It Just Got Easier to Watch the Most Underrated ’80s Comedy Movie

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The offbeat, satirical comedy “UHF” by “Weird Al” Yankovic is now accessible for free on Tubi, making it simple to stream this underrated, eccentric, and witty 1980s comedy that has gained a devoted following over the years. Originally released in 1989, the film pokes fun at everything from TV cliches to blockbuster movies, but initially struggled to find an audience in theaters. Now, it’s become a favorite among fans of Weird Al and absurdist comedy enthusiasts alike. Previously, watching “UHF” legally online was difficult due to its absence on major subscription services, inconsistent digital rentals, and scarcity of physical copies. With its new availability on Tubi, more people than ever can now witness one of the most unique comedy projects in history.

In the movie titled UHF, Weird Al Yankovic plays George Newman, a man who unexpectedly inherits a struggling local television station. With an abundance of creativity and disregard for traditional programming norms, he fills the channel with peculiar shows such as “Wheel of Fish,” “Conan the Librarian,” and “Gandhi II.” Alongside Weird Al, the film also features Michael Richards as Stanley Spadowski, a quirky janitor whose charm transforms the station into an unexpected success. This allows George to experiment with more unconventional content for the viewers. UHF combines extended parody skits with a casual narrative that satirizes ’80s themes like underdog stories, media fixation, and corporate greed, all while highlighting Weird Al’s unique brand of absurd humor.

The movie titled UHF struggled to make an impact at the box office. It managed to gross approximately $6 million on a relatively small budget, but was soon overshadowed by an overcrowded summer release schedule that boasted films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Batman, Lethal Weapon 2, When Harry Met Sally. Furthermore, critics were largely unimpressed, often labeling the film as inconsistent or excessively humorous. As Yankovic admitted in a 2015 interview with The A.V. Club, they attempted to create the funniest movie possible, but struggled to sell the script for about three years and considered giving up on it multiple times. However, over time, UHF has developed a cult following and is now widely recognized as a classic.

UHF Found a Cult Audience, But It Was Hard to Watch

Over the past three decades, I’ve discovered that “UHF” has been a hidden gem for many viewers, gradually gaining an audience through VHS rentals, late-night cable screenings, and word of mouth. For enthusiasts of sketch comedy and media satire, this film’s dry humor and quick-witted jokes have undeniably cemented Weird Al Yankovic as a legitimate comedic voice in his own right. The impact of “UHF” has been subtly recognized by several contemporary comedians, with Eric Andre being one of the most vocal admirers. In an interview with Far Out Magazine, Andre shared that he watched “UHF” repeatedly when he was young and it was the first screwball comedy he ever saw in a theater.

For quite some time, watching the movie UHF legally was a challenge due to its underground following. It didn’t see a DVD release until 2002, more than a decade after it first hit theaters. The DVD had few bonus features and quickly became scarce as it went out of print. A more comprehensive Blu-ray edition came from Shout! Factory in 2014, but its availability was limited. Now, with its appearance on Tubi, viewers can easily enjoy this underappreciated comedy. It’s worth noting that UHF is Weird Al Yankovic’s only starring role in a feature film to date.

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2025-07-15 13:09