Episode 243" – The ‘WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story’ Stories (Chapter 7) with UHJeff Nucera

·1 hr 17 min·5 clips

Jeff Nucera reveals how Weird Al secretly told him about the biopic before anyone else knew.

The episode opens with hosts Dave and Ethan introducing episode 243, which premieres an interview recorded with Jeff Nucera right after his first day on the set of 'WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story' in February 2022. They note the interview was captured while events were fresh, though some details may not align with the final film. The first segment covers Weird Al-related news, including the use of 'Dare to Be Stupid' in a film called 'Night Bank' and an announcement about UHF Night at Big Dipper Creamery in Tulsa. Sammy Cooper, owner of Big Dipper Creamery, joins to describe the event, featuring Twinkie Wiener sandwich ice cream and the actual 1962 Nash Metropolitan used in UHF, which her grandfather owned and showed Weird Al how to drive. The episode then shifts to sad news about James Earl Jones' passing and an upcoming Weird Al tribute in Salt Lake City. Matt Kelly and Matt Milligan from the Weird Algorithm podcast appear to promote a collaboration episode with Dave and Ethan, discussing their show's focus on music theory and pop culture around Weird Al's work. The main interview with Jeff Nucera follows, where he explains how he learned about the film from Weird Al during a secret package drop-off. Jeff details his experience as a background actor, including COVID protocols, wardrobe for a 1984 Miami concert scene, and waiting long hours on set. He describes interacting with Weird Al, who was visibly excited about the film, and seeing Daniel Radcliffe perform 'Like a Surgeon' with cone-bra dancers and a new vocal track by Al. Jeff also recounts Radcliffe's shirtless, drunken performance of 'Eat It', where the crowd chants 'whip it out' before Radcliffe is arrested, and a scene with Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna. He mentions spotting trailers for cameos by Coolio, Prince, and Diana Ross, and notes the band members' resemblance to the real musicians. The interview concludes with Jeff being asked to return for a second day on set. The episode ends with a voicemail about tour wishes, sponsor messages, and credits.

As heard by us

A nervous first day on the Weird Al set becomes a warm, funny story of confusion, breakfast, and recognition.

Episode 243 works best as a first-day-on-set story, built around the nerves of walking into Weird: The Al Yankovic Story without quite knowing the routine.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play if a masked Weird Al and one bewildering first day on the set of Weird: The Al Yankovic Story sound like your kind of backstage story.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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