Justin Bieber and the comedy world don't always mix. But on TODAY Thursday, stand-up comic Chris D’Elia, star of the new sitcom “Undateable,” said his own encounter with the “Boyfriend” singer was pure funny business.
D’Elia told the TODAY anchors that Bieber sometimes attends his stand-up sets at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. One night in 2013, the pop star surprised him with a request to be roasted.
“Bieber came up to me and he’s like, ‘Hey, man, will you bring me on stage when you’re done with your act — and make fun of me?’” D’Elia recounted.
“‘Look at what I’m wearing!’” D’Elia said Bieber insisted. "'Just make fun of whatever you want!' I was like, 'All right, buddy.'"
In a short improvised bit, D’Elia went on to mock Bieber for wearing a leather tank top, droopy pants, and a flashy watch. As promised, the Biebs took it in stride.
The comedian will be bringing some of that same confidence to his new sitcom, in which he plays Danny, an arrogant skirt chaser trying to help his nebbishy roommate score with the ladies. Just don’t confuse D’Elia with his persona.
“I’m acting,” he said drily.
“Undateable” premieres May 29 on NBC at 9 p.m.