First time sharing it with my sons. They're old enough to level-up, so to speak, so we're finally starting to move beyond Disney and test out some fun stuff.

This one's a virtual sugar-rush of wacky ideas, pulsing lights, loud music and general unbridled zaniness. In other words, a fine representation of Weird Al Yankovic at the height of his powers and a direct hit for twin seven-year-old boys. At heart, it's a loose collection of skits and gags in the spirit of Amazon Women on the Moon or Kentucky Fried Movie, but the humor is generally cleaner and there's just a bit more plot to hold it all together. The central idea of Yankovic in charge of a struggling little TV station, complete with cut-rate production standards and a DIY ethos, opens up all sorts of possibilities and wipes out any need to segue. We're just watching the next commercial / promo / live show; it's that simple.

Al's wide connections in the entertainment industry, and particularly in the world of stand-up comedy, also land the film a seriously loaded supporting cast. Fran Drescher, Victoria Jackson and Emo Philips all make memorable appearances (Al even wrote a part for MST3k's Joel Hodgson, who declined the role), but it's a pre-Seinfeld Michael Richards who really steals the show as an upbeat, energetic janitor with a magnetic personality. Several skits fall on the wrong side of cheesy, and Al himself doesn't always hit a home run as the leading man, but those are mere speed bumps. Small price to pay for the really funny bits.