In this episode, we unpack “Weird Al” Yankovic’s hit 1988 song “Fat,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Bad,” and discuss how it mocks heavy people in a way we now know as “fat-shaming.” While accordions and pop music may seem like strange bedfellows, Yankovic has made a long career out of parody, earning the title, “The Court Jester of Rock & Roll.” And since a discussion of Yankovic’s “Fat” is also a discussion of Jackson’s “Bad,” we also have the “can you separate the art from the artist?” debate.
Post-recording correction: Several artists have refused Al permission from parodying his songs; he always asks for permission first. But it was the Coolio song “Gangsta’s Paradise” that Al had trouble getting permission for as he parodied it in “Amish Paradise.” He doesn’t seem to have had issue with getting permission for the Chamillionaire/Krayzie Bone song “Ridin’” for his popular parody, “White and Nerdy.”
Follow Along:
Weird Al’s original “Fat” Video
Michael Jackson’s original “Bad”
Archival footage of “Weird Al” performing My Bologna
Enjoy some of Weird Al’s Polkas here or here in his “Polkas on 45”
Want some bratwurst while you enjoy your polkas? Here’s a crockpot recipe.
Watch Yankovic’s movie “UHF” on iTunes
Enjoy this commercial for Spatula City
Finally, read more about fat-shaming from Rebecca Puhl and colleagues at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut.
Give a listen and tell us what YOU think!!
***AND***
Visit our website at www.sickburnspod.com to leave a comment or a voicemail!
Instagram @Sick_Burns_Pod
Twitter @Sick80s
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SickBurnsPodcast
Email us at Burningthe80s@gmail.com
Visit our website to leave a comment or a voicemail!
On Instagram @Sick_Burns_Pod
On Twitter @Sick80s
On Facebook: Sick Burns Podcast
Email us at Burningthe80s@gmail.com
Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/sickburns
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.