Ryan Reynolds and his sister-in-law, Robyn Lively, had an awkward moment in their new Doogie Howser M.D. spoof.
In a YouTube video uploaded by Reynolds, 48, on Monday, June 9, the actor could be seen sitting at a computer typing in what appeared to be a journal, stewing at the fact that Neil Patrick Harris is voicing Deadpool in a new VR game. Reynolds wore a white doctor’s coat and had a stethoscope around his neck.
“Today, I learned a lesson about buttholes they don’t teach you in medical school. People who steal your signature role are the biggest buttholes of all,” Reynolds said in a voiceover. “No, I don’t blame Meta Quest. Neil Patrick Harris is an amazing actor with the nurturing voice of an angel, but even though I haven’t hit puberty yet, I still know when you’re getting totally screwed.”
The set-up mimicked Doogie Howser, the show where Harris, 51, got his start. The comedy also starred Lively, 53, where she played Harris’ love interest. Robyn, the older sister of Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively, jumped in front of Reynold’s window and yelled, “House call!”
“My girlfriend, what are you doing here?” Reynolds said. “If my dad sees you here he’s gonna freak.”
Robyn reminded her brother-in-law that he is “a 48-year-old man.” Reynolds, forever committed to the bit, insisted that he was Doogie Howser.
“I’m a 14-year-old medical prodigy who’s going through the change,” he deadpanned, to which Robyn questioned if he was “talking about puberty.”
Reynolds broke character and reminded Robyn that she was “being paid” for the appearance.
“This is vindictive and stupid,” Robyn stated, to which Reynolds replied, “I disagree with that diagnosis.”
Then a clip for the new Deadpool VR game highlighted Harris voicing the character that Reynolds famously portrays. In addition to the game’s graphics, a title sequence read that “Neil Patrick Harris is Deadpool” and “Ryan Reynolds is ‘moving on gracefully.’”
Once the ad was over, the video returned to Reynolds and Robyn standing face to face. As they stared at each other, Reynolds awkwardly attempted to kiss his sister-in-law —- another acknowledgment of his commitment to the bit. Ultimately, however, he decided to pump the breaks.
“No, I don’t think we should do that because …” Reynolds began.
Robyn replied, “Because you are so dumb.”
Reynolds completed his train of thought by noting that Robyn is his sister-in-law.
Reynolds became a member of the Lively family when he tied the knot with Blake, 37, in 2012. The couple share daughters James, 10, Inez, 8, and Betty 5, and son Olin, 2.
Robyn, for her part, has been married to High School Musical star Bart Johnson since 1999. They share three children: Baylen, 22, Kate, 20, and Wyatt, 17.
