On Wednesday, NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden will give his first televised American interview to NBC news anchor Brian Williams. Filmed in secrecy while Snowden remains in exile, the hour-long interview will air prime time at 10 p.m. ET. But the real news here is overshadowed by this absurd promotional photo, in which a slightly blurry Snowden does a casual chin-rest and Williams looks like he’s in grave but dubious danger — aka the worst buddy comedy ever. If this is the best photo NBC could muster, let us imagine the conversations that led to such an intimate moment:
Snowden: I heard you’re a rapper now.
Williams: Ha ha ha. Did Ice Cube tell you that?
Snowden: Check out my pose, what do you think.
* * *
Snowden: I challenge you to a staring contest.
Williams: Sorry, what?
Snowden: AT THE CAMERA NOW. GO.
Williams: What?
Snowden: Too late. You lose.
* * *
Snowden: Over here, I’m known as an international man of mystery.
[Williams looks at producer for a long, sad moment]
* * *
Snowden: Let’s take a selfie real quick.
Williams: No.
Snowden: Fine, but if you change your mind …
Alas, the real interview will likely be nothing like this, but thanks for letting us imagine that it could be so, NBC.
