‘Weird Al’ Yankovic keeps dorkiness close to his heart
A note from Wild Card host Rachel Martin: I usually have to finish a conversation with a guest before I can draw some big conclusion, but I’m gonna go out on a limb and say this about “Weird Al” Yankovic: I think that more than the perfect rhyming scheme, more than the most ridiculous pun, more than music itself, what “Weird Al” loves most in the world is making people happy.
Hey, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he fell hard for the accordion as a kid and realized a few years later that he was really good at making up fake lyrics to real songs. And that this — THIS was his ticket to fame and stardom.
But I don’t think so. His art is too self-effacing to be about ego. When performing, “Weird Al” is the spiritual manifestation of every dorky kid who never fit in, now finally getting their moment — not by trying to fit into someone else’s idea of cool — but by leaning into every single thing that makes them weird. And that is a beautiful and generous thing.
And 46 years after his first big hit, “My Bologna,” came out, “Weird Al” is still at it. His “Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour” kicks off in June.
Afghan earthquake triggers contradictory Taliban tactics on rescuing women
The Taliban responded with contradictory stances in the effort to rescue women and girls who were wounded and left homeless. That's a reflection of tensions between hardliners and pragmatists.
This week brings a bumper harvest of brand new books
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D’Angelo, R&B’s reluctant icon, has died at 51
The expressive singer made just three albums, including his 1995 debut, Brown Sugar, but retreated from the public after each. He had been battling cancer, according to a statement from his family.
Military seizes power in Madagascar following anti-government protests
The army in Madagascar seized power on Tuesday, days after the president fled the African island nation saying he feared for his life after several weeks of massive anti-government protests.
How big a deal are Taylor Swift’s vinyl sales, really?
The Life of a Showgirl isn't just a streaming success — it has moved a massive number of vinyl LPs. How massive? Let's do some math.
Pokémon Legends Z-A is a game of epic proportions, best played on the Switch 2
Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels like a mega evolution for the whole series — a colossal achievement that runs splendidly on the Switch 2 after the buggy disappointments of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
