In what seems to be the best news yet for Justin Bieber haters, the 2015 Comedy Central Roast has been taped and the troubled singer was the roastee. The panel included Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Shaquille O’Neal and Martha Stewart, among others with comedian, Kevin Hart, as roastmaster.
While Comedy Central Roasts can be cringe-worthy to watch, as the jokes can be really hurtful to the recipients (just ask Kuli Roberts), it’s baffling to think of anyone volunteering to be a candidate.
Yet Bieber is said to have approached the network a few years back, but they turned him down, suggesting that he get some “material” to work with.
So perhaps that explains why the hit-maker has been acting crazy and making headlines for the wrong reasons. Now that he has behaved so badly and the roasters have a lot on him, Comedy Central gave the singer the nod to be the next roastee. But why set yourself up to be the butt of the jokes when you know half the planet hates you? The answer is simple: fame… and more fame.
“Comedy Central Roast is always the highest-rating show of the year because everyone tunes in and they talk about it,” said Evert van der Veer, the head of Comedy Central, Africa.
“I am not saying Justin Bieber needs more talk about him, we should not forget that he has the final say. So he gets a chance to get back at his critics,” he explained.
There is a lot to be gained from being a roastee in terms of public relations. For one night, the TV world focuses on the individual in question and while they laugh at the jokes, one thing is certain, the focus remains on the roastee. After all, marketing experts say, there is no such thing as bad publicity.
“Justin Bieber is the youngest roastee we have had on Comedy Central. We are happy with him because he is one of the greatest pop icons we have a the moment. There are a few people around who make world news for every little thing they do. I am not saying these reports have merit, but it seems people are interested in it anyway. So it was a clever decision on the part of Comedy Central because he is that popular. There a lot of people who love him, and there are those who don’t. These are the ingredients of the ideal roast. You want people to defend him and you want others to say what the others are thinking,” explained Van der Veer.
To further illustrate the clever intentions of his publicity team, Bieber ended the roast with a seemingly heartfelt apology regarding his past mistakes.
In a story by Sandy Cohen on the Roast, Bieber allegedly said the kind words that were in line with that of a prodigal son: “I turned a lot of people off over the past few years, but I know I can still turn out good music and turn everything all around. I’ve lost some of my best qualities. For that, I am sorry. I’m looking forward to being someone whom you guys can all look at and be proud of.”
So for his sins, he had to be nailed to the Comedy Central Roast cross, then he repented in the end, hoping we will all be Beliebers by the end of the night. Great move. Now we wait to see how this PR stunt worked for him. But leopards are said to never change their spots.
• The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber airs on April 2 on Comedy Central (DStv channel 122).
Meet the panelists…
Kevin Hart
Although Justin Bieber asked Seth Rogen to be the roastmaster, since the two do not get along at all, Kevin Hart ended up stepping in when it appeared that Rogen was not interested. Hart was the perfect replacement because he has had a good comedy run of late and few comics are at his level.
Hannibal Buress
An American stand-up comedian who also juggles acting and script-writing. He has starred in shows like Broad City on Comedy Central and The Eric Andre Show. His good comic timing makes him the perfect candidate for the roast.
Chris D’elia
D’elia is a stand-up comic who grew up studying Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey so his style goes in that direction.
He starred in the now defunct sitcom Whitney and the hilarious Undateable which is ongoing. His experience made him a good candidate to get Bieber well roasted.
Snoop Dogg
A rapper who considers himself an uncle to anyone remotely younger. After raising Bow Wow in the hip hop game, Snoop may have a few pointers on how Bieber should handle fame and,
perhaps, weed.
Natasha Leggero
Since Leggero has frequented shows like The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Late Show with Craig Ferguson as well as Chelsea Lately with her comic sketches, it’s no surprise
she made this list.
Ludacris
This dude was the first rapper to endorse Bieber by throwing in a verse on the Canadian’s hit song Baby. Now that it is a couple years later, we need to know if he still thinks that was a good move or if he regrets it.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq is a basketball legend, and if you are kind with your music ear, he also did okay in music. As an attention seeker, he probably hates the fact that the spotlight is not on him, but on young Bieber.
Martha Stewart
With a networth of $638 million, Martha Stewart is not fazed by Bieber’s millions. She has risen and fallen, then built her media empire up once again, so Bieber best listen to this phoenix.
Jeffrey Ross
Ross has earned himself the nickname “Roast Master General” thanks to the fact that he’s been on more
roasts than anyone else. So why miss this one, right?