THE JOKE’S ON THEM

EARNESTNESS IS ITS OWN REWARD, BUT TOO MUCH can grow tiresome for those who like cheeky fun. Counteracting that criticism is surely what inspired Mumford & Sons’ latest video spoofing their relentlessly soulful ardor.

In the new video for Hopeless Wanderer, comedians Ed Helms, Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Will Forte stand-ins for Marcus, Ben, Ted & Winston. Sporting the same country-folk fashions as the British foursome, the comics feign playing instruments, longing glances, salty tears — and even a few homoerotic kisses.

The video, released the day after the band rollicked Lollapalooza, is a wry wink to the band’s “portentous” ambitions. The message: We can’t help feeling deeply. But we can still laugh at ourselves.