Farenheit Interview

[Seva]

Seva, don't ever read that tweak.com interview. It will make your head explode.

We don't want that.

A-ha, so, according to Spy Hard video, Al had read it too...

About Al being "Al" and "Weird Al". I met an American lady in our airport, she wondered that I had an accordion with me and I replied, and of course mentioned Al. She said that she LOVES Weird Al and even met him in a restaurant fifteen years ago! She said that he is very (quote) "Wacky and crazy, like Robin Williams". So, I think Al is not a gloomy, unhappy, murmuring and disgusting person as many comedians are offstage, he IS weird, with all senses you put in that word, but thankfully he knows where it needs to be "on" and when not. Am I right???

SEVA.

[CatraDhtem]

So, I think Al is not a gloomy, unhappy, murmuring and disgusting person as many comedians are offstage, he IS weird, with all senses you put in that word, but thankfully he knows where it needs to be "on" and when not. Am I right???

That's very true. Al knows when to "be Weird Al" and when not to. He's able to be zany and silly when with a fan, yet he's also able to be subtle and informative, yet still entertaining, in interviews.

Some performers cannot (for lack of a better word) control themselves in different public situations, and actually Robin Williams is pretty much on the top of that list (which makes the woman's comparison all the more ironic I think). He's always "on" in that wired, ADD-like way of his, which often makes for interviews with him that are boring at the same time that they're funny.

[Bruce the Duck]

That's very true. Al knows when to "be Weird Al" and when not to. He's able to be zany and silly when with a fan, yet he's also able to be subtle and informative, yet still entertaining, in interviews.

But he hasn't always had that ability. In older interviews he was overly silly and rarely answered questions seriously. He seemed to have a string of set jokes to go with questions that he might get.

In particular is the interview from "Rockline on MTV" (1992). Martha Quinn even had to tell Al to settle down and answer seriously! But he's gotten a lot better in interviews during the last decade and he has toned down the wackiness quite a bit, which is a good thing, I think.

[Orthography Enthusiast]

I think Al has been toning it down in interviews as he's more comfortable with the whole process. And Seva, he is certainly not gloomy, unhappy, disgusting, etc., off stage. He's just more QUIETLY happy. The couple of times I've seen him backstage, it's actually been kind of a (cue music!) peaceful, easy feeling. And he's certainly not one of those folks who has to be at the center of every conversation.

I was thinking about Al's offstage clowning-- he does do it with fans sometimes, but it seems that the better he knows you, the more likely he is to do so-- like pretending to cut off Marty's arm with a chain saw or sticking sticky labels ALL over his face for fred.

Now if only he'd do something about the superfluous wackiness when being interviewed on television. I know... he needs more practice at it. Lots and lots of practice.

[MentalPatient]

I didn't quite get the deal they made out of his clothes - saying his shirt was ugly and all... if they're fans, surely they would know he loves his hawaiian shirts?! I'm sure if the interview had played out like they had wanted, they would have said something different. (It's all very odd. And the deal with the slip on vans shoes. Personally, I *love* slip on vans! )

[squishsquashgirl]

Yeah, it must be such a pain for Al to be expected to always be quintessentially weird. I know it is for me - I am proud to be a weirdo, but you can't "do weird" on command, you just can't. You're either in the mood or you're not.

[jilly7902]

I think everyone has their moments. I don't think there is any difference whatsoever between Al and "Weird Al" they're the same person!!! Sometimes Al gets a little crazy, and sometimes "Weird Al" gets a little serious. Even if he is completely silent and serious while your diriving down the road, he still has long curly hair, and is wearing a Hawaiian shirt and slip-on Vans. I think we can all agree those things aren't totally normal, and that's exactly why we love him. Because no matter how he acts, what he says, or doesn't say, how he dresses, how he stands, how he sits, he is the exact same person we all love and respect. I just wish those stupid interviewers could have had the same love and respect for Al as I know we all do...things probably would've gone much better.


(I'll be getting off my soap box now...)

[i_love_yankovic]

*applause*



I agree.

[Orthography Enthusiast]

What's more, I think Al PERFORMS better for people who love & respect him. He's sensitive enough and conscientious enough that being in a receptive environment makes a difference to him; that's when you get his real, natural quirkiness & wit, rather than the sometimes strained "wacky goofy funster" schtick. He's not like those comedians who like nothing better than to skewer a heckler. I don't think Al would enjoy a concert tour very much if he never saw a familiar face or two, or twenty, in the front row.
:bloem:

[jilly7902]

Heck, not just Al. I know the whole band, even the crew, starts to recognize people, and they realize it's because there are truly dedicated fans out there. At one show I had met and chatted with Jim and Ed (the stage manager) and when I went to another show a couple weeks later, while Jim was performing he looked over at my friend and I, acknowledging us (really, I'm not making this up), and Ed waved to us from stage right. They appreciate having people there who care.