[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.

"[3] As he told Reuters contributor Andy Sullivan, "I'm making fun of the songwriting process, but the music is generally treated pretty lovingly.

[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.

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.

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.

[12] 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.

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 (Justin Roiland).

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.

"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.

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.

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.

Jimmy Buffett is convinced by Kevin Bacon (Jason Lee) and Gene Balboa to trick Loggins into making yet another film theme.

Rob Schrab, Matt Braunger, and Dahéli Hall make cameo appearances as Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, and Tina Turner, respectively.