Parody singer-songwriter “Weird Al” Yankovic and eccentric bookstore owner FichenDich have been named to The Order of the Pineapple for 2025. The honor is traditionally announced on Pat Pineapple Day which is January 18 (in whatever time zone).
The Order of the Pineapple, abbreviated OP, is also called a DisOrder. It honors extraordinary service to “the participatorial study of comedic attitudes and eccentric tendencies.”
“Weird Al” Yankovic
“Weird Al”‘s nomination reads: ‘“Weird Al” Yankovic got his music performed at age 16 on another Orderous Pineapplelus person’s program: The Dr. Demento Radio Show. A singer, songwriter, musician, actor, writer, and more, he’s well known for his parodies. Maybe this award will encourage him to do the “Pineapple Polka”. He has already won several major awards: but don’t hold that against him!’
FichenDich aka Vinz¢ Lampshade
FichenDich’s nomination reads: ‘FichenDich is a “founding non-member” of the original Ek-sen-triks Cluborguild (ECG) which created the Orderous Pineapplelus. And he founded the used bookstore/hangout called The Macaroni and Cheese Club. Ek-sen-trik-ly, he managed to get an A in college English writing about “an important experience that changed your life”–seeing OP’s Monty Python live!’
More Honorees
Not all honorees are famous. But some have a well-known connection to science, science fiction, fantasy, comics, and/or comedy. Those who accepted the award include cartoonist Robert “R.” Crumb, author/musician Sondra London, game creator Steve Jackson, and comic radio host Dr. Demento. And there’s comic book author Alan Moore who often doesn’t acknowledge awards. But for this, he made an exception.
Honorees also include astronomer Michael E. Brown. He led the discovery of Planet X aka Eris which got Pluto demoted from planet to dwarf planet. The campaign to get the new planet named Eris was led by Professor Mu-Chao with Reverend Loveshade, both Discordians and members of the OP. After its success, the campaign was named “The Jake that Changed a World.”
History
The Ek-sen-triks Cluborguild began at “Mt. Santa Juanita College” on November 6, 1981. The college is real, but its real name is up for debate. The club or guild, founded by Zeus and Alien, challenged the “norm”. Both founders were soon threatened with formal charges by college officials. And both had those charges dropped, and went on to win awards. Many of the original Ek-sen-triks became active in the Society for Creative Anachronism, GURPS, Discordianism, and/or the Church of the SubGenius.
The Order of the Pineapple itself began on January 18, 1982. That was author-futurist Robert Anton Wilson’s 50th birthday. A pineapple was given to Alien by Ek-sen-triks Cluborguild members who included Moondancer, childhood friend of Wilson’s daughter Luna. (Wilson was named to the order 10 years later.)
So congratulations to FichenDich and “Weird Al” Yanknovic!
Alden Loveshade first thought of emself as a writer when in 3rd grade. E first wrote professionally when e was 16 years old, and later did professional photography and art/graphic design. Alden has professionally published news/sports/humorous/and feature articles, poems, columns, reviews, stories, scripts, books, and school lunch menus.
http://AldenLoveshade.com
Thanks for spreading the word about our Order! Or DisOrder. Depending upon time zone.
Two worthy winners!
Congratulations to Weird Al and FichenDich for being inducted into the Order of the Pineapple.
Thanks for your comments.
I think it’s a fun if non-traditional way to honor people. Although as it started back in 1982, I guess by now it is tradition.