Just Bust a Move, Prime Minister Harper

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Bollywood debut was so awkward I could barely watch, but I couldn’t look away either.

There has never been any mistaking Harper for a cool guy; an Obama-type personality. Harper belongs on TLC, not MTV, and that isn’t news. But his appearance on India’s version of So You Think You Can Dance reaffirmed that there really isn’t much personality under his tough conservative skin.

In early October, Harper performed on stage with famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Harper’s rendition of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends was actually…not too bad. It was the first time that many had seen Harper peek his head out of a Conservative shell that he’d been hiding in since he became Prime Minister. I started to cut him some slack.

But the on-stage embarrassment in India made me reassess my thought. Harper stumbled down a step on the stage as he was being introduced, and then proceeded to put on the most bland display of rhythm and dance that I’ve ever seen. Watching his wife Laureen was almost as disappointing.

Being a good dancer is by no means a Canadian Prime ministerial requirement, but cultural enthusiasm should be. Even George W used to get down. Loosen up Harper.