John Mulaney appears to be a personable guy with an obviously good sense of humor. The comedian is open and honest about the inner demons he has faced, but he also espouses about many things. During a recent conversation with Rolling Stone, Mulaney let fly his opinions about the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class.
For instance, Mulaney feels quite happy that Chubby Checker and Outkast will be inducted. Surprisingly, Mulaney has no opinion about other potential inductees, such as the Black Crowes (passed over for inclusion this year). Literally. This might tarnish some of what he has to say about the inductees and snubs of 2025, though.
The Black Crowes may or may not be worthy of getting enshrined, but to have a general lack of knowledge about their music? That might imply that Mulaney intensely loves what he likes, but might not go out of his way to discover other interests. In other words, he is a real music fan.
John Mulaney makes a stand for Phish
Mulaney is not so happy about another perceived 2025 snub. That is with the band Phish. The group recently appeared on his Netflix show, Everybody's Live with John Mulaney, as stand-ins for the actors we know from Seinfeld (yes, you read that correctly). The comedian has a connection to Phish, which may cloud his judgment on whether they should be in the Rock Hall.
He has that right, of course. Everyone can have an opinion on what musical artists should be included in a hall of fame. One would assume anyone or any band enshrined should have something elite about them, and maybe Phish should be inducted because of their touring prowess. (The Seinfeld sketch was not great, though.)
As it turns out, Mulaney didn't recently become a Phishhead; he has been one for quite some time. The 42-year-old comedian has followed the band for nearly 30 years. Mulaney is astonished that Phish is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He told Rolling Stone, "The idea of a band (Phish) in 1999 playing fucking guitars, piano, and drums was not always easy to find. In that documentary (Between Me and My Mind about Trey Anastasio), Trey said that Tommy Lee saw them on the cover of Rolling Stone and went, 'Finally, a (expletive) band,' and the excitement of that...The songs are great, (Phish fans are) not stupid people."
Of course, Phish has a chance for induction next year, too. They easily won the fan vote, but critics and record executives ultimately matter more in Rock Hall voting. If Mulaney has his way, a wrong will be corrected soon enough.