This submit comprises spoilers for “The Bare Gun” (2025).
Aside from starring within the beloved sitcom “Cheers” as fact-spouting mailman Cliff Clavin, actor John Ratzenberger might be greatest recognized for making repeated voice cameos within the many movies of Pixar Animation. Ratzenberger has appeared in virtually all of Pixar’s films in some type of minor voice function, although his presence in them has waned just lately, with “Luca,” “Turning Pink,” “Lightyear,” “Elemental,” and “Elio” lacking his presence as a form of good luck allure. Fortunately, we’ve got one other cameo custom that has simply picked up steam once more, because of the discharge of the “Bare Gun” reboot.
For many who might not recall, along with delivering limitless slapstick bits, meta laughs, and foolish puns, there’s one distinguished fixed that has popped up in each earlier installment of the “Bare Gun” movie franchise, and he goes by the identify “Bizarre Al” Yankovic.
For the reason that authentic “Bare Gun” hailed from “Airplane!” parody filmmakers David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker (or ZAZ), it solely is sensible they might’ve recruited a legendary parody track artist to pop up within the film. Really, the rationale the cameo happened is as a result of Yankovic cherished the TV present that preceded the “Bare Gun” movie franchise, an underrated parody sequence titled “Police Squad!” As Yankovic as soon as instructed Eon Music:
“I nonetheless contemplate that my favourite TV sequence of all time, as a result of there wasn’t the rest like that on TV.”
That was sufficient to get him not solely into every installment of the “Bare Gun” movie franchise, however followers may even be joyful to see that director Akiva Shaffer has saved the custom alive by giving Yankovic the right cameo within the “Bare Gun” reboot arriving in theaters this weekend.
The historical past of ‘Bizarre Al’ Yankovic within the Bare Gun films
Earlier than we get to “Bizarre Al” Yankovic’s look in “The Bare Gun” (2025), let’s have a look again at his historical past with the franchise.
Within the authentic 1988 spoof film, the parody track singer popped up in one of many many moments the place Frank Drebin (performed by parody grasp Leslie Nielsen) embarrassed himself. After touchdown in Los Angeles following a questionable execution of justice in Beirut, Drebin believes the press are there to listen to about his failed love life, however as a substitute, they’re on-hand to cowl the arrival of fellow airplane passenger “Bizarre Al” Yankovic, who arrives in certainly one of his signature Hawaiian shirts.
When Yankovic popped up in “The Bare Gun 2 1/2: The Scent of Concern,” he wasn’t taking part in himself. As an alternative, when Drebin returns to Police Squad headquarters, he flings the door open and unintentionally thwarts a felony who’s holding Captain Ed Hocken (George Kennedy) and Officer Nordberg (O.J. Simpson) at gun level. That felony was performed by none aside from Yankovic.
Lastly, in “The Bare Gun 33 1/3: The Remaining Insult,” Yankovic once more takes on a cameo as himself. When the plot takes Drebin to the Academy Awards to cease a possible bombing, the pink carpet sees the arrival of Yankovic in a limo, and this time he has “Wheel of Fortune” magnificence Vanna White by his aspect.
That brings us to 2025’s “The Bare Gun,” the place Yankovic will get the right cameo for followers who have been hoping he would make an look.
‘Bizarre Al’ Yankovic’s cameo in 2025’s The Bare Gun would have survived the apocalypse
In “The Bare Gun” (2025), the story finds Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) making an attempt to cease a nefarious plan being executed by tech genius Richard Cane (Danny Huston). Cane plans to ship out a particular digital sign that unleashes probably the most animalistic instincts of the human race, which can pressure probably the most unworthy to destroy one another, thus leaving a clear slate of a planet for the survivors (wealthy males) to get pleasure from to themselves after wading out the chaos in costly bunkers.
Together with a lifetime of luxurious that may maintain them snug whereas ready for a giant chunk of the world’s inhabitants to destroy itself, they will even be handled to the great musical stylings of “Bizarre Al” Yankovic, who’s already ready in a bit leisure venue inside the safe, secret bunker. Throughout one of many movie’s climactic chases, Richard Cane even shouts encouragingly to his followers, “‘Bizarre Al’ is ready!”
However that is not all! For many who stick round by means of the movie’s credit, which include one other custom of secret jokes hidden all through the textual content of the scrolling forged and crew names, there is a post-credits scene that reveals “Bizarre Al” ready for Cane and his cronies. After all, they will not be exhibiting up, since Drebin stopped his dastardly plan from being profitable.
Akiva Shaffer’s “The Bare Gun” will get a whole lot of issues proper relating to the artwork of the spoof comedy reboot, and we’re simply glad {that a} cameo from “Bizarre Al” Yankovic was certainly one of them.
“The Bare Gun” is now taking part in in theaters.
