Man Starts Petition to Have 'Weird Al' Perform Super Bowl Halftime Show

Man Starts Petition to Have 'Weird Al' Perform Super Bowl Halftime Show

Ed Ball, a 33-year-old Seattle resident, has started a petition on

Change.org calling for "Weird Al" Yankovic to headline the 49th annual Super Bowl halftime show in February 2015 at Arizona's University of Phoenix stadium. More than 60,000 people have already signed the petition.

Fans of Weird Al say he would be a perfect blend of nostalgia and current pop relevance. They say he's been dominating online video with his #8Videos8Days campaign and his latest album, "Mandatory Fun" — his 14th in his 30-year career — became his only No. 1 album and the first comedy album to debut at the top of the charts since an album by Bob Newhart did so in 1954.

The signers of the petition add that unlike the somewhat puzzling pairing of Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the last Super Bowl, Weird Al's parodies are ripe for collaborations —  his newest tracks could allow for appearances from Pharrell, Robin Thicke, Lorde and Iggy Izalea — plus, there are all his older, classic parodies.

We asked Ed a few questions:

YNT: What made you create this petition?

EB: I love the Super Bowl and all things related to it, from the commercials, events, and the game right on to the halftime show. I want to see something unique and special that would draw a larger viewing audience than ever before. Bring in Weird Al, one of my favorite musicians since I was a kid, who is top of the charts right now. His performance and hit parody songs would be a breath of fresh air to the tween pop bands they are used to churning out in recent years. Just seemed like the perfect fit and the perfect time!

YNT:  Did you think it would get this much support?

EB:  Not at all! I created it on a whim and posted to reddit.com, which has a love/hate relationship right now with Weird Al. Last night, it had close to 1K+ before I went to bed and it was well over 5K+ by this morning. Then the phone calls, emails, and requests started. It's been overwhelming to say the least.

YNT: How did you market your campaign?

EB: Reddit.com pretty much took off with it. That's pretty much it, outside of the Facebook and Twitter (@odceddie) friends and family support.

YNT: Anything else you want people to know?

EB: I do not condone excessive drinking and/or drunk posting, campaigning, etc, etc. Yes, I submitted this after enjoying a few drinks, and while I enjoy imbibing on occasion, I would get the same gratification seeing Weird Al perform at the Super Bowl even if I was sober. So, drink responsibly, friends! Keep your fingers crossed and keep spreading the word!!

Yankovic has yet to comment on the petition, but when a similar movement was launched in 2012, he told TMZ he'd be up for playing the big show.