I really should be sleeping

[serai]

.

Talk about nostalgia...

Watch on YouTube

Weird Al Yankovic on the Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder

"Another One Rides the Bus"


Man, I remember the night Dr. Demento first played "My Sharona". Al's stuff really was infectious right from the get-go. It's hard to say why, as its silliness was only rivaled by its weirdness, but you just had to love him. Maybe it was the basic naivete of his stuff, dealing as it did with things like bologna sandwiches and chocolate ice cream.

But look also at what this clip says about television and where it's gone. Can you imagine an unknown like this, performing this bizarre piece, getting this much air time on a network show today? I mean a show that isn't designed to ridicule him, but presents in as friendly a manner as any other musical guest? I can't imagine it happening. It says a lot for Tom Snyder too. His show was always in the forefront, and he hosted a lot of unusual, controversial, and articulate people on his show. It was rarely boring, and TV got duller when he passed on.

Comments

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

Er you have the wrong video here! I wanna see Weird Al, I adore his stuff!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Fixed! Thanks for letting me know. :)

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

Yay, we're even now! ;-)

It was interesting to see this early video of WA. It's amazing the staying power his music has! :-)

[fantasy-fan.livejournal.com]

We've probably got a couple dozen Wierd Al songs on the computer. Sometimes it's better than the original. And he manages to stay current too.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

I haven't heard any of his stuff for years, as I haven't listened to the radio in forever. He is utterly great. "Happy Birthday" is a song I still go nuts for.

[slipperieslope.livejournal.com]

I was in stitches from the first time I heard "My Bologna"! Al just has such a terrific fun sense of humor. And I tell you nothing takes away my sour mood like a good dose of "White and Nerdy".

Tom Snyder was open minded. Totally different from any other talk show host. As intense, articulate and energy popping as he was, he would allow the guest to showcase what ever made them unique without his ego interfering. I assume that was because he understood journalism and managed to translate it the television which made good entertainment - rather than being an entertainer first. He was unique.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

He was amazing. I so wish someone would release a DVD of his best stuff. I still remember him asking Canary Conn if she could still have orgasms after her sex-reassignment surgery. When she and other people in the studio laughed, he looked around and said, "Hey, I want to know!" It really showed how utterly cool he was, being interested in her story and situation at a time when transsexuals still had to leave the country to get the surgery, and face a lot more opprobrium than today. (Her autobiography really blew my mind as a teenager, and seeing her on the show deeply influenced my views on gayness and alternative sexuality.)

OMG I MISS THE 70'S!!!!

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Can I just say how much fun I've been having with my flist lately? Between the youtube things I'd've never found on my own and the lotr ala other authors, you've really brightened my days. thanks!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

*g* You're welcome, hon. I get on these posting kicks sometimes, and I'm glad to hear folks are enjoying themselves.