Weird Al Yankovic Recalls Andy Samberg Calling Him for Approval Before Doing an Impression of Him on SNL (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Weird Al Yankovic at the Children’s Hospital Gala and Andy Samberg at PaleyFest in LA.Photo:Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty; Amanda Edwards/FilmMagic

Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty; Amanda Edwards/FilmMagic

Saturday Night Liveis known for parodying some of history’s most iconic figures, oftentimes without their permission. For alumAndy Samberg, he wanted to make sure “Weird' Al” Yankovicwouldn’t be surprised with the sketch.

Yankovic, best known for his comedic parodies of songs such as “Polka Face” (Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”) and"Amish Paradise"(Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise”), attended the 2024 Children’s Hospital Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 5 in honor of the patients and staff.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Yankovic, 64, revealed that Samberg, 46, called him to approve his impression.

Andy Samberg at the “Lee” screening in New York in September 2024.Arturo Holmes/WireImage

Arturo Holmes/WireImage

“Andy actually called me up before the show and said, ‘Hey, man, I’m doing an impression of you, and I hope it’s— I’m like ‘Yeah, it’s fine, whatever you want to do.’”

Samberg, who is longtime friends with the legendary comedian and parody music artist, portrayed him in a 2012Saturday Night Livesketch.

Yankovic also admitted that while he’s never been asked to be onSaturday Night Live, he would jump at the chance to host. “I wonder, ‘Why I haven’t done that yet?’ and that’s one of them,” he said. “But you know it, you know it still may happen. Who knows?”

As for whether he’d host or be a musical guest, Yankovic has a preference. “I think I’d rather be a host than be a musical guest, because if you host, you have more permission to mess up,” he explained to PEOPLE. “And as a musical guest if you get one note wrong, you’re a failure.”

While doing double duty as a host and musical guest seems daunting,Paul Simon, the late Kris Kristofferson,Stevie Wonder,Dolly Parton, and more recentlyDua Lipaare just some of many musical guests who joined in on the fun.

“Weird Al” Yankovic at the 2024 CHLA Gala in Los Angeles on Oct. 5, 2024.Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Yankovic has a special relationship to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, telling PEOPLE, “My wife and I have been big supporters of Children’s Hospital LA, for many years. In fact, my wife is a cuddler every Thursday night, she spends her evenings at Children’s Hospital LA, and she was trained and vetted, and she works with small babies and children that need a little extra support.”

While Yankovic was at the Children’s Hospital Gala, Samberg brought back his comedy music groupThe Lonely Islandafter six years for a sketch onSNL.

source: people.com