Internet rumours abound that Justin Bieber will host Saturday Night Live in February, acting as both host and musical guest. No formal word on the SNL website yet, but sources report Justin “may” be on stage for the February 9th episode. Then this, from the great one (small-case) himself on Twitter:
maybe im hosting and performing on SNL…maybe. :) — Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) January 7, 2013
Justin Bieber has been on SNL before, as musical guest back in 2010. But he was a boy then, before he could vote or drink. Oh wait; he still can’t drink. (Which is maybe why he smokes pot? He’s a rule follower, that Justin.) Here’s a sample of Justin in 2010, in a musical sketch with Tina Fey:
At first, I found the idea of the Beebs hosting Saturday Night Live troubling, and not just because I’m not a huge fan of his. I eye-rolled to the point of muscle strain when I heard the news because, please. Justin Bieber?
But when you think about it – really think about it, this is a good idea. Nay; a great one. In fact, it’s better than a Martin Short/Paul McCartney pairing, because it’s relevant. Short and McCartney are fantastic — wonderful even — but they’re not what Saturday Night Live needs right now. With the loss of Kristen Wigg and Andy Samberg this season, this show needs new, fresh, younger viewers. Viewers who can stay up until 1am without having to calculate the ramifications staying up that late will have on their sleep needs; people who laugh at people who have “sleep needs.” Maybe it’s time to pass the torch, or at least let someone else hold it for a while, even just a night.
So before you complain about Justin Bieber hosting SNL, remember that if this show doesn’t get some new viewers, it’ll likely be done for. It will all be over and won’t even have the chance to celebrate its 40th birthday by getting drunk on Margaritas and having a quickie in an TGIFriday’s bathroom with the cute waiter who totally flirted by bringing free mozzarella sticks. The show needs a host the younger set recognize, straight up. A quick survey of the teens in my home reveals that they have no idea who Martin Short is – despite my remarkably accurate impressions of “Ed Grimley” – but they do know the Beebs and would watch with rapt attention if he posted videos of cleaning his ears.
But this? This they don’t get:
For 38 years, people have tuned in to Saturday Night Live to see the “what’s what” in pop culture and new musical talent. Well, sorry folks, but Bieber now qualifies under both those conditions. Look, I don’t like it anymore than you do. But sunrise, sunset, and all that shit. Maybe it’s time for our kids to get on the SNL train once in a while before it heads right out of Relevancy Station.
NOW GET OFF MY LAWN!
So, will you watch the Beebs on February 9th?
About Jeni Marinucci
