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'''''Yacht Rock''''' is an online video series following the fictionalized lives and careers of American [[soft rock]] stars of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The series debuted |
'''''Yacht Rock''''' is an online video series following the fictionalized lives and careers of American [[soft rock]] stars of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The series debuted at a [[Channel 101]] screening on June 26, 2005. It placed in the top five at subsequent screenings until June 25, 2006, when the tenth episode placed seventh at the screening, and the series was canceled. The show remained a popular download on the Channel 101 website, convincing the creators to make two additional episodes independently. The eleventh episode, featuring [[Jason Lee (entertainer)|Jason Lee]] as [[Kevin Bacon]], debuted in a screening at the [[Knitting Factory]] in New York City on December 27, 2007, and was later included with the other episodes on Channel 101.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spinner.com/2008/05/28/yacht-rock-docks-in-sea-of-musical-spoofs/|title='Yacht Rock' Docks in Sea of Musical Spoofs|last=Chiu|first=David |date=May 28, 2008|work=Spinner|access-date=June 22, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728035525/http://www.spinner.com/2008/05/28/yacht-rock-docks-in-sea-of-musical-spoofs/|archive-date=July 28, 2012}}</ref> On May 5, 2010, the twelfth and final episode of ''Yacht Rock'' was released on YouTube and Channel 101. The series inspired the term ''[[yacht rock]]'' as a musical descriptor for the songs and artists it features. |
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== Creation and inspiration == |
== Creation and inspiration == |
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Ryznar admits to having a fascination with the music of the period. As he explained, "Getting into Steely Dan really started this for me, as did the ability to buy dollar records at [[Amoeba Music|Amoeba]] and put them on tapes for my car. Kenny Loggins has made his way into all the [[television pilot|pilots]] I've been involved with except [one]."<ref>{{cite web |
Ryznar admits to having a fascination with the music of the period. As he explained, "Getting into Steely Dan really started this for me, as did the ability to buy dollar records at [[Amoeba Music|Amoeba]] and put them on tapes for my car. Kenny Loggins has made his way into all the [[television pilot|pilots]] I've been involved with except [one]."<ref>{{cite web |
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|url= http://channel101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=54719#54719 |title= Yacht Rock, Ep. 2 |access-date = October 9, 2006 |last= Ryznar |first= J.D. |date= July 27, 2005 |work= Channel 101 Public Forum |publisher= [[Channel 101]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204172539/http://channel101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=54719#54719|archive-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref> As he told [[Reuters]] contributor Andy Sullivan, "I'm making fun of the songwriting process, but the music is generally treated pretty lovingly."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Andy|title=Web TV Helps Comedy Writers Find Audience|agency=[[Reuters]]|publisher=Fox News|date=December 13, 2005|access-date=October 7, 2008|url= |
|url= http://channel101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=54719#54719 |title= Yacht Rock, Ep. 2 |access-date = October 9, 2006 |last= Ryznar |first= J.D. |date= July 27, 2005 |work= Channel 101 Public Forum |publisher= [[Channel 101]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204172539/http://channel101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=54719#54719|archive-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref> As he told [[Reuters]] contributor Andy Sullivan, "I'm making fun of the songwriting process, but the music is generally treated pretty lovingly."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Andy|title=Web TV Helps Comedy Writers Find Audience|agency=[[Reuters]]|publisher=Fox News|date=December 13, 2005|access-date=October 7, 2008|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/web-tv-helps-comedy-writers-find-audience}}</ref> |
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== Synopsis == |
== Synopsis == |
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The series depicts some realistic aspects of the music, but builds exaggerated storylines around them. For example, main protagonists Loggins and McDonald, played by Stair and Ryznar, receive inspiration from a fictional [[impresario]] named Koko Goldstein, played by Lyons, whose death in the second episode ultimately leads them to go their separate ways. McDonald is an idealistic and earnest singer/songwriter who takes both smooth music and himself far too seriously, while Loggins is his easygoing friend and collaborator who eventually abandons smooth music in favor of commercial rock and film soundtracks in the 1980s, straining their friendship. |
The series depicts some realistic aspects of the music, but builds exaggerated storylines around them. For example, main protagonists Loggins and McDonald, played by Stair and Ryznar, receive inspiration from a fictional [[impresario]] named Koko Goldstein, played by Lyons, whose death in the second episode ultimately leads them to go their separate ways. McDonald is an idealistic and earnest singer/songwriter who takes both smooth music and himself far too seriously, while Loggins is his easygoing friend and collaborator who eventually abandons smooth music in favor of commercial rock and film soundtracks in the 1980s, straining their friendship. |
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The portrayal of [[John Oates]] as the abusive, foulmouthed leader of [[Hall & Oates|Hall and Oates]] and enemy of "smooth music", exerting sometimes violent control over the milquetoast [[Daryl Hall]], is |
The portrayal of [[John Oates]] as the abusive, foulmouthed leader of [[Hall & Oates|Hall and Oates]] and enemy of "smooth music", exerting sometimes violent control over the milquetoast [[Daryl Hall]], is exaggerated.<ref>{{Cite news| last = Powers | first = Ann | title = Hall & Oates redeem their cool cred | work = Chicago Tribune | access-date = June 22, 2008 | date = May 27, 2008 | url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-hall-oates-0527may27,0,6549277.story |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819184253/http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-hall-oates-0527may27,0,6549277.story|archive-date=August 19, 2008}}</ref> [[Christopher Cross]], played by future ''[[Rick and Morty]]'' co-creator [[Justin Roiland]], is depicted as a naive, timid hayseed whose song "[[Sailing (Christopher Cross song)|Sailing]]" accidentally becomes a "smooth music" standard-bearer. Loggins' former partner [[Jim Messina (musician)|Jim Messina]] (Farnham) is a bitter wino who resents Loggins for finding success without him. [[Michael Jackson]] is depicted as a newly-minted rocker who believes his partnership with [[Eddie Van Halen]] will lead to an endless parade of sexual conquests. [[Eagles (band)|The Eagles]], portrayed as jock-like meatheads, and Steely Dan (portrayed as snarky nerds, with [[Donald Fagen]] speaking in an incoherent babble of [[Scat singing|scat]] that only McDonald and caustic bandmate [[Walter Becker]] can understand) really did insert lyrical references to each other in their music as depicted in the show, but these were friendly nods rather than part of a violent rivalry. |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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[[John Oates]] credited ''Yacht Rock'' with rekindling interest in Hall & Oates and introducing them to a younger audience |
[[John Oates]] credited ''Yacht Rock'' with rekindling interest in Hall & Oates and introducing them to a younger audience. In 2007, Pages said: |
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{{blockquote|I think ''Yacht Rock'' was the beginning of this whole Hall & Oates resurrection...They were the first ones to start to parody us and put us out there again, and a lot of things have happened because of ''Yacht Rock''.<ref name="oatesinterview">{{cite web | author=Maerz, Jennifer |author2=Ben Westhoff | date=2007-08-21 | title=Seattle Music - Hall & Oates Are Living, Harmonizing Proof That There's No Such Thing as Ironic Hipster Kryptonite | publisher=Village Voice Media | url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-08-22/music/hall-oats-are-living-harmonizing-proof-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as-ironic-hipster-kryptonite.php | access-date=2009-03-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202201813/http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-08-22/music/hall-oats-are-living-harmonizing-proof-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as-ironic-hipster-kryptonite.php/|archive-date=2013-02-02}}</ref>}} |
{{blockquote|I think ''Yacht Rock'' was the beginning of this whole Hall & Oates resurrection{{nbsp}}... They were the first ones to start to parody us and put us out there again, and a lot of things have happened because of ''Yacht Rock''.<ref name="oatesinterview">{{cite web | author=Maerz, Jennifer |author2=Ben Westhoff | date=2007-08-21 | title=Seattle Music - Hall & Oates Are Living, Harmonizing Proof That There's No Such Thing as Ironic Hipster Kryptonite | publisher=Village Voice Media | url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-08-22/music/hall-oats-are-living-harmonizing-proof-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as-ironic-hipster-kryptonite.php | access-date=2009-03-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202201813/http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-08-22/music/hall-oats-are-living-harmonizing-proof-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as-ironic-hipster-kryptonite.php/|archive-date=2013-02-02}}</ref>}} |
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Michael McDonald praised the series in a 2008 interview: |
Michael McDonald praised the series in a 2008 interview: |
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{{blockquote|''Have you ever owned a yacht?''<br /> |
{{blockquote|''Have you ever owned a yacht?''<br /> |
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No, but I thought ''Yacht Rock'' was hilarious. And uncannily, you know, those things always have a little bit of truth to them. It's kind of like when you get a letter from a stalker who's never met you. They somehow hit on something, and you have to admit they're pretty intuitive.<ref name="mcdonaldinterview">{{cite web | author=Sellers, John | date=2008-02-27 | title=Michael McDonald | publisher=Time Out New York | url=http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/hot-seat/26823/michael-mcdonald | access-date=2009-03-07}}</ref>}} |
No, but I thought ''Yacht Rock'' was hilarious. And uncannily, you know, those things always have a little bit of truth to them. It's kind of like when you get a letter from a stalker who's never met you. They somehow hit on something, and you have to admit they're pretty intuitive.<ref name="mcdonaldinterview">{{cite web | author=Sellers, John | date=2008-02-27 | title=Michael McDonald | publisher=Time Out New York | url=http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/hot-seat/26823/michael-mcdonald | access-date=2009-03-07 | archive-date=February 11, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211002933/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/hot-seat/26823/michael-mcdonald | url-status=dead }}</ref>}} |
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In 2015, [[SiriusXM]] broadcast a limited-time "Yacht Rock Radio" channel on satellite from August 21 – September 22. This SXM satellite channel has "popped up" every summer since, most recently from late May to early October 2021, while also maintaining a year-round dedicated Yacht Rock online streaming channel.<ref>{{cite |
In 2015, [[SiriusXM]] broadcast a limited-time "Yacht Rock Radio" channel on satellite from August 21 – September 22. This SXM satellite channel has "popped up" every summer since, most recently from late May to early October 2021, while also maintaining a year-round dedicated Yacht Rock online streaming channel.<ref>{{cite news|title=How Yacht Rock Ended Up on Sirius XM|newspaper=WSJ |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/10/12/how-yacht-rock-ended-up-on-sirius-xm/ |last1=Kamp |first1=Jon }}</ref> |
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On November 29, 2024, HBO debuted a documentary about yacht that prominently features the web series. |
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== ''Beyond Yacht Rock'' == |
== ''Beyond Yacht Rock'' == |
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In 2016, Ryznar, Huey, Stair, and Lyons began a [[podcast]] called ''Beyond Yacht Rock''. This series revolves around top-ten countdowns of genres they have newly invented, as well as episodes built around analyses of the work of musicians such as [[Steve Perry]] and [[Van Halen]].<ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2016/02/when-the-guys-behind-yacht-rock-took-aim-at-the-humiliating-practice-of-white-musicians-try-n-raps.html When the Guys Behind 'Yacht Rock' Took Aim at the Humiliating Practice of White Musicians' 'Try-N-Raps']. ''[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]'', February 29, 2016.</ref> The series also includes more commentary on the [[yacht rock]] style, such as evaluating songs according to whether or not they fit the creators' description of the style (which they call "Yacht or Nyacht").<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2017/03/15/520254333/that-70s-week-yacht-rock That '70s Week: Yacht Rock]. [[NPR]], March 15, 2017.</ref> The podcast concluded in 2021 after 100 episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyond Yacht Rock on Stitcher |url=https://www.stitcher.com/show/beyond-yacht-rock |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=www.stitcher.com}}</ref> |
In 2016, Ryznar, Huey, Stair, and Lyons began a [[podcast]] called ''Beyond Yacht Rock''. This series revolves around top-ten countdowns of genres they have newly invented, as well as episodes built around analyses of the work of musicians such as [[Steve Perry]] and [[Van Halen]].<ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2016/02/when-the-guys-behind-yacht-rock-took-aim-at-the-humiliating-practice-of-white-musicians-try-n-raps.html When the Guys Behind 'Yacht Rock' Took Aim at the Humiliating Practice of White Musicians' 'Try-N-Raps']. ''[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]'', February 29, 2016.</ref> The series also includes more commentary on the [[yacht rock]] style, such as evaluating songs according to whether or not they fit the creators' description of the style (which they call "Yacht or Nyacht").<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2017/03/15/520254333/that-70s-week-yacht-rock That '70s Week: Yacht Rock]. [[NPR]], March 15, 2017.</ref> The podcast concluded in 2021 after 100 episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyond Yacht Rock on Stitcher |url=https://www.stitcher.com/show/beyond-yacht-rock |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=www.stitcher.com}}</ref> |
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== Episodes == |
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{{Episode table | background=F8E060 | overall= | title= | airdate= | released=y | episodes= |
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# "What a Fool Believes" |
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{{Episode list |
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#: Under the guidance of Koko Goldstein, [[Kenny Loggins]] reaches out to a struggling [[Michael McDonald (singer)|Michael McDonald]], who has been given an ultimatum from bandmate [[Jeff Baxter|Jeff "Skunk" Baxter]] to write a hit for [[The Doobie Brothers]] or be fired from the band. |
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| EpisodeNumber=1 |
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#: Featured songs - "Sailin' the Wind" by Loggins and Messina; "Whenever I Call You 'Friend'" by Kenny Loggins; "What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers; also featured as incidental music is "Breezin'" by [[George Benson]]. |
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| Title=What a Fool Believes |
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# "Keep the Fire" |
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| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2005|6|26}} |
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#: Loggins and McDonald pair up against the duo [[Hall & Oates]] for a songwriting competition. Koko is accidentally impaled by his lucky harpoon during the ensuing melee, but is at peace before his death by hearing the smoothest song ever sung, "Sailing", by a young [[Christopher Cross]]. |
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| ShortSummary=Under the guidance of Koko Goldstein, [[Kenny Loggins]] reaches out to a struggling [[Michael McDonald (singer)|Michael McDonald]], who has been given an ultimatum from bandmate [[Jeff Baxter|Jeff "Skunk" Baxter]] to write a hit for [[The Doobie Brothers]] or be fired from the band. |
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#: Featured songs - "[[Sara Smile]]" and "Portable Radio" by Hall and Oates; "This is It" by Kenny Loggins; "[[Sailing (Christopher Cross song)|Sailing]]" by Christopher Cross. The intro of "[[Peg (song)|Peg]]" by Steely Dan is played at the outset of the episode. |
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# "I'm Alright" |
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Featured songs: "You Never Change" by the Doobie Brothers; "Sailin' the Wind" by Loggins and Messina; "Whenever I Call You 'Friend'" by Kenny Loggins; "What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers; also featured as incidental music is "Breezin'" by [[George Benson]]. |
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#: As everyone grieves Koko's death, Loggins lashes out at McDonald and smooth music as a whole, causing a rift between the two. Sleazy entertainment executive Gene Balboa, who is producing the movie ''[[Caddyshack]]'', demands that director [[Harold Ramis]] obtain Loggins' talents to write the movie's theme song. Ramis, with the aid of [[Steve Perry]], takes advantage of an angry and confused Loggins and gets him to record "[[I'm Alright (Kenny Loggins song)|I'm Alright]]", much to McDonald's dismay. |
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#: Featured songs: "Time Out of Mind" by Steely Dan; "Keep the Fire" by Kenny Loggins; "How do the Fools Survive" by The Doobie Brothers; "Lights" and "[[Any Way You Want It]]" by [[Journey (band)|Journey]]; "Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan; "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins. |
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}} |
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# "Rosanna" |
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{{Episode list |
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#: [[Steve Porcaro]] ([[Steve Agee]]) of [[Toto (band)|Toto]] is asked by his girlfriend, [[Rosanna Arquette]] ([[Morgan Murphy (comedian)|Morgan Murphy]]), to write a song about her featuring Michael McDonald's vocals. Discouraged by McDonald's disdain for his band, Porcaro devises a three-step plan to make it happen, with the help of Ramis, Loggins, and Perry. |
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| EpisodeNumber=2 |
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#: Featured songs: "[[Hold The Line]]" and "[[Rosanna (song)|Rosanna]]" by Toto; "[[Ride Like the Wind]]" by Christopher Cross; "Don't Fight It" by Kenny Loggins and [[Steve Perry]] |
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| Title=Keep the Fire |
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# "Believe in It" |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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#: Toto has been commissioned to write a smooth song for [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]'', but Jackson violently rejects them, believing after working with Eddie Van Halen on "[[Beat It]]" that such material is in his past. Fearing that Jackson can destroy smooth music for a decade, Porcaro turns to McDonald, Loggins, [[Jeff Baxter|Skunk Baxter]], Cross, and [[Vincent Price]] ([[James Adomian]]) to summon Koko's ghost to "spook the smooth back into him". |
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| ShortSummary=Loggins and McDonald pair up against the duo [[Hall & Oates]] for a songwriting competition. Koko is accidentally impaled by his lucky harpoon during the ensuing melee, but is at peace before his death by hearing the smoothest song ever sung, "Sailing", by a young [[Christopher Cross]]. |
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#: Featured songs - "Believe In It" by Michael McDonald; "[[Beat It]]" by Michael Jackson; "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]" by Michael Jackson; "I Gotta Try" by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald (both versions); "Sailing" by Christopher Cross; "Eruption" by Van Halen; "[[Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)|Human Nature]]" by Michael Jackson. |
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# "The Seed Drill" |
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Featured songs: "[[Sara Smile]]" and "Portable Radio" by Hall and Oates; "This is It" by Kenny Loggins; "[[Sailing (Christopher Cross song)|Sailing]]" by Christopher Cross. The intro of "[[Peg (song)|Peg]]" by Steely Dan is played at the outset of the episode. |
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#: "Hollywood" Steve's father, [[Ferris State University]] history professor "[[Big Rapids, Michigan|Big Rapids]]" Gary Huey, demands that Steve stop wasting his time on ''Yacht Rock'', and relates a historic tale of the agriculturist [[Jethro Tull (agriculturist)|Jethro Tull]], the plot of which is similar to episode one. Featured songs: "[[Aqualung (song)|Aqualung]]", "Teacher", "Jack in the Green", "[[Living in the Past (song)|Living in the Past]]" and "The Whistler" by [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] |
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# "I Keep Forgettin'" |
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}} |
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#: McDonald and Loggins make a bet about the popularity of McDonald's new song, "[[I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)]]", which Loggins wins. Ten years later, Long Beach-based rapper [[Warren G]] struggles to find a unique sound and image in the [[gangsta rap]] world. After he and [[Nate Dogg]] accidentally hit McDonald with their car and then take him back to [[Dr. Dre]]'s house, [[Regulate (song)|a solution is found]] to everyone's problems. |
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{{Episode list |
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#: Featured songs - "[[I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)]]" by Michael McDonald; "Swear Your Love" by Kenny Loggins; "Gz and Hustlas" by Snoop Dogg; "[[Let Me Ride]]" by Dr. Dre; "[[What's My Name? (Snoop Doggy Dogg song)|Who Am I? (What's My Name?)]]" by Snoop Dogg; "[[Regulate (song)|Regulate]]" by Warren G ft Nate Dogg |
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| EpisodeNumber=3 |
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# "Gino (the Manager)" |
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| Title=I'm Alright |
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#: "Hollywood" Steve returns to the very beginning, where Doobie Brothers producer [[Ted Templeman]] ([[Dan Harmon]]) explains his dream about the origin of "the smoothest rock [he's] ever heard" to Skunk Baxter over lunch. Baxter suggests seeing Koko about it, and Templeman starts seeing his dream become real as he meets a young McDonald, then a background singer for Steely Dan, being talked into joining the Doobie Brothers by Steely Dan and Koko. Meanwhile, Loggins shows signs of his imminent break from Messina and solo stardom, and an effeminate Hall and Oates arrive with a very familiar looking manager named Gino who tries to bully Loggins into employing him. When he refuses, Gino plots revenge, restyling himself as Gene Balboa and infiltrating Hollywood. |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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#: Featured songs - "[[Love Will Keep Us Together]]" by [[Captain and Tennille]], "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)" by Steely Dan, "Watching The River Run" by Loggins And Messina, "Gino (The Manager)" by Daryl Hall & John Oates, "[[Takin' It to the Streets (song)|Takin' It to the Streets]]" by The Doobie Brothers. |
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| ShortSummary=As everyone grieves Koko's death, Loggins lashes out at McDonald and smooth music as a whole, causing a rift between the two. Sleazy entertainment executive Gene Balboa, who is producing the movie ''[[Caddyshack]]'', demands that director [[Harold Ramis]] obtain Loggins' talents to write the movie's theme song. Ramis, with the aid of [[Steve Perry]], takes advantage of an angry and confused Loggins and gets him to record "[[I'm Alright (Kenny Loggins song)|I'm Alright]]", much to McDonald's dismay. |
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# "Runnin' with the Devil" |
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#: [[Van Halen]] puts a curse on [[Ted Templeman]], making him unable to stand the sound of Michael McDonald's voice, to force him to produce their [[Van Halen (album)|debut album]]. In a subplot, Loggins loses his car keys and has everyone in the studio help him look for them. Comedian [[Drew Carey]] makes a cameo appearance along with fellow ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway]]'' star [[Jeff B. Davis|Jeff Davis]], who plays [[David Lee Roth]] in this episode. |
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Featured songs: "[[Time Out of Mind (Steely Dan song)|Time Out of Mind]]" by Steely Dan; "Keep the Fire" by Kenny Loggins; "How do the Fools Survive" by The Doobie Brothers; "Lights" and "[[Any Way You Want It]]" by [[Journey (band)|Journey]]; "[[Kid Charlemagne]]" by Steely Dan; "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins. |
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#: Featured songs - "Atomic Punk" by Van Halen, "[[Runnin' with the Devil]]" by Van Halen, "[[Echoes of Love (The Doobie Brothers song)|Echoes of Love]]" by The Doobie Brothers, "I'm the One" by Van Halen. In addition, a short clip of [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]]'s "[[Cleveland Rocks]]" (as recorded by [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]] for ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]'') is used during the introduction with Carey. |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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# "FM" |
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}} |
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#: [[Steely Dan]] and the [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]] settle a long-time, childish feud with a hit song. |
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{{Episode list |
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#: Featured songs - "I Believe in Love" by Kenny Loggins, "[[Life in the Fast Lane]]" by The Eagles, "Everything You Did" by Steely Dan, "[[Do It Again (Steely Dan song)|Do It Again]]" by Steely Dan, "Peg" by Steely Dan, "[[Hotel California]]" by the Eagles, "[[FM (No Static At All)]]" by Steely Dan. In addition, an instrument snippet of "[[Winter (Tori Amos song)|Winter]]" by [[Tori Amos]] is used in the introduction. |
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| EpisodeNumber=4 |
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# "Footloose" |
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| Title=Rosanna |
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#: [[Jimmy Buffett]] is convinced by [[Kevin Bacon]] ([[Jason Lee (actor)|Jason Lee]]) and Gene Balboa to trick Loggins into making yet another film theme. He is subsequently kidnapped by Buffett and psychotic "parrotheads", and it's up to McDonald and [[James Ingram]] ([[Wyatt Cenac]]) to rescue him. |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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#: Featured Songs - "[[Holding Out for a Hero]]" by [[Bonnie Tyler]]; "[[High Adventure|If It's Not What You're Looking For]]" by Kenny Loggins; "[[Yah Mo B There]]" by [[James Ingram]] and Michael McDonald; "[[Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (song)|Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes]]" by Jimmy Buffett; "[[I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)]]" by Kenny Loggins; " [[Margaritaville]]", "[[Pencil Thin Mustache]]", "[[Why Don't We Get Drunk]]", and "[[Boat Drinks]]" by Jimmy Buffett; "[[Footloose (song)|Footloose]]" by Kenny Loggins. |
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| ShortSummary=[[Steve Porcaro]] ([[Steve Agee]]) of [[Toto (band)|Toto]] is asked by his girlfriend, [[Rosanna Arquette]] ([[Morgan Murphy (comedian)|Morgan Murphy]]), to write a song about her featuring Michael McDonald's vocals. Discouraged by McDonald's disdain for his band, Porcaro devises a three-step plan to make it happen, with the help of Ramis, Loggins, and Perry. |
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# "Danger Zone" |
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#: In 1985, McDonald feels that he has become the irrelevant joke Loggins told him he would become with the death of smooth music. Loggins, on the other hand, has grown to love doing movie soundtracks and harder rock and his career is still in high gear. Extraterrestrial composer [[Giorgio Moroder]] ([[John Konesky]]) is sent to Earth to seek Loggins' assistance in fighting a black hole that will destroy his home planet, but Hall and Oates, who hail from the black hole, vow to stop them. Fearing for his friend's life, McDonald tries to rescue him, and with the help of Christopher Cross finds a way to keep with the times. By the end of the episode the loose ends of the past eleven episodes are tied together (including the revelation that all of ''Yacht Rock'' had been a plan by Koko to lead to the song [[Sweet Freedom (song)|"Sweet Freedom]]"), but left with a cliffhanger ending as to who murdered Koko. [[Rob Schrab]], [[Matt Braunger]], and [[Dahéli Hall]] make cameo appearances as [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Huey Lewis]], and [[Tina Turner]], respectively. |
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Featured songs: "[[Hold The Line]]" and "[[Rosanna (song)|Rosanna]]" by Toto; "[[Ride Like the Wind]]" by Christopher Cross; "Don't Fight It" by Kenny Loggins and [[Steve Perry]] |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=5 |
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| Title=Believe in It |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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| ShortSummary=Toto has been commissioned to write a smooth song for [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]'', but Jackson violently rejects them, believing after working with Eddie Van Halen on "[[Beat It]]" that such material is in his past. Fearing that Jackson can destroy smooth music for a decade, Porcaro turns to McDonald, Loggins, [[Jeff Baxter|Skunk Baxter]], Cross, and [[Vincent Price]] ([[James Adomian]]) to summon Koko's ghost to "spook the smooth back into him". |
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Featured songs: "Believe In It" by Michael McDonald; "[[Beat It]]" by Michael Jackson; "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]" by Michael Jackson; "I Gotta Try" by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald (both versions); "Sailing" by Christopher Cross; "Eruption" by Van Halen; "[[Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)|Human Nature]]" by Michael Jackson. |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=6 |
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| Title=The Seed Drill |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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| ShortSummary="Hollywood" Steve's father, [[Ferris State University]] history professor "[[Big Rapids, Michigan|Big Rapids]]" Gary Huey, demands that Steve stop wasting his time on ''Yacht Rock'', and relates a historic tale of the agriculturist [[Jethro Tull (agriculturist)|Jethro Tull]], the plot of which is similar to episode one. |
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Featured songs: "[[Aqualung (song)|Aqualung]]", "Teacher", "Jack in the Green", "[[Living in the Past (song)|Living in the Past]]" and "The Whistler" by [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=7 |
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| Title=I Keep Forgettin' |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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| ShortSummary=McDonald and Loggins make a bet about the popularity of McDonald's new song, "[[I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)]]", which Loggins wins. Ten years later, Long Beach-based rapper [[Warren G]] struggles to find a unique sound and image in the [[gangsta rap]] world. After he and [[Nate Dogg]] accidentally hit McDonald with their car and then take him back to [[Dr. Dre]]'s house, [[Regulate (song)|a solution is found]] to everyone's problems. |
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Featured songs: "[[I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)]]" by Michael McDonald; "Swear Your Love" by Kenny Loggins; "Gz and Hustlas" by Snoop Dogg; "[[Let Me Ride]]" by Dr. Dre; "[[What's My Name? (Snoop Doggy Dogg song)|Who Am I? (What's My Name?)]]" by Snoop Dogg; "[[Regulate (song)|Regulate]]" by Warren G ft Nate Dogg |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=8 |
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| Title=Gino (the Manager)" |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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| ShortSummary="Hollywood" Steve returns to the very beginning, where Doobie Brothers producer [[Ted Templeman]] ([[Dan Harmon]]) explains his dream about the origin of "the smoothest rock [he's] ever heard" to Skunk Baxter over lunch. Baxter suggests seeing Koko about it, and Templeman starts seeing his dream become real as he meets a young McDonald, then a background singer for Steely Dan, being talked into joining the Doobie Brothers by Steely Dan and Koko. Meanwhile, Loggins shows signs of his imminent break from Messina and solo stardom, and an effeminate Hall and Oates arrive with a very familiar looking manager named Gino who tries to bully Loggins into employing him. When he refuses, Gino plots revenge, restyling himself as Gene Balboa and infiltrating Hollywood. |
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Featured songs: "[[Love Will Keep Us Together]]" by [[Captain and Tennille]], "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)" by Steely Dan, "Watching The River Run" by Loggins And Messina, "Gino (The Manager)" by Daryl Hall & John Oates, "[[Takin' It to the Streets (song)|Takin' It to the Streets]]" by The Doobie Brothers. |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=9 |
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| Title=Runnin' with the Devil |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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| ShortSummary=[[Van Halen]] puts a curse on [[Ted Templeman]], making him unable to stand the sound of Michael McDonald's voice, to force him to produce their [[Van Halen (album)|debut album]]. In a subplot, Loggins loses his car keys and has everyone in the studio help him look for them. Comedian [[Drew Carey]] makes a cameo appearance along with fellow ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (American TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway]]'' star [[Jeff B. Davis|Jeff Davis]], who plays [[David Lee Roth]] in this episode. |
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Featured songs: "Atomic Punk" by Van Halen, "[[Runnin' with the Devil]]" by Van Halen, "[[Echoes of Love (The Doobie Brothers song)|Echoes of Love]]" by The Doobie Brothers, "I'm the One" by Van Halen. In addition, a short clip of [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]]'s "[[Cleveland Rocks]]" (as recorded by [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]] for ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]'') is used during the introduction with Carey. |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=10 |
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| Title=FM |
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| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2006|6|25}} |
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| ShortSummary=[[Steely Dan]] and the [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]] settle a long-time, childish feud with a hit song. |
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Featured songs: "I Believe in Love" by Kenny Loggins, "[[Life in the Fast Lane]]" by The Eagles, "Everything You Did" by Steely Dan, "[[Do It Again (Steely Dan song)|Do It Again]]" by Steely Dan, "Peg" by Steely Dan, "[[Hotel California]]" by the Eagles, "[[FM (No Static At All)]]" by Steely Dan. In addition, an instrument snippet of "[[Winter (Tori Amos song)|Winter]]" by [[Tori Amos]] is used in the introduction. |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=11 |
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| Title=Footloose |
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| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2007|12|27}} |
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| ShortSummary=[[Jimmy Buffett]] is convinced by [[Kevin Bacon]] ([[Jason Lee (actor)|Jason Lee]]) and Gene Balboa to trick Loggins into making yet another film theme. He is subsequently kidnapped by Buffett and psychotic "parrotheads", and it's up to McDonald and [[James Ingram]] ([[Wyatt Cenac]]) to rescue him. |
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Featured songs: "[[Holding Out for a Hero]]" by [[Bonnie Tyler]]; "[[High Adventure|If It's Not What You're Looking For]]" by Kenny Loggins; "[[Yah Mo B There]]" by [[James Ingram]] and Michael McDonald; "[[Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (song)|Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes]]" by Jimmy Buffett; "[[I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)]]" by Kenny Loggins; " [[Margaritaville]]", "[[Pencil Thin Mustache]]", "[[Why Don't We Get Drunk]]", and "[[Boat Drinks]]" by Jimmy Buffett; "[[Footloose (song)|Footloose]]" by Kenny Loggins. |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=12 |
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| Title=Danger Zone |
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| OriginalAirDate= |
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| ShortSummary=In 1985, McDonald feels that he has become the irrelevant joke Loggins told him he would become with the death of smooth music. Loggins, on the other hand, has grown to love doing movie soundtracks and harder rock and his career is still in high gear. Extraterrestrial composer [[Giorgio Moroder]] ([[John Konesky]]) is sent to Earth to seek Loggins' assistance in fighting a black hole that will destroy his home planet, but Hall and Oates, who hail from the black hole, vow to stop them. Fearing for his friend's life, McDonald tries to rescue him, and with the help of Christopher Cross finds a way to keep with the times. By the end of the episode the loose ends of the past eleven episodes are tied together (including the revelation that all of ''Yacht Rock'' had been a plan by Koko to lead to the song [[Sweet Freedom (song)|"Sweet Freedom]]"), but left with a cliffhanger ending as to who murdered Koko. [[Rob Schrab]], [[Matt Braunger]], and [[Dahéli Hall]] make cameo appearances as [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Huey Lewis]], and [[Tina Turner]], respectively. |
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Featured songs: "[[We Are the World]]" by [[USA for Africa]], "[[Every Turn of the World|Charm the Snake]]" by Christopher Cross, "[[Method of Modern Love]]" by Hall and Oates, "[[Danger Zone (song)|Danger Zone]]" and "[[Playing with the Boys]]" by Kenny Loggins, "Sweet Freedom" by Michael McDonald, "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. |
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| LineColor=F8E060 |
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}} |
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}} |
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== Real people portrayed in ''Yacht Rock'' == |
== Real people portrayed in ''Yacht Rock'' == |
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[[Category:Channel 101]] |
[[Category:Channel 101]] |
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[[Category:Internet memes]] |
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[[Category:American comedy web series]] |
[[Category:American comedy web series]] |
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[[Category:American mockumentary television series]] |
[[Category:American mockumentary television series]] |
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Latest revision as of 06:03, 30 November 2024
| Yacht Rock | |
|---|---|
 Title screen of the first episode | |
| Genre | Mockumentary |
| Created by | J. D. Ryznar, Hunter D. Stair, Lane Farnham |
| Presented by | Steve Huey |
| Starring | J. D. Ryznar, Hunter Stair, David B. Lyons |
| Opening theme | "Sweet Freedom" by Michael McDonald |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Producers | JD Ryznar, Hunter D. Stair, David B. Lyons |
| Production locations | Los Angeles, California |
| Running time | 5–9 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 101 |
| Release | June 26, 2005 – April 14, 2010 |
Yacht Rock is an online video series following the fictionalized lives and careers of American soft rock stars of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The series debuted at a Channel 101 screening on June 26, 2005. It placed in the top five at subsequent screenings until June 25, 2006, when the tenth episode placed seventh at the screening, and the series was canceled. The show remained a popular download on the Channel 101 website, convincing the creators to make two additional episodes independently. The eleventh episode, featuring Jason Lee as Kevin Bacon, debuted in a screening at the Knitting Factory in New York City on December 27, 2007, and was later included with the other episodes on Channel 101.[1] On May 5, 2010, the twelfth and final episode of Yacht Rock was released on YouTube and Channel 101. The series inspired the term yacht rock as a musical descriptor for the songs and artists it features.
Creation and inspiration
[edit]The series was written, directed, and produced by J. D. Ryznar, co-produced by David Lyons and Hunter D. Stair, and edited by Lane Farnham. The production has a "bad-on-purpose aesthetic" devised by Farnham.[2]
Ryznar and Stair devised the series after noticing the converging recording careers of such bands as Steely Dan, Toto, and The Doobie Brothers, and the singer-songwriters Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. For example, McDonald co-wrote and sang on Loggins' "This Is It" and Loggins co-wrote the Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" with McDonald. McDonald also performed backing vocals for several other "yacht rock" artists, including Steely Dan and Christopher Cross.
Ryznar admits to having a fascination with the music of the period. As he explained, "Getting into Steely Dan really started this for me, as did the ability to buy dollar records at Amoeba and put them on tapes for my car. Kenny Loggins has made his way into all the pilots I've been involved with except [one]."[3] As he told Reuters contributor Andy Sullivan, "I'm making fun of the songwriting process, but the music is generally treated pretty lovingly."[4]
Synopsis
[edit]Yacht Rock's episodes are "hosted" by "Hollywood" Steve Huey, a former AllMusic critic. The term "yacht rock" is never used throughout the series by any characters, except for Huey during his introductions; instead, it is always referred to as "smooth music".
The series depicts some realistic aspects of the music, but builds exaggerated storylines around them. For example, main protagonists Loggins and McDonald, played by Stair and Ryznar, receive inspiration from a fictional impresario named Koko Goldstein, played by Lyons, whose death in the second episode ultimately leads them to go their separate ways. McDonald is an idealistic and earnest singer/songwriter who takes both smooth music and himself far too seriously, while Loggins is his easygoing friend and collaborator who eventually abandons smooth music in favor of commercial rock and film soundtracks in the 1980s, straining their friendship.
The portrayal of John Oates as the abusive, foulmouthed leader of Hall and Oates and enemy of "smooth music", exerting sometimes violent control over the milquetoast Daryl Hall, is exaggerated.[5] Christopher Cross, played by future Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland, is depicted as a naive, timid hayseed whose song "Sailing" accidentally becomes a "smooth music" standard-bearer. Loggins' former partner Jim Messina (Farnham) is a bitter wino who resents Loggins for finding success without him. Michael Jackson is depicted as a newly-minted rocker who believes his partnership with Eddie Van Halen will lead to an endless parade of sexual conquests. The Eagles, portrayed as jock-like meatheads, and Steely Dan (portrayed as snarky nerds, with Donald Fagen speaking in an incoherent babble of scat that only McDonald and caustic bandmate Walter Becker can understand) really did insert lyrical references to each other in their music as depicted in the show, but these were friendly nods rather than part of a violent rivalry.
Reception
[edit]John Oates credited Yacht Rock with rekindling interest in Hall & Oates and introducing them to a younger audience. In 2007, Pages said:
I think Yacht Rock was the beginning of this whole Hall & Oates resurrection ... They were the first ones to start to parody us and put us out there again, and a lot of things have happened because of Yacht Rock.[6]
Michael McDonald praised the series in a 2008 interview:
Have you ever owned a yacht?
No, but I thought Yacht Rock was hilarious. And uncannily, you know, those things always have a little bit of truth to them. It's kind of like when you get a letter from a stalker who's never met you. They somehow hit on something, and you have to admit they're pretty intuitive.[7]
In 2015, SiriusXM broadcast a limited-time "Yacht Rock Radio" channel on satellite from August 21 – September 22. This SXM satellite channel has "popped up" every summer since, most recently from late May to early October 2021, while also maintaining a year-round dedicated Yacht Rock online streaming channel.[8]
On November 29, 2024, HBO debuted a documentary about yacht that prominently features the web series.
Beyond Yacht Rock
[edit]In 2016, Ryznar, Huey, Stair, and Lyons began a podcast called Beyond Yacht Rock. This series revolves around top-ten countdowns of genres they have newly invented, as well as episodes built around analyses of the work of musicians such as Steve Perry and Van Halen.[9] The series also includes more commentary on the yacht rock style, such as evaluating songs according to whether or not they fit the creators' description of the style (which they call "Yacht or Nyacht").[10] The podcast concluded in 2021 after 100 episodes.[11]
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "What a Fool Believes" | June 26, 2005 | |
|
Under the guidance of Koko Goldstein, Kenny Loggins reaches out to a struggling Michael McDonald, who has been given an ultimatum from bandmate Jeff "Skunk" Baxter to write a hit for The Doobie Brothers or be fired from the band. Featured songs: "You Never Change" by the Doobie Brothers; "Sailin' the Wind" by Loggins and Messina; "Whenever I Call You 'Friend'" by Kenny Loggins; "What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers; also featured as incidental music is "Breezin'" by George Benson. | |||
| 2 | "Keep the Fire" | TBA | |
|
Loggins and McDonald pair up against the duo Hall & Oates for a songwriting competition. Koko is accidentally impaled by his lucky harpoon during the ensuing melee, but is at peace before his death by hearing the smoothest song ever sung, "Sailing", by a young Christopher Cross. Featured songs: "Sara Smile" and "Portable Radio" by Hall and Oates; "This is It" by Kenny Loggins; "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. The intro of "Peg" by Steely Dan is played at the outset of the episode. | |||
| 3 | "I'm Alright" | TBA | |
|
As everyone grieves Koko's death, Loggins lashes out at McDonald and smooth music as a whole, causing a rift between the two. Sleazy entertainment executive Gene Balboa, who is producing the movie Caddyshack, demands that director Harold Ramis obtain Loggins' talents to write the movie's theme song. Ramis, with the aid of Steve Perry, takes advantage of an angry and confused Loggins and gets him to record "I'm Alright", much to McDonald's dismay. Featured songs: "Time Out of Mind" by Steely Dan; "Keep the Fire" by Kenny Loggins; "How do the Fools Survive" by The Doobie Brothers; "Lights" and "Any Way You Want It" by Journey; "Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan; "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins. | |||
| 4 | "Rosanna" | TBA | |
|
Steve Porcaro (Steve Agee) of Toto is asked by his girlfriend, Rosanna Arquette (Morgan Murphy), to write a song about her featuring Michael McDonald's vocals. Discouraged by McDonald's disdain for his band, Porcaro devises a three-step plan to make it happen, with the help of Ramis, Loggins, and Perry. Featured songs: "Hold The Line" and "Rosanna" by Toto; "Ride Like the Wind" by Christopher Cross; "Don't Fight It" by Kenny Loggins and Steve Perry | |||
| 5 | "Believe in It" | TBA | |
|
Toto has been commissioned to write a smooth song for Michael Jackson's Thriller, but Jackson violently rejects them, believing after working with Eddie Van Halen on "Beat It" that such material is in his past. Fearing that Jackson can destroy smooth music for a decade, Porcaro turns to McDonald, Loggins, Skunk Baxter, Cross, and Vincent Price (James Adomian) to summon Koko's ghost to "spook the smooth back into him". Featured songs: "Believe In It" by Michael McDonald; "Beat It" by Michael Jackson; "Thriller" by Michael Jackson; "I Gotta Try" by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald (both versions); "Sailing" by Christopher Cross; "Eruption" by Van Halen; "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson. | |||
| 6 | "The Seed Drill" | TBA | |
|
"Hollywood" Steve's father, Ferris State University history professor "Big Rapids" Gary Huey, demands that Steve stop wasting his time on Yacht Rock, and relates a historic tale of the agriculturist Jethro Tull, the plot of which is similar to episode one. Featured songs: "Aqualung", "Teacher", "Jack in the Green", "Living in the Past" and "The Whistler" by Jethro Tull | |||
| 7 | "I Keep Forgettin'" | TBA | |
|
McDonald and Loggins make a bet about the popularity of McDonald's new song, "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)", which Loggins wins. Ten years later, Long Beach-based rapper Warren G struggles to find a unique sound and image in the gangsta rap world. After he and Nate Dogg accidentally hit McDonald with their car and then take him back to Dr. Dre's house, a solution is found to everyone's problems. Featured songs: "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" by Michael McDonald; "Swear Your Love" by Kenny Loggins; "Gz and Hustlas" by Snoop Dogg; "Let Me Ride" by Dr. Dre; "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)" by Snoop Dogg; "Regulate" by Warren G ft Nate Dogg | |||
| 8 | "Gino (the Manager)"" | TBA | |
|
"Hollywood" Steve returns to the very beginning, where Doobie Brothers producer Ted Templeman (Dan Harmon) explains his dream about the origin of "the smoothest rock [he's] ever heard" to Skunk Baxter over lunch. Baxter suggests seeing Koko about it, and Templeman starts seeing his dream become real as he meets a young McDonald, then a background singer for Steely Dan, being talked into joining the Doobie Brothers by Steely Dan and Koko. Meanwhile, Loggins shows signs of his imminent break from Messina and solo stardom, and an effeminate Hall and Oates arrive with a very familiar looking manager named Gino who tries to bully Loggins into employing him. When he refuses, Gino plots revenge, restyling himself as Gene Balboa and infiltrating Hollywood. Featured songs: "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain and Tennille, "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)" by Steely Dan, "Watching The River Run" by Loggins And Messina, "Gino (The Manager)" by Daryl Hall & John Oates, "Takin' It to the Streets" by The Doobie Brothers. | |||
| 9 | "Runnin' with the Devil" | TBA | |
|
Van Halen puts a curse on Ted Templeman, making him unable to stand the sound of Michael McDonald's voice, to force him to produce their debut album. In a subplot, Loggins loses his car keys and has everyone in the studio help him look for them. Comedian Drew Carey makes a cameo appearance along with fellow Whose Line Is It Anyway star Jeff Davis, who plays David Lee Roth in this episode. Featured songs: "Atomic Punk" by Van Halen, "Runnin' with the Devil" by Van Halen, "Echoes of Love" by The Doobie Brothers, "I'm the One" by Van Halen. In addition, a short clip of Ian Hunter's "Cleveland Rocks" (as recorded by The Presidents of the United States of America for The Drew Carey Show) is used during the introduction with Carey. | |||
| 10 | "FM" | June 25, 2006 | |
|
Steely Dan and the Eagles settle a long-time, childish feud with a hit song. Featured songs: "I Believe in Love" by Kenny Loggins, "Life in the Fast Lane" by The Eagles, "Everything You Did" by Steely Dan, "Do It Again" by Steely Dan, "Peg" by Steely Dan, "Hotel California" by the Eagles, "FM (No Static At All)" by Steely Dan. In addition, an instrument snippet of "Winter" by Tori Amos is used in the introduction. | |||
| 11 | "Footloose" | December 27, 2007 | |
|
Jimmy Buffett is convinced by Kevin Bacon (Jason Lee) and Gene Balboa to trick Loggins into making yet another film theme. He is subsequently kidnapped by Buffett and psychotic "parrotheads", and it's up to McDonald and James Ingram (Wyatt Cenac) to rescue him. Featured songs: "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler; "If It's Not What You're Looking For" by Kenny Loggins; "Yah Mo B There" by James Ingram and Michael McDonald; "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" by Jimmy Buffett; "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" by Kenny Loggins; " Margaritaville", "Pencil Thin Mustache", "Why Don't We Get Drunk", and "Boat Drinks" by Jimmy Buffett; "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins. | |||
| 12 | "Danger Zone" | TBA | |
|
In 1985, McDonald feels that he has become the irrelevant joke Loggins told him he would become with the death of smooth music. Loggins, on the other hand, has grown to love doing movie soundtracks and harder rock and his career is still in high gear. Extraterrestrial composer Giorgio Moroder (John Konesky) is sent to Earth to seek Loggins' assistance in fighting a black hole that will destroy his home planet, but Hall and Oates, who hail from the black hole, vow to stop them. Fearing for his friend's life, McDonald tries to rescue him, and with the help of Christopher Cross finds a way to keep with the times. By the end of the episode the loose ends of the past eleven episodes are tied together (including the revelation that all of Yacht Rock had been a plan by Koko to lead to the song "Sweet Freedom"), but left with a cliffhanger ending as to who murdered Koko. Rob Schrab, Matt Braunger, and Dahéli Hall make cameo appearances as Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, and Tina Turner, respectively. Featured songs: "We Are the World" by USA for Africa, "Charm the Snake" by Christopher Cross, "Method of Modern Love" by Hall and Oates, "Danger Zone" and "Playing with the Boys" by Kenny Loggins, "Sweet Freedom" by Michael McDonald, "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. | |||
Real people portrayed in Yacht Rock
[edit]- Sara Allen
- Ian Anderson
- Michael Anthony (referred to as 'the other guy')
- Rosanna Arquette
- Dan Aykroyd
- Kevin Bacon
- Jeff "Skunk" Baxter
- Walter Becker
- Jeremiah Birnbaum
- David Bowie
- Lindsey Buckingham
- Jimmy Buffett
- Kim Carnes
- Peter Cetera
- Ray Charles
- Chevy Chase
- Christopher Cross
- Nate Dogg
- Daryl Dragon
- Dr. Dre
- Bob Dylan
- Donald Fagen
- Glenn Frey
- Warren G
- Daryl Hall
- Don Henley
- David Hungate
- James Ingram
- La Toya Jackson
- Michael Jackson
- Al Jarreau
- Cyndi Lauper
- Huey Lewis
- Kenny Loggins
- Steve Lukather
- Michael McDonald
- Jim Messina
- Giorgio Moroder
- Willie Nelson
- John Oates
- David Paich
- Steve Perry
- Jeff Porcaro
- Steve Porcaro
- Vincent Price
- Harold Ramis
- Kenny Rogers
- David Lee Roth
- Tom Savarese
- Patrick Simmons
- Paul Simon
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ted Templeman
- Toni Tennille
- Charles, Lord Townshend
- Jethro Tull
- Tina Turner
- Alex Van Halen
- Eddie Van Halen
- Dionne Warwick
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Chiu, David (May 28, 2008). "'Yacht Rock' Docks in Sea of Musical Spoofs". Spinner. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2008.
- ^ Hornaday, Ann (February 4, 2007). "Rules for YouTube: Make Art, Not Bore". Washington Post. Retrieved July 29, 2008.
- ^ Ryznar, J.D. (July 27, 2005). "Yacht Rock, Ep. 2". Channel 101 Public Forum. Channel 101. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
- ^ Sullivan, Andy (December 13, 2005). "Web TV Helps Comedy Writers Find Audience". Fox News. Reuters. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
- ^ Powers, Ann (May 27, 2008). "Hall & Oates redeem their cool cred". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 19, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2008.
- ^ Maerz, Jennifer; Ben Westhoff (August 21, 2007). "Seattle Music - Hall & Oates Are Living, Harmonizing Proof That There's No Such Thing as Ironic Hipster Kryptonite". Village Voice Media. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
- ^ Sellers, John (February 27, 2008). "Michael McDonald". Time Out New York. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
- ^ Kamp, Jon. "How Yacht Rock Ended Up on Sirius XM". WSJ.
- ^ When the Guys Behind 'Yacht Rock' Took Aim at the Humiliating Practice of White Musicians' 'Try-N-Raps'. Vulture, February 29, 2016.
- ^ That '70s Week: Yacht Rock. NPR, March 15, 2017.
- ^ "Beyond Yacht Rock on Stitcher". www.stitcher.com. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
External links
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to Yacht Rock (web series).
- Official Website Archived March 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- J. D. Ryznar's YouTube channel, which includes all 12 episodes
- "Sail Away: The Oral History of 'Yacht Rock'" [1]
- Yacht Rock at IMDb