The Weeknd‘s starboy status gets a special spotlight on tonight’s (May 4) American Dad episode titled “A Starboy is Born.” Not only does the Canadian superstar score air time, but he snags a writing credit with American Dad and Robot Chicken writer Joel Hurwitz.
Ahead of his debut on Seth MacFarlane’s long-running TBS animated sitcom, which he said he’s “been watching since high school,” The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) told Variety that one of his all-time favorite episodes — “The One That Got Away” — inspired him to want to write an episode.
But that’s not the only thing the Starboy crooner penned: He remains tight-lipped about the new song he’s premiering within the 20-minute episode, but he praises Asa Taccone of LA-based pop group Electric Guest for being “a f—ing genius producer/writer. Definitely will be collaborating with him more in the future,” he said in the interview posted today. Electric Guest tweeted in excitement about the collaboration last Wednesday (April 29), writing, “I don’t have a tv but if u do, tune in. It’s a whopper, a real banger.”
The Weeknd continued: “When you hear the song you’ll understand that it’s specifically for the show. I always wanted to play a character that was the opposite of the public’s perception of me — and of course make fun of myself. Once I was given the opportunity I took complete advantage. [Writer-producer] Joel Hurwitz believed in the vision and he helped execute it beautifully.”
In the new minute-long sneak peek of his visit to Langley Falls, The Weeknd (who plays himself) raves about Francine Smith’s lasagna, exclaiming, “I never get to crack a tooth on a frozen noodle while burning my tongue on beef sauce!” Meanwhile, Hayley Smith craves The Weeknd by moaning about lasagna spilling all over her jeans that she debates taking off in front of the pop star. “I’m going to make you completely clean in the pants region,” he cracks the crude joke before eating the food off her pant legs and humming about it.
Fans will see a much different version of The Weeknd on their screens than on stage — animated in the sense of his physical nature and overall demeanor. But in the TV cartoon world, the 30-year-old singer/actor also lent his voice to Robot Chicken. “I told Joel I loved doing voices and wished I could have challenged myself more in that department, so he took me to the Robot Chicken studio, where [executive producer-writer] Seth Green was waiting for me,” he told Variety. “I totally geeked out and he actually let me do multiple voices on an episode coming out soon. The cartoon nerd in me jumped out that day.”
Watch a special glimpse of his American Dad episode before it airs tonight at 10 p.m. EST/PST.