Beyond the Valentine skits and sketches, on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), Feb. 9, teen icon Justin Bieber, set teenage hearts a pitter-pattin' with his heartbreak ode, "Nothing Like Us." This is rumored to be the break-up ballad written for Selena Gomez, who was MIA on SNL, but not forgotten.
Heartbreak songs have caused teenagers to swoon with empathy since way before another teen heartthrob, Elvis, crooned the soulful lyrics of "Always On My Mind," following his break with Priscilla in 1972. Even then, star-crossed teen lovers absorbed the verses as a reflection of the shattering pain of their own love-gone-bad misery.
However, it was Beiber's delivery of “As Long As You Love Me,”that raised the eyebrows of disdainful media critics. Over on the "Idolator," their response was described as "jarring."
"Idolator" writer Carl Milliot wrote, “Whoa, this dude has some musical chops!” Let this be a wake-up call for all of those who think Beiber's talent begins and ends with his ability to charm teen angels. Teens may feel gratified critics that Bieber could soon be recognized as the immense talent they believe him to be.
Was it a vote of "no-confidence" for the young performer that surprise "adult" cameo skit appearances were planned for his first SNL hosting gig? The skits included Whoopie Goldberg and Ellen DeGeneres and were well received, if unnecessary.
The frenzied screams of the teenage girls, echoes from the days of Elvis, were all for the Bieber. .
Clearly, Justin didn't need star-power back-up from "adults." MTV acknowledged, "Just as he had promised, the pop phenomenon turned Studio 8H into what he [Bieber] dubbed 'The Justin Bieber Show.'"
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