This little blog is about “Weird Al”. “Weird Al” Yankovic. I was planning to blog about “Weird Al” anyway. But when I found out about his newly released video album, (even the Wall Street Journal is writing about him. Nice going, Al!!!!!!) and because his fame has increased, his name more of a household word, I thought this would be a good time.
Many of you know, I worked for Orion Pictures. Orion was a client of the advertising agency where I was employed. I was on the publicity account. I helped promote “Weird Al” ’s movie “UHF.”
Unlike other actors in the business, who were always wonderful to me, “Weird Al” and I had a lot in common. We were both visual artists. While I thought he had gone to art school, like I did, I read recently that he had studied architecture at Cal Tech. And since I was unlike the publicity people with whom he had worked, we seemed to “speak the same language.” (so to speak) I was also, like he, (I say this because it may come as a surprise to you) soft spoken.
While I was promoting his movie “UHF,” I escorted him, along with his manager/producer, Jay Levey around to Atlanta’s TV stations and newspapers. To get publicity for the film. At the time, I worked for a woman who took credit for the work I did. Not a nice set up. This was not lost on the two of them. They tried to highlight my accomplishments in front of the “right” people at the agency to help bring me more recognition. They also managed to form an us-against-them team, humorously winking at me and putting my boss down. And who in the ad biz, can be angry with a client, let alone, a movie star? Mr. Levey even told me he would write me a letter of recommendation.
The above visual is a photograph of the “UHF” promotional T shirt I asked Al to sign. I expected him to just sign his name, but the limousine ride to the airport was long and he took time to painstakingly hand letter his name on the back. It looks perfect. No one would believe the printing was done by “Weird Al” Yankovic! Puffy glitter paint. I had it tucked in my purse. Eighties style.
When we arrived at the airport, it was my job to sit and wait until the two guys got on the plane. In the movie business, a lot of money changes hands. It was not assumed that two grown men could get on the plane by themselves. Jay Levey and “Weird Al” Yankovic were commodities. The plane was late. We talked for hours. No one was at the gate but the three of us. I am sure some joke was made about how, even though there were only three of us there, I sat right next to Al, as if he might escape. Maybe not good at self promotion at the time; I was publicity-smart.
I still have the letter of recommendation Jay Levey wrote. I have my own claim to fame. Watch a video from “Weird Al”’s new work:
Wow how fascinating to learn about that life!
I went on a date a few years ago with someone who worked in advertising. He was very morose about the whole thing – people stealing your ideas all the time was the main blight.
To be honest, I would have preferred my first date to have been slightly more upbeat. It was also a last date.
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It is particular to the advertising business to harp on one thing! (outside of work) And it is usually negative! I forget what mine was. Probably my boss! Thanks for “dropping by!”
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I am not sure. I think it is peculiar to me and first dates. I’ve had three (out of not many) where the other person moaned on about various trials in their working lives. The other two I entered into relationships with pretty much straight away. I think I was so relieved! Oh yes and there was one more who was nice but a bit dim. We didn’t have much in common, but again I was so relieved that they weren’t harping on that I took this to be the sign of a viable relationship.
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🙂
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I love Weird Al! He is brilliant! Also rumored to be an incredibly nice man.
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He is brilliant. I used to credit him for going to The Rhode Island School Of Design, a very hard-to-get-into art school, accepting only very brilliant people. But he went to an equally hard-to-get-into school, Cal Tech and I still think he has an art background. And he is nice. Very nice. I was lucky to work with him!
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I used to think of Weird Al as “kid’s music” in the old days, but I’ve come to recognize him as a great satirist. I took my son to see him a few years back, and the guy rocked out like it was going to be his last show ever.
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I think he is the kind of person who saves his energy. He was very quiet and calm when I was with him. Not in character at all! He must save all that for the role he plays. I am happy he is getting is due now. He is a good example of someone who hangs in for the long haul, does what he likes and it paid off for him at age 54! There is hope for us all! Persistence! And he is brilliant! Brilliant and persistent.
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That seems to be the formula, isn’t it? And treating your fans like they are the most important thing in the world, because they are.
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It seems as though Al is everywhere these days. I’m so happy you shared a soft side of him, Hollis, very cool!
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He is getting his due, as I told Eric. The guy works so hard. I am happy for him. He was working working working when no one was paying him any attention! Thanks for commenting! I know you are so busy Jill! I think about you each week! Interesting folks you have on your Spotlight! Could be a regular gig!?
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Hollis, wow, what a fascinating glimpse into your exciting life! I love it. That T-shirt is probably worth a small fortune now ;). One question: really? All the actors were nice to you?
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Yes all were nice. Al and Willem Dafoe were the nicest! Orion associated with young up and coming people. Many are big stars today. The most “seasoned” actor I worked with was Gene Hackman. And he just had a panic attack in a very large crowd in Washington DC ( for “Mississippi Burning”) I would have too. He was pretty famous then and the crowd was huge. I didn’t take charge enough! Thanks so much Luanne for your insight snd taking the time to read this!
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How exciting for you Hollis! What a cool job. I’m a fan. I’m glad Al is enjoying great success (long time coming I would say).
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Hey Yolanda! It was so exciting…Afterwards. During, it was “Yikes, will I screw up?” I never did anything catastrophic, so all was well. I wish I had kept a journal during that time! Thanks so much for taking the time to read through all of that! I always like your comments!
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a couple of months from now when you realize just how wacky I am, you may regret these kind words Hollis 😀
thank you though lol. Oh I can imagine all the juicy gossip you could have recorded in your journal! pretty sure it would have been an instant bestseller …
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Always liked him. This weekend my son’s 20 something girlfriend was talking about him and his video!
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Yes. He has become a major media deal now. I was talking to CP Shades (read previous “The Shredding Skirt” blog of mine) to getting skirt back and I told them to refer to the blog I wrote, mentioning it was before the one about “Weird” Al. Immediately, the woman went “Oh ‘Weird Al’!” Guess that may guarantee a new skirt right there! About time the guy had that kind of pull!
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That’s a great story, Hollis. I love how they took your side against your mean boss – I hope she got her come-uppance eventually.
These things in our early careers shape us for what’s to come. Great post, even though I’d never heard of Al. ( sorry! – I don’t think his fame has spread across the Atlantic yet!)
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Yes Jenny, “Weird Al” has been obscure here in the US until his latest music video and now even the Wall Street Journal is talking about him!
You are right. I am tougher because of all that back stabbing and ruthlessness of the agency/publicity business. The art world is minor in its crappy treatment of people by comparison. Not that that is a goal I aspire to! To see how much I can take!!!! But things roll off easier. And yes, I am sure that woman got her due. She tried to pitch the account and take it to a new agency and Orion told her why? Hollis did all the work. So I did cover myself.
I hope you had a nice break. And it was so nice of you to comment. I have been slow with the blogs but I will also be back! Good to hear from you!
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What an interesting job! I worked in public relations in a large firm for a while so I have an idea of what it’s like but it certainly wasn’t as competitive (our client couldn’t change us out!). Sometimes the deadlines were killing (if you miss a newspaper deadline back in the day, you blew it) but I did love it. However after a while I wanted to kill everyone. The artists were so temperamental! I knew it was time to move on but I always thought the real ad job would be exciting.
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Kate, thank you for replying. Yes it was very tough. I think that’s why the art world (Fine Arts that I am in now) with all its back stabbing is easy for me. (Not that I don’t get my feelings hurt!) I have learned about temperament and that things are temporary.Some artists never learn that.
Now, about the artists you mentioned who I worked with in advertising at the agency….well that is a different story. I agree with you. Some of them were the worst people. Maybe it was the deadlines or the way people there treated them. But when I was an account person, they would always give me a hard time. Why did we do this for a living? Work in this type of field? Maybe, because, for a nine to five job, it was the best assembly of intelligent and creative people! It was an interesting way to earn money. And on the off moments when the pressure was off and the nervous ticks were at a minimum, (Tums and valium popped eery second) we told a lot of good jokes and had a lot of laughs!
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You are right. Creative (and bright) people are so much fun when their neuroses are under control.
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I have enjoyed Al’s parodies of favorite songs of mine, nice to know a little of his ‘back’ story, now, too!
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Yes he was a little remote for a while, but now getting the fame big fame he deserves !! Thanks for stopping by!!!!
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Awww.Thanks, Robin!
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Fantastic. I loved every moment of your account. And i have always enjoyed Weird AL.
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That is so great you have always enjoyed Weird Al! Thank you so much for reading my blog. I am writing a new one today, so it won’t be long. I have some good ideas!
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absolutely awesome! I’ve always enjoyed Al’s work (especially “Like a Surgeon)… I like your work very much too Hollis. – Best, Gabriel (in California)
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Thank you!
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Great story. I’ve always enjoyed Al’s humor. How cool that you got to hang out with him and have that awesome souvenir of your time. 🙂
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Kourtney, how sweet of you to go “back in time” and read my previous posts. Thank you! Yes, looking back , it was special to have met all those celebrities. Just last night I was in a tavern, and I saw Ray Liotta on TV in an ad for bourbon or something. I thought, wow, I used to work with him.
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