Al on Hollywood Online, September 3, 1996

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HOL Nina : Join the master of comedy and parody! Weird Al's latest album, "Bad Hair Day," is climbing up the charts!

HOL Nina : Unfortunately, Weird Al is running a bit late (L.A. traffic)! He should be here by 6:10 at the latest. :)

HOL Nina : We apologize for the delay - of course it wouldn't be normal for him to be on time! :)

HOL Nina : You can go ahead and start sending in your questions now!

HOL Nina : If you miss any part of the chat, transcripts are available at Hollywood Online (keyword: Hollywood) Transcripts are posted within 48 hours of the event.

HOL Nina : Stay tuned for Weird Al Yankovic in 10 minutes! The master of comedy and parody will be joing us shortly :)

HOL Nina : He has now arrived! A little late, but still here!

HOL Nina : How was traffic? :)

ALYANKOVlC : Not good.

Question : WHat was it like making "like a virgin"???

ALYANKOVlC : That was Madonna... we get confused all the time.

HOL Nina : That happens to me too :)

Question : HI AL, I heard that Coolio got P.O.ed at you for making Amish Paradise. Do alot of the performers whose songs and videos you mock take it personally? --Nejafur

ALYANKOVlC : No, Coolio was a very unfortunate exception. Most artists take it as a great compliment.

Question : What is your personal favorite song of all the songs you have written?

HOL Nina : Al has finally arrived! Stay tuned!

ALYANKOVlC : Hard to say... I guess I like the originals, like "One More Minute," "Frank's 2000" TV," "Everything You Know Is Wrong"...

Question : What is the strangest thing a fan has ever done for you?

ALYANKOVlC : A couple people have gotten Weird Al tattoos... I think *that's* pretty severe...

HOL Nina : On a more personal note, Alfan27 wants to know..Question : How many shirts and pairs of shoes do you own?

ALYANKOVlC : Haven't counted them lately... a couple hundred, I guess.

Question : Has Frank Zappa influenced yourself our your work in any way? (Or do you just like his stuff?)

ALYANKOVlC : I've always been a big Zappa fan, and I know his work has been a major inspiration to me. I'll never forget when Frank actually asked for MY autograph (for his teenage son Dweezil)

Question : How come the "Extra Gory Version" of "The Night Santa Went Crazy" was relegated to the "Amish Paradise" single? It's much better than the album version.

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ALYANKOVlC : Thanks... I had a couple of friends who saw those original lyrics and said, "You can't do that to Santa!" So I was coerced into "taming it down" for the album... but I like that version better, too.

Question : Do you plan on making any more MOVIES??!?

ALYANKOVlC : I'd love to... there's at least one project "in development"...we'll see what happens.

Question : I realize it is *rather* soon to ask this, but do you plan on releasing a second volume to your "Weird Al" Anthology Songbook? The first one is GREAT, but there are many other songs I'd *love* to know how to play!

ALYANKOVlC : Thanks... Well, Cherry Lane put out the Anthology, so if it's successful enough for them, hopefully they'll put out some more!

Question : Why is Dick Van Patten in so many of your videos?

ALYANKOVlC : I'm just try to fill the Dick Van Patten pop culture vacuum.

Question : WEIRDALRLZ - Out of all of the albums that you made, which one is your favorite??

ALYANKOVlC : My favorite album is always the one I'm currently promoting, so that would have to be... BAD HAIR DAY!!!

Question : Are you and Michael Jackson related?

ALYANKOVlC : Not as far as I can tell.

Question : Who's your idol?

ALYANKOVlC : Billy.

Question : Why not a UHF2?

ALYANKOVlC : I'M up for it... if you can convince a major studio, let me know!!

HOL Nina : A suggestion from HHirsch42..Question : Why don't you make a parody of the Macarena?

ALYANKOVlC : Gee... you're only the 437th person this week to say that to me...

HOL Nina : On a related note...Question : How do you get the ideas for your songs?

ALYANKOVlC : Hmmm... nobody's ever asked me that before... I... I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!!!

Question : So, are you a They Might Be Giants fan? After hearing "Everything You Know Is Wrong", I'd sure think so!

ALYANKOVlC : Yes, they're one of my favorite groups. Music and comedy were always two of my biggest joys in life... but I never thought I'd be able to do it for a living. I'm... so HAPPY! *choke*

Question : Hi, Al! I'm curious as to why you didn't include a Hootie and the Blowfish parody on "Bad Hair Day." Was it just too easy? It seems like they're just begging to be parodied!

ALYANKOVlC : Yeah, sometimes I just get sick of all the begging. Get off your knees, guys! Wait your turn like everybody else!!

Question : Weird Al did you get in trouble for Amish Paradise

ALYANKOVlC : No Amish picket lines in front of my house yet...

Question : Where can I find recordings of "Green Eggs and Ham" and "Chicken Pot Pie?"

ALYANKOVlC : Those are "concert only" songs. Sorry!

Question : Are you planning on making any new albums?

ALYANKOVlC : I'm either going to make some more albums, or quickly lapse into obscurity. I haven't really decided which yet.

Question : Al your parodies are absolutely brilliant! I remember when you used to do "Al TV" back in the good days of MTV. Any plans for something cool like that in the future? TV needs your insight!!!

ALYANKOVlC : Actually, MTV has been airing a new (somewhat watered-down) ALTV this summer.

HOL Nina : Tusca1 has a style question..Question : Al - Who does your hair?

ALYANKOVlC : The woman who does my hair for the videos is Roseanne McIlvane.

HOL Nina : A more technical question from LMCHEM...Question : W.Al: How long does it typically take you to write a parody, and where do you typically write them?

ALYANKOVlC : I generally give myself a week or two to get ideas together. I used to write them in a 3-ring notebook, but now I write everything on my PC.

HOL Nina : HankLiss has a hankering to know...Question : Hi Al, Given your humorous songs about relationships with women, I was wondering if those songs were based on real experiences? I'm also sure everyone is curious, if you are dating anyone.

ALYANKOVlC : At least one was based (in part) on a real woman... the rest are based (pretty loosely) on various dysfunctional relationships I've had. I currently am not in a serious relationship.

HOL Nina : We have time for one more comment...Question : Weird Al: I love your work. You are genius. I write parodies too, and you are a great inspiration to me. Thank you.

ALYANKOVlC : No, no... thank YOU!

HOL Nina : Thanks for visiting Hollywood Online, Weird Al!

ALYANKOVlC : My pleasure. Bye, everybody!!

HOL Nina : If you missed any part of the chat, the transcript will be posted at Hollywood Online (keyword: Hollywood) within 48 hours.

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