The Vidiot From UHF
| Year: | 1989 |
| Production Co: | Orion Pictures Corporation |
| Director: | Jay Levey |
| Writer: | Weird Al Yankovic/Jay Levey |
| Cast: | Weird Al Yankovic, Kevin McCarthy, Fran Drescher, Billy Barty |
At the height of his popularity, Weird Al Yankovic was bound to get ideas above his station. He's always been well known (and deservedly so) for his popular song parodies, but as can be expected by a ninety minute film, this is a so-so idea that runs out of steam fairly early.
He plays a loser who can't keep a job but who's suddenly put in charge of a public TV broadcaster. He thinks up a bunch of stark raving mad show concepts and the station becomes a big hit, soon having to fend off the acquisitive tactics of rival media conglomerates
Despite the gags, it's a slight polemic about the corporate-controlled media and how hard it is for independent voices to be heard in the world. But it's definitely all about the gags.