Hey, everyone
On November 15, 2018, Foster The People debuted the video for “Worst Nites”. Now that the “Sacred Hearts Club” era was completed, it was time to introduce what I like to call “Post-SHC era 2018-2021”. During that time, the boys released random tracks from an untitled digital EP. A handful of these were “Imagination”, “Style”, “Pick U Up”, and of course, “Worst Nites”. That last one is what I want to talk about today, specifically the clown played by Richie The Barber. Let's dive head first into this one.
The video for “Worst Nites” was not only directed by Mark Foster, but also actor Josh Hutchinson of Hunger Games fame. The two collaborated on a clip that would coincide with the single about celebrating differences. It follows a clown from a bad night on the town to a satisfying performance. The mob pivots into conformity by imitating the clown's every move after they chased him down the street.
In a statement about the video, Mark Foster discusses its central theme. “We are living in a world where we're engulfed in pressure to conform. This story is a metaphor for not being afraid to embrace who you really are. There's immense freedom that comes with taking ownership over what makes you unique.”
He additionally added a tidbit about using clowns in a video as he thanked the Foster fandom for their continued support. “Sorry if you hate clowns. We love them.”
I've personally always loved “Worst Nites” as a song since it was one of three tracks I ever heard from FTP after “Pumped Up Kicks” and “Sit Next To Me”, but it immediately hooked me into learning more about Foster The People and their role in the industry. I also love the video's commentary on society and rebelling against societal standards. The imitation, in particular, actually reminds me of “Houdini” with the eradication of authentic artists replaced by a boy band factory. The similarities are uncanny.
You can learn more about Richie The Barber by subscribing to his YouTube channel. You can watch him explain his character in the video below.