Yes, Netflix's Florida Man Drew Inspiration From The Popular Meme
A few years ago, it started to seem like most of the craziest news headlines in the world were about someone described as a "Florida Man." There was a (since retired) @_FloridaMan Twitter account, and jokers both within the Sunshine State and far outside it had fun laughing at the expense of anyone unfortunate enough to earn that designation.
Now, there's a new Netflix crime series, "Florida Man," starring Edgar Ramírez of the upcoming "Borderlands" film. You might be wondering whether the title was selected for its established humor value. The short answer is yes, and Netflix has even published a brief, but thorough, explainer on the history of what has become a certified Internet meme. According to "Florida Man" creator and showrunner Donald Todd, the show takes direct inspiration from all those "Florida Man" jokes. "[People] laugh at the mug shots and the headlines," Todd said in another Netflix feature on the show, "but what's the story behind the meme?"
Edgar Ramírez doesn't see the show as making fun of Florida
In an interview with the Associated Press, "Florida Man" star Edgar Ramírez discussed the show and its relationship to the popular humor trope of the same name. Ramírez draws a distinction between making fun and having fun: "It does not make fun of that, it has fun with it, which is completely different," said the actor.
Show creator Donald Todd would probably agree. In his own remarks on the series, he points out that the same mysterious quality that makes the real-life state of Florida such a fertile source of mischief and mayhem also makes it perfect for a crime show. "The brightest sun casts the darkest shadows, so people can hide in shadows," he said. "All of that creates an ethos that's perfect for a bright and noirish crime story."
And if Netflix happens to generate some additional buzz from fans online who have enjoyed "Florida Man" humor in the past, so be it.