Michael McDonald Finds Humor in Rick Moranis‘ Hilarious Yacht Rock Parody
Michael McDonald, the soulful voice behind Doobie Brothers classics like "What a Fool Believes," has always been a prime target for mimicry. From Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake’s playful takes to Family Guy‘s animated rendition, countless artists have attempted to capture his distinct vocal style. But when it comes to truly hilarious impressions, Rick Moranis reigns supreme.
In an amusing anecdote recounted in the HBO documentary, "Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary," McDonald recalls his initial shock upon encountering Moranis’ SCTV sketch, which hilariously parodied the singer.
"We were in a hotel room, just chilling and having a smoke," McDonald recounts. "Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I decided to head to my room and lie down. I left the TV on, and as soon as I walked in, the SCTV sketch was playing. I honestly thought I was hallucinating!"
McDonald remembers being both bewildered and amused by Moranis’ spot-on impersonation, later admitting, "I got a lot of mileage out of that." Years later, Moranis, concerned McDonald might have been offended, apologized for the sketch.
McDonald reassured him, explaining, "Quite the opposite. I got a lot of mileage out of that."
The nickname "Yacht Rock" wouldn’t surface until over two decades later, thanks to a satirical web series. This unique comedic twist spawned twelve episodes over five years, solidifying the genre’s place in pop culture. Notably, actors in the series impersonated iconic artists associated with the smooth, melodic sound, including Loggins, Cross, and, of course, McDonald himself.
McDonald candidly reflects on his reaction to the web series: "My son was ecstatic to show me this thing he’d found online, and it was hysterical. I structurally couldn’t deny that it was funny. Whoever created it managed to capture these personalities –whether they intentionally knew it or not – there was a semblance of truth to it."
But it wasn’t all laughs. Fellow yacht rock legend Kenny Loggins initially felt a twinge of offense, perceiving the web series as mockery. "At first I felt insulted; we were being made fun of," he admits.
However, as Loggins analyzed the series further, he realized its satirical nature was "an ass-backwards way…to honor us".
"They had taken what we were doing and defined it as a genre. We hadn’t really seen it that way,” Loggins explains. "To us, it was just the next logical step in making pop music.
*"Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary," silently benefirting from the poignant humor of Moranis’ caricature, offers a charming retrospective on a pivotal musical era. The documentary, currently streaming on Max, explores the origins and enduring legacy of a sound that continues to resonate with music fans today.
## Michael mcdonald finds Humor in Rick Moranis’ Hilarious Yacht Rock Parody
**[Image: Michael McDonald smiling and Rick Moranis in character as Morty Seinfeld]**
Michael McDonald,the soulful voice behind Doobie Brothers classics like ”What a Fool Believes,” has always been a good sport. Case in point: his reaction to Rick MoranisS recent parody video “The Gentle Revolution,” a comedic take on the Yacht Rock genre. the video, which sees Moranis portraying a washed-up musician named Morty Seinfeld, lampoons the smooth vocals and laid-back vibes often associated wiht the genre, specifically targeting McDonald’s signature sound.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Michael McDonald about “The Gentle Revolution” and his thoughts on Moranis’s hilarious rendition of his musical style.
Michael, what was your first reaction when you saw “The Gentle Revolution”?
**Michael McDonald:**
(Laughs) Honestly, I thought it was brilliant! Rick Moranis is such a talented comedian, and he really captured the essence of Yacht Rock, albeit in a very funny way.
The video parodies the smooth vocals and lyrical themes often associated with Yacht Rock. Did you recognise any specific elements of your own style being playfully poked fun at?
**Michael McDonald:**
Oh, definitely. That wistful yearning, the slightly cheesy romanticism, it’s all there. But that’s what makes it so funny! It’s like Rick is holding a mirror up to the genre and saying, “Look at us, we’re kind of ridiculous, but we’re also kind of brilliant in our own way.”
some artists might take parody as a personal affront, but you seem genuinely amused. How do you view humor when it comes to your own work?
**Michael McDonald:**
I think it’s important to be able to laugh at yourself. Music, especially something like Yacht Rock, shouldn’t be taken too seriously. It’s suppose to be fun, it’s supposed to make you feel good. If rick moranis wants to poke a little fun at it, that’s fine by me. It just shows that the genre still holds a place in people’s hearts, even if it’s in a comedic way.
Have you had any personal interactions with Rick Moranis about the video?
**Michael McDonald:**
Not yet, but I’d love to connect with him. I’d love to hear what inspired him to make the video and maybe even collaborate on something in the future.
Perhaps a duet? A true Yacht Rock revival!
**Michael McDonald:**
(Laughs) Now you’re talking! We might just have to make that happen.
Michael McDonald,thanks for your time and for being such a good sport about it all.
**Michael McDonald:**
My pleasure. Remember, folks, don’t take yourselves too seriously and always find the humor in life.
