UHF [25th Anniversary Edition]

Director: Jay Levey Jay Levey

Overview

When a desperate UHF station gives the seriously odd George the job of manager, he proves to be a programming genius, turning the station around -- and attracting the attention of an unscrupulous competitor. This comedy focuses most of its creative attention on numerous bizarre television parodies featured throughout.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/30/2015
UPC:	0826663161441
Original Release:	1989
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	23,799

Special Features

Retrospective panel from San Diego Comic-Con 2014; Audio commentary; Deleted scenes; Behind-the-scenes footage; Music video; Production stills; Easter eggs; Promotional materials

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

"Weird Al" Yankovic	George Newman
Victoria Jackson	Teri
Kevin McCarthy	R.J. Fletcher
Michael Richards	Stanley Spadowski
David Bowe	Bob
Stanley Brock	Uncle Harvey,Actor
Anthony Geary	Philo
Trinidad Silva	Raul Hernandez
Gedde Watanabe	Kuni
Billy Barty	Noodles
John Paragon	Richard Fletcher
Fran Drescher	Pamela Finklestein
Sue Ane Langdon	Aunt Esther
David Proval	Head Thug
Grant James	Killer Thug
Emo Philips	Joe Earley
Jay Levey	Gandhi
Lou B. Washington	Cameraman
Vance Colvig	Bum
Nik Hagler	FCC Man
Robert K. Weiss	Bartender
Eldon G. Hallum	Spatula Husband
Sherry Engstrom	Spatula Wife
Sara Allen	Spatula Neighbor
Bob Hungerford	Sy Greenblum
John Cadenhead	Crazy Ernie
Francis M. Carlson	Blind Man
Ivan Green	Earl Ramsey
Adam Maras	Joel Miller,Thug #3
Travis Knight	Billy
Joseph Witt	Little Weasel
Tony Frank	Teri's Father,Timid Man
Billie Lee Thrash	Teri's Mother
Lisa R. Stefanic	Phyllis Weaver
Nancy Johnson	Big Edna
Debbie Mathieu	Betty
Wilma Jeanne Cummins	Little Old Lady
Cliff Stephens	Animal Deliveryman
Dr. Demento	Whipped Cream Eater
Charles Marsh	Yodeler
Patrick O'Brian	Satan
Roger Callard	Conan the Librarian
Jeff Maynard	Boy with Books
Barry Friedman	Fletcher Cronie #1
Kevin Roden	Fletcher Cronie #2
George Fisher	Thug #4
Tony Salome	Guide #1
Joe Restivo	Guide #2
Belinda Bauer	Mud Wrestler
Lori Wagner	Mud Wrestler
M.G. Kelly	Promo Announcer
Jay Gardner	Promo Announcer
John Harlan	Promo Announcer
Jim Rose	Promo Announcer
Michael Cutler	Actor
Barbara Hanley	Actor
Harry Kipper	Kipper Kid
John Du Prez	Composer

Technical Credits

Jay Levey

"Weird Yankovic

Kevin Breslin	Producer
George Fisher	Stunts
Gray Frederickson	Executive Producer
Deren Getz	Producer
John Hyde	Producer
Gene Kirkwood	Producer
Jay Levey	Director,Screenwriter
Dennis Madalone	Stunts
"Weird Yankovic	Screenwriter
Mike Menzel	Special Effects
Cathy Henderson	Casting
Michael Cutler	Casting
Barbara Hanley	Casting

Editorial Reviews

Fans of Weird Al Yankovic's musical satires will appreciate the dumb humor in UHF, while most others may find it just plain dumb. The plot is just a knowing excuse to showcase what Weird Al does best -- short skits parodying popular entertainment and advertising. Unfortunately, Weird Al is no actor, and all his clever send-ups don't compensate for his weak presence at the center of the film. He is partially saved by the exceptionally zany comedy of Michael Richards as the janitor Stanley Spadowski, who seems to be crafting his character Kramer from Seinfeld. The stupid TV parodies are surely the funniest bits, notably "Conan the Librarian," "Gandhi II," and "Wheel of Fish," but the actual plot about Channel 62 is simply dull. His movie targets go from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Network, and succeed as both ridiculously funny and numbingly stupid, depending on one's threshold for nonstop puns, gags, and spoofs. Not surprisingly, UHF did poor at the box office, possibly due to the timing of its release in the summer of 1989 alongside Batman and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, among others. It has since gained its intended audience and remains Weird Al Yankovic's first and last venture into feature film.