“It’s really exciting to talk to you,” says Zach Galifianakis to Justin Bieber in clip above, “especially right in the middle of your public meltdown.” It’s a good jab and one that’s also instantly disproven by the fact that the Believe singer is even in that room, Between Two Ferns with a host whose job description likely includes “alienate at all costs.” No celebrity visits the set of the Funny or Die show without knowing the gag, but that’s testament all the more to: A) Bieber’s acting ability, and B) the 19-year-old’s sense of humor about himself. You might even say that we’re starting to belieb in the guy.

In truth, from the outside, Bieber’s last year has looked … in a word, embattled. After covering a litany of public offenses that we’d just as soon not list all over again, SPIN decided “It’s Time We Leave Justin Bieber Alone” while the kid gets his affairs in order, maybe spends more time reflecting and less time riding Segway circles around his exasperated neighbors. And now we’ve been rewarded for our patience. Galifiankis doesn’t shy away from the controversial moments in the dude’s recent past. He brings up the pissing in buckets. He mentions the speeding. He attempts to decode that whole weird Anne Frank incident.

If Galifianakis seems a little awkward at first (ha), it’s because, “I just have never interviewed a 7-year-old before.” And if Bieber seems distracted at his next show, that’s because, “Sometimes I’m really like, ‘Damn I wish I was watching cops right now.'” That, of course, is before the host removes his belt and gives his guest a five-alarm whooping. Also, before the slime. Word to Joy Behar.