Stealing from Klosterman 8

Q:

You begin watching a new television series, and you immediately find yourself strongly relating to one of the supporting characters. You've never before experienced a TV character that seems so similar to yourself; this fictional person dresses, behaves and talks exactly like you. And - slowly, over the course of several episodes - the similarity grows spooky; on two separate occasions, the character recounts personal anecdotes that happened in your real life. The actor portraying this character begins mimicking your mannerisms. In at least three different episodes, the character's dialog quotes things that you have said (verbatim) during casual conversation.

You become convinced that this is neither coincidence nor mental illness: somehow, this character is being actively based on your life. The show's writers generally depict the "you" character in a positive manner, but - as far as you can tell - you don't know anyone involved in the show's production or creation. It's totally inexplicable.

You have two friends who also watch this show. One of them is certain that your theory is correct and that (somehow) the character is, in fact, based on your life. She tells you to get a lawyer. The second friend concedes that many of the similarities are amazing, but that the whole notion is ridiculous, impossible, and egocentric. He tells you to see a therapist.

How do you respond to this situation? Do you do anything?

A:

This happens to me on a daily basis actually, and so far, I haven't done anything about it. I'm not sure why there would be any reason to. I know it would be really freaky, and it might even be mildly concerning, but it's not like bodily harm is going to come to me. I'm not sure how I could even get any money out the situation - maybe I'm reading to realistically into this situation, but how would I prove in a court of law that the character had done things or said things exactly as I already had? Against high-priced copyright attorneys? I don't think so.

Now, it would be over the line if they started predicting the future for the character - moved beyond things that I had done and started doing things that I, then, mimicked in real life. Art imitating life is safe. Life imitating art can be dangerous - especially if the character got some terrible, but hilarious, sit-com disease. I would be concerned that those things would happen.

Instead of seeing differences in actions and character, I would see things to come, and the self-fulfilling prophecy would turn me into that character. A subtle turn. Then, the show might sue me. And I'd lose. Big time. Against high-priced attorneys.

Or what if the character had all of my traits, plus one really annoying one? Like a nasty laugh or the refusal to remove shoes when laying on a couch? Are they trying to tell me something? Seriously, you'd tell me if there was something in my teeth, right?

Now I'm paranoid.