The 2001 book "MTV Uncensored" interviews various celebrities about their MTV memories. Al is one of those celebrities. Here's what it says:
What song best describes your current state of mind? | "Dare To Be Stupid" |
What is favorite video of all time? (sic) | The video that my parents made all our old 8mm home movies. (sic) |
What is your first memory of MTV? | I didn't have cable TV for a long time, so I just kept hearing rumors about this mysterious channel that would play Night Ranger videos every hour. |
Where were you the first time you saw yourself on MTV and how did you react? | I was in front of a TV set, and I think I said something like, "Hey! I'm on TV!" |
Does video enhance or hinder the song? | It usually enhances it. I mean, think of all the subtleties in the "Thong Song" that you'd just miss if you didn't see the accompanying video. |
What is the most memorable moment you've witnessed on MTV? | For some reason, I can't get the image of Tom Green humping a dead moose out of my head. |
What video work do you most admire? | Mark Romanek, Spike Jonze, Stephen Johnson |
What do you like most about MTV? | They helped me buy my house. |
What do you like least about MTV? | I wish they hadn't given J.J. Jackson my home phone number. |
What is your favorite guilty pleasure video? | Teletubbies -- especially their early stuff. |
What do you consider to be MTV's greatest achievement and/or greatest failure in its first 20 years? | For better or worse, MTV has made it nearly impossible to think of a hit song without also thinking about its accompanying video images. |
What is the worst reaction you've received to one of your videos? | I hear Coolio wasn't too pleased with "Amish Paradise." |
Videos should... | Feature as many midgets as the budget will allow. |
The best band name is | Jesus Chrysler. |
The greatest moment in rock and pop and rap was... | The invention of electricity. |
My biggest influence is | John Tesh. |
My favorite VMA performance | Pee Wee Herman introducing the show that one year. |
If I were president of MTV I would... | Insist that Weird Al videos be played 24/7. |
What artist would you most like to work with and what would you like to do with them? | Madonna -- I'd like her to help me paint my house. |
Did video kill the radio star? | No, but it gave him a really bad wedgie. |