He Ain't Heavy, He's My Hamster

Today's lesson: "A true friend is someone who helps you believe in yourself and achieve your goals."

Harvey the Wonder Hamster is nervous about doing a dangerous stunt, but Weird Al is too selfish to sympathize. A pet psychiatrist offers the voice of reason but Al throws him out. Meanwhile, Dweezil Zappa does chores in exchange for a chocolate lasagna that he never gets. The Yoko Ono Alarm signals a commercial. Al shows his old accordion teacher his home movie. The Hooded Avenger weeps over Molasses Man. Al's boss, J.B., insists on replacing Harvey with a giant, tap-dancing banana.

What's on Al TV? "Sabrina the Teenage Fish" offers an inspiring story. A guitar player has an asset most musicians don't. An enormous chicken wants to be mayor. A shampoo commercial makes too much of a waiter's dutiful politeness. The music video "Livin' in the Fridge" parodies Aerosmith. SPORTshoe doesn't want you to buy it. Silly Choice Dinners offer odd combinations.

Al Yankovic and his crew had intended this to be the first episode, but as they reveal in the DVD commentary track, the network hated it and nearly prevented it from being aired at all. Anyway, this explains why the script seems to over-explain things already well established, such as the concept of Al leaving us (his audience) to go watch TV, while allowing us to watch the shows with him. As usual these TV segments are the best things in an otherwise tepid show.