Weird Al Yankovich arrives at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.Would you like to see "Weird Al" Yankovic perform at the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show?
More than 7,500 fans have signed a petition to have the "Eat It" singer take center stage at the year's most-watched television event.
"I'd be surprised if that's being seriously considered by the NFL, but prove me wrong!" the parody artist told TMZ Thursday.
When asked if he'd accept an invitation to perform, Yankovic replied, "Sure, if they asked!"
The movement to have "Weird Al" take football's big stage started with a New York Daily News article the day before Madonna's performance at Super Bowl XLVI earlier this month. Madonna headlined with special guests LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and the controversial M.I.A.
"I'd like to see a true American icon invited to take part in the most iconic of American events: Weird Al Yankovic," Julian Garcia wrote in the Daily News. "Go ahead and laugh. That's what he wants you to do. And that's exactly what you will be doing at halftime of Super Bowl XVLII if I get my way."
In true comedy fashion, the singer responded on Twitter: "But... Sunday's my laundry day!"
Yankovic's extensive catalog of hits could make him a prime choice for the event, though. He's written parodies of many past Super Bowl performers -- such as "Like A Surgeon" (Madonna), "Eat It," "Fat" (Michael Jackson), "Livin' in the Fridge" (Aerosmith), "Cavity Search" (U2) -- and often writes polka medleys that include lyrics from popular songs.
He's also taken aim at younger audiences to reach a new generation of fans with tracks like "TMZ" (a parody of Taylor Swift's "You Belong To Me") and "Perform This Way" (a parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"). "White N Nerdy," Yankovic's 2006 version of rapper Chamillionaire's "Ridin'," was the accordion player's first top 10 hit.
His family-friendly lyrics, though absurd at times, are also ideal for a stage that has seen controversy in recent years. Madonna was the first female headliner since Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" in 2004 but, with M.I.A.'s middle finger hitting the screen this year, the NFL may return to older, safer male acts again -- Yankovic, married and a father, turns 53 this fall.
What do you think? Would "Weird Al" Yankovic make a good halftime show for Super Bowl XLVII?
- Super Bowl halftime show performers for the last 15 years:
- 1999 - Chaka Khan, Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Kiss
- 2000 - Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton
- 2001 - Aerosmith, 'NSync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly
- 2002 - U2
- 2003 - Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting
- 2004 - Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock
- 2005 - Paul McCartney
- 2006 - The Rolling Stones
- 2007 - Prince
- 2008 - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
- 2009 - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
- 2010 - The Who
- 2011 - The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, and Slash
- 2012 - Madonna, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A.
- 2013 - "Weird Al" Yankovic?
» Time: Five Reasons 'Weird Al' Yankovic Should Perform at Next Year's Super Bowl
» Gawker: Could "Weird Al" Make Super Bowl Halftime Fun Again?