Original Publication: On America Online at 10:00 Eastern On July 11th 1996 in "Celebrity Circle" Sponsored by Oldsmobile Original Interviewer: Questions were received from Various People Transcribed By:Rob Schultz *********************It Starts********* OnlineHost: WeirdAlYnk has entered the room. RBenReilly: (5)"Hi Al" OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to : America Online, Inc. OnlineHost: Center Stage is the largest gathering place on the : service, bringing celebrity guests right into your : home, and offering a host of entertainment events : led by a team of talented emcees. It's capable of : accommodating thousands of guests and is truly the : showplace of the America Online service. OnlineHost: Experiment with the menu. You'll find many powerful : options including one which permits you to interact : with other members present in the Auditorium. The : interaction "rows" text is prefaced by a number : shown in parentheses: (1), etc., which is followed : by the text sent by members in that row. Unless a : "row" is being "broadcast" your hosts cannot see : interactive text. Try it. You can't break anything! OnlineHost: To interact with your hosts or their guests, use : the Interact Button and select either "Ask a : Question" or "Send a Comment" -- please be aware : that your hosts may not be able to address all : items sent to the stage due to time constraints. : Questions or comments sent that are not relevant : to the conference in progress will not be : addressed in order to save you time and charges. OnlineHost: Your AOLiveMC for this evening is LindaSG. AOLiveMC5: Welcome Mr. Yankovic! WeirdAlYnk: Hey, everybody!! *****************1***************** AOLiveMC5: Our first question is from LOAmane: Question: How do you feel about your new album "Bad Hair Day" going platinum while still on the charts? WeirdAlYnk: Well... I'm not *depressed* about it... ***********************2*************** AOLiveMC5: Our next question is from DatLou: Question: How are you involved in the development of your web site? What do you think about having so many web pages dedicated to you? WeirdAlYnk: I think it's very cool that my drummer Bermuda has his own site. WeirdAlYnk: I try to keep him up-to-date as possible on all the latest concert information and other goings-on. WeirdAlYnk: And I'm very flattered that there are so many other great web pages out there! ****************3************** AOLiveMC5: Guitar007 asks: Question: Did You write Geoege of the Jungle? WeirdAlYnk: {No, that was an old Jay West cartoon, I just did a very good cover song}---paraphrase, my apologies. **************late intro**************** OnlineHost: It all began in 1979 in the acoustically perfect : men's room across the hall from the radio station : at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where Al recorded : his first parody, "My Bologna," a delicious spoof : of the Knack's irrepressible "My Sharona." The : song aired on the nationally syndicated Dr. : Demento Show and launched one of the most : enduring comedy careers of all time. YOU are a : part of an exclusive online interview with "Weird : Al" Yankovic! Welcome! *************4*********************** AOLiveMC5: Our next question comes from Mandel I: Question: I myself play accordion and write comedy and I was just wondering...Have you ever Question: considered doing your own "Unplugged" show with just you and your accordion? -- Mandel Ilagan Question: Hah-vahd U. WeirdAlYnk: Well, if you saw me perform any time before 1982, that was what you got! WeirdAlYnk: Nowadays, of course, I don't go anywhere without my Bad Hair band... *****************5******************* AOLiveMC5: This from GodAwful7: Question: Al What's your favorite parody. I have all of your cd's. I'm your biggest fan. WeirdAlYnk: Hard to say... I guess I'm partial to "Amish Paradise," "Smells Like Nirvana" and "Fat." ****************6***************** AOLiveMC5: This from Mandel I: Question: I have to say that "The Alternative Polka" on "Bad Hair Day" is one of your best medleys. Question: It got me thinking...What music tickles your fancy nowadays? -- Mandel Ilagan Hah-vahd U. WeirdAlYnk: Actually, I'm a big fan of "alternative" music. Especially the quirkier stuff. *********************7****************** AOLiveMC5: From Tay Lolo: Question: What radio station do you listen to a lot? WeirdAlYnk: Well, I live in L.A., so I listen to KROQ, KSCA, KLOS, 91X, and a few others. *********************8****************** AOLiveMC5: XCoRNJuMp asks: Question: A friend of mine told me he bought the CD-Rom version of "Bad Hair Day" Was that actually Question: released? If so where can I get it? WeirdAlYnk: Your friend lies! ***************************9************** AOLiveMC5: From Luky devi: Question: why is your nickname "Downtown" WeirdAlYnk: Gee... I think Julie Brown is some *other* night! **************************10************* AOLiveMC5: From Tay Lolo: Question: Do you have any sisters or brothers? WeirdAlYnk: Not yet. I'm still waiting. ************************11************** AOLiveMC5: From JeffCZ: Question: Let me first say that I've been a loyal fan since age 5 (which was 9 years ago). I have Question: two questions: since I can't make it to your Bad Hair Day tour this year, I'd like to know when Question: your next tour will be. Second, I've heard about the Weird Al Anthology vol. 1. How can I get Question: my hands on a copy? Keep rockin' Al! WeirdAlYnk: The Bad Hair Tour will be going on for a while, so don't give up hope quite yet! WeirdAlYnk: Also, the W.A.Y. Anthology is a songbook put out by Cherry Lane Publishing. WeirdAlYnk: It *should* be out by the end of next week. WeirdAlYnk: Try your local music store, or you can order from Cherry Lane directly. ************************12*************** AOLiveMC5: From CwGrlnBlk: Question: Hey Al...why UHF? Why??? WeirdAlYnk: I... I don't know WHAT I WAS THINKING!!! **************************13************* AOLiveMC5: From MMM FLO: Question: what do you use on your hair? WeirdAlYnk: Mostly Cheez Whiz. But it varies from day to day. ************************14************** AOLiveMC5: From Tay Lolo: Question: What are some of your favorite movies? WeirdAlYnk: The Z.A.Z. movies ("Top Secret", "Airplane," etc.) are probably my all-time favorites. *************************15**************** AOLiveMC5: CDBLKCJJ asks: Question: Al how do you feel about your success? WeirdAlYnk: Well, I know it's really un-hip and un-alternative to enjoy one's success, but... *I* like it!! ******************************16************** AOLiveMC5: LJMuir asks: Question: Why did you fade out "Phony Calls"? To hide the "swear word" at the end? WeirdAlYnk: Hey... *you* weren't supposed to hear that! *************************17********************* AOLiveMC5: DanAmrich asks: Question: Will we ever hear a duet between you and our favorite Homecoming Queen Julie Brown? WeirdAlYnk: What is this, Julie Brown night? WeirdAlYnk: I think she's very funny... I don't know, we'll see. ****************************18****************** AOLiveMC5: Bonehedd1 asks: Question: I loved UHF, will you do another movie? Are you coming to NH or Mass. on your tour? Are Question: you going to make a video with all of your music videos on it? I like headline news the best. Question: Just how mad is Coolio? WeirdAlYnk: Hopefully, I'll be doing another movie sometime this millenium. WeirdAlYnk: I don't think we have any dates booked there yet, but keep watching Bermuda's web page. WeirdAlYnk: There's a laserdisc coming out soon with all my videos, and everything is currently available now o WeirdAlYnk: n three separate VHS tapes. WeirdAlYnk: I don't know how Coolio feels right now. We don't go bowling anymore. ***************************19*************** AOLiveMC5: JoMammy asks: Question: Ever thought about doing a reunion show with the Weather Girls? WeirdAlYnk: That would be cool. Do you have their number? *******************20*********** AOLiveMC5: No1ALFan asks: Question: "Happy Steve" here: How did you get George Harrison's permission to parody "(Got My Mind) Question: Set on You"... I know you had a little run-in with him before. WeirdAlYnk: Hey, Happy! Welcome! WeirdAlYnk: Actually, that song was not written by George. WeirdAlYnk: It was done by a semi-obscure writer from the 50's, whose publisher was only too happy to let me do it ***********************21***************** AOLiveMC5: FTopel asks: Question: How do you get such great ideas for your songs? WeirdAlYnk: There's something terribly WRONG WITH MY BRAIN!! *******************22************* Question: Any luck with a cameo on the "Simpsons"? WeirdAlYnk: No, I'd love to do it someday - I have several friends on staff. We'll see. ************************23************ AOLiveMC5: CreepGir asks: Question: I'm wondering... how come your entire name is in quotes, "Weird Al" instead of just the Question: "Weird" part... do we assume that "Al" may NOT in fact be your real name? :o) WeirdAlYnk: Al IS my name. I use quotes around "Weird Al" because it's my nickname. I don't like it when WeirdAlYnk: people just call me "Weird." I'm not on a first adjective basis with anybody. ***********************Blatent Plug********** OnlineHost: Stay with us audience! You have a chance to win a Weird Al Poster or CD! OnlineHost: Be one of the first 11 people to answer the trivia question and win! ******************24************* AOLiveMC5: From Mr Cydoni: Question: Please settle this argument for me: Is "Everything You Know is Wrong" meant to be a parody Question: of They Might Be Giants' musical styles? WeirdAlYnk: Yes! Thanks for playing our game. *******************25**************** AOLiveMC5: GKellis15 asks: Question: when will you be coming to Houston, TX?? WeirdAlYnk: No Texas dates booked yet - watch Bermuda's page! *******************26************* AOLiveMC5: CatrDohte asks: Question: Al, has there ever been a time when you were finishing up an album, and then a popular Question: song comes out that you wished you parodied for that album? WeirdAlYnk: Sometimes. Timing is obviously crucial for me. Sometimes I get lucky, and sometimes not. WeirdAlYnk: It would have been nice to put "Spy Hard" on "Bad Hair Day," but the movie people approached me just WeirdAlYnk: a couple weeks too late. *************************27***************** AOLiveMC5: From Its Eugen: Question: Did you like Circus of the Stars? Or was that full of too many circus animals? WeirdAlYnk: I don't think I'll be on another swaypole any time soon. I actually injured myself during the dress WeirdAlYnk: rehearsal, and still have scars from it. I really could have killed myself... but hey, fifty bucks is WeirdAlYnk: fifty bucks! **************************28************ AOLiveMC5: Ripted asks: Question: Is it true that there is a rise in sale of songs that you parady? WeirdAlYnk: That's what I hear! ***********************29*************** AOLiveMC5: EricsKook asks: Question: Al.. I saw you in concert at Valley Forge about a month ago!! Are you gonna release any of Question: those new songs you played? They were great!! WeirdAlYnk: No, those are just concert-only songs. But thanks! ******************30*************** AOLiveMC5: CAL8319 asks: Question: Al, what kind of car do you drive? Do you have an Oldsmobile? WeirdAlYnk: I will... if they GIVE ME A FREE STINKING CAR!!! ********************31*************** AOLiveMC5: CatrDohte asks: Question: Al, about the long, high note you sang at the end of the "Spy Hard" theme: was that all Question: you or did you use some kind of vocal mixer to stretch it out and get it that high? WeirdAlYnk: I originally *was* going to do some cross-fading, but I got to the studio and found that I was able WeirdAlYnk: to do the entire note in one take. ********************Plug! Plug! Plug!*********** OnlineHost: Stay with us audience for a chance to win a Weird Al Poster or CD! OnlineHost: The first 11 correct answers to the trivia question at the end of the show will win! ****************32************** AOLiveMC5: O2BADodge asks: Question: I'd like to know what was Al's first break and when? WeirdAlYnk: I have to credit Dr. Demento, who played my stuff on the radio when I was in my early teens. ******************33************** AOLiveMC5: CarlottaM asks: Question: Hi, Al! The recent Billboard article said that there could be a third single from BHD. Is Question: this true and (even if not true) which song would you choose as a third single/video (maybe an Question: original?) WeirdAlYnk: It's pretty much up to the record company at this point. I don't think there'll be any more videos WeirdAlYnk: from BHD, but radio stations will probably be serviced with one or two more singles. *****************34************* AOLiveMC5: DrewBitt asks: Question: Hi, Al, from San Diego! Let me ask: what ambitions do you have as a performer that you Question: haven't yet achieved? Acting, composing a rock opera...? WeirdAlYnk: I want to be all-powerful master and ruler of the universe. ******************35*************** AOLiveMC5: ID4Fox853 asks: Question: Have you ever make any contact with the music stars that you have parodied? WeirdAlYnk: Every now and then. They're usually pretty flattered by the parodies. ******************36************ AOLiveMC5: From FTopel: Question: You're AL TV specials on MTV are awesome. Why don't you do it more often? WeirdAlYnk: Good question. Ask MTV!!! ******************37*************** AOLiveMC5: CGBroadwa asks: Question: Al- My name is connor and my friends name is geoff. He is into playing the clarinet and i Question: play piano, dance and sing. Do you have any advice besides practice, practice..for us? WeirdAlYnk: Um... yeah, eat lots of broccoli, don't smoke crack, make your bed, cut your hair and get a real job!! *******************38***************** AOLiveMC5: VFA Bryan asks: Question: Have you considered running for president? WeirdAlYnk: Yeah... sorry, I'm too busy doing the tour. Maybe next time. *********************39*************** AOLiveMC5: AIRhead90 asks: Question: is there really a song called SPAM? WeirdAlYnk: Yeah, really really! It's on the UHF soundtrack. *******************40**************** AOLiveMC5: PINWORM 9 asks: Question: In Buckingham Blues, is the line "Hey Lady Di, tell me where did you get those shoes" a Question: take-off on the line "Where DID you get those shoes" from Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan? Thanks Question: Golden Weasel of Love! -Travis WeirdAlYnk: Not really, but it kind of reminds *me* of that song, too! *****************41************ AOLiveMC5: JC50534 asks: Question: What hapenned to your little hamster friend? ( I forgot his name.) WeirdAlYnk: Harvey! He's okay, thanks for asking. He's a stunt hamster, so he never gets seriously hurt. *******************42*************** Question: Al - have you ever thought of changing your hairstyle? Or is it like your trademark? Question: P.S. See you at the Oregon State Fair! WeirdAlYnk: I think people need some stability in their lives. And if they have to achieve it through my WeirdAlYnk: never-changing hairstyle... well, so be it. ***********Plug!!!!!********** AOLiveMC5: Just a reminder audience to stick with us for the trivia question at the end of the show. AOLiveMC5: 11 audience members will have a chance to win a Weird Al poster or CD! Stick around! ******************43*********** AOLiveMC5: Yodachant asks: Question: Al, I was wondering if you give your accordions pet names and was wondering what they were? WeirdAlYnk: I name all my accordions "Bob." ****************44************ AOLiveMC5: Marthabug asks: Question: Hey Al we love you here in Wilkes -Barre,pa!!! The question everyone is asking is-----"Do Question: you feel safe now that the real unabomber has been found?" WeirdAlYnk: Yes, the FBI is no longer staking out my house. Thanks for asking. **************45*********** AOLiveMC5: ChinaD442 asks: Question: How long does it take you to come up with your lyrics? They sound like they take forever, Question: but you always have a parody out at the same time as the original song. WeirdAlYnk: Once I get a concept, I usually spend a week or two just getting ideas together. Of course, if the WeirdAlYnk: song is very topical, I might have to give myself a tighter deadline. *********************46*************** AOLiveMC5: From Bryce27: Question: how long did it take you to get a record deal WeirdAlYnk: 22 years. *******************47************* AOLiveMC5: Dr4kids asks: Question: Weird Al, my mom once saw a video of you playing the accordion or learning how to play and Question: she was wondering how she can get her hands on that video. William Question: Ostrow P.S. Your great!!!!! WeirdAlYnk: I'm not sure exactly what you're talking about... maybe "The Compleat Al"? *******************48*************** AOLiveMC5: From PKDron: Question: Why do you call yourself "Weird" Al any way. I mean sure you might be strange, but weird? WeirdAlYnk: You're right. This whole "Weird Al" thing is a sham. It's a mockery. Thank you. Thank you, my WeirdAlYnk: friend. ********************49*************** AOLiveMC5: SASEisME asks: Question: I have been wondering this for a long time. When Glenn Close was on Saturday Night Live, Question: was that you in the "Silver Bells" song scene as the scientist? WeirdAlYnk: Not to my knowledge! *******************50**************** AOLiveMC5: From MAFZ: OnlineHost: What is your average day like? WeirdAlYnk: I don't HAVE any average days! **********************51*********** AOLiveMC5: Dmom45 asks: Question: Wierd Al, when is your birthday, so we can mark it on the calendar? WeirdAlYnk: October 23! *******************52*************** AOLiveMC5: We have time for one more audience question. AOLiveMC5: From KLIF BRTO: Question: Al has Dr Demento ever asked you to take over when he quits his radio show? WeirdAlYnk: No. There's only one Dr. D. - I wouldn't even try. **************plug again!********* AOLiveMC5: Okay audience, in a moment you will see a trivia question. AOLiveMC5: Send your answer to the screen name ccQuestion. AOLiveMC5: The first 11 correct answers will win a prize! AOLiveMC5: Remember, send the answer to ccQuestion. AOLiveMC5: Here is the question: ***********Trivia*********** OnlineHost: What is the title of "Weird" Al Yankovic's first recorded parody? ***************G'bye!************* AOLiveMC5: Thank you so much for being here tonight Mr. Yankovic. AOLiveMC5: It has been a great pleasure to have you onstage! WeirdAlYnk: Thanks, I had a great time! Goodbye, everybody! Don't forget... lunch - Thursday! Bye! Bye!! AOLiveMC5: And audience, try for the autographed poster or the CD prize! AOLiveMC5: Good night audience, thank you for participating! OnlineHost: WeirdAlYnk has left the room. OnlineHost: Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity : Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an : exciting guest online every Monday through Friday, : and transcripts from the events can be downloaded : using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "AOL Live" within : hours after the event has ended. OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to : America Online, Inc. **************The End!****************