W Is For Weird Al Yankovic
*Originally released October 31st 2014*
Steve and Doug are joined by animation and comic historian Kurtis Findlay to discuss the history and antics of Weird Al! The three also chat about the uphill challenge of being a comedy musician, the grace of Michael Jackson, and record labels trying to save their business by riding their prized pony.
Six Degrees From King Crimson:
Weird Al -> Ben Folds -> William Shatner -> Adrian Belew -> King Crimson
Weird Al -> Dire Straits -> Talking Heads -> Adrian Belew -> King Crimson
Music featured this week:
Amish Paradise - Bad Hair Day
Word Crimes - Mandatory Fun
Eat It - "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
8:16 - Weird Al pops up in the Transformers franchise occasionally, as mentioned. Here's the scene in the 1987 film where the Autobots are cornered by the Junkions, and here's Weird Al as Wreck-Gar in the 2007 series "Transformers Animated".
10:57 - Okay Doug, you win. Here's the video for "Another One Rides The Bus" from 1981. I love how Tom Snyder keeps trying to drop jokes that don't fly.
15:09 - The side-by-side comparison between "Beat It" and "Eat It" really has to be seen to truly be appreciated.
15:47 - Sigh. Special guest appearance by Scarlett, Steve's very young daughter. Don't worry - she nods off pretty quick.
20:54 - Hey look! You can see the whole archive of Ask Al here!
26:58 - The winner of the 1987 Grammy for Best Comedy Album went to Bill Cosby's "Those Of You With Or Without Children, You'll Understand". Doug's comment about wondering where "they are now" is, in hindsight, awkwardly hilarious.
32:18 - We love "UHF" and you should definitely watch it (sorry Orion!).
49:51 - "The Weird Al Show" is full of tons of sketches. Here's a compilation of Fred Huggins episodes.
1:03:23 - You might have missed this one, but here it is: "You're Pitiful".
1:17:18 - Actually don't go there, it's not up anymore. INSTEAD subscribe to Kurtis' new project, the Epic Marvel Podcast!
Kurtis' Recommendations:
Everything You Know Is Wrong - Bad Hair Day
Frank's 2000" Inch TV - Alapalooza
Dare To Be Stupid - "Weird Al" Yankovic In 3-D
Doug's Recommendations:
Party In The CIA - Alpocalypse
Your Horoscope For Today - Running With Scissors
Amish Paradise - Bad Hair Day
Steve's Recommendations:
Eat It - "Weird Al" Yankovic In 3-D
Trapped In The Drive-Thru - Straight Outta Lynwood
Jurassic Park - Alapalooza