Last night’s 30 Rock season finale closed out with a grand parody of one of those celebrity-studded benefit songs, a la “We’re Sending Our Love Down This Well” and “What’s Going On ‘01.” “Kidney Now!” saw Cyndi Lauper, Michael McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, and a slew of other well/sorta-well-known musicians warbling in honor of Jack Donaghy’s dad (played by Alan Alda)’s nephorotic needs. There’s even a splashy mini-site with a karaoke version of the track to go along with it–although Clay Aiken fans are probably going to get a bit riled up, given that its list of participating celebrities somehow managed to exclude their hero, perhaps because of his alleged relation to Kenneth the Page. (Take heart, Claymates: Mike D got left off the list as well, and he doesn’t even have your insane completely devoted fanbase!) Clip after the jump.
My burning question: Did anyone out there recognize every person on that stage? I actually thought Rachael Yamagata was Allison Mossheart, thanks to the bangs.
Kidney Now! [Hulu]
Kidney Now! [NBC]
Robert Randolph was the one I didn’t recognize at first - I’m so used to seeing him behind his guitar or wearing a hat that to just see him was a bit jarring. Also, Clay-mates and D-bags (sorry - still love the Beasties!) can take comfort in the fact that Steve Earle was also left off. At first, I thought it was because he might not actually have sung, but then I recalled he clearly did harmonize with Adam Levine (whose throwaway Borat was pretty hilarious). The highlight of the song for me had to be Cyndi’s “I’m one of the drunk singers!” (or something to that effect).
I too confused Rachel for Allison for a second. So many terrific WTF?-evoking guest stars (Steve Earle chief among them). That and you can’t go wrong with Kweli getting some choice prime time exposure. If only I had a sitcom where I could invite all of my favorite artists to do something like that.
Self-parodying musicians are the best, though Aiken and Costello harmonizing might suggest that we occupy an alternative universe.
Also, where can I donate to Mary J.’s foundation? I swear, that Loch Ness monster is real, and someone needs to prove it!
Great for the National Kidney Foundation. Best PSA ever.
I didn’t recognize a few…and still don’t, judging from the comments. I have never heard of Robert Randolph, Rachael Yamagata or Adam Levine.
Also, who are all the girls in the back row(besides Jane Krakowski), who’s the back-row-far-left-bluesweatervest person and who was the person that rapped with the two Beastie Boys?
@MayhemintheHood: You can pose all of these questions to Google, Wikipedia and this press release if you’re actually curious to know the answers.
I thought Clay and Elvis sounded pretty good together! Haha.
@MayhemintheHood:
Adam Levine = the singer for Maroon 5. I’m sure you know who they are.
Rachel Yamagata = indie folk singer/songwriter.
Robert Randolph = singer and organist for pop/funk/jam band Robert Randolph and the Family Band, one of the few (if not the only) pop/rock groups that BET will play videos from.