Ep 12. "Weird Al" Yankovic Goes Beyond Insanity While Eating Spicy Wings
- December 20, 2018
- 22 min
Hot Ones is a popular interview-style show where celebrity guests answer a series of questions while trying progressively spicier chicken wings. The show is hosted by Sean Evans and has gained a cult following for its humorous and unpredictable content. Season 7 episode 12 features a guest appearance by musical comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic.
The episode begins with Sean Evans introducing the concept of the show and explaining the rules to Yankovic. He then offers him the first chicken wing, which is coated with a relatively mild hot sauce. Yankovic takes a small bite and seems to handle it well, making quips about how he's been training his whole life for this moment. As the interview continues, Evans asks Yankovic about his early years as a musician and how he got started in the industry.
As they move onto the second wing, the heat level begins to ramp up. Yankovic takes a larger bite this time, but still maintains his composure. He talks about his creative process for coming up with parody songs and how he chooses his targets. Evans asks him about some of his most memorable moments as a performer, including a time when he wore a fat suit on stage and almost passed out from the heat.
By the third wing, Yankovic is starting to feel the heat. He wipes his forehead with a napkin and takes a drink of water. Evans asks him about his thoughts on modern music and whether he thinks it's easier or harder to come up with parody ideas in today's industry. They also discuss some of Yankovic's more obscure songs, including a track about the game show "Jeopardy!".
The fourth wing is where things start to get really intense. Yankovic takes a deep breath before diving in, and immediately starts coughing and wheezing. Evans asks him about his experiences as a voice actor and how he got involved in the field. They also talk about Yankovic's love of Star Wars and how he was able to work with George Lucas on a project.
As they move onto the fifth wing, Yankovic is clearly in pain. He takes a bite and immediately starts chugging water. Evans asks him about some of his collaborations with other artists, including a song he did with Lady Gaga. They also talk about his experience performing at the Super Bowl halftime show and how he was able to make a costume change in under a minute.
By the sixth wing, Yankovic is sweating profusely and struggling to speak. Evans asks him about his longstanding feud with Prince and how it eventually led to a reconciliation. They also talk about some of the more elaborate music videos Yankovic has produced over the years, including a parody of Michael Jackson's "Bad".
The seventh and final wing is a real doozy. Yankovic takes a tiny nibble and immediately starts convulsing. He takes a drink of milk and then another drink of water, but nothing seems to help. Evans asks him about his upcoming tour and what fans can expect from his show. They also talk about some of his charitable endeavors, including his involvement with PETA and the annual "Weird Al" Yankovic Show fundraiser.
In the end, Yankovic manages to make it through all seven wings, although he's clearly in agony. He thanks Evans for having him on the show and jokes that he never wants to see another chicken wing again. The interview ends with a final plea from Yankovic for fans to support his upcoming tour and buy his latest album. Overall, the episode is a hilarious and entertaining look at one of the quirkiest personalities in show business.