“What Would Diplo Do?” is a 2017 comedy TV miniseries on Viceland that satirically imagines the life and mindset of DJ/producer Diplo, with James Van Der Beek playing a fictionalized version of him.

Quick Scoop: What Is “What Would Diplo Do?”

  • It’s a scripted comedy series, not a documentary.
  • Premiered on Viceland on August 3, 2017.
  • James Van Der Beek stars as a goofy, exaggerated version of Diplo, capturing the clichés of superstar DJs and EDM culture.
  • The concept plays on the phrase “What would Jesus do?”, but swaps in Diplo as a clueless, well-meaning but ego-driven DJ.

The tagline leans into the idea that being an international superstar DJ “doesn’t make you good at life,” so the show explores him trying (and often failing) to get it right.

Show Premise & Vibe

  • The tone is mockumentary-style and self-aware, poking fun at:
    • Social media ego and Twitter beefs
    • Spiritual posturing (meditation, “happy place”)
    • DJ stereotypes: shirtless pics, Instagram quotes, “there’s an I in Diplo” bravado
  • One episode centers on Diplo getting into a Twitter fight with Calvin Harris, blending real-world EDM drama with absurd comedy.

The humor is often cringe-comedy: awkward introspection, bad decisions, and surreal, stoned-philosopher moments.

Mini Sections

1. Origin of the Phrase “What Would Diplo Do”

  • The phrase is tied directly to the show’s title and marketing: “What Would Diplo Do?” is the hook for asking, “How would this clueless EDM superstar react to life’s minor crises?”
  • It riffs on Diplo’s real-life image as a trend-chasing, boundary-pushing producer who is always online and always in the mix of something chaotic.

In forums, people sometimes now use “what would Diplo do” as a tongue-in-cheek way to ask: “What’s the most chaotic DJ-brain move here?”

2. If You’re Asking It as a Meme / Forum Question

If your post title is meant like a meme (“what would diplo do in this situation?”), the fictional answer, based on the show, usually looks like:

  1. Do something impulsive:
    • Escalate a Twitter argument instead of logging off.
 * Turn a minor situation into content for the gram.
  1. Add a pseudo-deep thought:
    • Talk about “no anger, just breathe, happy place” while clearly not okay.
  1. Then make it about the brand:
    • Take a shirtless meditation pic, drop a random inspirational line, and plug a show or track.

So in forum-speak, “what would diplo do?” usually implies: do the most chaotic, on-brand, performative thing possible—and then post it.

HTML Table: Key Facts About What Would Diplo Do?

Aspect Details
Title What Would Diplo Do? (TV miniseries)
Format Comedy series, fictionalized version of Diplo's life
Star James Van Der Beek as Diplo
Network Viceland
Premiere date August 3, 2017
Tone Satirical, self-aware, EDM-culture parody
Core idea “Being a superstar DJ doesn’t make you good at life, but you can still try to get it right.”
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Trending / Cultural Context

  • Diplo remains one of the most recognizable names in EDM and pop production, with a reputation for chasing new genres and collaborations.
  • The show captured a late‑2010s moment when DJ superstar culture, Instagram spirituality, and Twitter beefs were all peaking—which is why the concept still gets referenced in forum discussions and memes.

If you’re framing a forum or blog post around this, you can use “what would diplo do” as a playful lens to analyze over-the-top reactions, clout-chasing moves, or chaotic decision-making online. Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.