For anyone here who doesn't understand that reference, Purple People Eater was a number-one hit fore Sheb Wooley in 1958.
In 1988, a Purple People Eater movie was shown on The Disney Channel. Neil Patrick Harris starred as Billy Johnson. He played the song on his record player – remember record players? – and a real purple people eater magically appeared. His name was Purple. He and Billy helped an elderly couple who were facing eviction. The movie also starred Ned Beatty, Shelley Winters, Peggy Lipton, James Houghton, Thora Birch, Chubby Checker, Little Richard.....and Sheb Wooley.