In this episode, we unpack “Weird Al” Yankovic’s hit 1988 song “Fat,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Bad,” and discuss how it mocks heavy people in a way we now know as “fat-shaming.” While accordions and pop music may seem like strange bedfellows, Yankovic has made a long career out of parody, earning the title, “The Court Jester of Rock & Roll.” And since a discussion of Yankovic’s “Fat” is also a discussion of Jackson’s “Bad,” we also have the “can you separate the art from the artist?” debate. 

Post-recording correction: Several artists have refused Al permission from parodying his songs;  he always asks for permission first. But it was the Coolio song “Gangsta’s Paradise” that Al had trouble getting permission for as he parodied it in “Amish Paradise.” He doesn’t seem to have had issue with getting permission for the Chamillionaire/Krayzie Bone song “Ridin’” for his popular parody, “White and Nerdy.”

Follow Along:

Weird Al’s original “Fat” Video

Michael Jackson’s original “Bad”

A snippet of The Food Medley featuring “Snack all Night” (a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Black or White”) 

Archival footage of “Weird Al” performing My Bologna 

Enjoy some of Weird Al’s Polkas here or here in his “Polkas on 45”

Want some bratwurst while you enjoy your polkas? Here’s a crockpot recipe. 

Watch Yankovic’s movie “UHF” on iTunes 

Enjoy this commercial for Spatula City 

Finally, read more about fat-shaming from Rebecca Puhl and colleagues at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut.

Give a listen and tell us what YOU think!!

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