DVD Review: The Weird Al Show - The Complete Series
by R.J. Carter
Published: August 24, 2006
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Rating: 
Country: USA
Release Date: August 15, 2006
Distributor: Shout! Factory
Director:
Peyton Reed
Cast: "Weird Al" Yankovic
Brian Haley
Judy Tenuta
Danielle Weeks
Related Sites:
IMDb: The Weird Al Show
Grade: B+
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This is the story about a guy named Al who lived in the sewer with his hamster pal...
Nah, not really. That's just the opening lyric of the rapid patter tongue-twister of a theme song that opens this short-lived Saturday morning kids show that chose to boldly go where Pee Wee Herman feared to tread. Set in a cave (right next door to The Hooded Avenger, played by Third Watch's Brian Haley), Al hosts a never-ending stream of regular guests (and irregular visitors) through each moral themed episode, learning lessons like "Always do your best," or "Don't listen to people who are trying to get you into trouble."
Hunter S. Thompson is attributed to saying, "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." But Hunter never met Weird Al! The humor of the show was over the top. In fact, I'm not quite sure it even aimed for the top, but rather made an egress somewhere in the back corner. I've got to admit, after watching two episodes, I truly felt like my brains were begging me to let them leave me to this new life I had seemingly chosen, obvious without their input. But I wrestled them to the ground and now I feel just fine. And now I feel just fine. Just fine. Fine.
Hanson was just one of the many musical acts
that graced Weird Al's Saturday morning show.
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In addition to Haley's superhero neighbor character, Al's cave was frequented by the psychic Madame Judy (Judy Tenuta), Val Brentwood - Gal Spy (Paula Jai Parker, "Idlewild"), Al's cousin Corky (Danielle Weeks, Campus Ladies), Bobby the Inquisitive Boy (Gary Gray), and the never seen but often heard Guy Boarded Up in the Wall (Eddie Deezen, "The Polar Express"). And how could anyone forget that daredevil of the rodent family, Harvey the Wonder Hamster! And that's not even counting the guest and cameo appearances by folks like Barenaked Ladies, Hanson, Patton Oswalt, John Tesh, Teri Garr, Martha Quinn, (gasp gasp gasp), Dweezil Zappa, Daisy Fuentes, Drew Carey, Randy Savage, (pant pant) and Bill Mumy. And a lot of other people, like Doctor Demento!
Weird Al meets Fred Flintstone in a segment
made specially by Hanna-Barbera and featuring
the voices of Jean Vander Pyl and Henry Corden.
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If Mrs. Fesenmeyer drops by to borrow something crazy (that Al has in his pocket!) you'll get to see some home movies. Or maybe be graced with a cartoon episode of Fatman! (When skinny little Al Yankovic eats a special donut, he becomes the blimpy avenger, Fatman, assisted by his acerbic little partner, Harvey!) And speaking of cartoons, one of the coolest bits on the whole series is a Hanna-Barbera produced Flintstones segment with Jean Vander Pyl and Henry Corden providing the voices for Wilma and Fred.
If the episodes are just a bit too weird for you, then I have to suggest that you turn the commentary on. These make the episodes absolutely hilarious! Every single episode has commentary provided by Al Yankovic, series director Peyton Reed, and producer Thomas F. Frank. Occassionally Judy Tenuta, or Emo Phillips, or Danielle Weeks will join in on the fun as well.
So kick back, put on your fuzzy slippers with the Elmo heads on them, make yourself a peanut butter and jelly milkshake, and get your weird on! Because being normal sucks!
The Weird Al Show
The Complete Series
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Disc 1
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Disc 2
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01. Bad Influence
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Directory Peyton Reed, Producer Thomas F. Frank)
02. Promises, Promises
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, Thomas F. Frank, and Judy Tenuta)
03. Mining Accident
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, Thomas F. Frank, and Emo Philips)
04. Back to School
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, and Thomas F. Frank)
Special Features:
-- Evolution of "Fatman" - Original Concept Art Gallery
-- "Fatman" Storyboards: "Long Arm of the Slaw", "Ice Cream, You Scream"
-- Show Theme Song Karaoke
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05. Time Machine
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, Thomas F. Frank, and Judy Tenuta)
06. One for the Record Books
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, and Thomas F. Frank)
07. Because I Said So
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, and Thomas F. Frank)
08. Talent Show
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, Thomas F. Frank, and Judy Tenuta)
Special Features:
-- "Fatman" Storyboards: "Legume of Doom", "Hello, My Name is... Evil"
Set Design Concept Art Gallery
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Disc 3
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09. Al Plays Hooky
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, Thomas F. Frank, and Danielle Weeks)
10. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Hamster
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, Thomas F. Frank, and Emo Philips)
11. The Competition
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, Thomas F. Frank, and Judy Tenuta)
12. The Obligatory Holiday Episode
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, Thomas F. Frank, and Judy Tenuta)
13. Al Gets Robbed
(Commentary by Al Yankovic, Peyton Reed, and Thomas F. Frank)
Special Features:
-- "Fatman" Storyboards: "Googookachoo to You, Too", "Changing the Lox"
Show Logos Concept Art Gallery
Photo Gallery
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