/SexAndTheCity'' and compares it to her own life. Lupa then questions why she doesn't notice that one of the show's characters is identical to her boyfriend.

-->'''Kevin:''' ''[[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 BRAIN GUY?!]]'' [[MythologyGag Wow!]]
-->'''Bill:''' What am ''I'' doing there?!
* Slacktivist has a post about the problems that this trope causes for would-be prophets, [[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2012/11/19/the-curious-incident-of-elementary-left-behind-and-the-paradox-of-bible-prophecy/ here]].
* It is extremely obvious that thanks to LikeRealityUnlessNoted, ''[[WebVideo/MarbleHornets Marble Hornets]]'' exists in the universe of the [[Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos Slender Man Mythos.]] It is not a stretch to assume that everything that has anything to do with the Slender Man at all exists in said universe. Which means the Slender Man stabbings had actual Slender Man involvement. Which means, considering the {{Tulpa}} [[YourMindMakesItReal Theory,]] [[OhCrap we're]] [[RealAfterAll all]] [[PrecisionFStrike fucked.]][[note]]In the case you didn't click either of those links, the Tulpa Theory means, in a nutshell, if enough people believe something exists (or can exist) it ''will exist.'' Which means [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom if those two girls can convince people,]] or [[HumansAreMorons if enough people become deluded...]][[/note]]

* A meta-example appears in an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v52FLMOPSig&feature=youtu.be online PSA]] featuring the former cast of ''Series/TheWestWing'' in-character to discuss non-partisan voting and campaign for Bridget Mary [=McCormack=], who was running for election at the time. In introducing [=McCormack=], Josh notes that she's the sister of Creator/MaryMcCormack (who played Kate on the series) as one of the interesting facts about her. This prompts Josh, C.J. and Toby to briefly wonder exactly who Mary [=McCormack=] is. Then Kate shows up and remarks that whoever "Mary" is, [[ButHeSoundsHandsome she sounds pretty delightful, smart and hot.]]
* Creator/BradJones references this in his Binge Watch of ''Series/FullerHouse'' (the sequel to ''Series/FullHouse''), when a character mentions [[Creator/MaryKateAndAshleyOlsen the Olsen twins']] clothing line.
--> '''Brad:''' ...So the Olsen twins exist in this universe! What are they famous for, ''Film/NewYorkMinute''?
* On ''Roleplay/NoPixel'', Carl Crimes is an {{Expy}} of Carl Grimes from ''Series/TheWalkingDead'', and is played by Carl's actor Chandler Riggs. However, ''The Walking Dead'' also exists in-universe, and no one has asked why Carl Crimes [[InkSuitActor looks exactly like]] his television counterpart, though it's never been definitively determined whether Riggs himself exists in this universe.[[note]]That said, it is worth noting that the cops used a picture from the TV show as Carl's mugshot, so it's anyone's guess at this point.[[/note]]
* Creator/TomHiddleston, who plays Loki in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, interacted with an MCU Loki roleplay account on Website/{{Twitter}}.
* ''WebVideo/KamenRiderExAidTheAbridgedSeries'' has Kuroto and Parad trying to start a web vlog called “Bugster Bros”, only to learn the name has been taken by {{SpecialForm12}} and {{ProtoDubs}}, the YouTubers who voice the characters.

--> '''Brad:''' Wait, the Olsen twins exist in this universe? What are they famous for, ''Film/NewYorkMinute''?

* A meta-example appears in an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v52FLMOPSig&feature=youtu.be online PSA]] featuring the former cast of ''Series/TheWestWing'' in-character to discuss non-partisan voting and campaign for Bridget Mary [=McCormack=], who was running for election at the time. In introducing [=McCormack=], Josh notes that she's the sister of Mary [=McCormack=] (who played Kate on the series) as one of the interesting facts about her. This prompts Josh, C.J. and Toby to briefly wonder exactly who Mary [=McCormack=] is. Then Kate shows up and remarks that whoever "Mary" is, [[ButHeSoundsHandsome she sounds pretty delightful, smart and hot.]]

* ''WebVideo/KamenRiderExAidTheAbridgedSeries'' has [[ThoseTwoBadGuys Kuroto and Parad]] trying to start a web vlog called “Bugster Bros”, only to learn the name has been taken by {{SpecialForm12}} and {{ProtoDubs}}, the YouTubers who voice the characters.

* On ''WebVideo/NoPixel'', Carl Crimes is an {{Expy}} of Carl Grimes from ''Series/TheWalkingDead'', and is played by Carl's actor Chandler Riggs. However, ''The Walking Dead'' also exists in-universe, and no one has asked why Carl Crimes [[InkSuitActor looks exactly like]] his television counterpart, though it's never been definitively determined whether Riggs himself exists in this universe.[[note]]That said, it is worth noting that the cops used a picture from the TV show as Carl's mugshot, so it's anyone's guess at this point.[[/note]]

* Creator/TomHiddleston, who plays Loki in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, interacted with an MCU Loki roleplay account on Website/{{Twitter}}.

* On ''WebVideo/NoPixel'', Carl Crimes is an {{Expy}} of Carl Grimes from ''Series/TheWalkingDead'', and is played by Carl's actor Chandler Riggs. However, ''The Walking Dead'' also exists in-universe, and no one has asked why Carl Crimes [[InkSuitActor looks exactly like]] his television counterpart, though it's never been definitively determined whether Riggs himself exists in this universe.[[note]]That said, it is worth noting that the cops used a picture from the TV show as Carl's mugshot, so it's anyone's guess at this point.[[/note]]

--> '''Brad:''' Wait, the Olsen twins exist in this universe? What are they famous for, ''Film/NewYorkMinute''?

* {{Lampshaded}} in WebVideo/ObscurusLupa's ''Series/{{Charmed}}'' reviews. One storyline involves Phoebe dating a character whose actor is also on ''Series/SexAndTheCity.'' As a gag, at one point she holds a DVD box for ''Series/SexAndTheCity'' and compares it to her own life. Lupa then questions why she doesn't notice that one of the show's characters is identical to her boyfriend.

* In ''WebVideo/CarmillaTheSeries'', Sherman Hollis is played by Enrico Colantoni. Colantoni also played Keith Mars, Veronica's father in ''VeronicaMars,'' frequently referenced in Carmilla.

* Creator/BradJones references this in his Binge Watch of ''Series/FullerHouse'' (the sequel to Series/FullHouse), when a character references [[Creator/MaryKateAndAshleyOlsen the Olsen twins']] clothing line.

* A meta-example appears in an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v52FLMOPSig&feature=youtu.be online PSA]] featuring the former cast of ''Series/TheWestWing'' in-character to discuss non-partisan voting and campaign for Bridget Mary [=McCormack=], who was running for election at the time. In introducing [=McCormack=], Josh notes that she's the sister of Mary [=McCormack=] (who played Kate on the series) as one of the interesting facts about her. This prompts Josh, C.J. and Toby to briefly wonder exactly who Mary [=McCormack=] is. Then Kate shows up and remarks that whoever "Mary" is, [[ButHeSoundsHandsome she sounds pretty delightful, smart and hot.]]

* Both averted and not in ''WebVideo/TheLizzieBennetDiaries''. The vlog that Lizzie does is available in-Universe and is clearly relatively successful. Most characters are aware of it. On the other hand, none of the characters has ever heard of PrideAndPrejudice.
** However, Jane Austen seems to exist, as Charlotte and Lizzie mention that their mothers were reading Literature/SenseAndSensibility at a book club when they went into labor.

* In the Netflix original ChristmasSpecial ''A Very Murray Christmas'', Creator/BillMurray stars AsHimself, but a few of the celebrity guests are portraying characters. This gets interesting when these guests happen to be people who've worked with him before. The most prominent example is Jason Schwartzman's character Elliott: Since they're both part of WesAnderson's ProductionPosse, Murray has frequently been cast alongside Schwartzman, so he should find this groom who happens to be stranded with him in a hotel lounge during a blizzard strangely familiar-looking. It's not quite as glaring, but Creator/AmyPoehler playing Liz also fits, since Bill Murray has appeared on ''Series/ParksAndRecreation''.

* {{Lampshaded}} in ObscurusLupa's ''{{Charmed}}'' reviews. One storyline involves Phoebe dating a character whose actor is also on ''Series/SexAndTheCity.'' As a gag, at one point she holds a DVD box for ''Series/SexAndTheCity'' and compares it to her own life. Lupa then questions why she doesn't notice that one of the show's characters is identical to her boyfriend.

* Literature/NewYorkMagician: Discussed when Michel meets [[spoiler:Cthulhu.]] He's sitting in a bar later on, more than a little disturbed, and points out to the [[spoiler:djinn]] he's discussing the incident with that said Elder is supposed to be fictional. The [[spoiler:djinn]]'s response is basically "That doesn't mean he isn't real."
* In WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd fan game ''AVGN: Game Over'', there's a level based on ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaIISimonsQuest'' called James' Quest (referring to Creator/JamesRolfe, who plays the Nerd). AVGN comments "Who's James?"
* A variation of this trope is often run into in JournalRoleplay games that use "fandom" characters. Many games have a "no fourth-walling" rule--i.e., one character can't reveal to another character that they're fictional, or use knowledge of their original canon to their advantage.
** On the other hand, there are pan-fandom roleplays that are more lax about the Fourth Wall, usually with the bottom line being "but only if the player of a character is okay with it". (However, even the most meta-aware NoFourthWall character is still not allowed to recognize that they're in a JournalRoleplay regardless of premise or setting.)

* Both averted and not in ''WebVideo/TheLizzieBennetDiaries''. The vlog that Lizzie does is available in-Universe and is clearly relatively successful. Most characters are aware of it. On the other hand, none of the characters has ever heard of PrideAndPrejudice.
** However, Jane Austen seems to exist, as Charlotte and Lizzie mention that their mothers were reading Literature/SenseAndSensibility at a book club when they went into labor.
* ''Series/{{Noob}}'' plays with the trope both in terms of the series itself and stuff related to it. ''Noob''-related objects can bee seen in Fantöm's room and the channel that airs the webseries on TV exists. Omega Zell has a ringtone that is none other than his own character song and a shot of the band that performed it is briefly seen between two TV ads related to the FictionalVideoGame of the setting. The lead singer of the (real) band is the actor playing Master Zen, a character that is a hiding escaped prisonner.
* In the third episode of Amazon's ''Betas'', a background character in a karaoke bar sings "Gives You Hell" by the All-American Rejects. That band's lead singer Tyson Ritter has a recurring role, not as himself but as a drug dealer; in that episode's B-plot, the other characters bail him out.

* Lampshaded during the riffing of ''The Night Dracula Saved The Earth'' by Podcast/RiffTrax, when a suspiciously familiar character steps out of the mist.
-->'''Kevin:''' ''[[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 BRAIN GUY?!]]'' [[MythologyGag Wow!]]
-->'''Bill:''' What am ''I'' doing there?!
* A meta-example appears in an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v52FLMOPSig&feature=youtu.be online PSA]] featuring the former cast of ''Series/TheWestWing'' in-character to discuss non-partisan voting and campaign for Bridget Mary [=McCormack=], who was running for election at the time. In introducing [=McCormack=], Josh notes that she's the sister of Mary [=McCormack=] (who played Kate on the series) as one of the interesting facts about her. This prompts Josh, C.J. and Toby to briefly wonder exactly who Mary [=McCormack=] is. Then Kate shows up and remarks that whoever "Mary" is, [[ButHeSoundsHandsome she sounds pretty delightful, smart and hot.]]

* If ''Series/{{Elementary}}'' existed in the ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'' universe, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMADukPN57w this is what would happen]].