Just like beauty, creepiness is in the eye of the beholder.<\/p>\n
So says the “Dobler or Dahmer” theory, introduced on this week’s “How I Met Your Mother.”<\/p>\n
According to the sociological riff, the line between a romantic gesture and a creepy gesture is a fine one subject to how it is perceived by the recipient.<\/p>\n
Insofar as the audience is rooting for Lloyd Dobler, the “Say Anything” scene in which he serenades Diane with a boombox is considered an iconic romantic gesture. But if a man attempted the same move on a woman who had no inclination to reciprocate his romantic feelings, it could easily be repudiated as creepy (hence the reference to notorious serial killer and sex offender Jeffrey Dahmer).<\/p>\n
Justin Bieber’s antics on Tuesday’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” epitomized the universal relevance of the theory.<\/p>\n
During a game in which he and Fallon attempted to shoot random objects (bowls of ramen, photos of Chuck Norris, talking Justin Bieber dolls) threw a basketball hoop, Bieber delivered a surefire viral moment.<\/p>\n
The heartthrob picked up one of the objects–a mannequin wearing a Brooklyn Nets cap–and treated it to a kiss as graphic and sloppy as the one Bar Refaeli exchanged with Jesse Heiman in GoDaddy’s Super Bowl commercial.<\/p>\n
The audience, full of Bieber fans, screamed with excitement, but many online commenters were quick to call the visual uncomfortable and creepy.<\/p>\n
Those attracted to Bieber saw the “Dobler” in his act, perhaps wishing the newly-single sensation was laying that same kiss on them. But if one lacked that romantic draw to Bieber, he or she likely found themselves caught up by the weirdness.<\/p>\n
In any event, the segment video is below:<\/p>\n