What does everyone make of this at MTV.com?

http://www.mtv.com/news/a...lines=true

Relevant part:

"...Al said he always seeks permission and that he won't pursue a parody without the original artist's blessing...The only person to consistently deny him permission over the years has been Prince, when Weird Al sought to parody the Purple One's "When Doves Cry," "Kiss" and "1999."

"It seems strange to me because he seems like a wacky, funny guy, you know? Kooky," Al said. "I call him up every couple of years and say, 'Hey, Prince, it's Al. Just checking to see if you have a sense of humor yet. No? OK. Well, take care.' I would love to do one of hits from the past 10 years, but oh, he doesn't have any. Oops!"

dnaplaya said:

Doesn't he say this just about every time he's interviewed?

The html forward slash edit.
[This message was edited Mon Jun 9 5:56:19 PDT 2003 by langebleu]

langebleu said:

Yes, you are right!

think maybe he's a big fan with a big chip on his shoulder always being knocked back, to the point where now he's giving him digs on how he hasn't had a hit in the last 10 years.

Weird Al is hilarious. Prince needs to lighten up.

Prince has a great sense of humour, but not when he thinks it's at his expense I guess.

It's OK for him to say "skinny muthafucka with the high voice", but when others take the mick, I guess he's a little sensitive.

To be honest, I think it's better to let them do it. When people parody you, it's a sign that you (or your product) has been recognised by popular culture.

If he'd have agreed to it ages ago, it would have been over, done and dusted - as it is, it makes him looks like a brat who takes himself too seriously.

We all know how proprietary Prince is of his material and his image. I'm sure the idea of someone making money by appropriating his work and look would burn his little ass about as much as anything.

Yes, I think it's funnny what Al has to say! But I wouldn't want to see a parody of Prince either. Some things you can not touch, you know!

peace, newdawn

newdawn said:

however, most of the time it's not a parody of the artist. most of the time he's just using the music to make fun of something else.

Why should weird al even have the opportunity of making fun of Prince? We already do enough of that here.

Tom said:

Al is very funny. It's a shame Prince dosn't let Al make a version of one of his tracks. Oh well. Nevermind. As long as they both keep working.

im just wondering did prince mind when missy elliot use someone in her video to imitate him? or maybe he feels that weird al is a joke and he dosent want any parts of it.

dnaplaya said:

Weird Al should console himself with the props Prince gave him during the 'Lovesexy'-era rehearsal of 'The Payback'. Man, was that funny or what! Even MJ got a mention there.

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[This message was edited Mon Jun 9 11:34:22 PDT 2003 by Universaluv]

CAMILLE4U said:

I don't see what the big deal is either. But technically doesn't Warner own the old tunes.Can't Weird Al ask them if he can cover one of P's songs? As far as I know he really don't need P's okay,just WB's. Maybe he just asks artists as a courtesy?


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[This message was edited Mon Jun 9 13:40:45 PDT 2003 by Sweeny79]

Sweeny79 said:

That would make sense. i don't think it's necessary to ask for permission when u do a parody of something. I'm not sure though...

giotto said:

What did he say about MJ?

I have personally talked to Al(he is a good friend of one of my good friends) about this...it has been going on for many-many years now! I believe Prince disliked the whole idea way back when Al was doing covers of songs like MJ's Beat It into Eat It. I don't think Prince wanted to go there! I can't blame him! Yes, even though WB owns the music Prince must still have some rights over the songs. I know someone who wants to put one of his songs in an upcoming Movie...had to get permission...don't know if ever happened...will know on June 27th! Oh, and Al really is a truly COOL guy! Love his shows!