RSU welcomes Weird Al!

It took 25 years, but yesterday, September 24th, “Weird Al” Yankovic came back to Tulsa and spent the day at Rogers State University meeting students, being interviewed on RSU Radio and promoting the 25th anniversary of his movie “UHF”, as well as his second children’s book.

UHF 25 was the brain child of RSU TV Program and Membership Manager Jennifer Sterling who shared her idea with “Weird Al’s” longtime manager Jay Levey, also the co-writer and director of “UHF.

Upon arriving at RSU, “Weird Al” headed for the radio station where he was interviewed by RSU Radio Promotions Director Josh Gammon. Following the interview, Josh gave Al some 91.3 swag to which Al responded “When I got my first radio job in college the station was also 91.3. It feels like home.”

Following the interview, “Weird Al” and Jay caught up with Producer Gray Frederickson talking to several classes in the Baird Performance Studio. Frederickson, an Oklahoma native, teaches film classes at Oklahoma City Community College and is the Academy Award winning producer of “The Godfather, Part II”, “Apocalypse Now” and “The Outsiders”.

Before heading back to Tulsa for a book signing and the airing of “UHF” at the Circle Cinema, “Weird Al” was genuinely surprised and touched at the dedication of “Weird Al” Yankovic Supply Closet in Markham Hall (you have to see the movie to understand!) All in all, it was a great day for all of us and we learned something…Al isn’t that weird. He’s really cool!

Still to come: Oct. 5-6: Special “UHF” pledge-drive broadcasts on RSU Public TV (Cox 109/HD 793; 35 on DirecTV and Dish Network; antenna HD 35.1/35.2), with cast members from the movie.

Oct. 19: Yankovic and his band live in concert for “The Alpocalypse Tour” at Brady Theater. Tickets are available online at tulsaworld.com/brady.