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What a tour. What a year. And what a guy. In this episode of Beer’d Al, Lauren and Russ look back at "Weird Al" Yankovic’s 2026 Bigger & Weirder Tour, a tour that became so much more than just a series of concerts for us. Our first show happened on the same day we lost our beloved Doberman, Troy. What started as one of the hardest days of our lives turned into a reminder of just how much joy, comfort, and kindness can mean when you need them most. We share the story of telling Al about Troy, his incredibly compassionate response, and the moment four months later when he remembered Troy and asked how Russ was doing. (Seriously, how is this man so wonderful?) But don't worry, we're talking about the actual concerts, too! From the expanded band and the incredible Payton Rose Velligan to our favorite musical moments, enthusiastic crowds, and one very cool young fan in Tallahassee who went home with a VIP tote bag, we've got plenty of stories to share. It's an episode about music, memories, grief, joy, and the little moments that make being a Weird Al fan so special. And ultimately, it's about why we love this wonderfully weird man for so much more than his music. Be kind. Bring joy. Repeat. Keep the fun going! 🏰 Disney Kinda Life: Check out our friends at Disney Kinda Life! 🎶 Join our new Mandatory Fun Facebook group! We created a brand-new space for Weird Al fans to connect, share their love of all things Al, swap stories, and celebrate the wonderfully weird community that brings us all together. Come hang out with us! Get the shirt and bring Madonna to justice! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

We’re doing something a little different this time! Lauren and Russ recently popped over to The Az Archives YouTube channel to talk about one of our very favorite subjects: “Weird Al” Yankovic. And because we had such a fun conversation, we wanted to share the audio here with the Beer’d Al audience. We talk about how Weird Al brought us together, how Beer’d Al came to be, why Al’s music and comedy have stuck with us for so long, and what makes his work so genuinely special. There are parodies. There are deep cuts. There is probably more Weird Al enthusiasm than any reasonable conversation should contain. Huge thanks to The Az Archives for having us on and letting us get wonderfully weird for a while. If you missed the original video, consider this your audio-only invitation to join the fun. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

Film Threat meets Beer’d Al! Lauren and Russ are joined by Alan Ng, editor-in-chief of Film Threat, for a conversation about Weird Al’s wonderfully weird movie career. We dig into UHF, the 1989 box office bomb that somehow survived one of the most brutal movie summers ever to become a beloved cult classic. Why didn’t audiences get it the first time around? Has its rapid-fire, sketch-heavy humor actually gotten funnier with age? Then we jump ahead to Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, the completely trustworthy and historically accurate account of Al’s life. We talk Daniel Radcliffe, music-biopic clichés, cameos, fake history, and why turning Al’s life story into a parody of biopics may have been the most Weird Al approach possible. Two Weird Al movies. One actual film critic. And two podcast hosts who are perhaps just a little too invested in all of this. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

We’ve made it to Side 2 of Even Worse, and Lauren is once again joined by the one and only Insane Ian to recap the back half of Weird Al’s 1988 album. We’re digging into what works, what’s wonderfully weird, what has aged in interesting ways, and where these songs land for us after spending way too much time thinking about them individually. Now that we’ve gone track by track, how does Side 2 hold up as a whole? Which songs rise to the top? And where does Even Worse ultimately land in the Weird Al canon? Grab your accordion, question your life choices, and join us as we wrap up Side 2 of Even Worse. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

Scotty Hagen is back to join us for a look at “Good Old Days,” one of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s darkest and most divisive originals. We dig into the contrast between its warm, nostalgic sound and increasingly disturbing lyrics, the unsettlingly cheerful narrator, and the way each verse keeps raising the stakes. We also talk about Al’s darker side, the controversy surrounding the song’s return during the 2022 Vanity Tour, and whether comedy changes as the world around it does. Is “Good Old Days” actually offensive, or is the horror of the narrator exactly what makes the joke work? (It's not offensive... LINDA.) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

How do you turn one of Weird Al's shortest songs into one of Beer'd Al's longest episodes? You invite family. Lauren and Russ are joined by Russ's son (and Lauren's stepson) Zakk for a full Robinson discussion of "Twister," Weird Al's frantic Beastie Boys-style original from Even Worse. Along the way, we dive into the song's brilliant pastiche, explore the Beastie Boys' evolution from punk upstarts to hip-hop legends, reminisce about the cultural phenomenon that was the Twister board game, and somehow manage to conduct an entirely serious literary analysis of a one-minute song. We also take a detour into the memorable Twister scene from the Michael biopic, debate why some comedy works best in short bursts, and prove that with enough enthusiasm (and enough tangents), even the shortest Weird Al song can inspire a full-length conversation. It's a full Robinson onslaught—and it all comes full circle. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

We're joined by Detroit music scene fixture and all-around groovy guy Scotty Hagen to dive into one of our favorite Weird Al originals, "Velvet Elvis." We talk about how Al perfectly captures the sound of The Police while spinning an earnest story about a guy who's completely devoted to a velvet painting of Elvis Presley. Along the way, we explore why style parodies became such an important part of Al's catalog, what makes kitsch culture so enduring, and why this delightfully ridiculous song works as well as it does. We also discuss the phenomenon of velvet Elvis paintings, the psychology of collecting, and the stories we attach to the things we treasure. From favorite lyrics and musical deep dives to nostalgia, fandom, and whether Weird Al collectors are really all that different from the song's narrator, this episode celebrates one of Even Worse's most overlooked gems with plenty of laughs along the way. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

This week on Beer'd Al, Lauren and Russ are joined by special guest Nick Marocco, owner of Rock City Music Company in Livonia, Michigan, to dive into "Alimony" from Even Worse. A loving parody of Billy Idol's rebellious anthems, "Alimony" takes a not-so-glamorous look at divorce, financial ruin, and the high cost of heartbreak—all filtered through the brilliantly absurd lens of Weird Al Yankovic. Along the way, the crew discusses Billy Idol's unmistakable style, why "Alimony" remains one of Al's sharpest genre parodies, and how the song balances over-the-top humor with some surprisingly catchy hooks. Nick also shares stories from the world of records, guitars, and Detroit rock culture, plus details about his weekly radio show, where every episode features a different musical theme. Grab your favorite beverage, crank up the sneer, and join us as we ask the important question: is there anything funnier than court-ordered payments set to a Billy Idol beat? You can find Nick and learn more about his work at Rock City Music Company, a Metro Detroit shop specializing in guitars, vinyl, lessons, repairs, and more. You can also tune into Nick's themed radio show, Cobra Rock City, on Radio Cobra Detroit. And this is the Hair Metal Polka we discuss at the end of the episode. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

This week on Beer'd Al, Lauren is joined by Noah (better known online as I Noah Guy!) to discuss one of Weird Al's most hilariously disturbing originals: "Melanie." From awkward phone calls and rooftop surveillance to Mohawked cats and increasingly questionable declarations of love, "Melanie" is a masterclass in taking the classic love song and steering it directly off a cliff. Lauren and Noah explore the song's brilliant lyrical escalation, its infectious pop-rock sound, and the way Al perfectly balances absurdity with just enough sincerity to make the whole thing work. Along the way, they discuss obsessive love songs in popular music, Al's gift for character-driven originals, and why "Melanie" deserves more recognition among Weird Al fans. Is it romantic? Creepy? One of the funniest songs Al ever wrote? The answer is probably yes. Follow Noah online: 📸 X: @noahmussay 🦋 Bluesky: @noahmussay.bsky.social 📺 YouTube: The Jury House Grab a beverage, keep your telescope pointed somewhere appropriate, and join us for a deep dive into one of Weird Al's most delightfully unhinged songs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

This week on Beer’d Al, we’re serving up a big ol’ plate of “Lasagna,” the opening track from side two of Even Worse and Al’s deliciously specific parody of “La Bamba.” Lauren is joined by Justin Remer, whose name is a palindrome and whose upcoming 33 1/3 book about “Weird Al” Yankovic in 3-D will be out in November 2026. Justin is a writer, filmmaker, musician, and podcaster, which makes him the perfect guest to dig into Al’s accordion-fueled food comedy, parody craft, and the eternal power of pasta. Grab a fork. Maybe some garlic bread. Definitely don’t listen hungry. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

This week, we’re diving headfirst into Side 1 of Even Worse by "Weird Al" Yankovic—the album that reminded the world that Al wasn’t just back… he was even better (ironically, of course). Released in 1988, this record helped relaunch his career and delivered some of his most iconic tracks. Joining me is the one and only Insane Ian, and we’re going track by track through Side 1: from the larger-than-life opener “Fat,” to the chaos of “Stuck in a Closet with Vanna White,” the minimalist brilliance of “(This Song’s Just) Six Words Long,” and beyond. We break down the parodies, the originals, the musical influences, and the little details that make this era of Al so special. Along the way, expect hot takes, deep cuts, and a whole lot of appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the comedy. Whether you’ve been spinning this album since ‘88 or you’re discovering it for the first time, this is your backstage pass to one of the most important Weird Al records.  Check out more from Insane Ian: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/insaneian Bandcamp: https://insaneian.bandcamp.com/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

What if Even Worse went even… louder? In this episode of the Beer’d Al Podcast, Russ brings a fully baked (and possibly unhinged) concept to the table: a Hair Metal Polka that could’ve lived on Weird Al’s Even Worse album. Think big hair, bigger guitars, and a rapid-fire polka mashup of the most iconic glam metal anthems of the era. The twist? I have no idea what’s coming. Russ has done all the research, built the setlist, and connected the dots—while I’m hearing it all for the very first time. Together, we break down what songs make the cut, how they’d flow in true polka fashion, and whether this alternate-universe track could actually work. It’s chaotic.  It’s nostalgic.  It’s probably a little ridiculous. And honestly? That’s exactly how we like it. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

What do you get when a 1960s teen love song, an 80s mall pop anthem, and Weird Al Yankovic collide? An identity crisis… with a killer hook. In this episode, we’re joined by Jeff with Two Effs from the Suggested Articles Podcast (yes, we have more than one Jeff on this show… which feels very on-brand for a clone episode) as we trace the evolution of I Think We're Alone Now. From Tommy James & the Shondells’ slightly rebellious original, to Tiffany’s glossy, mall-tour domination, and finally to I Think I'm a Clone Now—where things get weird in the best possible way. We break down how one melody can tell three completely different stories, why Weird Al’s parody works so well, and how a simple pop song turns into a surprisingly funny take on identity, duplication, and way too many versions of yourself. Come for the nostalgia. Stay for the clones. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

Get ready for a wild ride on this week’s Even Worse! We dive deep into the chaos, charm, and unexpected joy of “You Make Me,” and trust us — things got even worse (in the best way) when Polka Bob stepped into the building. From off‑the‑cuff polka wisdom to the kind of tangents that only this show can deliver, we break down what went down, why it mattered, and how one quirky guest turned the whole vibe upside down. Expect laughs, genuine moments, and a reminder that sometimes the best stories come from the weirdest guests. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Polka Bob or just here for the chaos, this is one you won’t want to miss. Tune in, turn up, and let Polka Bob make you (laugh, think, and maybe question your life choices). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.

This week on Beer’d Al Podcast, Lauren and Russ dive into “(This Song’s Just) Six Words Long,” Weird Al Yankovic’s brilliantly minimalist parody of George Harrison — and yes, we manage to say far more than six words about it. Joining us is the effervescent (we stand by that word) UHJeff — aka Jeff Nucera — filmmaker, television producer, documentary director, and longtime member of Al’s extended creative orbit. Jeff’s film Tight & Nerdy is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit and has already taken home the Audience Selection Award at SF Indiefest (wowie!). When he’s not behind the camera, Jeff has spent decades working alongside Weird Al himself — from writing thousands of trivia questions for Al’s Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour to sorting fan mail, a role he’s proudly held since 2001. Together, we unpack the song’s origins, its place in parody history, and why a track built on repetition is still endlessly funny decades later. Along the way, we share plenty of laughs as we celebrate one of Al’s most deceptively simple comedic gems. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-d-al-podcast--5439475/support.