Episode 166″ – Eric Appel (Part 1) and Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz

Original Air Date – August 3, 2022

Dave and Ethan welcome Eric Appel, the director and co-writer behind the upcoming WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story on The Roku Channel – Weird Al’s biopic starring Daniel Radcliffe. In this first section of the interview, Eric discusses his introduction to Weird Al’s music as well as how he got his start in comedy and show business. 

Also this episode, Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz joins to discuss his newly-announced book: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACCORDION! Eye-Popping Photographs of “Weird Al” Yankovic 1981-2006.


Eric Appel is a writer and director who has worked on Crank Yankers and The Andy Milonakis Show, as well as the comedy website Funny or Die. At Funny or Die, Eric wrote and directed the 2010 viral fake movie trailer for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story starring Aaron Paul as Weird Al. Eric later teamed up with Weird Al again and turned that fake movie trailer into a real movie, also titled Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, this time starring Daniel Radcliffe in the titular role. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2022, and can be found on The Roku Channel, as well as other digital platforms, DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.


Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz

Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz has been drumming with Weird Al since 1980. He’s also the official band historian, keeping meticulous lists and notes from his career with Al, and has amassed an unsurpassed collection of Weird Al memorabilia from around the world. In 1995, he created the official Weird Al website, which later became weirdal.com.