The 10 Most Obnoxiously Over-Imitated Movie Characters

We don't blame Jon Heder. How was he to know that his portrayal of an eccentric high school outcast in the 2003 cult hit comedy Napoleon Dynamite would be imitated to the point of annoyance? Gosh! It's just one of those uncontrollable things, where quirky, standout characters catch on precisely because they're unlike Hollywood's ubiquitous clichés, but then they become so popular and over-imitated that you'd willingly trade the moments of joy they gave you if only people at work and parties would just shut the fuck up and stop quoting their lines.

With Fox's new animated television adaptation Napoleon Dynamite premiering this Sunday at 8:30 p.m. we anticipate people once again telling us that ligers, bred for their skills in magic, are pretty much their favorite animal. But before you do a hackneyed impression of Napoleon for us or anyone else, take a minute without with our countdown of The 10 Most Obnoxiously Over-Imitated Movie Characters and ask yourself if it's really worth the stoney silence you'll be greeted with.

Written by Shanté Cosme (@ShanteCosme)

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What was it about Jon Heder's audible-breathing and borderline narcoleptic character that inspired such devotion, and most importantly, so many awful impressions? Swan sign-language GIFs, purposeful mispronunciation of "kay-sa-dillas," and unironic usage of the words "friggin'," "dang," "sweet," and "gosh" have run rampant and unchecked on the Internets and IRL for too long. We're putting our foot down!

Fuck voting for Pedro. We vote that anyone to impersonate Napoleon again is put in solitary confinement and force fed [tater] tots for life. Now that's sweet!

Talk of "fava beans and a nice Chianti" are no longer a novel, witty reference to Anthony Hopkins' cinematic foray into cannibalism; it's a used-up utterance devoid of humor. Don't be that guy who coughs up a trite quote just to hear his own voice. You're better than that.

This also applies to Hannibal's co-killer, Buffalo Bill. There are no acceptable instances to utter the words, "Would you fuck me? I'd fuck me. I'd fuck me hard." Sure, we recognize the reference, but we still think you're creepy as hell.

The only acceptable phrase to rehash is "it puts the lotion on the skin," but only when used completely and inappropriately out of context. Use your imagination with this one, kids!

For the last fucking time, that is not your "blue steel" face—or "le tigre," for that matter. That is you attempting to be remotely attractive and failing miserably. No need to take a perfectly good movie down with you. Leave the male-modeling to Ben Stiller, and own up to your ugly mug like a real man.

Samuel L. Jackson can do no wrong in our eyes, but that does not mean we want the ruthless mobster that Tarantino penned to be rehashed ad nauseam.

Jules Winnfield is some of Jackson's best work. So, let's be real: No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to duplicate even a modicum of the genius of Jackson's infamous role or ever come close to saying "English, motherfucker, do you speak it?" with the same uncompromising intensity. So do us all a favor, and please, just don't try.

You think this one would have went under quickly like every other '80s trend or Arnold Schwarzenegger's reputation as a politician, but no, it still inexplicably prevails, defying time and common sense.

Trust us, when Grandma can recognize your impression, it's not a good thing. So please, can we finally euthanize the phrases "Hasta la vista, baby" and "I'll be back"? If anyone actually manages a chuckle, it's merely a sympathetic gesture, trust us.

We get it, we really do. Tony Montana has more badass in one of his always-bared-teeth than you do in the entirety of your soft body. We understand that your girlfriend constantly emasculates you, but don't take out your pent-up aggressions on us with that half-assed attempt at a Cuban accent. You don't sound tough, you sound like you're lisping. Also, "Say hello to my little friend!" uttered with a speech-impediment renders the iconic line with a entirely different meaning.

No wonder your girlfriend calls you a "girly man." Leave the tough guy act to Al Pacino, and stick to the whole tail-in-between-your-legs thing you do so well.

We're only going to say this once: If that neon yellow man-kini graces our vision one more time, we will sacrifice a kitten to the comedy gods. Sacha Baron Cohen made a name for himself with this Jew-fearing, chicken- and Pamela Anderson-loving foreigner, but you are scaring small children and in no way improving your chances of "sexy time" with the ladies.

Also, no, we will not "High Five!" you. And "Wawaweewa!" makes you sound like a giant fucking infant, so stop it, now.

We admit, Mike Meyers made us giggle more than a few times back in the day. But then again, we were 11 years old when Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was in theaters, and our comic sensibilities weren't exactly what you'd describe as "refined." That being said, "Do I make you horny, baby?" might have done it for us in the 6th grade, but our preference in pick-up lines has changed quite a bit since then (We prefer you not use them, ever.).

To summarize, if your audience is older than 11, they will find your British-shtick sadly dated, and if they are younger than 21, they will find your shagging references wildly inappropriate, leaving you with a success rate of zero within the age range of 1 and infinity. But, hey, take your chances!

There is a special place in hell for people who attempt to impersonate the ultimate cult character, Darth Vader. Your attempts at electric breathing will inevitably sound more like T-Pain with an upper-respiratory infection than the Dark Lord, and if you say "Luke, I am your father," you have officially gone to the dark side.

The line is: "No, I am your father." The force is clearly not with you, my friend.

Will Ferrell's roles are unique for the fact that they are douchey-by-definition, but somehow made monumental by Ferrell's all-in commitment to them. And no character exemplifies this more than the misogynistic, quasi-intellectual newsman Ron Burgundy.

Ferrell somehow manages to make Ron Burgundy admirably asinine, but rest assured, your impersonation attempt will fall pathetically short, no matter how many Burgundy-isms you string together about scotch and sex panthers. The truth is, 60% of the time, you'll fail every time, and you're not "kind of a big deal," you're kind of a hack.