I hear ya SMG. As much as I KNOW they are only playin' character's and that they are "real people" I'd have the same problem at first. Don't know if it would get better as time goes on but I know it will be an issue for me as well.
What would be kinda neat is if they take the approach of the new show being about John Paul, Robb, Mike, et al making the TPB show and the shit they deal with in regard to fans, dealing with "the network" etc. They could also throw in TPB "scenes" which could be like little skits that require no story arch or continuity. Kinda keep up the mocumentory feel with the skits being them "doing their jobs" acting on the now now existant TPB show.
That would still be kinda fucked since in parts of the show the actors would be "themselves" and in other parts of the show they'd be their "characters" but it would be less of a stretch for me than if they were to play "new" characters. This would be espeically true if they chose to pursue the new show AND continue making TPB specials and/or movies.
BTW - Tiggy you are NOT awful for lookin' forward to something new from these actors

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