Michael McDonald Breaks Character for Stand-Up

By Tamara Palmer Thu., May 31 2012 at 8:30 AM

Categories: Comedy

Michael McDonald

For 10 seasons on the sketch comedy series MADtv, Michael McDonald masqueraded under such original guises as Bible Dude and the Depressed Persian Tow Truck Driver, and he slayed with impressions of notorious figures including Bill O'Reilly, Saddam Hussein, and Dr. Phil (not to mention exaggerating the pill-hogging rants of Dr. Gregory House from the TV series of the same surname). But in the years since he completed the longest tenure of any MADtv cast member, McDonald -- who writes, produces, and directs for ABC's Cougar Town -- has brought his true comedic strengths to light as he pursues a stand-up career as himself.

McDonald performs three nights at Cobb's Comedy Club starting tonight (Thursday, May 31).

His time on mainstream television has given him a fun (if jaded) perspective on pop culture that allows him to skewer the boob tube -- he thinks the inane reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians should be renamed Armenian Whorehouse, to offer a demure example. And because he shares his name with the former lead singer of the Doobie Brothers, don't be too shocked when a little dash of marijuana-infused humor slips into the mix.

Michael McDonald performs May 31 through June 2 at Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Columbus (at Lombard), S.F. Admission is $22.50-$25.

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