Weird Al Yankovic Recalls Andy Samberg Asking for Approval Before SNL Parody

Saturday Night Live is known for parodying some of history’s most iconic figures, oftentimes without their permission. For alum Andy Samberg, he wanted to make sure “Weird’ Al” Yankovic wouldn’t be surprised with the sketch.

Yankovic, best known for his comedic parodies of songs such as “Polka Face” (Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”) and “Amish Paradise” (Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise”), attended the 2024 Children’s Hospital Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 5 in honor of the patients and staff.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Yankovic revealed that Samberg called him to approve his impression.

“Andy actually called me up before the show and said, ‘Hey, man, I’m doing an impression of you, and I hope it’s— I’m like ‘Yeah, it’s fine, whatever you want to do.’”

Samberg, who is longtime friends with the legendary comedian and parody music artist, portrayed him in a 2012 Saturday Night Live sketch.

Yankovic also admitted that while he’s never been asked to be on Saturday Night Live, he would jump at the chance to host. “I wonder, ‘Why I haven’t done that yet?’ and that’s one of them,” he said. “But you know it, you know it still may happen. Who knows?”

As for whether he’d host or be a musical guest, Yankovic has a preference. “I think I’d rather be a host than be a musical guest, because if you host, you have more permission to mess up,” he explained to PEOPLE. “And as a musical guest if you get one note wrong, you’re a failure.”

While doing double duty as a host and musical guest seems daunting, Paul Simon, the late Kris Kristofferson, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and more recently Dua Lipa are just some of many musical guests who joined in on the fun.

Yankovic has a special relationship to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, telling PEOPLE, “My wife and I have been big supporters of Children’s Hospital LA, for many years. In fact, my wife is a cuddler every Thursday night, she spends her evenings at Children’s Hospital LA, and she was trained and vetted, and she works with small babies and children that need a little extra support.”

The 2024 Children’s Hospital Gala was hosted by Jon Cryer and Lisa Joyner. Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance while Prince Harry was out of the country. Also in attendance was Jamie Lee Curtis, Kaley Cuoco, Colin Hanks, Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney, Sky and Mark Hoppus, and Demi Lovato, who performed a medley of her hits.

While Yankovic was at the Children’s Hospital Gala, Samberg brought back his comedy music group The Lonely Island after six years for a sketch on SNL.