The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert 'Weird Al' Yankovic
Dec 13, 2025
'Weird Al' Yankovic, the Grammy and Emmy-winning parodist, shares the comical turning point of quitting his mailroom job after a song hit the Billboard Top 100. He reflects on the thrill of headlining Madison Square Garden for the first time, nearly half a century into his career. Yankovic also teases his exciting Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour, hinting at elaborate productions and costume changes. With stories of friendship with Lin-Manuel Miranda and the novelty of his music journey, it's a delightful dive into the mind of a musical icon.
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How He Met Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Weird Al became friends with Lin-Manuel Miranda through a shared agent and a conversation about doing a musical.
- They haven't collaborated yet but their friendship endures.
Quitting After The Hot 100 Break
- Weird Al Yankovic left his mailroom job the day he found his song on the Billboard Hot 100.
- He had just signed a record deal and used that chart appearance as the signal to go full-time into music.
How Novelty Music Is Perceived
- The music industry often labels humorous music as "novelty," which traditionally shortens careers.
- Weird Al highlights that novelty acts are treated as one-hit wonders despite potential longevity.