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{{About|the musician|his self-titled debut album|"Weird Al" Yankovic (album)}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|Name = "Weird Al" Yankovic
|Img = WeirdAlYankovic.jpg
|Img_capt = "Weird Al" Yankovic
|Background = solo_singer
|Birth_name = Alfred Matthew Yankovic
|Alias = "Weird Al" Yankovic
|Born = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|10|23}}
|Origin = ], U.S.
|Instrument = ], ], ]
|Occupation = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
|Years_active = 1979–present
|Genre = ], ], ]
|Religion = ]
|Label = ], Placebo, ], ], ]
|Associated_acts = ]<br />]<br />]
|URL =
}}
'''Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic''' ({{IPA-en|ˈjæŋkəvɪk|en}};<ref></ref> born October 23, 1959) is an American ], ], ], ], ], and a ]. Yankovic is known in particular for his humorous songs that make light of ] and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts. Since his first-aired comedy song in 1976, he has sold more than 12&nbsp;million albums—more than any other comedy act in history<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/09/AR2007080900305.html|last=Harrington|first=Richard|title=Weird Al's Imitation: A Funky Form of Flattery|publisher=Washington Post|accessdate=August 10, 2007|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kESmJdXg|archivedate=October 2, 2009|deadurl=no | date=August 10, 2007}}</ref>—recorded more than 150 parody and original songs,<ref name="catchup">{{cite web|url=http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au/v.htm?f=39&g=b738d4f6-1921-4e6f-9836-1ce2b2b0850c&p=autvshows_authecatchup&t=m2556&mediaid=77139 |title=Weird Al Yankovic's latest send-ups on The Catch-up|accessdate=March 14, 2007}}</ref><ref name="catalog">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/catalog.htm| title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Catalog|accessdate=October 28, 2006|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kESmp2r0|archivedate=October 2, 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/bio.htm| title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Biographies|accessdate=October 28, 2006}}</ref> and has performed more than 1,000 live shows.<ref name="livepage">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/livepage.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Live Performances|accessdate=November 10, 2006}}</ref> His works have earned him three ]s among nine nominations, four ], and six ] in the United States. Yankovic's first top ten '']'' album ('']'') and single ("]") were both released in 2006, nearly three decades into his career.

In addition to recording his albums, Yankovic has written and starred in his own film, '']'', and his own television show, '']'', and directed ]s for himself and other artists including ], ], ], and ]. He has also made guest appearances on many television shows, in addition to starring in his own '']'' specials.

==History==
===Early life===
The only child of Nick Louis Yankovic (June 4, 1917&nbsp;– April 9, 2004)<ref name="faq">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/faq.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate=October 28, 2006}} {{quote|Al's grandparents on his father's side were Yugoslavian.}}</ref> and Mary Elizabeth (February 7, 1923&nbsp;– April 9, 2004), Alfred was born in ], and raised in the town of ].<ref name="faq"/> His father was born in ], ] of ]<ref name="faq"/><ref name="Conrad">Conrad, Harold. // ], Vol. 1, No. 4., August 1985, pp 48 – '''50''', ISSN 0886-3032{{Quote|It is of no minor coincidence that his parents are of Yugoslavian lineage and it so happens that Frankie Yankovic (no relation), known as the polka king and one of the best accordionists in the country, also happens to be a Yugoslav. A little chauvinism here.}}</ref> descent, and began living in ] after serving during ];<ref name="booklet">{{cite book | last = Demento | first = Dr. | authorlink = Dr. Demento | title = Liner notes, Permanent Record | publisher = Scotti Bros. | date = September 27, 1994 | url =http://php.indiana.edu/~jbmorris/FAQ/al.booklet | id = | isbn = B00000I029 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040412-1434-yankovic.html|title = Autopsy confirms Yankovic parents died from carbon monoxide poisoning |publisher = San Diego Union Tribune|date = April 12, 2004|accessdate=March 7, 2009|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?id=1238721718415022|archivedate=April 3, 2009}}</ref> he believed "the key to success" was "doing for a living whatever makes you happy" and often reminded his son of this philosophy.<ref name="booklet"/> Nick Yankovic married Mary Vivalda in 1949. Mary, who was of ] and English descent, and had come to California from ], gave birth to Alfred ten years later.<ref name="booklet"/>

Al's first accordion lesson, which sparked his career in music, was on October 22, 1965, a day before his sixth birthday. A door-to-door salesman traveling through Lynwood offered the Yankovic parents a choice of ] or ] lessons at a local music school. Yankovic claims the reason his parents chose accordion over guitar was "They figured there should be at least one more accordion-playing Yankovic in the world," referring to ], to whom he is not related directly.<ref name="booklet">{{cite web|url=http://php.indiana.edu/~jbmorris/FAQ/al.booklet |title=Permanent Record: Al In The Box|accessdate=August 24, 2006}}</ref> Also, Yankovic said, that " parents chose the accordion because they were convinced it would revolutionize rock."<ref name="Conrad"/> He continued lessons at the school for three years before continuing to learn on his own.<ref name="faq"/> Yankovic's early accordion role models include Frankie Yankovic and ] (the accordionist on '']''). In the 1970s, Yankovic was a big fan of ] and claims John's '']'' album "was partly how I learned to play rock 'n roll on the accordion."<ref name="booklet"/> As for his influences in comedic and parody music, Yankovic lists artists including ], ], ], ], ] and ] "and all the other wonderfully sick and twisted artists that he was exposed to through the ''] Radio Show''."<ref name="faq"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/weirdal |title="Weird Al" Yankovic on MySpace|accessdate=April 2, 2007}}</ref> Other sources of inspiration for his comedy come from ],<ref name="booklet"/> ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://podcasts.triplem.com.au/audio/20070307_spoon_best_weirdalredux.mp3
|title="Weird Al" Yankovic interview by Spoonman on Triple M Australia|accessdate=April 2, 2007}}</ref> and the ] parody movies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0494 |title=Midnight Star "Ask Al" Q&As for April, 1994|accessdate=April 2, 2007}}</ref>

Yankovic began kindergarten a year earlier than most children, and he skipped the second grade. "My classmates seemed to think I was some kind of rocket scientist so I was labeled a nerd early on," he recalls.<ref name="booklet"/> As his unusual schooling left him two years younger than most of his classmates, Yankovic was not interested in sports or social events at school. He claims to have been a straight-A student throughout high school, which earned him the honor of becoming ] of his senior class.<ref name="booklet"/> Yankovic was fairly active in his school's extracurricular programs, including the ] (in which he "usually brought home some kind of trophy"),{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} a play based upon '']'', the yearbook (for which he wrote most of the captions), and the Volcano Worshippers club, "which did absolutely nothing. We started the club just to get an extra picture of ourselves in the yearbook."<ref name="booklet"/>

Yankovic went to ], San Luis Obispo.

===Dr. Demento, "My Bologna" and early fame===
In 1976, Yankovic, then a high school senior, sent a homemade ] to ], the host of a ] radio program.<ref name="booklet"/> The tape's first song was "Belvedere Cruisin'," about his family's ]; another song included on the tape (which never received airtime) was "Dr. D Superstar", a parody of the title song from the musical '']''.<ref name="unlabeled tape">{{cite web|url=http://weirdal.com/rare89.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Rare Items: UNLABELED TAPE |accessdate=August 24, 2006|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?id=1238721723796702|archivedate=April 3, 2009}}</ref> Demento said "'Belvedere Cruising' might not have been the very best song I ever heard, but it had some clever lines I put the tape on the air immediately."<ref name="booklet"/> Yankovic also played at local coffeehouses, saying:
{{bquote|It was sort of like amateur music night, and a lot of people were like wannabe ]s. They'd get up on stage with their acoustic guitar and do these lovely ballads. And I would get up with my accordion and play the theme from '2001.' And people were kind of shocked that I would be disrupting their mellow Thursday night folk fest.<ref>".", '']'', August 10, 2007. p14.</ref>}}

During Yankovic's sophomore year as an ] student at ], he became a ] at the university's radio station, ]. Yankovic said he had been nicknamed ''Weird Al'' by fellow students and "took it on professionally" as his persona for the station.<ref name="booklet"/> In 1978, he released his first recording (as Alfred Yankovic), "Take Me Down", on the LP, ''Slo Grown'', as a benefit for the Economic Opportunity Commission of ]. The song mocked famous nearby landmarks such as the fountain toilets at the ].

In mid-1979, shortly before his senior year, "]" by ] was on the charts and Yankovic took his accordion into the restroom across the hall from the radio station (to take advantage of the ] acoustics) and recorded a parody titled "]." He sent it to ], who played it to good response from listeners. Yankovic met The Knack after a show at his college and introduced himself as the author of "My Bologna." The Knack's lead singer, ], said he liked the song and suggested that ] vice president ] release it as a single.<ref name="booklet"/> "My Bologna" was released as a single with "School Cafeteria" as its B-side, and the label gave Yankovic a six-month recording contract. Yankovic, who was "only getting average grades" in his architecture degree, began to realize that he might make a career of comedic music.<ref name="booklet"/> Yankovic holds a degree in ] from ].<ref name="Conrad"/>

On September 14, 1980, Yankovic was a guest on the ''Dr. Demento Show'', where he was to record a new parody live. The song was called "]," a parody of ]'s hit, "]." While practicing the song outside the sound booth, he met ], who told him he was a drummer and agreed to bang on Yankovic's accordion case to help Yankovic keep a steady beat during the song. They rehearsed the song just a few times before the show began.<ref name="booklet"/> "Another One Rides the Bus" became so popular that Yankovic's first television appearance was a performance of the song on '']'' (April 21, 1981) with ]. On the show, Yankovic played his accordion, and again, Schwartz banged on the accordion case and provided comical sound effects.

===Band and fame===
1981 brought Yankovic on tour for the first time as part of Dr. Demento's stage show. His stage act in a ], ], nightclub caught the eye of manager Jay Levey, who was "blown away".<ref name="booklet"/> Levey asked Yankovic if he had considered creating a full ] and doing his music as a career. Yankovic admitted that he had, so Levey held auditions. ] became Yankovic's ] player, and Jay's friend ] played guitar. Schwartz continued on ]. Yankovic's first show with his new band was on March 31, 1982.<ref name="livepage"/> Several days later, Yankovic and his band were the opening act for ]. The unimpressed audience ], and they were booed off the stage. {{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}

Yankovic recorded "]" (a parody of "]" as recorded by ]) in 1982. Due to the influence of his new producer, ], it managed to become a hit on Top 40 radio, leading to Yankovic's signing with ]. In 1983, Yankovic's first ] was released on Scotti Bros. He released his second album '']'' in 1984. The first single "]", a parody of the ] song "]", became popular, thanks in part to the music video, a shot-for-shot parody of Jackson's "Beat It" music video, and what Yankovic described as his "uncanny resemblance" to Jackson. Peaking at number 12 on the ] ], "Eat It" remained Yankovic's highest-charting single until "]" placed at number 9 in October 2006.

In 1985, Yankovic co-wrote and starred in a ] of his own life entitled '']'', which intertwined the facts of his life up to that point with fiction. The movie also featured some clips from Yankovic's trip to Japan and some clips from the '']'' specials. ''The Compleat Al'' was co-directed by Jay Levey, who would direct '']'' four years later. Also released around the same time as ''The Compleat Al'' was ''The Authorized Al'', a biographical book based on the film. The book, resembling a scrapbook, included real and fictional humorous photographs and documents.

Yankovic and his band toured as the opening act for ] in mid-1987 for their second reunion tour of North America. Yankovic claims to have enjoyed touring with The Monkees, despite the fact "the promoter gypped us out of a bunch of money."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#1198 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for November, 1998|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref>

Yankovic also appeared on the ] recording of ]'s "]" as the narrator in 1988. The album also included a sequel of ]'s composition ] entitled the "Carnival of the Animals Part II", with Yankovic providing humorous poems for each of the featured creatures in the style of ], who had written humorous poems for the original. ] joined the band on keyboards in 1991, allowing Yankovic to concentrate more on singing and increasing his use of the stage space during concerts.

A factual biographical booklet of Yankovic's life, written by ], was released with the 1994 box set compilation '']''.<ref name="booklet"/> The Dr. Demento Society, which issues yearly ] re-releases of material from Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes, often includes unreleased tracks from Yankovic's vaults, such as "Pacman", "It's Still Billy Joel To Me" or the live version of "School Cafeteria".

===New look, personal life, and career to present===
]

Yankovic changed his diet to become a ] in 1992, after a former girlfriend gave him the book '']'' and he felt "it made a very compelling argument for a strict vegetarian diet."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0195 |title=Midnight Star "Ask Al" Q&As for January, 1995|accessdate=April 4, 2007}}</ref> When asked how he can "rationalize" performing at events such as the ''Great American Rib Cook-Off'' when he is a vegetarian, he replied "The same way I can rationalize playing at a college even though I’m not a student anymore."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0500 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for May, 2000|accessdate=June 23, 2007}}</ref>

On January 24, 1998, Yankovic had ] eye surgery to correct his extreme ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weirdal.com/thelook1.htm|title=LASIK story and pictures}}</ref> In the same period, he shaved off his ] and grew out his hair, thus radically changing his signature look (he had previously shaved his mustache in 1983 for the video of "]" to resemble ] and 1996 for the "]" video). Yankovic reasoned, "If ]'s allowed to reinvent herself every 15&nbsp;minutes, I figure I should be good for a change at least once every twenty years."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/bio.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20010208173222/http://www.weirdal.com/bio.htm |archivedate=2001-02-08 |title=Archive.org for www.weirdal.com/bio.htm for February 8, 2001|accessdate=October 29, 2006}}</ref> He parodied the reaction to this "new look" in a commercial for his nonexistent '']'' special. The commercial featured Yankovic in the short-haired wig from the music video for ] "River", claiming his new look was an attempt to "get back to the core of what I'm all about", that being "the music."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/videos/EatItUnpluggedPromo.wmv |title="Weird Al" Yankovic MTV Unplugged Promo|accessdate=October 28, 2006}}</ref>

Yankovic married Suzanne Krajewski on February 10, 2001. Their daughter, Nina, was born February 11, 2003. They also have a pet ] named Bo Veaner.<ref name="faq"/> They used to have a pet ], Bela (pictured atop Yankovic's head on the cover of his album, '']''). Yankovic identifies as ] and has stated that a couple from his church appeared on the cover of ''Poodle Hat''.<ref>{{cite web|title="Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ask Al Archive <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0795|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5iwEXO7HB|archivedate=August 10, 2009|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 7, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0195 |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ask Al Archive |publisher=Weird Al |date= |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>

On April 9, 2004, Yankovic's parents, Nick, 86, and Mary, 81, were found dead in their ], home, apparently the victims of accidental ] from their fireplace that had been recently lit. The ] was closed, which trapped the carbon monoxide gas inside the house, suffocating them. An hour after his wife notified him of his parents' death, Yankovic went on with his concert in ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040410-9999-1mc10ffire.html |title=Fallbrook couple found dead |accessdate=February 16, 2007}}</ref> saying that "since my music had helped many of my fans through tough times, maybe it would work for me as well" and that it would "at least ... give me a break from sobbing all the time." Although Yankovic played the concert as planned, a scheduled meet and greet following the concert was canceled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/msg.htm |title=A Message From Al|accessdate=August 24, 2006}}</ref>

His latest three album releases feature the longest songs Yankovic has ever released. The "]" track from ''Running with Scissors'' is 11&nbsp;minutes and 25&nbsp;seconds; "Genius in France" from ''Poodle Hat'' runs for 8&nbsp;minutes and 56&nbsp;seconds; "Trapped in the Drive-Thru" from ''Straight Outta Lynwood'' is 10&nbsp;minutes and 53&nbsp;seconds long. Before 2007, (apart from a one-off performance of "Albuquerque" in ]),<ref name="setlists">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/setlists.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Concert Set Lists|accessdate=October 28, 2006}}</ref> these "epic" songs were not performed live in their entirety due to their length and complexity. ''(See ] for details)''

Yankovic has also started to explore ] of his songs. On October 7, 2008, Yankovic released to the ] "]", a parody of the ] ], which Yankovic said he had come up with two weeks before. Yankovic said that the benefit of digital distribution is that "I don't have to wait around while my songs get old and dated—I can get them out on the Internet almost immediately."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003870753 | title = Weird Al Goes Digital With T.I. Cover | publisher = '']'' | date = October 6, 2008 | accessdate = October 6, 2008 | first = Jeff | last = Vreval}}</ref> In 2009, Yankovic released four more songs: "]" on June 16, "]" on July 14, "]" on August 4, and "]" on August 25. These five digitally released songs comprise a digital EP titled '']'', with "Whatever You Like" retroactively being considered part of the EP set. The songs will also be included on Yankovic's next studio album, due to be released in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20090616/NY3313516062009-1.html | title = 'Weird Al' Yankovic Releases New Single 'Craigslist' an Homage to the Doors | publisher = ] | date =June 16, 2009 | accessdate = June 21, 2009 }}</ref>

On August 28, 2009, '']'' magazine released a fan poll that had asked readers to list their choices for who most deserves to be enshrined in the ]. Weird Al was the overwhelming choice, ranking first, followed by ] and ] in the top ten."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/28/readers-rock-list-who-should-be-nominated-for-rock-hall/ |title=Rolling Stone article|accessdate=August 28, 2009}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=July 2010}}

It has been reported that Lady Gaga material may be used on Yankovic’s newest album due out late 2010/early 2011. Weird Al has acknowledged that Gaga is “a great candidate” for a parody.<ref>{{cite web|author=Up for Discussion Jump to Forums |url=http://www.billboard.com/news/weird-al-may-parody-lady-gaga-on-next-album-1004099663.story#/news/weird-al-may-parody-lady-gaga-on-next-album-1004099663.story |title=Weird Al May Parody Lady Gaga On Next Album |publisher=Billboard |date=2009-09-14 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>

Yankovic was also a judge for the 10th annual ] to support independent artists' careers.<ref></ref>

==Work==
===Music===
{{Main|List of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic}}
While Yankovic's song parodies (such as "]") have resulted in success on the Billboard charts (''see ]''), he has actually recorded an equally large number of original humorous songs ("]" and "]").<ref name="faq"/> His work depends largely on the satirizing of ], including television (''see ]''), movies ("]"), food (''see ]''), popular music ("Bohemian Polka", "Polkarama"), and sometimes issues in contemporary news ("]"). Yankovic claims he has no intention of writing "serious" music. In his reasoning, "There's enough people that do unfunny music. I'll leave the serious stuff to ] and ]."<ref name="hub">{{cite web|url=http://hub.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/NOISE02/707040313/1104/HUB |title='Weird Al' Yankovic - Parodist promises a high-energy show -- with costume changes|accessdate=July 8, 2007}}</ref>

]

Although many of Yankovic's songs are parodies of contemporary radio hits, it is rare that the song's primary topic lampoons the original artist as a person, or the song itself. Most Yankovic songs consist of the original song's music, with a separate, unrelated set of amusing lyrics. Exceptions include "]", which references unintelligible lyrics in "]", "]", which refers to the song "]", "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long", which refers to the repetitious lyrics in "]", the unreleased "It's Still Billy Joel to Me", and "]", which references "]" and "]" in the first few lines.

Yankovic's humor normally lies more in creating unexpected incongruity between an artist's image and the topic of the song, contrasting the style of the song with its content (such as the songs "]", "]", and "]"), or in pointing out trends or works which have become pop culture clichés (such as "]" and "]").

Yankovic is the sole writer for all his songs, and for "legal and personal reasons" does not accept parody submissions or ideas from fans.<ref name="faq"/> There exists, however, one exception to this rule in the case of "]." ] was reportedly talking with a friend and happened to wonder aloud when Yankovic was going to turn her "]" into "Like a Surgeon." Madonna's friend was a mutual friend of Yankovic's manager, Jay Levey, and eventually Yankovic himself heard the story from Levey.<ref name="booklet"/>

Unlike other parody artists such as ], Yankovic strives to keep the backing music in his parodies the same as the original. While Sherman reproduced them orchestrally, Yankovic and his band essentially play the original song with new lyrics. Instead of using instrumental versions of the original songs, Yankovic and his band transcribe the original song by ear and re-record the song for Yankovic's parody version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdalforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4730&view=findpost&p=306317 |title=World of Weird Al Yankovic Forums - Ask Jim|accessdate=October 30, 2006}}</ref>

In addition to his parodies, Yankovic also includes a medley of various songs on most albums, each one reinterpreted as a ], with the choruses or memorable lines of various songs juxtaposed for humorous effect. Yankovic has been known to say that converting these songs to polka was "...the way God intended." Because the polkas have become a staple of Yankovic's albums, he has said he tries to include one on each album because "fans would be rioting in the streets, I think, if I didn't do a polka medley."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livedaily.com/news/Weird_Al_talks_new_album_2007_tour-10776.html?t=1 |title='Weird Al' talks new album, 2007 tour|accessdate=October 26, 2006}}</ref>

<!--Please do not add style parody artists/songs to the following paragraph as there are too many-->
Some of Yankovic's original songs are "style parodies" for which he chooses a band's entire body of work to honor/parody, rather than any single hit by that band. Such bands include ] with ] (which features many aspects of the hit song, ]), ] with "]", ] with "Dog Eat Dog", ] with "Genius in France", ] with "Germs", and ] with "Ringtone".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0100 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for January, 2000|accessdate=October 30, 2006}}</ref> Others are style parodies in the style of a ] of music, rather than a specific band (for example, ] with "Good Enough For Now" and ]s with "]").

Yankovic has contributed original songs to several ]s ("]" from '']''; "]" from the movie '']'', and a parody of the ] title sequence in '']''), in addition to his own film, '']''. Other songs of his have appeared in films or television series as well, such as "]" in '']''.

One of Yankovic's recurring jokes involves the number ]; "Al" is the ] for ], and the ] of that element is 27. It is seen on the covers for '']'', '']''<ref></ref> and '']''. Other recurring jokes revolve around the names Bob (the '']'' interviews often mention the name),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVGiUu2ciYY |title=Weird Al Interviews Avril Lavigne|accessdate=October 29, 2006}}</ref> Frank (e.g. "Frank's 2000" TV"), and the surname "Finkelstein" (e.g. the music video for "]"). Also, a ] called ] is a recurring character in '']'' and the ''Al TV'' specials, as well as the subject of an original song on '']''. Some other recurring jokes include Yankovic borrowing, or being owed, $5. In a number of ''Al TV'' interviews, he often asks if he can borrow $5, being turned down every time. This motif also occurs in "]", in which his deceased friend owes him $5. Another recurring joke is his attraction to female nostrils or nostrils in general. This also appears in numerous ''Al TV'' interviews as well as in several of his songs ("]" and "]" to name a few.) Yankovic also asks his celebrity guests if they could "shave his back for a nickel." This also appears in the song "]". Yankovic has also put two ] messages into his songs. The first, in "Nature Trail to Hell", said "Satan Eats ]"; the second, in "I Remember Larry", said "Wow, you must have an awful lot of free time on your hands."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/faq/#secret |title=Al-oholics Anonymous' Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate=August 24, 2006}}</ref>

Yankovic's career in novelty and comedy music has outlasted many of his "mainstream" parody targets, such as ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spokane7.com/music/stories/?ID=401 |title=Weird Al's shtick still draws a crowd |accessdate=October 16, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.townonline.com/northshoresunday/homepage/x1575047109 |title=Revenge of the nerd: 'Weird Al' gets all white and nerdy for summer tour |accessdate=August 13, 2007}}</ref> While most ] are ]s, Yankovic's continued success (including the top 10 single "]" and album '']'' in 2006) has enabled him to escape the stigma often associated with novelty music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tweak.com/phonetag/weirdal/ |title=Tweak: Phone Tag - Weird Al Yankovic |accessdate=October 16, 2006}}</ref>

====Music videos====
While Yankovic's musical parodies generally do not include references to the songs or the artists of the original songs, Yankovic's music videos will sometimes parody the original song's music video in whole or in part. Most notably, the video for "]" uses an extremely similar set to ]'s "]", including using several of the same actors. This video contended with "Smells like Teen Spirit" at the 1992 ] for Best Male Video. Other videos that draw directly from those of the original song include "]", "]", "]", "]", "]", "]", "Amish Paradise", "Like a Surgeon", and "]". The video for "]" is, as stated by Yankovic, a style parody in general of ] videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0100 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for January, 2000" |accessdate=August 5, 2007}}</ref>

Several videos have included appearances by notable celebrities in addition to Yankovic and his band. Dr. Demento appeared in several of Yankovic's earlier videos, such as "]" and "]". Actor ] is featured in both "Smells Like Nirvana" and "]"; ], ] and ] appeared in "It's All About the Pentiums"; ], ], ], ] and ] appeared in "White & Nerdy"; and ] and ] appeared in "Gump". The video for "]" includes an appearance by ], the artist whose song, "Jeopardy," was being parodied, along with ] and ], Jeopardy's original announcer and host, as themselves.

While most videos that Yankovic creates are aired on music channels such as ] and ], Yankovic has also worked with animation artists to create music videos for release with extended content albums. The ] version of ''Straight Outta Lynwood'' features six videos set to songs from the release, including videos created by ] and ]; one video, "]" was created by the producers of the show '']'', and aired as a segment of that program.

====Reactions from original artists====
Under the "]" provision of U.S. ] law, affirmed by the ], one does not need permission to record a ].<ref>'']'', {{Findlaw_us|510|569}} (1994)</ref> However, as a personal rule, and as a means of maintaining good relationships within the music community, Yankovic has always requested permission from the original artist before recording his parodies.<ref name="faq"/> Most artists have had positive reactions to Yankovic's parodies. Several have considered it to be something of a badge of honor to have Yankovic ask permission to parody their song or style, since they felt that Yankovic would not choose to do so unless they were a success or had made some sort of cultural impact at the time. However, there are a few notable exceptions where people have not allowed parodies or have otherwise withdrawn permission.

=====Positive=====
] of ] said that the band felt they had "made it" after Yankovic recorded "]," a parody of the ] band's smash hit, "]."<ref name="faq"/> On his ''Behind the Music'' special, Yankovic stated that when he called Nirvana frontman ] to ask if he could parody the song, Cobain gave him permission, then paused and asked, "Um... it's not gonna be about food, is it?" Yankovic responded with, "No, it'll be about how no one can understand your lyrics." According to members of Nirvana interviewed for ''Behind the Music,'' when they saw the video of the song, they laughed hysterically. Additionally, Cobain described Yankovic as "a musical genius."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/gig-previews--reviews/weird-al-yankovic/2007/03/19/1174152930142.html |title=Weird Al Yankovic - Gig previews & reviews - Music - Entertainment|accessdate= April 16, 2007 | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | date=March 19, 2007}}</ref>

]" in ], New Zealand on March 10, 2007.]]] was also a big fan of Yankovic. Jackson twice allowed him to parody his songs ("]" and "]" became "]" and "]," respectively). When he granted Yankovic permission to do "Fat," Jackson allowed him to use the same set built for his own "]" video from the '']'' video. Though Jackson allowed "Eat It" and "Fat," he requested that Yankovic not record a parody of "]," because he felt the message was too important. However, Yankovic has performed a concert-only parody "Snack All Night" in some of his live shows.<ref name="setlists"/> Yankovic also has a cameo appearance, along with many other celebrities, in Jackson's music video for "]."

] approved Yankovic's parody of the ] song "]" for use in the film '']'' on the provision that Knopfler himself be allowed to play lead guitar on the parody which was later titled "]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0946148/bio |title=Biography for 'Weird Al' Yankovic|accessdate=September 15, 2007}}</ref> Yankovic commented on the legal complications of the parody in the DVD audio commentary for ''UHF'', explaining "We had to name that song 'Money for Nothing 'slash' Beverly Hillbillies 'asterisk' because the lawyers told us that had to be the name. Those wacky lawyers! What ya gonna do?"<ref>Al Yankovic, "UHF" DVD Audio Commentary (0:35:15)</ref> The '']'' booklet referred to the song's "compound fracture of a title."<ref name="booklet"/> When a fan asked about the song's title, Yankovic shared his feelings on the title, replying "That incredibly stupid name is what the lawyers insisted that the parody be listed as. I'm not sure why, and I've obviously never been very happy about it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#1098|title="Ask Al" Q&As for October, 1998|accessdate=September 15, 2007}}</ref>

] were so pleased with "Gump", Yankovic's parody of their song "Lump", that they ended the song with Yankovic's last line instead of their own ("And that's all I have to say about that") on the live recording of "Lump" featured on the compilation album '']''. In 2008, Yankovic directed the music video for their song "]"<ref>{{cite web|url= http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/ej/2008/02/04/weird_al_yankovic_to_direct_next_preside|title=Bring the Noise Weird Al Yankovic to direct next Presidents of the United States of America video |publisher=]|author=Ernest Jasmin|accessdate=May 31, 2008}}</ref>

The song "]" (a parody of ]'s "]") accurately states the entire plot of '']'', despite being written before the film's release. Yankovic got the plot details from ] websites. He was slightly unsure about ] proposing to ], so he attended a ]500 screening to confirm, and ended up making only very minor alterations to the lyrics. McLean was pleased with the parody, and even told Yankovic that the parody's lyrics sometimes enter his mind during live performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0999|title="Ask Al" Q&As for September, 1999| accessdate=October 29, 2006}}</ref> Yankovic's parody not only replicates the music from the original ] song, but it also replicates the multi-layered rhyming structure in the verses and chorus. Additionally, ] loved the song and a ] representative told Yankovic, "You should have seen the smile on his face."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/weirdal.asp |title=TheForce.Net - Jedi Council - Interviews - Weird Al Yankovic |publisher=TheForce.Net|author=Chris Knight|accessdate=August 24, 2006}}</ref>

] was also very pleased, even putting Yankovic's parody "]" (a parody of "]") on his official ] page before it was on Yankovic's own page. Chamillionaire stated in an interview, "He's actually ] pretty good on it, it's crazy I didn't know he could rap like that. It's really an honor when he does that. Weird Al is not gonna do a parody of your song if you're not doing it big."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/091106/ |title=MTVNews.com - Mixtape Monday: Lil Wayne, Juelz To Drop Real Album; Ness Drops Da Band|accessdate=October 28, 2006}}</ref> In September 2007, Chamillionaire credited "White & Nerdy" for his recent Grammy win, stating "That parody was the reason I won the Grammy, because it made the record so big it was undeniable. It was so big overseas that people were telling me they had heard my version of Weird Al's song."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-09-16-chamillionaire_N.htm |title=Chamillionaire triumphs over cursing on 'Ultimate Victory' |author=Steve Jones |publisher=USA Today |accessdate = September 20, 2007 | date=September 17, 2007}}</ref>

=====Negative=====
One of Yankovic's most controversial parodies was 1996's "]", based on "]" by hip-hop artist ], which, in turn, was based on "]" by ]. Reportedly, Coolio's label gave Yankovic the impression that Coolio had granted permission to record the parody, but Coolio maintains that he never did. While Coolio claimed he was upset, legal action never materialized, and Coolio accepted ] payments for the song. After this controversy, Yankovic has always made sure to speak directly with the artist of every song he parodied. At the ] booth at the 2006 ] Yankovic and Coolio made peace. On his website, Yankovic wrote of this event, "I don’t remember what we said to each other exactly, but it was all very friendly. I doubt I’ll be invited to Coolio’s next birthday party, but at least I can stop wearing that bulletproof vest to the mall."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#042706 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for April 27, 2006|accessdate=September 2, 2006|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5gv2Zw4KL|archivedate=May 20, 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref>

In 2003, Yankovic was denied permission to make a video for "]", his parody of ]'s "]":
{{bquote|Last year, Eminem forced me to halt production on the video for my 'Lose Yourself' parody because he somehow thought that it would be harmful to his image or career.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20041014/ai_n12565818 |title=Is the King of Pop losing it? |author=Mike Thomas |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times |accessdate = October 29, 2006}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>}}
For the '']'' '']'' special, Yankovic raised the question of artistic expression in a fake interview with Eminem. As Yankovic has always done for his ''Al TV'' specials, he edited the footage of a previous Eminem interview and inserted himself asking questions for comic effect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPwBdnknGIs |title=Eminem Interview |accessdate=January 15, 2008}}</ref>

=====Refused parodies=====
On numerous occasions, ] has refused Yankovic permission to record parodies of his songs. Yankovic has stated in interviews that he has "approached him every few years see if he's lightened up."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/interviews/hotwired.txt |title="Weird Al" Yankovic Interview by Michael Small of Hotwired.com|accessdate=October 28, 2006}}</ref>

] guitarist ] is a self-proclaimed Yankovic fan, but when Yankovic wished to create a polka medley of Led Zeppelin songs, Page refused.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0699 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for June, 1999|accessdate=October 27, 2006}}</ref> Yankovic was, however, allowed the very rare opportunity to re-record a sample of "]" for a segment of "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/09/19/weird-al-yankovic-dishes-on-james-blunt-discusses-his-role-as-the-whitest-nerdiest-rock-star-ever/ |title=Weird Al Yankovic Dishes On James Blunt, Discusses His Role As the Whitest, Nerdiest Rock Star Ever|accessdate=October 27, 2006}}</ref>

], also a Yankovic fan, refused Yankovic permission to record a parody of ]' "]", entitled "Chicken Pot Pie", because McCartney is a vegetarian and found the parody to be in bad taste.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/interviews/alicon.html |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: The Icon Profile|accessdate=October 28, 2006}}</ref> His concerts often feature parodies for which the artist did not give permission or could not be released for various reasons.

In 2006, Yankovic gained ]'s permission to record a parody of "]". However, after Yankovic had recorded "]", Blunt's label, ], rescinded this permission. The parody was pulled from Yankovic's '']'' due to his label's unwillingness to "go to war" with Atlantic. Yankovic released the song as a free download on his ] profile, as well as his official website, and plays it in concert, since it was not Blunt himself objecting to the parody.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5482774 |title=Free 'Weird Al' Yankovic!|accessdate=August 24, 2006}}</ref> The music video for "]" references this dispute, showing Yankovic defacing Atlantic Records' ] article with the words "YOU SUCK!"

====Live performances====
]", on August 8, 2007, at the ].]]

Yankovic often describes his live concert performances as "a rock and comedy multimedia extravaganza"<ref name="yahoocache">{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:09MwL6eaJ3sJ:launch.yahoo.com/read/interview/12027570 |title=Weird Al Yankovic Interviews on Yahoo! Music (Google Cache)|accessdate=November 10, 2006}}</ref> with an audience that "ranges from toddlers to geriatrics."<ref name="hub"/> Apart from Yankovic and his band performing his classic and contemporary hits, staples of Yankovic's live performances include a medley of parodies, many costume changes between songs, and a video screen on which various clips are played during the costume changes.<ref name="yahoocache"/> A concert from Yankovic's 1999 tour for the '']'' album ('']'') was released on ] in 1999 and on DVD in 2000.<ref name="catalog"/> Titled '']'', the concert was recorded at the ] in ], on October 2, 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/100299.htm |title=Weird Al Photo Gallery - Backstage "Pep Talk"|accessdate=November 10, 2006}}</ref> For legal reasons, video clips (apart from those for Yankovic's own music videos) could not be shown for the home release, and unreleased parodies were removed from the parody medley for the performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0300 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for March, 2000|accessdate=November 10, 2006}}</ref>

2003 saw Yankovic on tour overseas for the first time. Before 2003, Yankovic and his band had toured only the United States and parts of Canada.<ref name="livepage"/> Following the success of '']'' in Australia, Yankovic performed eleven shows in Australia's major capital cities and regional areas in October of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/phtour.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Poodle Hat '03 & '04 Tourdates|accessdate=November 10, 2006}}</ref> Yankovic returned to Australia and toured New Zealand for the first time in 2007 to support the '']'' album.
<!-- Deleted image removed: ], Australia on March 23, 2007.|{{deletable image-caption|1=Sunday, September 27, 2009}}|{{deletable image-caption|1=Sunday, September 27, 2009}}|{{deletable image-caption|1=Sunday, September 27, 2009}}]] -->

On September 8, 2007, Yankovic performed his 1,000th live show at ].<ref name="livepage"/>
Yankovic is scheduled to tour in the summer of 2010. The initial plan was to tour after his 13th album will be released, but in a podcast in May 2010, Yankovic revealed that the album would not be released before or during the tour, but sometime after.

Yankovic has confirmed his first ever European show, which will take place at the ] music festival in Minehead, England in December 2010. Yankovic was picked to perform by the Canadian band ] who are curating the festival's lineup.

===''UHF''===
{{Main|UHF (film)}}
In 1989, Yankovic starred in a full-length feature film, co-written by himself and manager ], and filmed in ] called '']''. A satire of the television and film industries, also starring ], ], and ], it brought floundering studio ] their highest ] since the movie '']''.<ref name="robo">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0599 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for May, 1999|accessdate=October 28, 2006}}</ref> However, it was unsuccessful in theaters, likely due to a release in mid-1989, going up against '']'', '']'', '']'', and others.

The film has since become a ], with out-of-print copies of the ] version selling for up to $100 on ] until the release of the ] in 2002. Yankovic occasionally shows clips from the film at his concerts (to which ], the film's current owner, initially objected in the form of a ] letter).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0500 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for May, 2000|accessdate=October 26, 2006}}</ref> In an apparent attempt to make it more accessible to overseas audiences, where the term ] is used less frequently to describe TV broadcasts, the film was titled '']'' in Australia and parts of Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098546/ |title=UHF (1989)|accessdate=October 26, 2006}}</ref>

''UHF'' shows the creation of Yankovic's signature food—the Twinkie Wiener Sandwich. The snack consists of an overturned ] split open as a makeshift bun, a ], and ] put together and dipped in milk before eating. Yankovic has stated that he has switched to using ] hot dogs since becoming a ], but still enjoys the occasional Twinkie Wiener Sandwich.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#1095 |title=Midnight Star "Ask Al" Q&As for October/November, 1995|accessdate=October 26, 2006}}</ref>

===Notable television appearances===
Yankovic had a TV series called '']'', which aired from September 1997 to December 1997 on ]. Though the show appeared to be geared at children, the humor was really more for his adult fans (as such, it is often compared to '']''). The entire series was released on ] by ] on August 15, 2006.

Yankovic has hosted '']'' on ] and ''Al Music'' on ] many times, generally coinciding with the release of each new album. For '']'', ''Al TV'' appeared on ] for the first time. A recurring segment of ''Al TV'' involves Yankovic manipulating interviews for comic effect. He inserts himself into a previously conducted interview with a musician, and then manipulates his questions, resulting in bizarre and comic responses from the celebrity.

] produced a '']'' episode on Yankovic. His two commercial failures (his film '']'' and his 1986 album '']'') were presented as having a larger impact on the direction of his career than they really had. Also, ]'s later disapproval of "]" was played up as a large feud. Much was also made over his apparent lack of a love life, though he got married shortly after the program aired.

Yankovic has done voice-overs for a number of animated series. He appeared in a 2003 episode of '']'', singing "The Ballad of Homer & Marge" (a parody of ]'s "]") with his band. The episode, "]", in which ] hires Yankovic to sing the aforementioned song to ] in an attempt to reconcile their marriage, later won an ] for "Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour)". Yankovic also had a cameo in a 2008 episode, entitled "]", during which he records a parody of Homer's grunge hit "Shave Me" entitled "Brain Freeze" (Homer's song, "Shave Me", was itself a parody of ]'s "]") making Yankovic one of only a handful of celebrities to appear twice on the show playing themselves. He has had one notable appearance in the animated ] show '']'' voicing a kid who becomes a giant robot. The episode also featured Al's music video, "]." Yankovic is the voice for ] on the ] show, '']''. He is also the announcer of the cartoon's eponymous ] adaptation. Yankovic had a guest appearance voicing ], a ] Transformer in the '']'' cartoon series;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/cartoon-network-to-air-transformers-animated-episo/13008/ |title=Cartoon Network To Air Transformers Animated Episode "Garbage In, Garbage Out"--10:30AM|accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref> previously, Yankovic's "Dare to Be Stupid" song was featured in the 1986 animated film '']'', during the sequence in which the Wreck-Gar character was first introduced; as such, the song is referenced in the episode. He also plays local TV talent show host Uncle Muscles on several episodes of '']'' along with other appearances on the show. Weird Al has also supplied the voice of one-shot character 'Petroleum Joe' on '']''. He also voiced himself on a '']'' episode.

An exhaustive list of television shows on which Yankovic has appeared is available on his official website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/filmtv.htm |title=Film & TV list|accessdate=July 2, 2007}}</ref>

===Directing career===
"Weird Al" Yankovic has directed many of his own ]s; he has directed all of his music videos from 1993’s "]" to his latest, 2006’s "]". He also directed the end sequence of 1986’s "]" (an original piece juxtaposing ] with ]) from his '']'' album and the title sequence to '']'', for which he sang the title song.<ref name="vidfacts">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/videtc.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Video Facts|accessdate=October 26, 2006}}</ref> Yankovic wrote, directed and starred in the short 3-D movie attraction "Al's Brain: A 3-D Journey Through The Human Brain," which premiered at the ] in ] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yankovic.org/blog/2008/07/30/go-into-als-brain/|title=Go Into Al's Brain >> Yank Blog|accessdate=July 31, 2008}}</ref> The ]2.5 million project sponsored by the Orange County Fair, including a brief cameo by Sir ] that Yankovic directed during McCartney's tour at the 2009 ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/08/11/fair-will-produce-more-spectacles-after-polling-shows-affection-for-als-brain/30601/ | title = ‘Al’s Brain’ is declared a success, and OC Fair will produce more ‘feature exhibits’ | publisher = OC Watchdog | date = August 11, 2009 | accessdate = August 17, 2009 | first = Teri | last= Sforza }}</ref> Fair CEO Steve Beazley, who supported the project, considers the project a success and is considering leasing the exhibit to other fairs; the second appearance of the exhibit will be at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/things-to-do/weird-al.php | title = Al's Brain Exhibit | publisher = ] | accessdate = August 17, 2009 }}</ref>

In addition to his own, he has directed several videos for ] (The '']'' sequences in "River"), ] ("]"), ] ("]"), ] ("Redneck Stomp" and "Party All Night"), ] ("Wail"), and ] ("Mixed Up S.O.B").<ref name="vidfacts"/> He has cameo appearances in his videos for Blues Explosion, ] (as the interviewer), and ] (as the producer fixing Folds' "shitty tracks").

===Cartoon Network feature film===
On January 25, 2010, Yankovic announced that he signed a production deal with ] and is set to write and direct a live-action feature film.<ref name="alyankovic.wordpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://alyankovic.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/this-thing-im-doing |title=This Thing I’m Doing « AL'S BLOG |publisher=Weird Al |date=2010-01-25 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref> Although Yankovic previously wrote the script for ''UHF'', this will be the first movie he has directed.<ref name="alyankovic.wordpress.com"/> Little is currently known about the movie. However, Yankovic did state on his blog that he will not be starring in the movie as Cartoon Network wants a younger protagonist, though he may still appear in a cameo. He also stated that they would hopefully start filming this fall.

During an interview on the ] Al stated that though Cartoon Network "loved" his script, they have decided that they are not going to produce feature films at this time. He stated that they would instead shop the script around to other potential studios.
<ref name="alyankovic.wordpress.com"/>

===Other media===
In 2008, Weird Al joined ] as a guest on the ] treatment of '']''.

Yankovic will be writing a children's book, ''When I Grow Up'', to be published by ] in early 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.harpercollins.com/footer/release.aspx?id=818&b=&year=2009 | title = HarperCollins Children's Books Signs "Weird Al" Yankovic | publisher = ] | date = September 16, 2009 | accessdate = October 1, 2009 }}</ref>

On November 10, 2009, Weird Al was a guest "internet scientist" on ]'s "]" video series, in the installment on the topic of ], hosted by Jamie Wilkinson.

{{anchor|Weird: the Al Yankovic Story}}
] produced a ] movie trailer for "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story", a fictional ] that parodies other films based on musicians; Yankovic (played by ]) is seen hiding his "weirdness" from his parents (] and ]), making it big using song parodies with the help of Dr. Demento (]), falling in and out of love with Madonna (]), and fading into alcoholism and being arrested, where his father finally admits he is "weird" as well. Yankovic himself plays a music producer in the short.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/03/24/weird-al-yankovic-movie/ | title = 'Weird Al' Yankovic Gets The Parody Biopic He Deserves | date = 2010-03-24 | accessdate= 2010-03-24 | first = Kyle | last = Anderson | publisher = MTV }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/23/geek-out-trailer-for-weird-al-biopic-up-on-funny-or-die/ | title= Geek Out!: Trailer for Weird Al 'biopic' up on Funny or Die | date = 2010-03-23 | accessdate = 2010-03-24 | publisher = CNN | first = Doug | last = Gross }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/03/24/weird-al-gets-serious-biopic-treatment-thanks-to-funny-or-die/ | title = “Weird Al” Gets Serious Biopic Treatment Thanks to Funny or Die | first = Daniel | last = Kreps | date = 2010-03-24 | accessdate = 2010-03-25 | work = ] }}</ref>

Weird Al joined the band ] in their music video for "]" in which he plays the tambourine.

Yankovic contributes backing vocals for the song "Time" on ]' album '']''.

Yankovic also appeared in the recent '']'' as himself on a news channel.

Yankovic was also one of many celebrities who took part in the ] against ] banning ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noh8campaign.com/photo-gallery/familiar-faces/photo/5622 |title=Familiar Faces |publisher=NOH8 Campaign |date=2010-02-01 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>

==Misattribution and imitators==
] PRO, showing a large number of parodies misattributed to Yankovic, as well as numerous misspellings of his surname. ({{start date|2007|02}})]]
Songs posted to ] networks are often misattributed to him due to their humorous subject matter. Often, his surname is misspelled (and thus mispronounced) as "Yankovich", among other variations. Much to the disdain of Yankovic, these misattributed files include songs that are racist, sexually explicit, or otherwise offensive. A young listener who had heard several of these offensive tracks by way of a file sharing service confronted Yankovic online, threatening a boycott due to his supposedly explicit lyrics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#100205 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for October 2, 2005|accessdate=August 24, 2006}}</ref> Quite a few of the songs, such as "]" by ] (later of Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine), "]", "Yoda Smokes Weed", "Chewbacca" and several more have a '']'' motif.<ref name="notalpage">{{cite web|url=http://free.house.cx/~eil/etc/notal_list.html |title=The Not Al Page: The most popular songs he didn't even write (or perform)!|accessdate=August 24, 2006}}</ref> Some songs misattributed to him are not songs, but spoken skits, such as "] on crack", which is also widely misattributed to ].

Yankovic cites these misattributions as "his only real beef with ] ] sites":
{{bquote|If you do a search for my name on any one of those sites, I guarantee you that about half of the songs that come up will be songs I had absolutely nothing to do with. That particularly bothers me, because I really try to do quality work, and I also try to maintain a more-or-less family-friendly image—and some of these songs that are supposedly by me are just, well, vulgar and awful. I truly think my reputation has suffered in a lot of people's minds because of all those fake Weird Al songs floating around the Internet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itworld.com/060918download |title=Don't not download this song|accessdate=September 23, 2006}}</ref>}}

A list of songs frequently misattributed to Yankovic can be found at <ref name="notalpage"/> and a list of all commercially released songs recorded by Yankovic can be found on his website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/rcdgdate.htm |title=Recording Dates Page|accessdate=December 1, 2006}}</ref>

==Fan-driven campaigns==
The Weird Al Star Fund is a campaign started by Yankovic's fans to get him a star on the ]. Their mission is to "solicit, collect, and raise the necessary money, and to compile the information needed for the application to nominate "Weird Al" Yankovic for a star on the ]."<ref name="starfund">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdalstar.com/ |title=The Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Campaign for "Weird Al" Yankovic|accessdate = March 15, 2007}}</ref> Fans worldwide have sent donations to raise the ]15,000 needed for a nomination. In addition to the preferred method of cash donations, many methods were used to raise money for the cause, such as a live benefit show held April 11, 2006, and selling merchandise on the official website and ], including T-shirts, calendars, and cookbooks.<ref name="cook">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdalstar.com/tributeshow.html |title=The Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Campaign for "Weird Al" Yankovic|accessdate = October 29, 2006}}</ref> On May 26, 2006, the campaign hit the then-$15,000 target, just five days before the May 31 deadline to submit the necessary paperwork.<ref name="starfund"/> However, Yankovic was not included on the list of inductees for 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=8ce9efb9-2eb5-4f61-85ab-c5c2ffb9d885 |title=Damon, Diddy, Ponch Got Star Power|author=Gina Serpe|publisher=E! Online News|accessdate = October 29, 2006}}</ref> On February 9, 2007, the Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce raised the price to sponsor a new star to $25,000<ref name="starfund"/> and as such the Fund is accepting donations again. Yankovic's application was resubmitted for consideration in 2007, but he was not included among 2008's inductees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/?p=1129 |title=New Stars to Grace Hollywood Walk of Fame|accessdate = July 2, 2007}}</ref>

Similar to the Weird Al Star Fund, a second fan-driven campaign called "Make the ] 'Weird'" has tried to enshrine him into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in ], for which he has been eligible since 2004.<ref name="rockhallgoal">{{cite web|url=http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall/goal.htm |title=Make the Rock Hall "Weird" - Our Mission|accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref> Previous attempts to raise awareness for the campaign and support Yankovic's nomination included a petition drive from 2006 to 2007, which raised over 9000 signatures; an art competition in 2005; additionally, a documentary film about the campaign is currently being developed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall/faq.htm |title=Make the Rock Hall "Weird" - FAQ|accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref><ref name="rockhallhelp">{{cite web|url=http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall/what.htm |title=Make the Rock Hall "Weird" - How You Can Help|accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref> In addition to these efforts, an ongoing campaign is underway in which supporters of Yankovic's nomination are requested to send "sincere, thoughtful" letters to the Rock Hall Foundation's headquarters in New York.<ref name="rockhallhelp"/> The Hall has not considered Yankovic for nomination since the campaign started in 2004.<ref name="rockhallgoal"/>

==Discography==
{{Main|"Weird Al" Yankovic discography|List of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic}}

===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! Title|| Release year
|-
| '']'' || 1983
|-
| '']'' || 1984
|-
| '']'' || 1985
|-
| '']'' || 1986
|-
| '']'' || 1988
|-
| '']'' || 1989
|-
| '']'' || 1992
|-
| '']'' || 1993
|-
| '']'' || 1996
|-
| '']'' || 1999
|-
| '']'' || 2003
|-
| '']'' || 2006
|}

===EPs===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! Title || Release year
|-
| '']'' || 1981
|-
| '']'' || 2006
|-
| '']'' || 2009
|}

===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! Title|| Release year
|-
| '']'' || 1988
|-
| '']'' || 1992
|-
| '']'' || 1994
|-
| '']'' || 1994
|-
| '']'' || 1995
|-
| '']'' || 2009
|}

===Awards and nominations===
'''Grammy Awards'''<ref name="awards"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Nominated work
!Award
!Result
|-
||]
||"]"
|]
|{{Won}}
|-
||]
||'']''
|]
|{{Nom}}
|-
||]
||'']''
|]
|{{Nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|]
||"]"
|]
|{{Won}}
|-
||'']''
|]
|{{Nom}}
|-
||'']''
|]
|{{Nom}}
|-
||]
||'']''
|]
|{{Nom}}
|-
||]
||'']''
|]
|{{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|]
|rowspan=2|'']''
|]
|{{Nom}}
|-
|]
|{{Nom}}
|-
||]
||'']''
|]
|{{Nom}}
|}

<!--DO NOT ADD VIDEO related awards here. See Videography section-->

'''Gold and platinum records'''<ref name="awards"/><ref name="riaa"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Recording
! Gold
! Platinum
! Double<br />Platinum
|-
| ''"Weird Al" Yankovic''
| U.S.
|
|
|-
| ''"Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D''
| Canada<br />U.S.
| <br />U.S.
|
|-
| "Eat It"{{ref|Eat It single|1}}
| Australia<br />Canada<br />U.S.
|
|
|-
| ''Dare to be Stupid''
| U.S.
| U.S.
|
|-
| ''Even Worse''
| Canada<br />U.S.
| <br />U.S.
|
|-
| ''"Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits''
| Canada
|
|
|-
| ''Off the Deep End''
| Canada<br />U.S.
| Canada<br />U.S.
|
|-
| ''The Food Album''
| U.S.
|
|
|-
| ''Alapalooza''
| Canada<br />U.S.
| Canada<br />&nbsp;
| Canada<br />&nbsp;
|-
| ''Greatest Hits Volume II''
| Canada
|
|
|-
| ''Bad Hair Day''
| Canada<br />U.S.
| Canada<br />U.S.
|
|-
| ''Running With Scissors''
| Australia<br />Canada<br />U.S.
| <br /> <br />U.S.
|
|-
| ''Straight Outta Lynwood''
| U.S.
|
|
|-
| "White & Nerdy"{{ref|White and Nerdy single|2}}
| U.S.
| U.S.
|
|}
{{Refbegin}}
{{note|Eat It single|1}}The "Eat It" single reached the #1 position on the Australian singles chart in 1984.

{{note|White and Nerdy single|2}}The "White & Nerdy" single was certified platinum for digital downloads and gold for ringtone downloads in the U.S.
{{Refend}}

==Videography==
The following is a comprehensive list of Yankovic's long form videos to date, with the United States release date.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Video title !! Release date
|-
| '']'' || August 1985
|-
| '']'' || July 21, 1989
|-
| '']'' || May 1992
|-
| '']'' || December 1993
|-
| '']'' || 1993
|-
| '']'' || June 1996
|-
| '']'' || January 1998
|-
| '']'' || November 23, 1999
|-
| '']'' || November 3, 2003
|-
| '']'' || August 15, 2006
|}

===Awards and nominations===
<!--DO NOT ADD ALBUM/SONG related awards here. See Discography section-->
{|
|-
|'''Grammy Award winners'''<ref>. Retrieved December 1, 2006.</ref>
*"Fat" – ] (])
|-
|'''Grammy Award nominees'''
*"Jurassic Park" – ] (])
|-
|'''Australian gold long form videos'''<ref name="awards"/>
*'']''
|-
|'''U.S. gold long form videos'''<ref name="awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/awards.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Awards|accessdate=December 14, 2006}}</ref><ref name="riaa">{{cite web|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |title=RIAA Searchable Database|accessdate=August 13, 2007}}</ref>
*'']''
*'']''
*'']''
*'']''
|-
|'''U.S. platinum long form videos'''<ref name="awards"/><ref name="riaa"/>
*''The Ultimate Video Collection''
|}

===Cameos and special appearances in film===
<!-- This is for released films and long form videos. Television appearances should be listed in the TV appearances section.-->
* 1988: '']''
* 1988: '']''
* 1991: '']''
* 1991: '']''
* 1992: ''The Case: Off the Record (a ] segment from the television program, ])
* 1994: '']''
* 1994: '']'' (Himself)
* 1996: '']''
* 1996: '']'' (Himself, Archive Footage, Uncredited)
* 1997: '']''
* 1997: '']''
* 1997: '']'' (Himself, Archive Sound, Uncredited)
* 1998: '']''
* 2002: ''Desperation Boulevard''
* 2002: '']''
* 2003: '']''
* 2003: '']''
* 2003: '']''
* 2004: '']''
* 2005: '']''
* 2006: '']''
* 2006: '']''
* 2007-2010 '']''
* 2008: ''] (second appearance) ''
* 2008: '']''
* 2008 - 2009: '']'' as Wreck Gar
* 2009: '']''
* 2010: '']'' (Himself, shows in episode that he is a horse)
* 2010: '']''
* 2010: ''] music video (Hanson)

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*
*{{IMDB name|0946148|"Weird Al" Yankovic}}
*{{musicbrainz artist|id=7746d775-9550-4360-b8d5-c37bd448ce01|name="Weird Al" Yankovic}}
{{"Weird Al" Yankovic}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2010}}

<!-- Metadata: see ] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME=Yankovic, "Weird Al"
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=American ], ], ], ]ist, and ]
|DATE OF BIRTH=October 23, 1959
|PLACE OF BIRTH=]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yankovic, Weird Al}}
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Revision as of 21:35, 10 September 2010