Even though we’re not 12-year-olds, this video of Justin Bieber making a fool out of himself on a New Zealand entertainment show pains us. (Take a look at the clip at the left.) When the interviewer asks him if “Bieber” is German for “basketball,” the Biebs is beyond confused by the meaning of the word “German.” Even when the interviewer apologizes for his accent and shows Bieber the word, he says, “I don’t know what that means.” It’s like a sketch on Flight of the Conchords. Bieber then adds, even more cringe-inducingly, “We don’t say that in America.” America? What the what? At least Canadians can avoid national embarrassment.
A critical guide to Toronto’s cultural events, TIFF and high society. Plus, local celebrity news. Sign up for Preview newsletter for weekly updates
Popular
Most Commented
- Jan Wong: Why the LCBO—the antiquated, paternalistic monopoly that’s deliberately gouging us—has got to go 51
- All-Beef Party: Toronto’s 25 best burgers ranked in order of heart-stopping, messy magnificence 40
- Introducing: Lamesa, a contemporary spin on traditional Filipino cooking on Queen West 39
- Joanne Kates to leave the Globe after 38 years (UPDATED) 22
- Introducing: The Bristol Yard, a bit of Britain down by Christie Pits 19
30 Comments
Comment on this post
Neither the author nor Toronto Life necessarily agrees with the comments posted here. Editors will not correct spelling or grammar. Toronto Life reserves the right to edit or delete comments entirely. Read our full policy
what a little putz
May 4, 2010 at 3:42 pm | by The_FlashLOL Someone needs to stop touring and go back to school!
May 4, 2010 at 5:52 pm | by KarenDid someone say POOR JUSTIN?! Get real! There is nothing poor about this little tiny bopper with the bang hair do creating chaos all over the world but as someone rightly say, Christ – go back to school dumbo!!
May 4, 2010 at 8:51 pm | by Peeit’s interesting that in a column entitled “Quoted”, you’d misquote poor little bieber. first of all the interviewer stumbles over his own question and then doesn’t phrase it properly. he probably should have said something like…”did you know that the german word for basketball is bieber?” As well, i don’t believe he denied his Canadian identity? but, i guess it makes for a better article?
May 5, 2010 at 9:41 am | by LorneIt’s official – Justin Bieber is a dummy.
May 5, 2010 at 1:22 pm | by JustSnotty BieberBratit’s just a simple mis communication. not a big deal, it happens. like geez grow up….
May 5, 2010 at 5:44 pm | by lynnersApparently he thought the guy said ‘Jew Man’ so relax
and we are in america, he just dropped the ‘North’ part like most do.
May 6, 2010 at 7:32 am | by SeanHe is as dumb as his hair looks.
May 6, 2010 at 10:00 am | by Hogtownmikehuh, a male blonde. pretty but dumb
May 6, 2010 at 12:11 pm | by KerstinThats funny JB is blonde
May 6, 2010 at 5:35 pm | by AinsleyMiscommunication? Stop enabling this kid. He needs to go back to school. And how many Canadians would go to Australia and say they are from North America rather than Canada? All excuses.
May 6, 2010 at 11:51 pm | by erienneWow. Justin Bieber’s defence is so weak.
Am I blind, or am I the only one who noticed that the host actually SHOWED Justin Bieber the cue card with the question on it? This means that it’s not a ‘lost in translation’ mistake, and even after he thought the guy said ‘Jew Man’ he should have been able to read the question properly.
The kid can’t even READ properly, or RECOGNIZE the word ‘German’.
May 7, 2010 at 1:05 am | by Jonoso, this is the new pop culture. Being popular, and being dumb
May 7, 2010 at 4:09 pm | by tomthis has been blown way out of proportion …
it was explained on a news outlet
with the hosts New Zealand accent Justin thought he was saying “Jewman” and it looked like he was put in an awkward situation
remember he is a young lad
this could happen to anyone
give the kid a break
May 7, 2010 at 6:11 pm | by anonymooseIf you listen closely, Justin actually repeats German rather than Jewman. There’s an “R” when he repeats the word.
Quite sad.
May 8, 2010 at 12:49 am | by uh huh