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Show Weird AT science Parody artist extraordinaire Yankovic brings act to Utah Weird Al Yankovic Alan Sculley SPECIAL TO When ' THE DAILY MyOUfpP HERALD . "Weird Al" released his CD, "Poodle Hat," last year, his plans for introducing the record to audiences hit an unanticipated roadblock. . Yankovic who is appearing Saturday at the Utah State Fair had planned to make "Couch Potato," a parody of the Eminem hit "Lose Yourself," his lead single, a decision that obviously meant also filming a video for the track. Eminem, though, refused to allow the video, forcing Yankovic to go without that important part of the promotional arsenal "It kind of baffles me, actually," Yankovic said when asked why he was refused rights to do a video. "I didn't talk to Marshall (Eminem's real name is Marshall Mathers) directly, but I did talk to his manager, Paul Rosenberg. About the best an-- When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Where: Utah State Fairpark (155 N. 1000 West in Salt Lake CHy) Tickets: $19, available at Smith's Tix (www.smithstix.com, swer I could get from him was that Marshall was afraid a Weird Al' video would somehow detract from his legacy or make people take him less seri' ously. For some reason he was fine with me haying the song on the album, but for some reason he felt the video would just push it over the edge too much." Eminem's refusal to allow the video was a first for Yankovic in a career that goes back to the early 1980s. In the past, his razor sharp video parodies for songs like "Smells Like Nirvana" (based on Nirvana's hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit"), "Eat It" (a remake of Michael Jackson's "Beat It") and "like A Surgeon" (a counterpart to Madonna's "Like A Virgin") have been KATHERINE BISHSt Louis "Weird Al" Yankovic sings "Amish Paradise" while in concert in St. Louis in August He will be in Salt Lake City on Saturday, performing songs from his newest album, "Poodle Hat." h cornerstones of earlier CDs. "I've never been turned down for a video, but in the past Prince has been the one guy who has consistently never allowed me, well, to really do anything," Yankovic said Not having a video for . "Couch Potato," a song that Yankovic said he felt was the than not right on target. strongest commercial track on Yankovic first began toying the CD, certainly did no favors with parodies as a teenager, for sales for "Poodle Hat." The CD won a Grammy for best sending homemade tapes to syndicated radio host and comedy album and is approachfellow humorist Dr. Demen- ing the 500,000 in sales needed to. The "Doctor" aired several for certification. Some of those sales can unof Yankovic's spoofs, but Yankovic said he didn't see a doubtedly be credited to heavy future in musical satire. touring behind "Poodle Hat" "It was truly for grins that I that is now well into its second sent in tapes to the Dr. Demen-t- o went even ..... Yankovic year. show," Yankovic said. through with concert dates that . d stint as a deejay followed the tragic death of his A at his college radio station at parents, Nkk and Mary, on April 9. The couple were acdk ' California Polytechnic State dentally asphyxiated by carbon University at San Luis Obispo, monoxide poisoning after they though, changed the course of started a fire in the fireplace of his career. Returning to his love of satire, Yankovic, who was their Falibrook, Calif., home , in and left the flue closed. Came ' majoring architecture, . Yankovic, in a prepared up with a spoof of the Knack retitfed bit, "My Sharona" statemert, said he fek continu' and made a Bologna" ing to tour was the best way ."My ' for him to deal with his loss. tape of the song in, of all places, "Poodle Hat" certainly has a bathroom at the radio station. Once again the song aired on enough worthy material to jus-"Dr.Demento,"andbecamea tify Yankovk's lengthy tour hit. A year later, he per- behind the CD. In fact, "Couch ' major Potato" isn't nearby the best mo--; formed "Another One Rides . The Bus," Ms parody of Queen's i mentontheCD. A spoof of Avril Lavigne's ,' 'Another One Bites The Dust," hit single "Complicated," is esi live on "Dr. Demento." This pecially hilarious. Renamed "A eventually led to a Complicated Song," each of the record deal and a 1983 self titled three verses tells a different debut CD that began an uninterstory. The first verse, where rupted recording career that has made. Yankovic the best the word "complicated" is re-selling comedy artist of all time. placed by "constipated" is the d CD's one sure Looking bade, Yankovic said i the timing of . moment. The other two verses "My Bologna" ' couldn't have been better. (an incestuous relationship and "It was all kind of serendipidecapitation) are actually far funnier than their subject matthat I had completely lost in-ty ' ter might suggest.. terest in architecture about my ; Meanwhile, "Trash Day," a V third year in college," he said. takeoff on Nelly's hit "Hot In -- "I had this moment when I realiHerre," also is good for its ty had no idea what my future share of chuckles, as Yankovic ; was going to hold ... Thankfiu-ry- , p puts a new spin on the things kind of fell into place tradition of trash talk. " for me because I definitely had a couple of scary years when I , For Yankovic, 43, such songs continue a career where his hudidnt know what was going mor has been more often on." gold-recor- . weD-time- : -- Utah Valley's Only Upscale Adult Fitness Club has an offer you'll be falling for! Start your (-- membership before September 30, 2004 and receive next Fall for FREE! That's 16 months for the price of 1211 J Come visit our dub for a VIP tour of our upgraded facility! 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