Joe Manganiello shows off his giant, roidy muscles in Men’s Health: gross or hot?

Joe Manganiello covers the new issue of Men’s Health Mag UK. I can’t find a decent sized cover, so I’m sorry, but not really because you still get to enjoy these photos of Joe and they are amazing. Amazing in a really gross way. Like, I enjoy big, tall man. I enjoy built, muscle-y men. But I loathe that particular ‘roided-up look that some big, muscled men get and Joe has that look. The photo of his back as he climbs that rock… it made me sick. Just the thought of that on top of me… that’s disgusting. But Joe thinks he’s awesome. Joe thinks the ladies love this. Joe thinks that what ladies really want is another Arnold Schwarzenegger!

In the interview, Joe revealed that working with bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger was a dream come true, and he is more than flattered to be in consideration to be his heir.

He said: ‘Arnie was a hero to me. He’s the reason why every guy of our generation started going to the gym. To film with him for four months was awesome. And he still trains every morning.’

The 65-year-old actor even gave his successor some tips on how to make his muscles look even bigger in pictures.

Joe recalled: ‘We had a photoshoot for the movie poster. I was wearing a sleeveless top, crossing my arms and flexing.

‘Arnold came in and said, “I see you’re flexing your biceps. Don’t do that. Keep it loose and with crossed arms put the other hand back to push the muscle forward – you’ll get an extra three inches.”‘

When True Blood star Joe was cast in Sabotage alongside is A-List action legend hero Arnie, he knew he had to get into the best shape of his life for the role.

And speaking about his workout regime, Joe: ‘My first season on True Blood was about cutting down my mass – getting more ripped. Then it was more about levelling out the physical symmetry. When making the film with Schwarzenegger, I went through a powerlifting phase – I put on 9kg, so my bodyweight was up to 113kg. Now, I want to be a great athlete. It’s about becoming stronger, fitter and faster.’

And talking about pushing himself for the part, Joe said: ‘I’m not 18 anymore. But you won’t hear me saying that, because me at 36 would destroy me as a teenager. In my mid-thirties I’m making bigger gains than I’ve ever made in my life.’

[From The Mail]

Yeah, he looks huge. TOO huge. You could make the argument that he’s doing it for himself and not for the ladies and that it’s his choice, etc. But I just know there are some ladies who are going to see these photos (especially that gross one of his back) and they’ll think, “OH YES.” Which is also fine, but it’s so foreign to me. I don’t understand that at all. My type is tall, thin, dark-haired, light-eyed men with accents so whatever THIS is… it’s not doing anything for me.

Photos courtesy of Men’s Health UK.

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131 Responses to “Joe Manganiello shows off his giant, roidy muscles in Men’s Health: gross or hot?”

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  1. Jens says:

    Sexy!

    • whatthehell456 says:

      Yup, I’m with you on this one. YUM.

    • Shannon says:

      F*CKING HOT!!!! Omg I think he is such a MAN. He’s 6’4 and a wall of muscle. I can’t wait for True Blood. He’s one of the reasons I watch. Alcide is a stud.

    • A says:

      Yes!!! You can’t just throw the roid-card at anyone who makes solid gains. He’s always been huge and the 9kg he gained for that movie could very well be made without roids.
      He looks great and sexy 🙂

      • Shannon says:

        Yes exactly. He works out like a maniac. It’s not steroids.

        And I bet he’s got a HUGE one. He just looks like he’s got a monster in his pants. Delicious.

      • Rachel says:

        Exactly. Kaiser if you really want to see roid muscles, you can hit the gym with me sometime. There are guys in there who can’t even put their warms down. They walk around like Randy in his snowsuit. It’s ridiculous. And not at all attractive. Joe, on the other hand, while he doesn’t do it for me, still looks lean muscular.

      • MorticiansDoItDeader says:

        He could work on his legs though. Those calves are pitiful.

    • victoria1 says:

      UGH why can’t I find one of these!?!!!! I’m convinced he’s just a fluke. there are no others like him out there.

    • Lishka says:

      He’s super fit and healthy…not roided up. If you look at him he has none of the bloat of roids…sorry, need to change your title there.

    • crab says:

      Holy crap!! Yummy!!

  2. Hahaha says:

    I work for them in HOLLAND…GOD why dont we hAVE THIS COVER< DAMNZZZ IT!!

  3. Nev says:

    HOT DAMNNNNNN!!!!

  4. Vee says:

    Gross. I guess I’m in the minority.

    • Spooks says:

      Yeah, doing nothing for me. But then again, I don’t like muscular guys at all. I’d rather have skinny or chubby guys, thank you very much..

    • RocketMerry says:

      Count me in, too.

      6-packs and bulging muscles just make me nauseous: give me tall, not too thin, not too big, with sweet, dreamy, dark eyes and I’ll be happy.

    • LadyMTL says:

      I don’t mind men with muscles (I think he actually looked really good in his earlier True Blood episodes) but this is way too much. It’s verging on scary.

      Plus I hate his hair in that top pic, it looks long and greasy. Get a haircut, Joe!

    • JenD says:

      Not a fan, either. And the bulging veins particularly gross me out. My husband is a comic book geek so we go to conventions, and there are people who actually change their diet so that the veins bulge out for their costumes. Yuck.

      • Jenny says:

        I don’t love the big muscles, but I don’t discriminate. My type has always been a basketball body, but I’ll take football, soccer, fit in general, etc. I don’t think this guy compares to Arnie though; that was way too much and gross for me.

  5. Bird says:

    Hardbodies are NOT my thing, but he looks pretty damn good to me.

  6. Christo says:

    The most disconcerting thing is the use of steroids for many of the cover models on the men’s magazine. People should just own up and come clean to everyday, commonplace use of steroids by today’s so-called fitness gurus. Instead, you have these chemically-created, “aesthetically” appealing headliners who tout how “healthy” they are and what organic foods they eat—all the while they are taking human growth hormone and testosterone. Please be honest about your fakeness, Joe. It seems as if everyone wants to fake like they are an original and did it all on their own with their own innate genetic proclivities and wondrous diet without the help of anything or anyone. There are no true originals. In the era of the internet collective, we are riddled with artificial, exaggerated, and altered digital samples of the TRUE analog originals. And, no, one doesn’t have to be bitter to expect others to be honest about their fakery.

    • Teeny says:

      Reading this just reminds me Gisele.

      I agree with everything you’ve said. Unfortunately, the fake subjects don’t want to admit the real secret. It’s easier for them and their handlers to make money off of their image one way or another. But then it also feeds the commonpeoples’ insecurities so they will be more likely to buy whatever the fake subject is using in hopes of achieving the same results. It’s sad.

      With that sad, I used to love muscley men…. Until I realized just how incredibly vain and insecure they tend to be. These days I’m more attracted to the nerdy type that makes some attempt to stay fit, but not overdo it.

    • Teeny says:

      Reading this just reminds me Gisele.

      I agree with everything you’ve said. Unfortunately, the fake subjects don’t want to admit the real secret. It’s easier for them and their handlers to make money off of their image one way or another. But then it also feeds the commonpeoples’ insecurities so they will be more likely to buy whatever the fake subject is using in hopes of achieving the same results. It’s sad.
      With that sad, I used to love muscley men…. Until I realized just how incredibly vain and insecure they tend to be. These days I’m more attracted to the nerdy type that makes some attempt to stay fit, but not overdo it.

    • A says:

      And you have proof of this? You do know that people can eat clean, train hard and have insane physiques without steroids?

      • KB says:

        I don’t think that really applies in this case. Look at the guy’s neck.

      • Shannon says:

        He’s 6 foot f*cking 4. This man is build like a brick shit house. He’s got a big neck because he’s a BIG man. Its not roids. I would soooooo wrap my legs around him.

      • KB says:

        Sorry, I should clarify. I wasn’t saying he has a large neck, I was saying he has no neck. He’s got an enormous head on enormous shoulders, as steroid users often end up getting over time. None of these photos show him from the front, but it’s gotten worse than it was when he first started on True Blood.

      • Joanna says:

        I’m with Shannon. that man is fine! and hes not too big, I can believe he’s all natural, no roids!

  7. RHONYC says:

    I’m stuck on the bus from hell outside the Lincoln Tunnel so, merci beau coup for the manmeat!

    Its like food to the starving out this piece! 😆

  8. ČŠĆŽĐ says:

    Gross. And he looks a bit dumb.

    • Spooks says:

      Yeah, doing nothing for me. But then again, I don’t like muscular guys at all. I’d rather have skinny or chubby guys, thank you very much..

    • Sassy says:

      No, he is not dumb. He has a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. I think he is gorgeous and one of the few real men without the pretty boy look. This guy could take a role in a Shakespearean play without much effort and he would fit in as a villain quite well.
      http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0542133/

  9. MrsB says:

    I don’t like the huge muscle body builder types, but I don’t think he looks like that. He’s pretty hot if you ask me!

    • Ducky la Rue says:

      Yes, I agree. He doesn’t look roidy to me – that’s usually the oversized, muscled to the point of no-neck type of guys who look like a side of beef (to me, anyway). He’s muscled, but more lean than uber-bulging.

      • ChocoChipDstryr says:

        I agree that he looks somewhat natural. When I think of the overly ‘roided muscle-type, I think of the Rock in the last Fast and Furious movie – so big he looks like he’ll pop with a tiny head.

    • ms says:

      I think he looks great. There’s no roid acne or major stretch marks on him so not sure he’s on them but you never know.

    • BooBooLaRue says:

      Mrs. B. speaks truth. Wasn’t prepared to be so delighted!

  10. allons-y alonso says:

    Pass. I hate bulk and he strikes me as a bit of a tosser.

    • Londongal says:

      LOL!I do actually fancy him physically but I must agree, he comes across as a knob. Love it when a fellow Brit uses a nice, english insult! :-}

      • allons-y alonso says:

        Sorry dear, but I’m not British. I’m Australian but we tend to use a lot of the same wonderful insults. I was going to call him a rat-bag but tosser seemed more fitting :p

    • loveisthecoal says:

      He’s an ASS. He’s from my home city–I speak from experience.

      • Londongal says:

        Ooops! Sorry Hun, how British am I, just assuming you are! D’oh. Oh Loveisthecoal please do tell! :-}

  11. Jenna says:

    He was always gross to me. Never understood the love for him as Alcide. Bleh. Though I thought he looked better as Owen on ‘One Tree Hill’ for some reason.

  12. gloaming says:

    He’s such a meathead.

  13. Madpoe says:

    JESUS!H.CHRIST!

    This usually does nothing for me either, but if he asked to carry me I wouldn’t dare say “No”!

  14. T.fanty says:

    I generally find him quite hot, but this spread does nothing for me. The interview doesn’t gel, either. The whole thing feels tragically macho and really dated.

  15. Ari says:

    He’s not that big to me…? He looks actually normal considering his height and the fact that he works out…I don’t see the roidy part.

    • Nev says:

      Word. I don’t think it’s steroids. Nuff supplements and protein. The photos add ten pounds too!!!

    • Shannon says:

      I doubt he roids out. He’s natural and I’m madly in love with him. Have been ever since he started playing Alcide.

  16. Ems says:

    Kaiser if your type is dark haired men? Why are there so many gingers/fairhaired on this site ? Prince harry, fassy. hiddleston, cumberbatch guys with that hair color seems to be this sites prefereance of man candy.

    Please more dark haired men. But i agree about Joes muscles its too much. I also think any man that spends that much time in the gym is not gonna be very stimulating company.

    • ramie says:

      ^ Agree! Enough of the gingerbread men. It’s nice to see guys with dark hair. Bring back Hot Guy Friday! :))

      • Bonnie says:

        + 2. And more men of color too!!

      • littlestar says:

        Lol I like the gingerbread men! Marrying one at the end of this year :O). Anyway, I have no clue who Joe Manganiello is, but his body looks pretty good to me! I’d say he doesn’t do steroids.

  17. Jess says:

    Gross. There’s a difference between a guy who works out, and a guy who spends 8 hours a day in the gym staring adoringly at himself in a mirror while he picks up heavy things ad nauseum. Also the breath of people who slug down protein shake after protein shake like it’s water is always vile, so that’s enough to put me off anyone who looks like this.

    • Rachel says:

      Him, Hugh Jackman, The Rock, and Chris Evan need to slow down on the steroid or they better look out for future heart attacks. You can tell when someone train naturally and someone train with steroid. I know they have trainers and stuff but It is almost impossible to get muscle like theirs naturally.

  18. bros says:

    yah my only physical requirement is that a man be in reasonably good shape and outweigh me because I don’t want to feel like the beast in the relationship, and have good teeth. Kaiser, we have the same taste in guys I think. the other main requirement that is even more important than body type is language-gotta speak another one other than english!

  19. Bopit says:

    Yeaahhh… if he approached me in a dark alley, I wouldn’t say no. I would shamelessly hit that. HARD.

  20. hannah says:

    Talking about the angle at which you must flex your biceps in order to strike the most flattering pose= not attractive.

  21. AustinMJ says:

    He’s a tad too cavemaney for my taste.

    • Viv says:

      Exactly! A little less bulk and a shave and a haircut and I would be ready for him.

  22. GiGi says:

    When I was younger I really preferred thin, sinewy androgenous types. The older I get (34) the more I find myself really *really* enjoying the “manly” men. Like this. Or lumberjacks. Or mountain men. Rugged. Sweaty. Hard… um…

  23. Lynn says:

    He is so gross and egotistical. All he ever talks about are his muscles and his body. ICK.

    Oh he also ALWAYS mentions how he’s a “classically trained actor” gmafb ya meathead.

  24. Talie says:

    I think he’s smart to move into the fitness/health area with his book…not that he’s a bad actor, but it helps to diversify.

    • Sassy says:

      This nothing more than pushing book sales. He will undoubtedly appear on the talk show circuit. He is getting name recognition and face time on sites like this. Savvy agent! Love Joe – want more.

  25. Anna says:

    HOLY SHIT

  26. palermo says:

    Absolutely my kind of man, big and tall and lots of muscles. Yum.

  27. lori says:

    quoting Arnold is not sexy.

  28. Shelly says:

    I’m not normally in to muscles, but this man is perfection. Hot!

  29. heatheradair says:

    er — NO.
    I’m down for some bulky arms, but it ends there. I like a little “soft” around the middle……get much past “Statham” muscles and it just starts looking like you’re emulating a child’s toy or something. It’s like Hulk without the green. And the hairlessness…..oyyyyy, the hairlessness.

    I’ll leave ‘roid beast to the next girl. Gimme Patrick Stewart (since I keep going back and looking at how cute he is in that kilt).

  30. Darkladi says:

    Spider monkey. Pass

  31. JennJ says:

    Too much. On the other hand, Will Arnett in Arrested Development season four was perfection. That was a surprise.

    • lucy2 says:

      LOL – glad I’m not the only one who noticed that!

    • littlestar says:

      Yeah, I thought he looked good too! Which is surprising because I’ve never found him physically attractive before.

  32. Monika says:

    Gross. He’s too much muscled for my taste. The only thing I like about these pictures is shoes.

  33. MistyNinja says:

    First, He looks super sexy in the photo where he is squatting. He looks freaky weird in the back photo. That looks so creepy to me. In the first photo, he is so obsessed with his muscles he forgot about the most important feature-his hair. It is greasy and unflattering.

    And second, does Joe want to look like Arnold does now? Garish?

  34. Ashling says:

    Gross. Really gross, especially the rock climbing picture.

  35. andrea says:

    Hes 65?? woooooow

  36. Tig says:

    He was much hotter when he was first on True Blood- this looks gross and unhealthy. Sure looks like he’s supplementing his training with something other than protein shakes and food.

  37. Mirella says:

    He does nothing for me.

  38. dunzo says:

    I love big and tall men, but hate unnaturally muscle-y/gym rats men. Plus he sounds really dumb. I found him hot in his OTH days though.

  39. Harriet says:

    Anyone else think the rock climbing pic is a bit…King Kong ? Ugh… Tooo much and not in a good way!

    • TG says:

      I always thought rock climbers needed to be light and flexible. Yes they are strong but nothing extra they need to be able to fit themselves into the rocks.

  40. Rita says:

    “The photo of his back as he climbs that rock… it made me sick. Just the thought of that on top of me… that’s disgusting.”

    ….but what if you were on top of that?

    • Trashaddict says:

      Yeah, that shot reminded me of Jeff Goldblum in “The Fly”. Blech. The first shot reminded me of Charlton Heston. I guess I’m showing my age here….

  41. yolo112 says:

    Hummm… I seem to be having an inner conflict with myself. I never watched TB, but saw some of the earlier pics of him and my panties shot right off. I then painted some over the top mental image of him scooping me up with one strong arm and just having his way with me. *smh* **phew**

    But now, I must say… I imagine it to be more like King Kong snatching me up and climbing up to the top of a high building. Is it me, or has his forehead morphed into a cro magnon throw back?? Gone are my days of moist biscuits and shooting off panties…this is just too much – muscle, bulk, testosterone, ew, which is borderline heartbreaking. Speaking of magnon – how does he maintain THAT while eating all those Magnum ice cream bars?? (since he claims that those are his weakness….ooooorrr more like where those dollahs are coming from)…

  42. lucy2 says:

    This is too much muscle for me – it looks like he spends all his time in the gym and that’s all he cares about.
    I have never found his face very attractive, and do not care for him as an actor. If they kill off Alcide this season, I’ll be just fine with that.

  43. T.Fanty says:

    Is it just me or does he look like he has Lord Voldemort coming out of his back?

  44. Rabia says:

    Gross. He looks like prehistoric man with that hair. He should go make some cave paintings.

  45. Jen34 says:

    Damn. I wish I had a guy like Joe who could carry me up a flight of stairs, fling me on the bed and ravish me. I can only imagine how heavy he’d be.

  46. Chickie Baby says:

    Would like to see him without so much scruff and shorter hair…wonder just how handsome his face is without all the hair.

    As for the muscles…eh, they’re muscles. He may look like this now but these things go in phases so by next year he may not be as bulky.

  47. No thanks says:

    Wtf he looks scary as hell in the first pic.

  48. Sachi says:

    Too much beefcake. I never thought he was hot or good-looking. Something about him turns me off.

    I like the lean, fit, athletic type. Not too muscular but still strong.

    But Matthew Gray Gubler gets me going for some reason. 😀

  49. Mourning the Death of Music says:

    I find him delicious, but I agree, he’s going overboard and needs to ease back.

  50. A says:

    He looks great. Given his history with football and gym life he still looks natural and healthy. He’s always had insane muscles and damn I’d hit that.

  51. moon says:

    I think he’s sexy, I definitely wouldn’t mind that hitting me!

  52. Alexandria says:

    Bulging muscles aside; I love his height. I adore his face and hair and beard. I love hints of salt and pepper on a man. I just want him to pick me up (i’ll wrap my legs around his strong abdomen) and him to carry me around the Italian countryside. And then set me down on a wooden table and feed me pasta and pour wine (slowly) into my mouth. Then he’d can have his naughty way with me and spank me till I’m raw….

  53. Andrea says:

    I can get on board with this…

  54. Emily C. says:

    I used to be into thin men. Around 30, something changed. Now I like men with some nice muscles and/or fat on them. Maybe skinny looks too young or something. Maybe it’s because I happened to fall in love with a cuddly man with serious muscles underneath the padding. In any case, yeah, I’d totally hit it. I love his face, I love his hair, I love his beard, his body’s awesome and does not look roid-y, and he’s my age. God I love a strong nose on a man.

    Never Arnold Schwarzenegger, though, not ever. Not only is he dumb, not only is he creepy, but his face is hideous and his head is shaped like a cube.

  55. megan says:

    I don’t normally like muscled guys but Joe Manganiello can do no wrong in my book. The only thing I’m not loving here is it looks like he self-tanned. Oh well. A 6’4 shaggy bearded man is a 6’4 shaggy bearded man. Mmmmm. That first picture = Dat booty 🙂

  56. Bonfire Beach says:

    I would love to have him on top of me. Skinny guys – yuck!

  57. TrixC says:

    I’m not put off by his muscles, but by the vain way he talks about them.

  58. ladybert62 says:

    Gross or hot? Easy question – HOT!!

  59. Emily C. says:

    Um, wtf.

    (This is a reply to comment 59 by Sharon. It’s not going under her comment for some reason.)

  60. mythrasun says:

    You are absolutely right. Rihanna and Beyonce are SINGLE handedly responsible for abuse against black women. Before they were around, black women enjoyed a life of leisure. There was no abuse or violence against black women or any other woman AT ALL.

    Sherlocked be damned! Sharon is on the case!

    Sharon, we are all so glad you are on this case. As a white, Jewish woman, its appreciated that you can let everyone know that Beyonce is a disgrace to the “black race”

    • alibeebee says:

      uh wtf are you saying! one i am black and jewish and violence on any woman of any colour has been around long before bey and riri.. plus this is comments for joe and how hot he looks…

  61. Mew says:

    He doesn’t look huge. He looks defined.

  62. chalkdustgirl says:

    gross

  63. Michella says:

    He does everything for me, but that’s my thing. Big muscular men ala Warrior/Bane Tom Hardy.

    I used to like men without the muscles, then I started exercising and I think I just appreciate the dedication more. It shows an inner strength when a person is really physically fit.

  64. Canadiancutie says:

    Hmm…I think that variety is the spice of life. I prefer a guy who works out and is muscular. Just my type. I work out myself, eat healthy, and really watch my weight. My fiance and I just have that in common. I’m sure that a guy who is a computer type of guy might not find me attractive. Thank God we all find something different attractive in the opposite sex!

  65. Anne De Vries says:

    I could dig the look if it didn’t come paired with that incredibly vain looks/exercise/diet obsessed attitude. Has he heard himself talk, about standing there and flexing and maximising the bulk for the camera? Ugh.

  66. alibeebee says:

    my fiancee is muscly like him actually my guy may be bigger . joe looks good but he ignored his legs.. they’re kinda skinny. and no my dude does not do roids he’s just a farmer that is ripped

    • mytbean says:

      curious – what does your man eat every day? I’m wondering if this body type comes from the exercise plus massive amounts of calories.

      (my comment later on reflects my confusion as I knew someone who worked out all the time and never got this big)

  67. Lexi says:

    He does nothing for me, i dont like the long hair and beard on him at all

  68. Simply Red says:

    Hmm, he’s ok but that is a little too much..

    I like my men toned and semi lean

  69. lisa2 says:

    No..doing nothing for me. My boyfriend is 6’5 and all my brothers are tall too. So the height is not a WOW for me.

    I don’t find him attractive. I just remember him during the Magic Mike promotion and he was just so try hard. He wants fame very much. And you can smell it on him. I would have loved pics of him without the shirt off and showcasing the muscles. It makes me think of women that are always wearing a bikini.

    He looks older than his age too.

  70. Joanna says:

    he’s not too big. he’s 6 feet 4 in. he’s no mini. not on steroids, just clean diet and lots of working out. kinda amazes me, how these actors can control their bodies and mold them the way they want. like hugh jackman and wolverine. he gets in such killer shape f0r those movies. i need their personal trainers!

  71. mytbean says:

    So here’s what I don’t understand…
    I used to live next door to a Special Forces guy who trained HARD – he had a gym in his house and would work out sometimes 2-4 hours a day and then take miles long runs in the woods behind the house carrying 150 lb bags to simulate body weight (at 1 in the morning it’s a curious and kind of scary sight – lol). At one point while he was deployed he found himself running up a mountain to fetch and carry people down twice.

    My point is, the man trained for strength with stamina but in the two years I knew him, no matter how much he lifted and how hard he trained he never got like Joe.

    This is why I think there may be some “supplemental” help for this one and the others that get this massive. I just don’t understand it.

    I mean, maybe it all has to do with cardio… or maybe he eats a whole steer every day or something. I just don’t know.

    • Sally says:

      It’s diet, more specifically less carbs, healthy fats and loads of veggies & protein.
      Your guy had loads of muscles but didn’t adjust his diet accordingly to show them off.

      Joe is all natural, if you check pictures from him when he was on OTH, you can tell he’s already pretty muscular but with a higher fat percentage.

  72. Bogz says:

    Gross! I can not stand this scumbag!

  73. Katebush says:

    Soo hot!! Love him!!! Prime example of a man 😉

  74. Minx says:

    Ugh this guy is just….ugh. He admires Schwarzenegger? Why am I not surprised? As if his twitter asshattery didn’t make me already think he was Douche McTryhard. Pass.

  75. Happy21 says:

    God he is a hot, manly man. I’m not usually one for huge muscles and he doesn’t seem HUGE to me. He seems like he works it – hard but he’s no Dwayne Johnson or Arnold.

    And I love that he’s not bright and doesn’t try to be.