I Heart the Brilliant (and underrated) Weird Al Yankovic, Part 2

It saddens me that so many think of Al as “The ‘Eat It’ Guy.” Even some urban hipsters with whom I hang have called him “just a parody artist.” I have two major issues with this. Number One: Indeed, he is not just a parody artist, and Number Two: What’s that supposed to mean, “just a parody artist”? Do you think it’s easy? Would you say that Christopher Guest is “just” a mockumentary filmmaker because he is most famous for the films This Is Spinal Tap and Best In Show? Hell no you wouldn’t, and Weird Al deserves the same respect. It takes Al’s singular talent to create parody with scathing satire and a keen wit that’s also listenable.

I’ve previously shared my top original songs (which included some style parodies) in a post called “I Heart the Brilliant (and underrated) Weird Al Yankovic, Part 1, and now it’s time for me to offer my top ten straight-up Weird Al song parodies.

1. Couch Potato

Eminem writes catchy songs, but his lyrics leave much to be desired. Al’s lyrics in this “Lose Yourself” parody brilliantly encapture exactly how television gets under our skin and into every cell.

2. All About the Pentiums

A parody of “All About the Benjamins,” this song taught me all I know about PCs. And it’s so fun to sing along with!

3. The Saga Begins

“A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far away, Naboo was under an attack . . .” I have never seen Episode 1, and I don’t have too– thanks to Al. It is no accident that he took a very familiar tune (“American Pie”) and told part of the Star Wars story, which is a story that’s also part of our national consciousness. 

4. The Brady Bunch

One of many Al songs that discuss the American obsession with television, “The Brady Bunch” is to the tune of “The Safety Dance.” The narrator of the song is presumably talking to his roommate, pleading with him not to watch The Brady Bunch, because there’s only one TV set so the narrator’s gotta watch it, too. (I love how it doesn’t occur to him that he could do something else).

5. I Can’t Watch This

From Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” “I Can’t Watch This” brings the listener back to the terrible TV of 1990, including certain commercials (like that tenacious Energizer bunny and the old woman who had fallen and couldn’t get up).

6. Achy Breaky Song

Miley Cyrus has a father, Billy Ray. And he was a one-hit wonder and his hit was annoying, as Al’s song suggests. In fact, he lists all the other atrocious things he’d rather hear than that “Achy Breaky Song.” Donnie and Marie, a Yoko Ono marathon, even Tiffany are all okay, as long as he doesn’t hear that nauseating “Achy Breaky Song.” Perhaps my favorite thing about it is that in order to create this parody, Al had to spend quite a bit of time with that irritating song. (I never liked the song, but it must not have been so bad because I enjoy singing along with Al).

7. Jerry Springer

A parody of Barenaked Ladies’ “One Week,” Jerry Springer is told from the point of view of a person who tapes each episode and is beginning to realize he’s got a problem. The audiences are so desensitized to things that are whack that the episodes have to grow more and more extreme. (It makes me sad that this one didn’t make the cut for The Essential Weird Al, available now).

Remastered for your pleasure!

8. White and Nerdy

Many artists appreciate Al’s parodies and consider them a badge of honor. Chamillionaire is one of those artists he’s even said that he had Al to thank for his Grammy for “Ridin’.”

9. Canadian Idiot

Green Day’s “American Idiot” is a brilliant song in itself, and Al’s version is less a parody but an extension of that song. “American Idiot’ satirizes what they see as failings with American attitudes (especially the media causing paranoia); “Canadian Idiot’ does the same. All of the so-described shortcomings of Canadians are actually turned back on America (and people who don’t see that don’t get satire). One of the biggest Canadian stereotypes is their politeness, but could it be that mocking Canadian politeness might suggest that Americans are a smidge too rude? And the Celcius thing– why does America reject the metric system? Seriously, people. It’s 2009.

Addendum to Fall TV

he needs a haircut, but i like him.

I can’t believe I didn’t mention BORED TO DEATH. Jason Schwartzman is terrific, and Ted Danson is truly hysterical. If you don’t know about about it, here’s the deal. After a breakup, Jonathan hits Craigslist. No, not to find someone to get under to help him get over his ex– he has a different idea to distract him from his heartbreak. He advertises himself as an unlicensed private investigator and hilarity ensues.

Fall Television!

The first week of October, my BFF and I submitted our book’s manuscript to the publisher, so now we play the waiting game. You may have noticed that I haven’t posted much lately, and that is the reason why– during crunchtime of the book, I didn’t do much besides write, edit, and argue with Word ‘07. Plus, on Sept. 8, classes started at Milwaukee School of Engineering, where I am teaching humanities and speech this quarter. I have 75 engineering students relying on me! That’s a big job. But since the book has been FedExed (which coincided with fall [the most depressing time of the year] happening in Milwaukee), I have been able to check out some new shows and get reunited with some old favorites.*

THE SIMPSONS

Okay, obviously, as a Simpsonologist, I’m excited for the 21st season of The Simpsons. Matt and Co. have great treats in store for us, including a contest to create a a character and work with the creative types at the show to help design the character. Seth Rogan appeared and co-wrote the season premiere, and this Sunday’s Treehouse of Horror looks terrific. Also, Morgan Spurlock is directing a documentary to air in January that Karma and I have tried desperately to be a part of, but with no success. Yet.

PARKS AND RECREATION

I’ll admit, last year, I mainly watched Parks and Rec because because I really like that plucky Rachida Jones and it was on at a very convenient time– I can say it– The Office isn’t just a television show; it’s a part of my life. Surprisingly, the second season so far of Parks and Recreation is terrific, and gets my vote for most improved show. Although I can do without Saturday Night Live crossovers (Fred Armisen was on this week’s episode), the writing is clever and Leslie Knope is a loveable, clueless optimist.

COMMUNITY

As a proud product of a community college, I am compelled to like this show. Afterall, how many shows have there been where a community college was the main set? (The only one that comes to mind for me is The Parkers, but I’m not going to take the time to google it, I admit). But while it definitely has its moments, and Joel McHale is wonderful, this show is not super great. But it just might need some time to come into its own (and maybe they’ll ditch Chevy, who adds nothing to the show, IMO), so I’m going to keep watching, at least for a bit. It could just surpirse us in the future, like Parks and Recreation does now.

THE GOOD WIFE

Juliana Margulies is terrific as Alicia, the wife of a cheating bastard of a politician. She goes back to work to bring home the bacon while her husband waits for her to visit him in jail (played by Chris Noth). He seems flummoxed, by the way, that she is chilly towards him on her visits. But it’s understandable to the audience that she would be, knowing as we do that she found out on CNBC that her husband was cheating on her and their kids have seen the video of a hooker sucking his toes. The framing family story is compelling enough, but the juice of the show is that it’s a courtroom drama, with the mystery of interesting cases unfolding before the eyes and the intrigue and backstabbing we expect from our lawyer shows. Don’t be deceived by the title- the show is as much a chick show as Law and Order SVU is. And the supporting cast is nothing to scoff at– Chris Noth, as I mentioned, as well as Christine Baranzski, Matt Czuchry (who will always be Logan to me) and Josh Charles (from the beloved Aaron Sorkin show, Sports Night.

I still can't believe they broke up!

ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE

I admit, I have a soft spot for Jenna Elfman. I loved her as Dharma, and Keeping The Faith is one of my all-time favorite movies. So I really want to like this show. And it does have its moments, but it’s not rocking my socks off. I’m giving it one or two more chances, though, and we’ll see. I am really missing Samantha Who?, and I was hoping this would be a replacement. So far, I have no replacement.

EASTWICK

I had read or heard or something that the critics weren’t liking it. I also heard it might not be on much longer. BUMMER! I love this show! Yes, it’s a chick show. Yes, it’s coming from a place that has been explored already. But it’s good, I swear! It’s well written, funny, clever, and has really, really likeable characters. I never realized until a couple of weeks ago that I like Rebecca Romjin. Who knew? Also, don’t think that I’m judgemental about love or anything, but I was watching one night and it occurred to me that Lindsay Price looked familiar, but I couldn’t place it. So I IMDbed her, and check this out: her parents were siblings! Her mother had been adopted and her mom and dad got together as adults. Wow! Kind of blew my mind a bit. (Oh, and it turns out, it was Coupling, I think, that I remembered her from).

MERCY

I’d been looking to scratch my ER itch, and I really can’t like Grey’s Anatomy (I’ve tried), so I thought I’d give Mercy a go. I’ve always liked a good hospital show. And this one has the added interest of a tortured Iraq vet. Plus, it has that adorable Michelle Trachtenberg. I like this show, too! (She likes it! She likes it!). I don’t quite look forward to it the way I look forward to The Good Wife, but the stories are poignant without being overly pathos-filled, and the heroine, Veronica, truly rocks.

GLEE

Yeah, I’m watching it. Most of us Americans are, I think. Now’s the time to decide whether I have anything new to say about it . . . well, probably not, but let me say this: I encourage anyone who has not yet watched it to give it a try. Even if you think you hate glee clubs. The dialogue they give Jane Lynch is enough to make it worth your while; I promise you.

MONDAY NIGHTS ON CBS

If you’re not watching HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and BIG BANG THEORY, what the HELL is wrong with you? These are two of the best sitcoms. Comon– don’t you miss scripted TV?

TOP CHEF

My guilty pleasure. I generally have a disdain for so-called reality shows. They’re not real at all, and I generally hate any show that has “I’m not here to make friends” as a mantra. But Top Chef rocks. Maybe it’s the foodie in me who wishes she’d gone to culinary school. I wish I could do those quickfires! Maybe it’s my massive girl crush on Padma, or hearing what snarky thing Toby will say next. But what it comes down to is that I really like rooting for someone, and for me, that someone is Kevin. Go, Kev!

*Yeah, that’s right. I’m a college instructor, I’ve co-written an academic book, I occasionally use big words just to annoy people, and I watch TV. I think there are few things more d-baggy than people who want to seem like academic types who say they don’t watch TV. Let me let you in on a little secret: Yes, they do. Most of us who read nonfiction and Margaret Atwood instead of beach novels are secure enough in our intellects that we can admit we watch and enjoy television. And if someone really doesn’t have a TV, they do sometimes miss out. Just ask Matt Selman, who has one of the best stories of stinging a non-television watching tool that I have ever heard.