Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for an Oscar yesterday for playing an Oscar-winning actor playing a black man who later pretends to be a peasant farmer. The irony is as thick as his accents. Funnier still is Downey’s own reaction to it.

Downey admits he did a double-take when he saw the nomination, but responded with characteristic humour in interviews (appropriately enough, dressed as someone else — Sherlock Homes). Top 5 quotes:

5) “It’s about time narcissistic, accolade-seeking idiotic actors were formally recognized.”

4) Q: What will you do to celebrate? A: Therapy.

3) On being nominated the same year that Obama was elected and two other African Americans were nominated: “I’m just glad to be part of the political process. Because I feel like this is going to be my political platform. It’s going to take off right from here.”

2) On who he would bring to the Oscars: “Hmm, hard to say. Yeah, I guess there are a lot of people who’d probably like to go with me. (Smash cut to my wife standing off-camera going ‘What are you doing?’)”

1) On who he modeled the Tropic Thunder character after: “Sadly, my sorry-ass self.”