It has been a strange few days for actress Jessica Lowndes and veteran comedian Jon Lovitz.
The Internet lit up over Easter weekend with speculation that the pair were dating after some intimate social media posts began circulating, including snaps of an engagement ring on her finger and Lovitz’s hand touching her thighs.
Turns out Lowndes, who was cast in the CW’s reboot of “90210,” and Lovitz were drumming up some mystery for a remix of her single “Déjà Vu,” a Lana Del Rey-esque track about an intense relationship.
“I love a good prank so happy early April Fools!” Lowndes, 27, said in a statement. The hoax resulted in a music video for the track starring the pair.
She and 58-year-old Lovitz first met while shooting an episode of “Hawaii Five-0,” she said, “so when I was looking for someone to be a part of my ‘Déjà Vu’ remix, which is a nod to the 80’s ‘Mystery Science Theatre 3000’ and 90’s ‘Pop Up Video,’ he was the first person to come to mind.”
In theory, the so-called nods to “Mystery Science Theater” and VH1’s “Pop UP Video” are solid concepts, but the only thing that shines through in the video is sexually implicit attempts to shock.
Lowndes simulates fellatio on Lovitz in a convertible Bentley while text bubbles appear on screen extolling the health benefits of pineapple juice. During one party scene, Lowndes disrobes and pulls Lovitz into her bedroom, where it’s implied she massages his prostate. None of it has the playful, absurd tone that their social media teasers promised.
While it’s a novel idea to explore the attractiveness gap between men and women that seems to be rampant in contemporary culture, Lovitz doesn’t walk away with much dignity (“Jessica’s pet name for Jon is great-great-grandfather,” another text bubble reads) and Lowndes never comes across as empowered.
Social media users would seem to agree:
Desperte! https://t.co/zFCNmC2nU6
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) March 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/bobbyfinger/status/714565491755450369
My question is this: Does Jon Lovitz know it was "just" a prank? https://t.co/F04TyUVvlK
— Morgan Lott (@morganmaurhino) March 28, 2016
This Jon Lovitz relationship news is a rollercoaster of emotions. Fake, real, now fake again. Really, riveting stuff.
— i'm batman (@sharkolepsy) March 28, 2016
Watch Lowndes’ video here, and weigh in on the hoax in the comments section below.