Musical comedian, acclaimed political satirist and producer Randy Rainbow is no stranger to receiving Emmy nominations. However, for the first time, the New Yorker has received a nod for best performer in a shortform comedy or drama series for the political-parody music videos that make up his YouTube hit The Randy Rainbow Show. Also up for best short form comedy, drama or variety series, bringing his total number of Emmy nominations since 2019 to six, Rainbow is hoping this could be his year to stand in the spotlight.
This is your first nomination as a performer. Does it feel different?
It is thrilling, and that’s not hyperbole because when I started making these videos, the impetus was to showcase myself as a performer. The way it unfolded and what I ended up adding to the recipe all came later. To finally be recognized in this way is a big freaking deal.
How long does each musical parody take to put together?
It’s usually a few weeks, but that has evolved over the years. One thing that has changed is that now I have a musical team. I work with a music producer and a vocal arranger, and instead of pulling karaoke tracks like I used to, we meet and come up with more interesting ways to put the music together. That involves getting a band together, and they’re all Broadway musicians. These days, the tracks are created for me by Michael J. Moritz Jr., who is a fellow nominee in the series category.
Is there an intrusive thought you’re glad that you did give in to?
Oh my God! There are so many. It’s kind of a weird place that we’re in now, especially with comedy. We’re trying to determine what people will be offended by versus what they will understand as just irreverence. We’re in a moment where everything is such a fucking shitshow that the threshold for being offended is quite high.
What comes first: the lyrics or the track you want to use?
It changes with each video. I did “Defying Gravity” as “Defying Democracy,” and that was on my running list of songs that I wanted to do. Sometimes you’ll turn on the news and Donald Trump will say something that completely works lyrically, and that feeds my idea for the parody. Nine times out of 10, it’s the lyrics, but sometimes I just want to sing a Taylor Swift song.
The Randy Rainbow Show
Courtesy of Randy Rainbow YouTube (2)
Have you ever changed anyone’s mind with your show?
I don’t think I’m changing minds in a massive way. Tucker Carlson hasn’t changed his tune because he saw one of my videos. I do tour with a live show, and in the meet-and-greets, people come with their mother, father, aunt or sister and say, “They are a Republican, but we love your work, we watch it together and laugh.” While they don’t say, “You’ve changed my mind, and I’m now a liberal Democrat,” I hope that some of my message creeps in, and that speaks to the power of musical comedy.
This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
