#alternate alternate New York Post WordPress.com Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission. Back to Reading * News * Metro * Page Six * Sports * Business * Opinion * Entertainment * Fashion * Living * Media * Tech * Real Estate * Sub Menu 1 + Photos + Video + Covers + Columnists + Horoscopes * Sub Menu 2 + Classifieds + Subscribe * Sign in In The News: hillary clinton iran lamar odom 2016 presidential election new york mets Sections Search ____________________ (search) Sign in / Register New York Post Why Weird Al is still the king of spoof Weird Al Yankovic Photo: Robert Trachtenberg Share this: * Facebook * Twitter * Google * WhatsApp * Email * Copy * Entertainment Share this: * Facebook * Twitter * Google * WhatsApp * Email * Copy * Why Weird Al is still the king of spoof By Tim Donnelly * View author archive * email the author * follow on twitter * Get author RSS feed Name(required) ____________________ Email(required) ____________________ Comment(required) ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Submit » July 12, 2014 | 3:02pm Modal Trigger Why Weird Al is still the king of spoof Weird Al Yankovic Photo: Robert Trachtenberg Weird Al was a college student in 1979 when he recorded his first hit, “My Bologna” — a parody of “My Sharona” by the Knack. Then an architecture student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, he remembers thinking: Well, this is as good as it’s going to get. “I never thought that I’d make a living being Weird Al,” the 54-year-old Al Yankovic tells The Post. (He got the architecture degree, but has only used it for his own home.) “I thought I’d have to grow up and be an adult. That hasn’t happened yet.” Weird Al Yankovic’s 14th album “Mandatory Fun,” drops July 15th. His career may seem unlikely, but his 14th album, “Mandatory Fun,” drops Tuesday. Even more unlikely is that the master parodist, having seemingly stitched himself into the cultural fabric of the 1980s as much as Max Headroom or Alf, is in the prime of his career. After all, if someone had told you in 1984 that in 30 years Michael Jackson would be dead and Weird Al would still be on the Billboard charts, would you have believed them? It’s true: Yankovic’s “White & Nerdy,” the pocket-protector parody of the Chamillionaire song “Ridin’,” was his first song to break the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, in 2006. His next album, 2011’s “Alpocalypse,” debuted at No. 9 on the album list, his highest-charting record to date. “I’m not a nostalgia act,” says Yankovic, who lives in his native Los Angeles with his wife and 11-year-old daughter. “At live shows, people are more interested in hearing the new stuff.” Meanwhile, he’s outlasted many musicians he’s parodied: MC Hammer, Billy Ray Cyrus and Oingo Boingo, to name just a few. “It’s ironic. When I first started out, nobody wanted to sign me to a record deal,” Yankovic says. “They said, ‘That’s not going to be around for very long.’ ” Photo: Robert TrachtenbergMany musicians consider it an honor to get the Weird Al treatment. But he’s keeping the parodies on the new album under wraps, as part of his strategy in the Internet age. As he explains it, “If you know what to expect, it’s not going to be as funny.” But that isn’t stopping music blogs from speculation based on the released track list: the song “Handy” is probably a riff on Pharrell’s hit “Happy”; “Foil” might be a parody of Lorde’s “Royals”; “Tacky” could be a satire of Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” — and “Word Crimes” is most likely lampooning the biggest target: Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.” It’s a different world than when Yankovic started: The rise of YouTube created a thousand imitators who throw up parodies of pop songs as soon as they’re released. So while in the 1980s and ’90s he got laughs with schoolyard humor — replacing “Bad” with “Fat” for a Michael Jackson spoof, or “Lasagna” for “La Bamba” — his comedy brain has to reach further now. “I don’t have the luxury of going for the most obvious idea,” he says. “Someone’s already thought of that and it’s already up on YouTube. With the new album, there’s some songs that have been parodied to death already. I think I’ve taken a new tack with them. That just helps me step up my game.” Photo: Robert TrachtenbergInstead of feeling threatened by the Internet imitators, he’s actually happy that so many people can get their stuff heard easily: When he first started, he submitted tapes to the Dr. Demento syndicated radio show and counted on exposure from video-hungry MTV, which had just debuted. “It’s great that there is a level playing field,” Yankovic says. “[Anyone] can now get exposure. They don’t have to be beholden to some executive in a glass tower.” He’s putting a lot of faith in viral success: Instead of pushing a breakout single from “Mandatory Fun,” he’s releasing eight videos over eight straight days on YouTube, starting Monday. The Internet is his biggest sales tool these days. “I wanted to make it an event,” he says. “Because what I do is comedy, it burns more quickly than a traditional album … I like the idea of every single one of my videos going viral for a day.” The new record is the last under Yankovic’s contract with RCA, and he says he’ll then most likely pursue digital self-distribution, a format that’s worked for artists like Louis C.K. and Radiohead. “The album format doesn’t seem to be the best for my stuff,” he says. Weird Al with the Grammy he won for best comedy album “Poodle Hat” in 2004.Photo: AP July 21 marks the 25th anniversary of “UHF,” the oddball movie about a low-budget TV station that Yankovic stars in and co-wrote. It was a commercial flop, but found a cult following. He’s got something in the works for the anniversary, but is staying mum. “Look for something special” is all he would say. Meanwhile, it doesn’t look like the “Weird” fan base is going anywhere. “With every album I put out it feels like it reaches a new generation,” Yankovic says. “Kids will say, ‘Hey Dad, have you heard of this Weird Al guy? He’s really funny.’ ” Weird Al’s best sellers The musician has written hundreds of parodies over his 30-year career. These five are the highest-charting on the Billboard Hot 100 … so far. 2006: “White & Nerdy” went to No. 9 IFRAME: http://www.youtube.com/embed/N9qYF9DZPdw?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide= 2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent 1984: “Eat It” went to No. 12 IFRAME: http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZcJjMnHoIBI?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide= 2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent 1992: “Smells Like Nirvana” went to No. 35 IFRAME: http://www.youtube.com/embed/FklUAoZ6KxY?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide= 2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent 1985: “Like a Surgeon” went to No. 47 IFRAME: http://www.youtube.com/embed/notKtAgfwDA?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide= 2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent 1996: “Amish Paradise” went to No. 53 IFRAME: http://www.youtube.com/embed/lOfZLb33uCg?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide= 2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent Share this: * Facebook * Twitter * Google * WhatsApp * Email * Copy * Filed under comedy , weird al yankovic Share this article: Share this: * Facebook * Twitter * Google * WhatsApp * Email * Copy * Read Next Will any of these singers be 'the next Adele'? Read Next Will any of these singers be 'the next Adele'? Most Popular This Week 1 Suspects claim teen was having sex with father before alleged gang rape Suspects claim teen was having sex with father before alleged gang rape 2 The brutal secrets behind 'The Biggest Loser' The brutal secrets behind 'The Biggest Loser' 3 Nursing home boss bought winning Powerball ticket for worker Nursing home boss bought winning Powerball ticket for worker 4 Your penis pics are bush league Your penis pics are bush league 5 Dad was so drunk, he couldn't report daughter's gang rape Dad was so drunk, he couldn't report daughter's gang rape 6 Here's what Sean Penn agreed to do to party with El Chapo Here's what Sean Penn agreed to do to party with El Chapo Share Selection Trending Now on NYPost.com 70,731 Why Weird Al is still the king of spoof Bill Clinton's pardon of fugitive Marc Rich continues to pay big 43,850 Why Weird Al is still the king of spoof Peeved Aaron Rodgers: Coin-flip bungle was a 'debacle' 28,155 Why Weird Al is still the king of spoof Awkward, pandering spectacle of Hillary Clinton trying to ‘be real’ Now On Donald Trump’s brother Robert emerges Meet the sexy model who inherited her uncle Alec Baldwin’s anger issues Adriana Lima is working to help Haiti SEE ALL Now On How To Live Stream The NFL Playoffs 2016 For Free SEE ALL Now On 2:49 Martin O’Malley Is The Coolest 2016 Presidential Candidate SEE ALL Video [wp_cloverfield.jpg?quality=100&strip=all&w=260&h=174� 38;crop=1] :43 J.J. Abrams pulled off a super-secret movie More Stories Now On Page Six Donald Trump’s brother Robert emerges Now On Decider Is 'Making A Murderer' A Bunch Of Lies? Steven Avery's Ex Says Yes Now On IAF 2:49 Martin O’Malley Is The Coolest 2016 Presidential Candidate New York Post * Twitter * Facebook * Google Plus * 2015 Blessing of the Animals * Apps Help & FAQ * Columnists * Community Guidelines * Contacts * Customer Service * Fantasy Football Draft Calculator * Home Delivery * Home Delivery FAQ * Jobs * NYCFC Giveaway Terms * NYCFC Giveaway Thank You * Page Six Fashion Sweeps Terms * pagesixfashionsweeps-thank-you * Privacy * Privacy * Recommended for You * Reset * RSS Feeds * Search * Terms of Use * Terms of Use * Test Page * The Pascalizer * Verify © Copyright 2016 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved Terms of Use | Privacy * Sections & Features + News + Real Estate + Page Six + Tech + Sports + Media + Metro + Photos + Entertainment + Video + Business + Alexa + Opinion + Covers + Fashion + Horoscopes + Living + Classifieds * Apps, Alerts & More + Email Newsletters + Apps for iOS and Android + RSS Feeds + NYPost Store + Home Delivery o Subscribe o Manage Subscription o Customer Service * Help/Support + Customer Service + Search + Contact Us o Letters to the Editor o Newsroom Contacts o Reprints o Careers * Advertise + Media Kit + Contacts Post Digital Network * * * * © 2016 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES Powered by WordPress.com VIP IFRAME: //www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-TWX9Z9 Send to Email Address ____________________ Your Name ____________________ Your Email Address ____________________ _________________________ loading Send Email Cancel Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Copy Share URL: ____________________ Copy Link Sign Up / Sign In Sign In // Sign Up With your existing account from... With your existing account {* loginWidget *} Use an account with your email address Or with a NYPost.com account {* #userInformationForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* traditionalSignIn_password *} {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}{* traditionalSignIn_createButton *} {* /userInformationForm *} Sign Up / Sign In Sign In // Sign Up Welcome back, {* welcomeName *} {* loginWidget *} Or use NYPost.com account Sign Up / Sign In Sign In // Sign Up Welcome back Welcome back, {* welcomeName *} {* #userInformationForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* traditionalSignIn_password *} {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *} {* /userInformationForm *} Use an account with your email address Or use another account Almost Done! Please confirm the information below before signing in. Please confirm the information below. {* #socialRegistrationForm *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} {* socialRegistration_ageVerification *} By clicking "Sign In", you confirm that you accept our terms of service and have read and understand privacy policy. {* backButton *} {* socialRegistration_signInButton *} {* /socialRegistrationForm *} Almost Done! {* #registrationForm *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_captcha *} {* traditionalRegistration_ageVerification *} By clicking "Create account", you confirm that you accept our terms of service and have read and understand our privacy policy. {* backButton *} {* createAccountButton *} {* /registrationForm *} Create a new password Forgot Password? Don't worry, it happens. We'll send you a link to create a new password. {* #forgotPasswordForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* backButton *} {* forgotPassword_sendButton *} {* /forgotPasswordForm *} Create a new password Sent! We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Close Account Already Exists {* mergeAccounts *} {* backButton *} Sign in to complete account merge {* #tradAuthenticateMergeForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* mergePassword *} {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *} {* /tradAuthenticateMergeForm *}