Justin Bieber roaster Jeff Ross previously described the superstar as a “masochist.” That’s not unbelievable after news that the soon-to-be 21-year-old has just asked Seth Rogen to roast him at his upcoming Comedy Central reckoning.
Bieber will face a lineup of comics including the Roast Master Kevin Hart, Hannibal Buress and Ross. Other names are yet to be revealed. The roast will be taped in Los Angeles on March 14 and airs on the Comedy Central network on March 30.
“@Sethrogen all I want for my birthday is for you to roast me. I took the twitter bashing please make my bday and do it in person. Thanks,” Bieber tweeted late Thursday.
In his follow-up tweet he wrote, “@Sethrogen I would have emailed u but this is the only electronic communication with u that doesn’t scare me. Hope to see u at the roast.)”
@Sethrogen all I want for my birthday is for you to roast me. I took the twitter bashing please make my bday and do it in person. Thanks
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) February 27, 2015
@Sethrogen I would have emailed u but this is the only electronic communication with u that doesn’t scare me. Hope to see u at the roast ?
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) February 27, 2015
Many observers might be surprised to see Bieber reaching out to Rogen. The older of the two Canadians famously posted an offensive tweet about the singer the same day he was arrested on suspicious of DUI, back on January 23, 2013.
Rogen wrote, “All jokes aside, Justin Bieber is a piece of s—.” It was retweeted thousands of times.
From that point on, the 32-year-old actor-writer-comic-producer-director went on to almost make a sideline career out of shaming the singer, and recalling anecdotes at the drop of a hat about meeting Bieber when he was 15 and hating him, for reasons which appeared to make sense to Rogen.
Hostilities between Rogen and Bieber came to a head last May when the Bad Neighbors actor promoted that film.
Following multiple interviews, including Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, The Daily Show and Howard Stern’s radio show, Rogen accused Bieber of being “ungrateful” and obnoxious,” Naturally, the “piece of s––” insult was given another airing.
Then, when Rogen’s press chores for the film ended, he abruptly stopped bashing on the younger star and appeared to move on.
On May 8, 2014, Bieber implied the comedian might have an ego problem, tweeting,
“ Seth Rogan sorry I didnt bow down when I asked 2 meet u was probably a bit shy and didn’t want to be over the top but still. love ur movies.”
Seth Rogan sorry I didnt bow down when I asked 2 meet u was probably a bit shy and didn’t want to be over the top but still. love ur movies.
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) May 8, 2014
Rogen never responded. Fast forward to Bieber’s Tweets on Thursday, is anyone else wondering if the singer knows what he may be letting himself in for?
It’s one thing for to be roasted by a friend, which is what Hart is to the singer. As for Ross, reports on how tough he is are divided. And while Buress’ notoriety with the now embattled Bill Cosby shows he is hardcore, he doesn’t seem to have any personal antipathy towards Bieber.
That is not the case with Rogen. While he isn’t ranting publicly about Bieber any more, he likely isn’t shelling out for a 21st birthday present for him either.
Has Bieber thought through what being roasted him in public by someone who hates him — historically — would feel and look like?
That said, it may not come to that. At press time, Rogen hasn’t yet responded to Bieber’s tweets. Maybe he won’t, which would be the ultimate diss. But, perhaps Rogen won’t be able to resist being a part of what is widely expected to be one of the most highly viewed roasts in recent history.
In all likelihood, Rogen has already been asked — and accepted — and Bieber’s tweets are just part of the hype-up.
New roast campaign photos of Bieber rolled out from Comedy Central on Friday. These follow two promo teasers which delighted the Internet and whetted appetites for the Biebs-apocalypse to come.
The singer previously tweeted that he was “kinda scared” about his upcoming roast. In a tweet posted yesterday, he wrote,
“Just watched the next #BieberRoast commercial that’s coming. @realjeffreyross is crazy. Am I ready? No. Lol.”
Meanwhile, it’s all eyes on Seth Rogen’s Twitter feed.