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Weird Al Yankovic Celebrates 37 Years of UHF with a Live Orchestra at the Greek Theatre
Rain, a surprise performance, and a cast reunion mark Halloween night in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA – Weird Al Yankovic marked the 37th anniversary of his cult film UHF on Halloween night at the Greek Theatre. The event came less than two weeks after the close of his Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour.
For the first time ever, the film was screened with a live orchestra. It was conducted by the film’s composer, John Du Prez, who also scored Monty Python’s Life of Brian and the first three live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films.
The Band
Joining the orchestra were Yankovic’s longtime bandmates: drummer Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz, guitarist Jim “Kimo” West, and bassist Steve Jay. Guitarist Probyn Gregory and vocalist Monique Donnelly, both from the Bigger & Weirder tours, also performed. Keyboardist Chad Thomas, who filled in for part of this year’s tour for Yankovic’s keyboardist of 35 years, Ruben Valtierra, rounded out the lineup.
A Surprise Performance
Before the film, the orchestra played an overture built around a medley of Yankovic’s hits. The evening had been billed as a screening with a live orchestra and a cast Q&A that would include Yankovic. He nonetheless made a surprise appearance to sing “Beverly Hillbillies,” a song not fully performed since 1995 and only partially performed in 2014. He returned briefly during “Let Me Be Your Hog” and again over the closing credits to sing “UHF.”
The Cast Q&A
Rain fell lightly throughout the evening. After the screening, The Nanny star Fran Drescher, who played Pamela Finkelstein, was the first guest brought out for a short Q&A. Yankovic then joined her, and the remaining guests followed one at a time:
- Jay Levey, director of the film, who played Gandhi, and Yankovic’s manager of more than 40 years
- John Du Prez, composer
- David Bowe (Bob Steckler), who joined Yankovic to recreate the film’s grape scene
- Emo Philips (Joe Earley), who appeared briefly in the same outfit he wore in the film
- Victoria Jackson (Teri)
- Gedde Watanabe (Kuni)
- Lisa Stefanic (Phyllis Weaver, the Wheel of Fish contestant)
The night ended with Watanabe and Stefanic recreating the Wheel of Fish scene onstage. The bit included a wheel of fish, a timpani player, and an empty box, just like in the film.
