Queue-T: Andy Samberg, Thoughtful Goofball

The Lonely Island is back with the most Lonely Island movie you could ever imagine, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, in theaters this weekend. It stars Andy Samberg as (spoiler alert) a popstar, Conner4Real, navigating the fickle waters of the music industry. It is hilarious and dirty and is packed with songs that are probably supposed to be jokes but are total JAMS.
Directed by Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, who also star as Conner’s former bandmates in the movie, the three of them as a team are presenting a movie that, if you can catch your breath during the short breaks in between jokes, you realize is really about friendship, a DEEP friendship.
This has always been a strong theme for Samberg. The fact that he works on most of his projects with his friends involved in some way certainly shapes that, but even in the characters he portrays, he tends to gravitate towards good-hearted guys, the kind that show some form of caring about those closest to them. Let’s be clear: he can be goofy as all hell. But Samberg is partly responsible for ushering in this new wave of comedy that relies on being nice, and not making fun of others. Along with bits from the likes of Jimmy Fallon and James Corden, Samberg is sure to place himself directly at the butt of jokes: no bully comedy, only buddy comedy.

And then there’s the buddy comedy in the form of Celeste & Jesse Forever, where he is paired with Rashida Jones as two married besties who decide to get a divorce, and it’s at that point that their relationship goes bad. A different kind of friendship for Samberg, and a different kind of role. For that moment, we paused the floppy-haired human muppet man for a look at a fantastic actor. He brought a sensitivity to the role that we certainly hadn’t witnessed in “Lazy Sunday” or any of the SNL Digital Shorts, his most recognizable role at that point in 2012.

Even more impressive? He brings an element of that vulnerability and depth as an actor to Popstar. For real! Conner 4 Real is not all caricature! During any remotely emotional times in the film, they layer joke on top of joke, but at the base there is a softness, a sweetness to Conner that if it were absent, would not make the jokes as funny. This ridiculous popstar has feelings? He sure does! In fact, his feelings are what gives this movie heart. Understand that any tears that may fall from your eyes upon viewing it are purely from uproarious laughter, but in between the poop and dick jokes, there are flashes of touching, relatable feelings on Samberg’s face.
Samberg is able to balance both brilliant and bumbling bro without often getting the credit he deserves for it. He continues to be a total riot on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but if we’re being honest, his relationship with Amy (Melissa Fumero) has brought not only his performance but the entire show to that Parks and Recreation level of warm fuzzies. That 2014 Golden Globe award? Not a surprise. Well, it was, but it should’t have been. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association got it right!
However, if you need a refresh on Samberg’s shining moments, these are good places to start:
Hot Rod

The 2007 comedy did not make the jump, so to speak, at the box office. To be fair, The Lonely Island were still relative n00bs at SNL. Luckily, the film found a huge cult audience on DVD and streaming. Samberg stars as Rod, a total doofus with his heart in the right place. He commits to a dangerous stunt for sweet reasons, and while you might remain unsure if he can pull that off, know that he pulls off comedic leading man with ease. There’s a romantic storyline and a parental storyline as well, but deep down it all comes back to the friendship theme. And it never hurts when your friends are played by Danny McBride and Bill Hader.
[Where to stream Hot Rod]
Celeste and Jesse Forever

The film version of a punch directly in the heart! Samberg is sweet and subdued opposite Rashida Jones in the world’s first hint that he’s capable of more than just silly raps. Those are great! But his performance here is too.
[Where to stream Celeste & Jesse Forever]
Parks and Recreation

“Park Safety” is one of the best P&R eps there is, but Samberg’s idiot park ranger Carl is loud on the outside and lovely on the inside.
[Where to stream Parks & Recreation]
Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Each week as Jake Peralta, we get a different side of Samberg: romantic guy, genius detective, fantastic pal, stubborn bro, sad son, and so many more. It’s a comedy through and through, and there are few ensembles on TV that rival this one. But again, Samberg’s thoughtfulness is at the center of this show, and it’s what makes it keep ticking along. Yes, even for Hitchcock and Scully.
[Where to stream Brooklyn Nine-Nine]
The Comedy Central Roast of James Franco

An excellent example of his impulse to put himself in the joke line of fire was his set at the James Franco roast on Comedy Central. He can play sweetly stupid like no other, but it was also a significantly smart move to pull a switcheroo on the slamfest.