Funny But Mean's interview with Germany's premier karaoke video director, Hans Lubisht.

Herr Hans Lubisht, circa 1974

 

FBM: Mr. Lubisht...

HL: Herr Lubisht.

FBM: Excuse me, Herr Lubisht. Why did you choose karaoke video as a means of self-expression?

HL: Because I was raised in a land of cold sterility. Of broken dreams. Of places only imagined but never realized. You are, how do you say, unknowing ... is that correct? Unknowing of (pointing to his heart) yourself?

FBM: I understand. You mean not self-actualized.

HL: No. That is not what I mean. You are a robot.

FBM: I see. Do you want to discuss the controversy surrounding Cher's Turn Back Time?

HL: I can not talk about it for legal reasons.

FBM: I see. Well, then can you discuss your other video, Total Eclipse of the Heart?

HL: It was an adventure into myself. I was died ... I was resurrected ... I was died again. Is that correct? Is that in English the way how it is?

FBM: That's close enough. One more question, Herr Lubisht. Why do you not have any lyrics in your videos? If it's karaoke, don't you think that's an important element?

HL: By denying people the lyrics they are forced to examine their own fears, their own virtues, their own ... how do you say ... their own ignorance ...

FBM: ... of the lyrics ...

HL: No. Not of the lyrics. Of themself! By denying them the ability to read the lyrics, I am denying them the ability to sing and therefore denying them the one reason they are on the stage! This is true frustration. This is true pain. This is true life.

FBM: You're insane.

HL: Possibly. Quite possibly.