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Two weeks ago, Weird Al’s parents died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in their home.  They had been burning a fire with the flue closed.

Today I read a “joke” article in The Onion:

Weird Al Honors Parents’ Memory With ‘Tears In Heaven’ Parody

FALLBROOK, CA?Zany, mourning entertainer “Weird Al” Yankovic has parodied Eric Clapton’s eulogy song “Tears In Heaven” in loving tribute to his parents, who recently died of carbon-monoxide poisoning in their San Diego home, a spokesman for Yankovic said Monday. “Al’s hurting deeply right now, and this is his way of honoring Nick and Mary,” Karl Tuft said of the song in which a subdued Yankovic sings, “First you lit some flames / Then the smoke stopped your breathin’ / Carbon mono’s th’way you went… / Up to heaven” over a somber, minor-key accordion melody. Tuft added that the best way for Yankovic to give voice to his pain and loss was by altering the voice of Clapton’s pain and loss.

Sometimes I’m offended by The Onion, but after a while I realize I’m being a little too uptight. But the more I think about it, the more I’m upset by this. Death of parents (Weird Al) and children (Clapton) is off limits. It’s not funny. It’s tasteless and repugnant. It’s also offensive to suggest that Weird Al, an all around nice guy, would touch “Tears in Heaven”.

Thu, 22 Apr 2004 02:50:39 -0500
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