'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story' Coming To Paramount+ Next Month

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is coming to your small screen via Paramount+ on Thursday, 2 March. 

In January last year, it was announced that Harry Potter superstar Daniel Radcliffe would portray the life of the five-time Grammy-winning artist from his early hits such as Eat It and Like A Surgeon to his depraved lifestyle and celebrity love affairs. The film was written by Yankovic and Eric Appel.

In a statement, Yankovic stated: "When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. 

"And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for.” 

In the first trailer for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Radcliffe is in fine form as he chaotically embodies Yankovic.

The film also stars Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna and The Office’s Rainn Wilson as Yankovic’s hero and mentor, radio host Dr Demento.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story was co-produced by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell's company, Funny Or Die.

In November, Yankovic announced his return to Australia with The Unfortunate Return Of The Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour. The shows promise intimate evenings of musical comedy, focusing on original, non-parody songs from his 14-album catalogue. 

The Unfortunate Return tour begins in Melbourne on Friday, 10 March 2023, at the Palais Theatre. "Weird Al" and co. then head to Adelaide's Norwood Concert Hall on Monday, 13 March, Sydney on Wednesday, 15 March, at the Enmore Theatre, Perth's Astor Theatre on Saturday, 18 March, and ending the run at the QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane on Monday, 20 March.

"Weird Al" Yankovic is the highest-selling comedy artist of all time. His 2014 release, Mandatory Fun, was the first comedy album ever to debut at #1 on Billboard's Top 200. He is one of only three artists who have had their own Top 40 singles in the last four decades, the others being Michael Jackson and Madonna. 

Joining "Weird Al" on tour is his longtime friend and fellow comedian, Emo Philips. Philips has performed over 7000 stand-up comedy shows worldwide, including a two-week theatre run in London’s West End. Career highlights include his acclaimed comedy album E=MO Squared and the hour-long HBO special Emo Philips Live At The Hasty Pudding Theatre. 

Current titles on Paramount+ include Tulsa King, The Almond And The Seahorse, 1923, Top Gun: Maverick, The Flatshare, George & Tammy, Transformers: Earthspark, 1883, Let The Right One In, Five Bedrooms, The Offer, HALO, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and iCarly.