Samurai Cop LIVE: Frank Washington is Richard Ayoade's twin

[talulah gosh]

Anyone ever see Garth Marenghi's Darkplace? (Note: if you haven't, you must because it is hilarious Richard Ayoade comedy, a fantastic parody of Stephen King/Lars Von Trier's Kingdom Hospital).
Every time I see Frank Washington (aka token African American sidekick played by Mark Frazer) on the screen with those ridiculous reaction headshots, I think of Dean Lerner in Darkplace; not only do they look alike, but the acting is terrible for both.
I wonder if Richard Ayoade was inspired by Samurai Cop for the character!