The Influence of Weird Al · 7:05am Jul 16th, 2014
We live in an age where being connected to the Internet is practically a necessity.
These days, if someone wants to look up a song parody, there are dozens of talented people on YouTube and other media sites who lampoon popular music.
For those of us who were raised on the Internet, it can be difficult to image what life would be like without the World Wide Web. I'd like to share one such experience from my formative years. One summer, I went away to a nature camp. There were activities to keep the campers occupied, but there was also a lot of down time. No Internet. No wifi. Electronic devices were frowned upon, but I was allowed to bring my portable CD player. The only CD I brought with me was "Weird Al's" then latest album, Running with Scissors.
I listened to that album repeatedly and replaced the batteries in my player each time they died. I memorized the lyrics to all the songs, including the 11 minute-long song "Albuquerque." I have a lot of fond memories walking nature trails as a young kid at summer camp while listening to my CD. "Weird Al" was there for me when I needed a laugh. He's been entertaining us for nearly 40 years and he recently voiced Cheese Sandwich in season four of My Little Pony!
We even got an awesome Polka in that episode!
I think it's worth mentioning how Cheese Sandwich's relationship with Pinkie Pie bears a striking similarity to "Weird Al" and his mentor, Dr. Demento.
"Weird Al" was inspired by, and owes his career to, Dr. Demento. Cheese Sandwich was inspired by, and owes his career to, Pinkie Pie. I feel that this is a case of art imitating life.
Will Cheese Sandwich return at some point?
"Weird Al" is an American Institution. His accordion deserves a place of prominence in the Smithsonian next to Louis Armstrong's trumpet. His previous album, Alpocalypse, was released in June, 2011, when the Brony fandom was still in its infancy. In the three years which followed, bronies have come together in a big way. Now is our chance to show our support for a man who has given us so much entertainment. "Weird Al" Yankovic has a new album out entitled Mandatory Fun. I highly recommend we support "Weird Al" and show him just how much his efforts mean to us. The album can be purchased on "Weird Al's" website..
To give you an idea of what's on the album, here's a music video for one of the songs called Word Crimes.
It's an educational song about the importance of proper grammar. Twilight Sparkle would be proud.
Update: "Mandatory Fun — the latest album by "Weird Al" Yankovic — debuted at #1 on the U.S. pop charts. This is the first comedy album to do so since Alan Sherman’s My Son, the Nut in 1963.
Is that... Is that a picture of Cheese Sandwich with the Alicorn amulet...?
~Skeeter The Lurker
One of s4's best ever episodes!
Loving that spoof of the album cover too!
Now I want to see some CheesePie pics of Cheese giving Pinkie a horsy ride through the park.
I love Weird Al he's awesome!
>weird al has been entertaining us for almost 40 years
1985 was 29 years ago, not 39. Thankfully, he's not THAT old. 
uh, I think you mean 30.
Weird Al - Amish Paradise was the first music video I ever downloaded, I remember downloading all his music back when everyone used Limewire(who remembers limewire? good times.) These days I just use either iTunes or YouTube.
Running with Scissors was the first CD I ever owned. I actually didn't branch out from Weird Al for several years after that.
2290397
The reign of the Waffle King is harsh and brutal.
Also, he declared himself Waffle King. And he outlawed pancakes. He doesn't trust them.
2290543 He actually released his first song in 1976. First time I watched anything or heard anything Weird Al was during the VH1 era. He was in his 20's then. Dude is pretty old. He just takes really good care of himself. So, 40 years (minus 1 or 2) is about right.
EDIT: He's 54 years old right now.
2290888 oh, my mistake.