Weird Al Yankovic Recalls Andy Samberg Calling Him for Approval Before Doing an Impression of Him on SNL (Exclusive)
people.com
Andy Samberg wanted Weird Al's blessing before tackling his iconic character on Saturday Night Live.
  • shoulderoforion@fedia.io
    731·
    1 month ago

    Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL, whilst making his mark on television, has ALWAYS been a huge snob, catering to almost solely top tier Comedy, Movie and Music stars as hosts for the first 40 years of the show, he’s only just recently in the last decade been feathering in Television stars, mostly due to the advent of streaming and movie people working more in a television format. Michaels probably doesn’t see Weird Al for the brilliance Yankovic always possessed and produced.

    • asteriskeverything@lemmy.worldEnglish
      161·
      1 month ago

      It is so wild to me that someone in the comedy business didn’t have weird al in s-tier celebs. When it is considered an honor to have someone “make fun” of you, that’s a good guest star!

      And he is just awesome all around, always respectful. Long live Weird Al! 🤘

      • refalo@programming.devEnglish
        10·
        1 month ago

        Lorne is a dick, and Al is too smart for him. Playing by SNL’s rules and dealing with their own writers would not end well.

    • bane_killgrind@slrpnk.netEnglish
      9·
      1 month ago

      Al would probably spend the first year making his guests host the show and interview him, but he is just impossible to get info out of and keeps redirecting the conversation to the hosts “side projects”

    • njm1314@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      1 month ago

      He let Elon Musk host once, I don’t think is standards are quite as high as you are implying.

  • TachyonTele@lemm.eeEnglish
    57·
    1 month ago

    How the fuck could he host it after Madonna murdered him on stage in the 80’s!?
    Does no one remember that?

      • Nollij@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        31·
        1 month ago

        It was part of the completely true documentary of his life. The guy who played the late Mr Yankovic seems pretty good. He might have a future in the biz, if only he could find a role in a kids’ fantasy movie.

      • toynbee@lemmy.worldEnglish
        65·
        1 month ago

        I think they’re referring to the documentary with Daniel Radcliffe playing him (but I never saw it so I can’t be certain). Apparently Weird Al said they could just write whatever story they wanted about his life or something like that and seemingly they ran with that.

        I generally like Weird Al and his works, but I don’t really get that … Joke? Seems like it makes the “documentary” pretty pointless.

        • karl_chungus@lemm.eeEnglish
          7·
          1 month ago

          It’s literally a parody of biopics, which now that I think about it is the perfect way to make a Weird Al biopic.

          Also based off a funnyordie video a few years ago with Aaron Paul as Weird Al.

    • Notyou@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      I remember that too! I think it’s another one of them Mandela’s. They must be shifting into all sorts of multiverses if no one remembers the shit Madonna got into with South America and drug running.

  • neuracnu@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    296·
    1 month ago

    SNL has their own writers and creative staff. If Weird Al were to be a guest host, he would need to play by their rules and perform their material. And SNL’s comedy style isn’t really congruent with what Weird Al does.

    I wouldn’t want to see him on SNL unless he and his people got to work with the creative staff from top to bottom.

      • doggle@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        16·
        1 month ago

        They definitely have a seat at the table. They need know what the host is able and willing to do, at the very least.

    • TheDannysaur@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      … I mean I think he’s aware of how it works. Weird Al, given his track record with respecting other people’s work even above what he is required to do, doesn’t seem like the type to ask to be a part of it and then demand it to be done his way.

      I think they could make something work. SNL has its own style, but they tend to adore when they have comedic hosts who will play the goofy roles. Weird Al seems like a great fit… Musical numbers, collaborations with Please Don’t Destroy… I think it has big potential.

    • state_electrician@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      They do cater to the host. Bad Bunny got the first Spanish sketch, Adam Driver always gets stuff he can play hilariously serious. They would absolutely figure out sketches for Weird Al. I know people love to shit on SNL but they have a lot of extremely talented people.

      • Duamerthrax@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 month ago

        My friends watch it all the time and make it my problem. God, that “Covid but good” skit was painful to sit though.

    • Donkter@lemmy.worldEnglish
      162·
      1 month ago

      This is kind of a meme for the shows whole run. Every generation talks about how SNL isn’t what it used to be. And it’s often true. The only SNLs we remember are handfuls of seasons when the show accidentally ran an all-star cast that pumped out iconic skits then went on to become huge names. Then there’s decades in between when not much is happening cause there may be one or two great comedians on the cast but the cast doesn’t click like when it’s at its best.

      And hell, The Lonely Island was a cultural phenomenon and they grew right out of SNL in the early 10s so it definitely hasn’t been 20 years, maybe 10.

    • TachyonTele@lemm.eeEnglish
      102·
      1 month ago

      This is the equivalent to saying “hey, nice weather today” in how original and boring it is.

    • hate2bme@lemmy.worldEnglish
      68·
      1 month ago

      Hahaha. I said something similar on Reddit a few months ago and got downvoted to hell. And instead of just telling me a skit to watch or a show to watch they just told me that I was wrong. So just cuz the show that it definitely gone downhill and is not worth watching.