‘Primetime’ Backfires as Chris Hansen Trolls Robert Pattinson With Viral Meme

Avatar photoRobert Milaković
Chris Hansen Primetime 2
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Robert Pattinson has spent years crafting a reputation for his quirky, self-deprecating interview moments, with one of the most memorable being his infamous kitchen mishap. The 2020 GQ profile, where he attempted a bizarre pasta dish and nearly ignited a fire in a borrowed apartment, has since evolved into one of the actor’s most recognizable memes.

This old clip has made a surprising comeback this week, thanks to the real-life journalist Pattinson is portraying on screen. Chris Hansen, the former host of ‘To Catch a Predator,’ whose story inspired A24’s new film ‘Primetime,’ decided to turn Pattinson’s viral moment back on him, adding to their ongoing, increasingly public back-and-forth.

Hansen shared a photo of himself in a nearly identical kitchen setup to Pattinson’s famous meme, complete with wooden cabinets and a white refrigerator. He wore a brown striped track jacket, camo pants, and tan boots, mirroring the original image closely.

“Two can play at that game,” Hansen remarked in his post, highlighting that Pattinson is portraying him in ‘Primetime’ and using the meme recreation to tease his upcoming reaction to the film after attending its opening night screening.

This meme recreation caps off months of public tension between Hansen and the production surrounding ‘Primetime,’ a dramatic thriller directed by Lance Oppenheim, based on Luke Dittrich’s 2007 Esquire article about Hansen’s ‘Dateline NBC’ era. The film, distributed by A24, presents a fictionalized account of Hansen in 2006 as his show transitioned into its own primetime block.

Hansen had previously claimed on Fox News’ “The Dan Abrams Show” that A24 attempted to block him from an early screening unless he signed away rights to his name, image, and brand. However, a source familiar with the situation later informed TheWrap that Hansen was simply asked to sign a standard non-disclosure agreement, the same one required of all preview audiences to prevent spoilers rather than restrict his identity.

After finally watching the film during a crowded opening night screening in Times Square, Hansen spoke with Jesse Watters on his own podcast, “Have a Seat with Chris Hansen,” to share his thoughts. When asked to grade Pattinson’s performance, Hansen gave it a D. “But I’m kind of the only guy that counts in this room,” he remarked after Watters called the grade harsh.

Screenshot 2026 09 26 at 09 55 03 Primetime Rotten Tomatoes

Despite the critical review, Hansen has navigated the promotional cycle carefully, asserting that the film is “absolutely a fictional portrayal” while also recognizing Pattinson’s talent as an actor. Pattinson, for his part, has remained gracious about the situation, expressing hope that Hansen would eventually view the portrayal as a compliment rather than an insult.

Whether Hansen’s meme recreation reflects genuine annoyance or a clever understanding of how to capitalize on a viral moment, it has certainly resonated with audiences online. The image has garnered significant engagement since its posting, with fans debating whether Hansen is amplifying the rivalry for attention or is genuinely unfazed by the fictionalized version of his own story.

For a film centered around reimagining a real person’s most controversial career chapter, having that same person respond with his own meme has added another unpredictable layer to ‘Primetime’s’ rollout.

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