Look: we’ve been halfway rooting for Justin Bieber for a while. At least as far back as the time he wore overalls to meet the Prime Minister, anyway.
Maybe it’s because, as a local-ish boy, we sympathize with Da Biebz as a he glides into adulthood with all the grace of a drunk crow. Or maybe it’s because pitying Bieber feels way more interesting that being one of those dinks who posts “YAH now this is what RAEL MUSIK sound liek! None of that Beeber SHIT!!!!” in the YouTube comments of every Puddle of Mudd video.
Anyway. We like him. His music is terrible and corrupting and stupid. But he’s a fun a joke. And though many of his more recent, headline-grabbing public embarrassments fly in the face of biographer Marc Shapiro’s evaluation of Bieber as someone who “had matured into the role of superstar and the responsibility that goes with it in an amazingly short time….more than capable of handling his career over the long haul” (a copy of Shaprio’s book, Justin Bieber: The Fever!, can be found in the third floor bathroom at the NOW offices, for some reason), it’s a fun game to follow along with, weirdly endearing.
Nothing is more endearing than a celebrity having a sense of humour about themselves. It’s the kind of thing that helps to deflate that aura that their menial, unremarkable accomplishments for which they’re grossly over-rewarded possess any real value. Stars! They’re sentient and self-deprecating! They’re just like us!
So Bieber gets more points for self-awareness for appearing on comedian Zach Galifianakis’ surreal web talk show Between Two Ferns, a series that’s redeemed everyone from Tila Tequila to Anne Hathaway (almost). “It’s really exciting to talk to you,” Galifianakis says, “especially right in the middle of your public meltdown.”
Throughout the interview, Stratford’s pride remains stonefaced as Galifianakis alternates between condescending to Bieber (“You’ve had three hairstyles: what’s next for your career?”) and trying to impress himself upon him. Bieber also clarifies the Anne Frank museum snafu and pssshaws his way through a question about the time he peed in a bucket. He even gamely weathers a belt-beating!
We love you Justin! Be our friend! Can we be in your entourage? PLEEEEEAAAAASE?
