Larry King Now Season 3 Episode 6 "Weird Al" Yankovic
- TV14
- July 29, 2014
- 21 min
-
8.3 (228)
Larry King Now season 3 episode 6 features an exciting episode with the pop culture icon, "Weird Al" Yankovic. The satirical singer-songwriter has accrued a cult following over the years with his unique brand of humorous parodies of popular songs. In this episode, Larry sits down with Yankovic to discuss his career in music, his creative process, and his longtime role as a comedic voice in the industry.
Throughout the interview, Yankovic shares stories about his early life, including his childhood passion for music and his early comedic aspirations. Larry and Yankovic delve into the performer's early years, discussing his time at Westwood One, where he worked as a DJ and created his first parody tracks. They also discuss Yankovic's first big break, which came in the form of his single "My Bologna," a parody of The Knack's "My Sharona."
As the conversation turns to Yankovic's creative process, Larry and the artist discuss how he approaches songwriting. Yankovic explains that he begins each parody with a broad idea, such as poking fun at a particular pop culture phenomenon or genre. From there, he carefully rewrites the lyrics to fit the new concept, a process that often involves extensive research and close attention to detail. Yankovic also shares his thoughts on the importance of parody in today's world, arguing that it is an essential way to call out societal trends and behaviors that might otherwise go unchecked.
Larry and Yankovic also discuss the current state of the music industry, particularly in relation to streaming and digital platforms. Yankovic notes that while these technologies have certainly changed the way that music is consumed, there is still a vibrant and thriving community of fans who appreciate his type of comedy and satire. The two men also talk about the role of social media in Yankovic's career, with the artist sharing some of his experiences with engaging with fans on various platforms.
Throughout the episode, Larry and Yankovic share plenty of laughs and anecdotes, highlighting the magnetic personality of the artist. They dive into some of Yankovic's most famous parodies, such as "Eat It," "White & Nerdy," and "Amish Paradise," examining how each track came to be and what inspired their creation. Along the way, Yankovic also talks about some of his favorite artists and influencers, both in music and in comedy, revealing some surprising inspirations.
Overall, Larry King Now season 3 episode 6 is an entertaining and insightful look at the life and career of "Weird Al" Yankovic. The episode is full of laughs, stories, and fun musical moments, making it a must-watch for any fans of the artist or of satirical comedy in general. Larry and Yankovic have a great rapport, and their conversation is both illuminating and endlessly entertaining.