Welcome, my friend, you made it :>!

This page has been set up by popular demand!! It's a petition of sorts to "gently nudge" MTV in the right direction for this year's MTV Video Vanguard Award. I feel very strongly that MTV should grant this year's award to the hardest-working accordion player in mock-and-roll, "Weird AL" Yankovic! And I sent a letter to MTV News stating that fact! After posting the text of the letter at the "Weird Al" Yankovic newsgroup, there was much clamoring for an online petition to sign. So here it is!

Just sign in the customized HTMLGear Guestbook below. HTMLGear was chosen because of its flexibility; not only can you sign your name, but you can also put down your own comments on this idea, as well as let everybody know the address of your own "Weird Al" web page. And then everybody can view your entry afterwards.

If you haven't seen it yet, directly below is the message I sent to MTV News, and then right below that is where you can click over and add your own online John Hancock to the petition.

Thanks muchly :>!

MTV Powers That Be:

So here's the deal:

I'm sure you're all sitting around the conference room table snackin' on stale munchies wondering just who to give the MTV Video Vanguard Award to at this year's Video Music Awards. Do you attempt to give it to the Artist Who Is Such A Pain To Talk To These Days? Should you consider Whitney Houston, strictly for longevity's sake? And did you give it to Queen already or not--?!

But never fear, Val is here, to lend a voice to recognizing a very credible candidate. You've shamelessly passed over him in your various too-cool-coolest video countdowns and you never consider his work in the usual video award categories. And just recently he was totally cheated (read: screwed) out of even having a chance of winning a Grammy for his latest work.

But now you, MTV, have a chance of righting this great wrong all around by considering him for a long overdue Video Vanguard Award. Yes, I think you know where I'm going with this, and so I'll give those who haven't caught on yet a chance to get on the same page --

Ladies and Gentlemen: "Weird Al" Yankovic!

Now I know MTV (and VH1) let Al do a special program of his music and comedy at the end of last year -- but I think you did it because you felt guilty for not better recognizing Al's contributions to music video history in your other programs!

I will bring out the big guns if I must! Michael Jackson was the first recipient of the Vanguard (and it was briefly named after him) -- and Al's been making music videos at least as long as Michael!

As Al's VH1 Behind the Music special reminded us all, Al has been around for *twenty years* -- and still going strong! In concert, some of his most celebrated numbers are for artists and bands that aren't even around anymore! And he's gone where even Madonna hasn't gone before -- he's directing his own videos, plus he's directing videos for other artists!

If it's angst you want, remember that Al's original songs and the videos he's made for them have been cruelly underrated, undershown, and all around underappreciated! There are *still* people out there who think Al has never written an original song. These people especially need enlightening!

Or if you need controversy, there are some truly confused reporters at ABC's 20/20 who recently listed Al as violent because of his "The Night Santa Went Crazy" tune (No, I'm not kidding; look it up!).

(If I must be tacky, I will: Al's been around longer than nearly all of the Video Vanguard Award recipients chosen in the 1990s!)

And try to remember the history that Al has behind him, not the least of which is Stan Freberg, Allan Sherman, and the late Shel Silverstein. These men and the generations that spawned them remembered to place a value on laughter. Are we to let our generation's representative of that go unrewarded?

What other proof do you need that "weird"-ness aside, Al is an artist whose hard work and success deserve much better and greater recognition?!

Come on, MTV, it's up to you. It's gotta be "Weird Al" Yankovic for the first Video Vanguard Award of the century--!!

(Val's Humbling Essay Correction Notes: 1) The Vanguard was indeed briefly named for Michael Jackson, but he was not the first recipient of it. Back in 1984, the first MTV Video Vanguard Award was presented jointly to The Beatles, David Bowie, and Richard Lester. 2) MTV did indeed nominate Al for a regular MTV Video Music Award: Best Male Video for "Smells Like Nirvana" in 1992 [he lost to Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven."]. 3) The Artist Who Is Such A Pain To Talk To These Days changed his name back to Prince... but I bet he's still a pain to talk to these days :P! )

MTV Video Music Awards 2006 (October 23, 2006)

The 2006 Video Music Awards boasted some great performances--and it's absolutely hilarious to me that because of sites like YouTube, that the networks have given up in a way and this year's show is freely, entirely available online! How things have changed (although it's too bad that little Justin Timberlake fella has become such a nobody--and does anyone even remember Beyonce ;>?). But once again, no big lifetime award given out.

But maybe, just maybe, the events of this week will change all that! TODAY is not only Al's 47th birthday, it's also the week that his "White & Nerdy" single is in the Top 10! That's even better than "Eat It" all those years ago! And Al's new CD, "Straight Outta Lynwood," is in the Top 10 CDs!

Revenge of the 'Nerdy' for Weird Al Yankovic
Parody artist scores first top-ten album in three decade career
Updated: 11:59 a.m. CT Oct 31, 2006

aka the CNN story via Reuters/Billboard: 'Weird Al' Yankovic finally hits the top 10,
POSTED: 9:59 a.m. EDT, October 23, 2006
w/pic caption, "Weird Al" Yankovic is enjoying his biggest chart successes since he started recording in the late '70s."

Straight Outta Lynwood

Overall, Al is on a serious roll, and MTV would be crazy not to finally acknowledge it (or at least acknowledge how hot Donny Osmond still is ;>)!!

(Thanks to John for telling me about CNN article!)

MTV Award Update (March 21, 2005)

See, the 2004 MTV Music Awards were so, um, "eventful," that I just couldn't, uh, uh, find the words to talk about them until now--! 

OK, in all seriousness, I missed the show when it premiered and never quite caught up with it due to suddenly experiencing my own close family loss. It hurts every single day, but I'm healing every day, too. 

But as far as I can tell, MTV was a big "Empty-V" when it came to giving out a hall of fame/video vanguard award to anyone. Sigh. Where is the love, MTV? Where is the love?!

MTV Award Update (April 17, 2004)

Well, MTV didn't even present a Video Vanguard Award at their 2002 MTV Video Music Awards! And in 2003, MTV outright snuck in what they called the "MTV Lifetime Achievement Award" to the newly-reformed original lineup of Duran Duran!

So where does this leave the MTV Video Vanguard Award--if indeed there is still an award by that name? Does this "MTV Lifetime Achievement Award" replace the "MTV Video Vanguard Award" -- and am I gonna have to change the name of the petition now?? 

In any case, sorry for the lapse in updating -- but this page will be here until MTV comes to their senses and bestows a Lifetime Achievement Award to Al... even if daughter Nina has to come on stage to pick it up because Dad "doesn't move as fast as he used to -- and that leg behind the head thing? Over!"

MTV Vanguard Award Update (September 6, 2001)

You know, I'm starting to think that MTV isn't paying me any attention!!!

OK, seriously, U2 won the MTV *Video Vanguard this year, and I honestly couldn't be happier -- 'cause it's ridiculous that they didn't have one yet either!! I mean, dang! MTV celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, and while that's a considerable milestone, it's still a little young to be so deeply forgetting your early years!! 

But I will fight on, charging forward with a loaded accordion, and I'm not afraid to use it ('cause what I'm really afraid of is dropping it on my foot)! It's Weird Al for the MTV Video Vanguard Award 2002!!!

* Perhaps as a thank you for making a "surprise" appearance on this year's show, the "King of Pop" coming on to dance onstage at the end of *N SYNC's performance of their hit song, "(Dirty) Pop" (although it was hardly a surprise to any visitors to MichaelJackson.com in the last couple of days, which breathlessly reported that it was "a rumor"), the MTV Video Vanguard Award went back to its previous moniker, the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. It's sorta ironic that U2 would be the first to get the award under this new old name, as it was U2 which won a prize Michael deeply wanted, the 1987 Grammy Award for Album of the Year; U2's "Joshua Tree" won instead of MJ's "Bad." If you ever see a tape of the show, MJ's intense disappointment at losing is written all over his face.

MTV Vanguard Award Update (September 8, 2000)

Agh!!!! Did you see the MTV Video Music Awards last night? Keeping their cards close to the vest, MTV did not announce that they would be presenting the MTV Video Vanguard Award this year -- to the Red Hot Chili Peppers! 

Yes, I know visions of "Bedrock Anthem" are floating through your head right now--!

So is this a defeat? Certainly not! As I said before, it gives us a whole year to keep the pressure on MTV! When they present the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 2001, let's make sure that it goes to the one and only "Weird Al" Yankovic!

(Dang it!!)

Weird AL for the MTV Video Vanguard Award 2001!!!

If you'd like to promote the "Weird AL" for the MTV Video Vanguard Award Petition on your web site, you can use my hastily-made, cheerily-cheesy banner below :>!:

Use this code: <!-- Start of Weird AL Banner Code --><A HREF="https://valsadie.com/weirdal/index.html"><IMG SRC="https://valsadie.com/weirdal/albanner.jpg" WIDTH="480" HEIGHT="60" VSPACE="0" HSPACE="0" ALT="Weird Al Yankovic Petition Banner" BORDER="0"></A><!-- End of Weird AL Banner Code -->

FYI: The previous domain, "popculturemaven.simplenet.com" has since disappeared into the cyber-ether and is now permanently "www.valsadie.com".

Publicity for the page already!

(OK, technically it's a dis, but remember, "there's no such thing as bad publicity!")
[See this long-gone page from 2000 again, courtesy of the Internet Archive Wayback Machine -- the Internet never forgets!]

From the March 29, 2000 Yahoo! Internet Life Daily Net Buzz by Steve Knopper:

Clickophony (box at end of column): Some online obsessives have petitioned to get "Weird Al" Yankovic an MTV Video Vanguard award. Prompting two questions: Who cares about getting an MTV Video Vanguard Award? And who cares about "Weird Al" Yankovic? (Link courtesy of Val the E-mailer.)

A much more favorable blurb appeared about this page in Whole Pop Magazine Online: Petition for Yankovic Recognition. Thanks to Erin B. for the cool post :>!

Don't miss seeing...

alt.music.weird-al newsgroup
(courtesy of Google Groups)

Hey, you! Did you go to 2002's ALCON III: This Time It's Personal? Well, I did!! I was surrounded by a lot of posters that look like this...

"Weird Al" Poster
Get Weird—Read with Al

Party in your library with the accordion-playing Clown Prince of Mock 'N' Roll! For two decades, the Grammy Award-winning "Weird Al" Yankovic has written and performed original comic tunes and famous song parodies of rock stars Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Puff Daddy. Little known is he was high school valedictorian and holds a degree in architecture. Al chose to craft songs instead of buildings, drawing on his love of reading.

Poster ©2002 American Library Association. Used by permission.
 (Poster description written by me :>! Poster suggestion by me, too :>!!)
Photography by Kimberly Butler. Design by Distillery Design Studio.

In the poster, Al is holding up Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time--and I bet you thought he was just trying to be funny in the lyrics for "White & Nerdy," when he says, "Stephen Hawking's in my library!"

Watch Weird Al's music videos online, from "I Lost on Jeopardy" to "White & Nerdy" (although "Ricky," "I Love Rocky Road," "Eat It," "Christmas at Ground Zero," and "Bedrock Anthem" are missing--!?) at Yahoo! Music Unlimited Music to Play & Share!

Guess you'll just have to watch "Weird Al" over at YouTube.com to see all of his music videos--plus some really cool fan ones all mixed in!!

XVR27's "Weird Al" Yankovic Homepage

For more "Weird AL" web pages, click over to the Open Directory Project and see the sites listed under http://dmoz.org/Arts/Music/Bands_and_Artists/Y/Yankovic,_Weird_Al.

Especially see Al-Aholics Anonymous by the (irrepressible!) Marty "Gumby" Lick, and also Yankovic! which was put together by "Happy" Steve Chai. (You cannot be told what Yankovic! is. You have to see it for yourself...)

Weird Al's marriage broke the hearts of Al-Gals everywhere!

I'm a member of Weird Al's STUPID Group (founded by the incomparable Weird Al fan, Betsybird). Are you? Check out her Yankonomicron et Al page (courtesy of the Wayback Machine)!

Click to subscribe to weirdalsstupidgroup

Last, but not least, I'm not the only one with a "Weird Al" petition! Check out the one below. C'mon MTV, it's All About Al!

Weird Al Update (April 17, 2004)

The recent accidental death of Al's parents was absolutely heartbreaking. I just want to thank Al for introducing us to the wonderful people who raised him and letting us know of and share their love of life, something that they obviously passed on to him. May the immortality of happy memories eventually triumph over the present pain of loss. 

Nick and Mary Yankovic -- Rest in Peace

Val's July 2000 Concert Report!
(slightly edited from the original Weird Al newsgroup entry)

Petition Val Gets Al's Autograph!/Merrillville IN Show 07/03

And I wanted to tell Al about the petition directly, but Tough Security Guy said we could only get autographs and move along (in effect). I had printed out my entry from the petition for Al to sign -- but while waiting in line I got a better idea (I guess?). I wrote the petition's web address at the bottom of the entry and asked Tough Security Guy if I could give it to Al. He said he would have to take it and look at it and decide whether or not to give it to him (because we all know how much harm can come from a computer print-out!). Right then it was my turn so I gave my small notebook to Al, we exchanged greetings, he signed his name, and we exchanged thank yous. And I left. I don't know if Tough Security Guy decided to give the paper to Al or not. I hope so!

In any case, there's still that copy of the entire petition that was sent to Close Personal Friends of Al. If Al doesn't know about this petition by now, it's not 'cause I haven't tried--!

I did get to meet guitarist Jim West after the show also (I had spotted him walking around the theater parking lot before the show--?!) and also keyboardist Ruben Valtierra (who wore shades throughout the show, to cover up the eye injury--?) and got their autographs as well. I missed bassist Steve Jay (the coolest guy in the universe, you know :>) and drummer/weirdal.com webmaster Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz (so I didn't get to chastise him in person for not linking to the petition from the weirdal.com web site ;> ;> :>!!!)

If you were at the Merrillville show, you may have spotted me -- because, unless I missed someone (and the ushers don't count), I believe I was the only black woman in the audience--!!!

Great show, too! I think we all know the setlist by now, and it was fun to see live. And it was a blast to *finally* hear "Free Delivery (Our Toppings Go On and On)" and "Laundry Day (Gotta Keep 'Em Separated)" after reading about them here on the Weird Al newsgroup for so long.

In any case, I want to thank the newsgroup regulars for letting me know that it really was possible to see Al after the show. I've been to several artists' concerts over the years and it's been my experience that the singer is already zooming down the highway while the final notes of the encore are still ringing in my ears. So I was skeptical, but I stuck around anyway. And then the above happened. So thanks so much!!

Val, val@valsadie.com

Straight Outta Lynwood [DUALDISC]

"Weird Al" Yankovic at Real.com Rhapsody

"Weird Al" Yankovic at Napster.com

"Weird Al" Yankovic at Apple iTunes

UHF (the Weird Al movie!!) on DVD Yay! It's finally a reality!!

UHF Poster

UHF Poster

UHF Poster

Poodle Hat 2004 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (finally!)

The Weird Al Show - The Complete Series

Weird Al Yankovic - The Ultimate Video Collection

The 'Weird Al' Yankovic Anthology

Desperation Boulevard   More Weird Al!