Rodman told the his unlikely new buddy, "You have a friend for life," after watching a game together in Pyongyang.

No word yet if the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army feels as warmly toward his buddy, or if this is like the time that "Johnny Mountain" and Avery Jessup explained the food and weather situation on 30 Rock?

But let's be real: These two were made for each other. They both had weird relationships with their dads--Kim Jong-il sent his youngest son to live in or around Switzerland until the early 90s, while Rodman didn't talk to his father for 42 years until they met during a game last July in the Philippines. They both have dealt with the trials of a hastily-arranged marriage. And they both are into body modification. And look, they've both had some bad press, but they know at the end of the day the important thing is to sit down, let off some steam, and watch Michael Ri play some b-ball.

The next words are definitely "North Korea." (Twitter)

According to a U.S. state department official, VICE has not contacted them about their trip, nor does it vet private travel to the country, which two weeks ago scared the world by performing underground nuclear testing.

What could go wrong?


An obvious diplomatic choice.

According to VICE founder and host Shane Smith in a press release sent out today:

“Is sending the Harlem Globetrotters and Dennis Rodman to the DPRK strange? In a word, yes. But finding common ground on the basketball court is a beautiful thing. These channels of cultural communication might appear untraditional, and perhaps they are, but we think it's important just to keep the lines open. And if Washington isn't going to send their Generals then we'll send our Globetrotters – Cue music – ‘Sweet Georgia Brown.’ ”

The week-long trip will include a basketball camp for North Korean children and "engaging in community-based games to encourage openness and better relations with the outside world." And hilariously, the release added, "there may be a top-level scrimmage to be attended by Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea."

Rodman told reporters today, "“It’s my first time, I think it’s most of these guys’ first time here, so hopefully everything’s going to be OK , and hoping the kids have a good time for the game." And that's the last we'll hear from him for awhile, though we keep checking his Twitter feed for news about his decision to move permanently to the great and glorious sovereign country of strong leadership and bountiful food.

Though dangerous and extremely stupid (that's VICE's official motto, right?) this news has created quite a lot of buzz for a show we didn't even know was in the works. As The New York Time's staff Michael Roston asked on Twitter, "Hey @DennisRodman can you defend America in North Korea like you defended @Shaq in the 1996 NBA playoffs?" We actually think this is going to be more of a Rocky IV situation, with this guy playing North Korea's answer to Dolph Lundgren.

VICE debuts Friday, April 5th (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO, which will be the last time anyone sees the Harlem Globetrotters, so be sure to tune in!