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{{short description|McDonald's advertising character used in the late 1980s}}
{{short description|McDonald's advertising character used in the late 1980s}}
{{pp-sock|small=yes}}
{{pp-sock|small=yes}}
{{Overly detailed|date=January 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox character
{{Infobox character
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==History==
==History==
===Original marketing campaign (1986–1989)===
===Original marketing campaign (1986–1989)===
The campaign, created by Jim Bennedict <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://rotationandbalance.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-credits-due.html?m=1 |title=ROTATION AND BALANCE: Where credit's due |date=January 17, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124080549/https://rotationandbalance.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-credits-due.html?m=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Steve Neill, was created locally for Southern California McDonald's franchisees by [[Los Angeles]] advertising firm Davis, Johnson, Mogul & Colombatto,<ref name="Prescott">{{cite news |title=The Making of 'Mac Tonight' |last=Prescott |first=Eileen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/29/business/the-making-of-mac-tonight.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 29, 1987 |access-date=February 28, 2015 |archive-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715084740/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/29/business/the-making-of-mac-tonight.html |url-status=live }}</ref> for A budget of around $500,000 dollars. Looking to increase the after-4&nbsp;p.m. dinner business, the agency was inspired by the song "[[Mack the Knife]]" by [[Kurt Weill]] and [[Bertolt Brecht]], which was made famous in the United States by [[Bobby Darin]] in 1959 and listened to different versions of it before opting to create an original version with new lyrics.<ref name="Prescott" /> After deciding not to feature real people or celebrities, the designers settled on an anthropomorphic [[crooner]] moon on a man's body with 1950s-style [[sunglasses]]; the song and style were designed to appeal to [[baby boomers]] and a revival of 1950s-style music in popular culture.<ref name="Prescott" /> The character, who played a grand piano atop either a floating cloud or a giant [[Big Mac]] (hence the name), was intended to garner a "cult-like" following, e.g. [[Max Headroom]].<ref name="Prescott" />
The campaign, created by Jim Bennedict <ref>https://rotationandbalance.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-credits-due.html?m=1</ref> and Steve Neill, was created locally for Southern California McDonald's franchisees by [[Los Angeles]] advertising firm Davis, Johnson, Mogul & Colombatto,<ref name="Prescott">{{cite news |title=The Making of 'Mac Tonight' |last=Prescott |first=Eileen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/29/business/the-making-of-mac-tonight.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 29, 1987 |access-date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> for A budget of around $500,000 dollars. Looking to increase the after-4&nbsp;p.m. dinner business, the agency was inspired by the song "[[Mack the Knife]]" by [[Kurt Weill]] and [[Bertolt Brecht]], which was made famous in the United States by [[Bobby Darin]] in 1959 and listened to different versions of it before opting to create an original version with new lyrics.<ref name="Prescott" /> After deciding not to feature real people or celebrities, the designers settled on an anthropomorphic [[crooner]] moon on a man's body with 1950s-style [[sunglasses]]; the song and style were designed to appeal to [[baby boomers]] and a revival of 1950s-style music in popular culture.<ref name="Prescott" /> The character, who played a grand piano atop either a floating cloud or a giant [[Big Mac]] (hence the name), was intended to garner a "cult-like" following, e.g. [[Max Headroom]].<ref name="Prescott" />
From 1986 to 1987, the campaign expanded to other cities on the [[West Coast of the United States|American West Coast]]. McDonald's said that the campaign had "great success" while trade magazine ''[[Nation's Restaurant News]]'' announced that it had contributed to increases of over 10% in dinnertime business at some Californian restaurants.<ref name="Prescott" /> A crowd of 1,500 attended the visit of a costumed character to a Los Angeles McDonald's.<ref name="Prescott" /> Despite concerns that he was too typical of the West Coast, in February 1987 it was decided that the character would feature on national advertisements which went to air that September and he attracted a crowd of 1,000 in [[Boca Raton, Florida]].<ref name="Prescott" /> A September 1987 survey by Ad Watch found that the number of consumers who recalled McDonald's advertising before any other doubled from the previous month, and was higher than any company since the [[New Coke]] launch in 1985.<ref name="Prescott" />
From 1986 to 1987, the campaign expanded to other cities on the [[West Coast of the United States|American West Coast]]. McDonald's said that the campaign had "great success" while trade magazine ''[[Nation's Restaurant News]]'' announced that it had contributed to increases of over 10% in dinnertime business at some Californian restaurants.<ref name="Prescott" /> A crowd of 1,500 attended the visit of a costumed character to a Los Angeles McDonald's.<ref name="Prescott" /> Despite concerns that he was too typical of the West Coast, in February 1987 it was decided that the character would feature on national advertisements which went to air that September and he attracted a crowd of 1,000 in [[Boca Raton, Florida]].<ref name="Prescott" /> A September 1987 survey by Ad Watch found that the number of consumers who recalled McDonald's advertising before any other doubled from the previous month, and was higher than any company since the [[New Coke]] launch in 1985.<ref name="Prescott" />


[[Doug Jones (actor)|Doug Jones]] performed Mac Tonight for over 27 out of the 29 commercials. Years later in 2013, he recalled "[T]hat's when my career took a turn that I was not expecting. I didn't know that was a career option."<ref>{{cite web|last=Radish|first=Christina|title=Doug Jones Talks FALLING SKIES Season 3, the Makeup Process, His Career, His Desire to Make HELLBOY 3, and More|url=http://collider.com/doug-jones-falling-skies-season-3-interview/|access-date=December 2, 2015|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=June 26, 2013|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160547/http://collider.com/doug-jones-falling-skies-season-3-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mac Tonight's voice was provided by Roger Behr.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pattersonandassociates.com/bios/Roger_Behr/|title=Roger Behr|publisher=Patterson & Associates|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050619021650/http://www.pattersonandassociates.com/bios/Roger_Behr/|archive-date=2005-06-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> Director Peter Coutroulis, who won a [[Clio Awards|Clio Award]] for a previous campaign for [[20 Mule Team Borax|Borax]], pitched several commercials which did not air, including an ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.]]''-like one in which two astronomers watch Mac Tonight drive his [[Cadillac]] through the sky.<ref name="Prescott" />
[[Doug Jones (actor)|Doug Jones]] performed Mac Tonight for over 27 out of the 29 commercials. Years later in 2013, he recalled "[T]hat's when my career took a turn that I was not expecting. I didn't know that was a career option."<ref>{{cite web|last=Radish|first=Christina|title=Doug Jones Talks FALLING SKIES Season 3, the Makeup Process, His Career, His Desire to Make HELLBOY 3, and More|url=http://collider.com/doug-jones-falling-skies-season-3-interview/|access-date=December 2, 2015|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=June 26, 2013}}</ref> Mac Tonight's voice was provided by Roger Behr.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pattersonandassociates.com/bios/Roger_Behr/|title=Roger Behr|publisher=Patterson & Associates|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050619021650/http://www.pattersonandassociates.com/bios/Roger_Behr/|archive-date=2005-06-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> Director Peter Coutroulis, who won a [[Clio Awards|Clio Award]] for a previous campaign for [[20 Mule Team Borax|Borax]], pitched several commercials which did not air, including an ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.]]''-like one in which two astronomers watch Mac Tonight drive his [[Cadillac]] through the sky.<ref name="Prescott" />


In 1989, Bobby Darin's son Dodd Mitchell Darin claimed that the song infringed upon his father's trademark without prior permission and filed a lawsuit as well as an injunction for the song to be removed from both TV and radio ads.<ref name="Deseret">{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/68596/DARINS-SON-SUES-MCDONALDS.html?pg=all|title=Darin's Son Sues McDonald's|work=[[Deseret News]]|date=October 15, 1989|access-date=August 30, 2012|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713010557/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/68596/DARINS-SON-SUES-MCDONALDS.html?pg=all|url-status=live}}</ref> As a response to the lawsuit, McDonald's stopped airing the commercials.
In 1989, Bobby Darin's son Dodd Mitchell Darin claimed that the song infringed upon his father's trademark without prior permission and filed a lawsuit as well as an injunction for the song to be removed from both TV and radio ads.<ref name="Deseret">{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/68596/DARINS-SON-SUES-MCDONALDS.html?pg=all|title=Darin's Son Sues McDonald's|work=[[Deseret News]]|date=October 15, 1989|access-date=August 30, 2012}}</ref> As a response to the lawsuit, McDonald's stopped airing the commercials "They thought that I had co-opted his father’s singing style, and they filed suit for infringement of likeness.

"Specifically, my vocalization was apparently the issue. To me though, Bobby Darin wasn’t the imprint on that song. I was more influenced by guys like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong — Louis Armstrong was known for this song, too. That brought the gravy train to a grinding halt. I do think, though, that this lawsuit coincided with the downturn of Mac Tonight ads as effective marketing anyway. I think McDonald’s looked at it like, Do we really want to fuck with this? Isn’t it easier to just cut and run from the whole thing?” So that’s what they did. It’s cool, though. It’s a business. I get it. I think they tried to change the song for a bit, but it just didn’t work. Mac was done soon after that."<ref>https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/mac-tonight-moon-man-oral-history</ref>
===Commercials (1986-1989)===
{{Episode table |background= #0c0285 |overall= |title= |airdate= |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Spinning Burger
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1986|12|29}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonights debut. Originally produced under the name 'Mac Tonight', in this commercial he is seen singing atop a giant Big Mac
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = Cards
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1987|01}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonight promotes the Mac Tonight Scratch Card Promotion in this commercial. This promotion would last a while, and would later be redone in New Zealand a year later.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Clock Tower
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1987|08}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonight sits at his piano, both him and his piano are flying around on a cloud over a cityscape. He flies around a Clock Tower.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = State Fair
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1987|08}}
| ShortSummary = Better known as Carnival, Mac Tonight sits in a rollercoaster as he goes through a McDonald's themed Carnival
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Morning Mac
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1988|02}}
| ShortSummary = Better known as Beautiful Morning, Mac Tonight sings a new variation of his iconic theme. In this ad he advertises McDonald's breakfast. He flies through a beautiful sunrise through the clouds.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = Constellation
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1988|08}}
| ShortSummary = Better Known as Stars, Mac Tonight sings a new variation of his iconic theme as he flies through space, circling around the earth.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title = Band
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1988}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonight sings his iconic theme, while surrounded by crowds of band members playing along to the song
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title = Study Break
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1988|08}}
| ShortSummary = A kid is studying, whistling the beginning of the Mac Tonight theme. Mac Tonight flies by the kids window and summons a McDonald's Big Mac Meal onto the table next to his windowsill.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| Title = Blast Back with Mac - Something's Comin'
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1989|07}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonight announces the Blast Back with Mac campaign.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| Title = Blast Back with Mac
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1989|07}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonight flies in on a cloud with his piano to a stage while singing a song specifically made for this series of commercials. Then the commercial would describe what prizes you could win by participating in the contest.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| Title = Mac Tonight Travel Toys
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1988}}
| ShortSummary = This ad promotes the Mac Tonight Happy Meal toys, which feature Mac Tonight in a series of vehicles. It shows a dad obnoxiously playing with the travel toys, until his son walks in on him.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
}}

== The Forgotten Age (1990's) ==
After the Lawsuit, Mac Tonight still made infrequent appearances throughout the 90's, unfortunately these ads were unsuccessful.
===Commercials (1990 - 1997)===
{{Episode table |background= #0c0285 |overall= |title= |airdate= |country= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Cityscape
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonight is seen in the clouds in front of a cityscape. The clouds have hands and are playing instruments alongside Mac Tonight. The song used was made for the commercial, and is not a parody of a pre-existing song. This commercial was made for the Food, Folks and Fun campaign.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = 2 Dollar Dinner Deal
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1992}}
| ShortSummary = This ad was made for Australia using recycled footage from the Spinning Burger remake that aired in Australia in 1988. Mac Tonight plays his piano in front of 4 back up singers inside a shiny blue room.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = 4 Dollar Dinner Deal
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1993}}
| ShortSummary = This ad was made for Australia as part of a new Mac Tonight campaign used alongside the american ads, which had not previously been aired in Australia due to the law in Australia at the time.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Open 24hrs
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1994}}
| ShortSummary = In Mac Tonight's first CGI Commercial, Mac Tonight's laying on a cloud advertising that McDonald's Drive Thru's are open 24 hrs
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Rocket Car
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1996}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonight's in a red corvette driving through outer space, and goes through a floating McDonald's drive thru. In this commercial Mac Tonight is singing a parody of [[Hungry (Paul Revere & the Raiders song)|Paul Revere and the Raiders 'Hungry']]. This commercial features a mix of CG and Live Action.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = Big Picture
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1997}}
| ShortSummary = A conference is going on, when Mac Tonight suddenly comes through the screen and talks about McDonald's
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title = Spaceship
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1997}}
| ShortSummary = This ad was made in Spanish and was aired exclusively on Spanish speaking TV Channels. We cut to a spaceship where a family is having dinner of chicken flavored food pills, the family is disappointed Until suddenly Mac Tonight appears, and advertises Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, and gives the family all Chicken Sandwiches.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title = Limousine
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |1997}}
| ShortSummary = A man and his girlfriend are trying to decide what to eat on their date while in a limousine. It is revealed that Mac Tonight is driving the limousine and Talks about McDonald's and takes them to get McDonalds for their date.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
}}


== Reintroduction in Southeast Asia (2006-2010) ==
== Reintroduction in Southeast Asia (2006-2010) ==
Line 33: Line 176:


The '[[Mac Tonight Party]]' promotion lasted from 2009-2019.
The '[[Mac Tonight Party]]' promotion lasted from 2009-2019.

=== Commercials (2006-2010) ===
{{Episode table |background= #0c0285 |overall= |title= |airdate= |country= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Mac Tonight (2007)
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2006|12}}
| ShortSummary = Mac Tonight (2007) known in Hong Kong as "Cheers for Midnight"[https://www.hk01.com/%E7%9C%BE%E6%A8%82%E8%BF%B7/348303/%E9%BA%A5%E7%95%B6%E5%8B%9E6%E5%A4%A7%E7%B6%93%E5%85%B8%E5%BB%A3%E5%91%8A%E6%AD%8C-%E9%99%B3%E5%A5%95%E8%BF%85%E5%91%A2%E9%A6%96%E6%AD%8C%E7%B0%A1%E7%9B%B4%E4%BF%82%E5%A4%A7%E4%BD%AC%E7%B4%9A#media_id=2993252] was the first ad part of this new campaign. This ad featured Mac Tonight playing a saxophone on top of a McDonald's. This Ad is entirely CGI and was made by Liquid Animation.[http://www.liquidanimation.com/portfolio/mcdonalds-mac-tonight] Singer Sharizan Borhan voiced this Advertisement in English and Indonesian.
In Hong Kong, Eason Chan voiced the role in Cantonese, his singing was remixed for the other ads in this campaign. In 2007, Eason Chan would win 'Most Popular TV Commercial Song' at the 'TVB Most Popular Advertising Awards'[https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/TVB%E6%9C%80%E5%8F%97%E6%AD%A1%E8%BF%8E%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%BB%A3%E5%91%8A%E5%A4%A7%E7%8D%8E] for this commercial [https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/%E9%99%B3%E5%A5%95%E8%BF%85%E5%BE%97%E7%8D%8E%E8%88%87%E6%8F%90%E5%90%8D%E5%88%97%E8%A1%A8]
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = Double (2008)
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |2008}}
| ShortSummary = Made in collaboration with [https://www.silly-thing.com SiLLY THING.] This ad features a remixed version of the Cantonese version of the 2007 Commercial. This ad, produced in CGI, has a tiny stylized version of Mac Tonight and is full of surreal imagery.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Double (2009)
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |2009}}
| ShortSummary = Made in collaboration with [https://www.silly-thing.com SiLLY THING.] This ad, produced in CGI, has the same Mac Tonight design and song from the 2008 commercial. Although in this commercial, Mac Tonight is a DJ playing in front of a large crowd.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = MEGA!
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date |2010}}
| ShortSummary = Made in collaboration with [https://www.silly-thing.com SiLLY THING.] and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, This ad, produced in CGI, has the same Mac Tonight design and song from the 2008 and 2009 commercial, and features Mac Tonight playing soccer. This would be the final ad in this campaign.
| LineColor = 0c0285
}}
}}


== International Commercials ==
== International Commercials ==
Throughout the 1980's, [[McDonald's]] aired Mac Tonight worldwide, some of which having major changes made to the commercials.
Throughout the 1980's, [[McDonald's]] aired Mac Tonight worldwide, some of which having major changes made to the commercials.


In [[Quebec]] Mac Tonight is named Pierrot McDo. Instead of singing an upbeat spoof of Mack the Knife, Pierrot McDo performs a parody of the song Frédéric by [[Claude Léveillée]].
In [[Quebec]] Mac Tonight is named Pierrot McDo. Instead of singing an upbeat spoof of Mack the Knife, Pierrot McDo performs a parody of the song Frédéric by [[Claude Léveillée]].

=== <u>Original</u> (French) ===

{{Quote|"Je me fous du monde entier"

"la voie lactée et tout le reste"

"ç'que je veux ç'est mon McDo' "

"M'sieur l'soleil peut s'coucher"

"Ce qu'il me plait c'est un big mac et des grosses frites"

"un p'tit tour sous les arches"

"au clair de moi"

"Je me fous de l'heure qu'il est pour regarder la télé"

"Quand la nuit les arches brillent"

"Vous savez où me' trouver"

"Moi j'aime McDonalds... "}}

=== <u>Translation</u> (English) ===

{{Quote|" I don't care about the whole world"

"The Milky Way and all the rest"

"What I like is my McDo' "

"Mr. Sun can go to sleep"

"What I like is Big Mac and fries"

"A little walk under the arches"

"Under my Light"

"I don't care what time it is to watch the television"

"When at night the arches shine"

"You know where to find me"

"I love McDonald's... "}}


Furthermore, the lyrics “Au clair de moi” seemingly point towards the French folk song '[[Au clair de la lune]]'.
Furthermore, the lyrics “Au clair de moi” seemingly point towards the French folk song '[[Au clair de la lune]]'.


In [[Japan]], Mac Tonight (renamed to マックトゥナイト) was voiced by [[Yōsui Inoue]]. The Japanese ads have a new backing track used.<ref>{{Citation |title=Mac Tonight-Spinning Burger (Japan Edit) Instrumental |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux2Zc32ScHE |access-date=2024-01-27 |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127073902/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux2Zc32ScHE |url-status=live }}</ref>
In [[Japan]], Mac Tonight (renamed to マックトゥナイト) was voiced by [[Yōsui Inoue]]. The Japanese ads have a new backing track used.<ref>{{Citation |title=Mac Tonight-Spinning Burger (Japan Edit) Instrumental |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux2Zc32ScHE |access-date=2024-01-27 |language=en}}</ref>


== Mask ==
== Mask ==
The mask the actor wore was made by a makeup and practical effects artist called Steve Neill, it weighed over 10 pounds and had the facial expressions motorized with animatronics. It needed three puppeteers in total to control the lip, jaw and eyebrow movement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title=A Delicious Oral History of 'Mac Tonight' |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/mac-tonight-moon-man-oral-history |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=MEL Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111091950/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/mac-tonight-moon-man-oral-history |url-status=live }}</ref> This being mostly done by Steve Neill, Gilly Neill, and Bob Burns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bongo |first=Mighty |title=Steve Neill...Make-Up... Models... and Monkey Man ! |url=http://www.hollywoodgorillamen.com/2013/12/steve-neillmake-up-models-and-monkey-man.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125052627/http://www.hollywoodgorillamen.com/2013/12/steve-neillmake-up-models-and-monkey-man.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The mask the actor wore was made by a makeup and practical effects artist called Steve Neill, it weighed over 10 pounds and had the facial expressions motorized with animatronics. It needed three puppeteers in total to control the lip, jaw and eyebrow movement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title=A Delicious Oral History of ‘Mac Tonight’ |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/mac-tonight-moon-man-oral-history |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=MEL Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> This being mostly done by Steve Neill, Gilly Neill, and Bob Burns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bongo |first=Mighty |title=Steve Neill...Make-Up... Models... and Monkey Man ! |url=http://www.hollywoodgorillamen.com/2013/12/steve-neillmake-up-models-and-monkey-man.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |language=en}}</ref>


As the years went by, new masks were made with more articulation and animatronics added.
As the years went by, new masks were made with more articulation and animatronics added.
[[File:HeadEvolution.png|thumb|270x270px|A picture showing the evolution of Mac Tonight's Head Design through out each commercial.]]
[[File:HeadEvolution.png|thumb|270x270px|A picture showing the evolution of Mac Tonight's Head Design through out each commercial.]]
The Australian 1988 Mask was made by Robert Bertie.<ref>{{Citation |title=Australian Mac Tonight commercial, head by Robert Bertie |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kSovFmeqCw |access-date=2024-01-25 |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125051935/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kSovFmeqCw |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the law in Australia at the time, they were forced to remake 'Spinning Burger from scratch in order to air it. This required a new actor, a new head, a new instrumental, and a new set, all done in Australia. In 1993 the original American Commercials would later air as laws had changed by then.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mac Tonight's 1993 Australian TV Commercials - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkbvtezh5oijBXjXVK7nlZxHyxDWbS6CB |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.youtube.com |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125072122/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkbvtezh5oijBXjXVK7nlZxHyxDWbS6CB |url-status=live }}</ref> Along with the old ad's re-airing in Australia, a new commercial was produced,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Other Mac Tonight Australian Ads - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkbvtezh5oigQw4ZbJI3W2zX8bE12HRo0&si=GddIgXptOfMcI1Mr |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.youtube.com |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125072122/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkbvtezh5oigQw4ZbJI3W2zX8bE12HRo0&si=GddIgXptOfMcI1Mr |url-status=live }}</ref> the new commercials featured a new head, made to emulate the look of the 1987 and 1988 head's
The Australian 1988 Mask was made by Robert Bertie.<ref>{{Citation |title=Australian Mac Tonight commercial, head by Robert Bertie |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kSovFmeqCw |access-date=2024-01-25 |language=en}}</ref> Due to the law in Australia at the time, they were forced to remake 'Spinning Burger from scratch in order to air it. This required a new actor, a new head, a new instrumental, and a new set, all done in Australia. In 1993 the original American Commercials would later air as laws had changed by then.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mac Tonight's 1993 Australian TV Commercials - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkbvtezh5oijBXjXVK7nlZxHyxDWbS6CB |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> Along with the old ad's re-airing in Australia, a new commercial was produced,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Other Mac Tonight Australian Ads - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkbvtezh5oigQw4ZbJI3W2zX8bE12HRo0&si=GddIgXptOfMcI1Mr |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> the new commercials featured a new head, made to emulate the look of the 1987 and 1988 head's


==Animatronics==
==Animatronics==


In addition to the advertising campaign, a number of McDonald's restaurants during the early 1990s were also fitted with Mac Tonight hydraulically-powered [[animatronic]] figures built by Mannetron<ref>{{Cite web |last=Retroist |title=The History of Mac Tonight |url=https://www.retroist.com/p/the-history-of-mac-tonight |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=www.retroist.com |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116021227/https://www.retroist.com/p/the-history-of-mac-tonight |url-status=live }}</ref> which featured the character seated in front of a piano and playing it.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ocker|first=J.W.|url=http://www.oddthingsiveseen.com/2012/03/mac-tonight.html|title=Mac Tonight|website=Odd Things I've Seen|date=March 21, 2012|access-date=2018-07-12|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716191328/https://www.oddthingsiveseen.com/2012/03/mac-tonight.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The most and only prominent McDonald's restaurant to still feature one of the (non-working) animatronics is the [[World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's]] in [[Orlando, Florida]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kubersky|first=Seth|url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/worlds-largest-entertainment-mcdonalds-opens-international-drive/|title=World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's reopens on International Drive|date=2016-03-16|work=Attractions Magazine|access-date=2018-07-12|archive-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515183147/https://attractionsmagazine.com/worlds-largest-entertainment-mcdonalds-opens-international-drive/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other known locations include a [[Greenfield, Wisconsin]] McDonald's known as the Solid Gold McDonald's, prior to undergoing major renovations in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last=Snyder |first=Molly |title=So long, Solid Gold McDonald's |url=https://onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/solidgoldmcds.html |access-date=6 September 2018 |website=[[OnMilwaukee]] |date=28 March 2011 |archive-date=January 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120090446/https://onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/solidgoldmcds.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In addition to the advertising campaign, a number of McDonald's restaurants during the early 1990s were also fitted with Mac Tonight hydraulically-powered [[animatronic]] figures built by Mannetron<ref>{{Cite web |last=Retroist |title=The History of Mac Tonight |url=https://www.retroist.com/p/the-history-of-mac-tonight |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=www.retroist.com |language=en}}</ref> which featured the character seated in front of a piano and playing it.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ocker|first=J.W. |url=http://www.oddthingsiveseen.com/2012/03/mac-tonight.html|title=Mac Tonight|website=Odd Things I've Seen|date=March 21, 2012|access-date=2018-07-12}}</ref> The most and only prominent McDonald's restaurant to still feature one of the (non-working) animatronics is the [[World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's]] in [[Orlando, Florida]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kubersky|first=Seth |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/worlds-largest-entertainment-mcdonalds-opens-international-drive/|title=World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's reopens on International Drive|date=2016-03-16|work=Attractions Magazine|access-date=2018-07-12}}</ref> Other known locations include a [[Greenfield, Wisconsin]] McDonald's known as the Solid Gold McDonald's, prior to undergoing major renovations in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Molly |title=So long, Solid Gold McDonald's |url=https://onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/solidgoldmcds.html |access-date=6 September 2018 |website=[[OnMilwaukee]] |date=28 March 2011}}</ref>


==NASCAR==
==NASCAR==
[[File:Bill Elliott Mac Tonight Thunderbird Richmond September 1997.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Bill Elliott]]'s Mac Tonight-themed car]]
[[File:Bill Elliott Mac Tonight Thunderbird Richmond September 1997.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Bill Elliott]]'s Mac Tonight-themed car]]
Between 1997 and 1998, McDonald's sponsored [[NASCAR]] Hall of Famer [[Bill Elliott]] with Mac Tonight featured on his car.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/elliobi01/1997/W|title=Driver Bill Elliott 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|website=Racing-Reference.info|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428030822/https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/elliobi01/1997/W|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, the Mac Tonight theme was McDonald's driver [[Jamie McMurray]]'s [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] No. 1 [[Holden Commodore (VF)|Chevrolet SS]] throwback scheme for [[Darlington Raceway]]'s [[2016 Bojangles' Southern 500|Southern 500]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/shake-and-bake/jamie-jamie-mcmurray-unveils-mac-tonight-darlington-throwback-scheme-sprint-cup-081516|title=Jamie McMurray unveils 'Mac Tonight' Darlington throwback scheme|last=Jensen|first=Tom|date=August 15, 2016|website=[[FoxSports.com]]|access-date=August 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815171625/https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/shake-and-bake/jamie-jamie-mcmurray-unveils-mac-tonight-darlington-throwback-scheme-sprint-cup-081516|archive-date=2016-08-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Between 1997 and 1998, McDonald's sponsored [[NASCAR]] Hall of Famer [[Bill Elliott]] with Mac Tonight featured on his car.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/elliobi01/1997/W|title=Driver Bill Elliott 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|website=Racing-Reference.info|access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref> In 2016, the Mac Tonight theme was McDonald's driver [[Jamie McMurray]]'s [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] No. 1 [[Holden Commodore (VF)|Chevrolet SS]] throwback scheme for [[Darlington Raceway]]'s [[2016 Bojangles' Southern 500|Southern 500]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/shake-and-bake/jamie-jamie-mcmurray-unveils-mac-tonight-darlington-throwback-scheme-sprint-cup-081516|title=Jamie McMurray unveils 'Mac Tonight' Darlington throwback scheme|last=Jensen|first=Tom|date=August 15, 2016|website=[[FoxSports.com]]|access-date=August 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815171625/https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/shake-and-bake/jamie-jamie-mcmurray-unveils-mac-tonight-darlington-throwback-scheme-sprint-cup-081516|archive-date=2016-08-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
Mac Tonight has appeared on the cover of the [[split album]] ''Late Night Delight'' by [[Saint Pepsi]] and [[Luxury Elite]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Beauchamp|first=Scott|title=How Vaporwave Was Created Then Destroyed by the Internet |url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a47793/what-happened-to-vaporwave/|magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819033643/http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a47793/what-happened-to-vaporwave/|archive-date=2016-08-19|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Minor|first=Jordan|title=McDonald's Mac Tonight should make a comeback as the lead in a fast food cinematic universe|url=http://www.geek.com/news/meet-mac-tonight-mcdonalds-magnificent-spokesmoon-1655555/|access-date=August 25, 2016|website=[[Geek.com]]|date=May 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520123508/http://www.geek.com/news/meet-mac-tonight-mcdonalds-magnificent-spokesmoon-1655555/|archive-date=2016-05-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> becoming an icon of the vaporwave genre.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/acid-test/acid-test-miles-bowe-bandcamp-may-2019 |title=Acid Test: Harsh Electronics, Spoken Word, A Vaporwave Classic, & More |date=June 10, 2019 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |website=[[Bandcamp Daily]] |last=Bowe |first=Miles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128171131/https://daily.bandcamp.com/acid-test/acid-test-miles-bowe-bandcamp-may-2019 |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=live |at=sec.&nbsp;Luxury Elite / Saint Pepsi – Late Night Delight}}</ref> He was also featured in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episodes "[[Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore]]" as a [[cardboard]] cutout and "[[Burger Kings]]" via Homer's imagination.<ref name="Burke">{{cite web |last=Burke |first=Timothy |date=22 December 2014 |title=Rape, Murder, Violent Racism: The Weirdest McDonald's Ad Campaign Ever |url=https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/rape-murder-violent-racism-the-weirdest-mcdonalds-ad-1673970057 |access-date=28 July 2015 |website=[[Deadspin]] |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113202805/https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/rape-murder-violent-racism-the-weirdest-mcdonalds-ad-1673970057 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Mac Tonight has appeared on the cover of the [[split album]] ''Late Night Delight'' by [[Saint Pepsi]] and [[Luxury Elite]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Beauchamp|first=Scott|title=How Vaporwave Was Created Then Destroyed by the Internet |url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a47793/what-happened-to-vaporwave/|magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819033643/http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a47793/what-happened-to-vaporwave/|archive-date=2016-08-19|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Minor|first=Jordan|title=McDonald's Mac Tonight should make a comeback as the lead in a fast food cinematic universe|url=http://www.geek.com/news/meet-mac-tonight-mcdonalds-magnificent-spokesmoon-1655555/|access-date=August 25, 2016|website=[[Geek.com]]|date=May 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520123508/http://www.geek.com/news/meet-mac-tonight-mcdonalds-magnificent-spokesmoon-1655555/|archive-date=2016-05-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> becoming an icon of the vaporwave genre.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/acid-test/acid-test-miles-bowe-bandcamp-may-2019 |title=Acid Test: Harsh Electronics, Spoken Word, A Vaporwave Classic, & More |date=June 10, 2019 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |website=[[Bandcamp Daily]] |last=Bowe |first=Miles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128171131/https://daily.bandcamp.com/acid-test/acid-test-miles-bowe-bandcamp-may-2019 |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |url-status=live |at=sec.&nbsp;Luxury Elite / Saint Pepsi – Late Night Delight}}</ref> He was also featured in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episodes "[[Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore]]" as a [[cardboard]] cutout and "[[Burger Kings]]" via Homer's imagination.<ref name="Burke">{{cite web |last=Burke |first=Timothy |date=22 December 2014 |title=Rape, Murder, Violent Racism: The Weirdest McDonald's Ad Campaign Ever |url=https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/rape-murder-violent-racism-the-weirdest-mcdonalds-ad-1673970057 |access-date=28 July 2015 |website=[[Deadspin]]}}</ref>


== Moon Man<!--'Moon Man (Internet meme)' redirects here--> ==
== Moon Man<!--'Moon Man (Internet meme)' redirects here--> ==
'''Moon Man'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> is an [[internet meme]] and unofficial parody of Mac Tonight that originated in 2007 on the Internet meme community [[YTMND]], in which the character is depicted as advocating for [[racism]] and racist acts.<ref name="Sheffield">{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2016/10/25/meet-moon-man-the-alt-rights-new-racist-rap-sensation-borrowed-from-1980s-mcdonalds-ads/|title=Meet Moon Man: The alt-right's racist rap sensation, borrowed from 1980s McDonald's ads|first=Matthew|last=Sheffield|work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|date=25 October 2016|access-date=2019-01-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129183009/https://www.salon.com/2016/10/25/meet-moon-man-the-alt-rights-new-racist-rap-sensation-borrowed-from-1980s-mcdonalds-ads/|archive-date=2019-01-29|url-status=live}}</ref> A ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'' article compared Moon Man to [[Pepe the Frog]], another meme labeled as a hate symbol.<ref name="Sheffield" /> YouTube consistently removes all Moon Man videos for violating its community guidelines on [[hate speech]], and AT&T, whose text-to-speech software was used to create the meme, has edited it to filter out the character's name and obscenities.<ref name="Sheffield" /> In 2019, the [[Anti-Defamation League]] added Moon Man to [[List of symbols designated by the Anti-Defamation League as hate symbols|their database of hate symbols]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]]|title="OK" and Other Alt Right Memes and Slogans Added to ADL's Hate Symbols Database|access-date=December 29, 2019|url=https://www.adl.org/news/press-releases/ok-and-other-alt-right-memes-and-slogans-added-to-adls-hate-symbols-database|date=September 26, 2019|location=New York City|archive-date=July 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720080150/https://www.adl.org/news/press-releases/ok-and-other-alt-right-memes-and-slogans-added-to-adls-hate-symbols-database|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/ok-hand-gesture-now-listed-symbol-hate|publisher=[[Boise State Public Radio]]|date=26 September 2019|access-date=16 November 2019|first=Bobby|last=Allyn|title=The 'OK' Hand Gesture Is Now Listed As A Symbol Of Hate|archive-date=November 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116212716/https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/ok-hand-gesture-now-listed-symbol-hate|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/48ae1303568b4b21813adb3bd6d592e5|title='OK' hand gesture, 'Bowlcut' added to hate symbols database|date=September 26, 2019|first=Michael|last=Kunzelman|work=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=2020-11-24|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308004945/https://apnews.com/48ae1303568b4b21813adb3bd6d592e5|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Moon Man'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> is an [[internet meme]] and unofficial parody of Mac Tonight that originated in 2007 on the Internet meme community [[YTMND]], in which the character is depicted as advocating for [[racism]] and racist acts.<ref name="Sheffield">{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2016/10/25/meet-moon-man-the-alt-rights-new-racist-rap-sensation-borrowed-from-1980s-mcdonalds-ads/|title=Meet Moon Man: The alt-right's racist rap sensation, borrowed from 1980s McDonald's ads|first=Matthew|last=Sheffield|work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|date=25 October 2016|access-date=2019-01-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129183009/https://www.salon.com/2016/10/25/meet-moon-man-the-alt-rights-new-racist-rap-sensation-borrowed-from-1980s-mcdonalds-ads/|archive-date=2019-01-29|url-status=live}}</ref> A ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'' article compared Moon Man to [[Pepe the Frog]], another meme labeled as a hate symbol.<ref name="Sheffield" /> YouTube consistently removes all Moon Man videos for violating its community guidelines on [[hate speech]], and AT&T, whose text-to-speech software was used to create the meme, has edited it to filter out the character's name and obscenities.<ref name="Sheffield" /> Although the meme has added a lasting stain onto Mac Tonight's reputation, the meme is frequently regarded as a forgotten obscure meme from the early internet, and has been disregarded by those who have used Mac Tonight's imagery for Vaporwave, Fangames, and the people at Crescents Corner.<ref>https://discord.gg/BJEBAWGQHD</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==


* Mac Tonight's voice is commonly misattributed to Roger Behr, this stems from Roger Behr voicing Mac Tonight's speaking voice<ref>{{Citation |title=The REAL Voice Actor behind Mac Tonight |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMHmy7Z0snw |access-date=2024-01-24 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124091429/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMHmy7Z0snw |url-status=live }}</ref> in a New Zealand Dub of the commercial 'Card's' once.<ref>{{Citation |title=McDonald's 1988 "Mac Tonight Cards" New Zealand Commercial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1UEjT94p0E |access-date=2024-01-24 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124091429/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1UEjT94p0E |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Mac Tonight's voice is commonly misattributed to Roger Behr, this stems from Roger Behr voicing Mac Tonight's speaking voice<ref>{{Citation |title=The REAL Voice Actor behind Mac Tonight |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMHmy7Z0snw |access-date=2024-01-24 |language=en}}</ref> in a New Zealand Dub of the commercial 'Card's' once.<ref>{{Citation |title=McDonald's 1988 "Mac Tonight Cards" New Zealand Commercial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1UEjT94p0E |access-date=2024-01-24 |language=en}}</ref>
* French-Canadian TV Show [[Rock et Belles Oreilles|RBO (Rock et Belles Oreilles)]] parodied Pierrot McDo (Mac Tonight) twice, in two sketches,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBoNvKqpvI "Pierrot WacDo"] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TyThmLQWKE "Claude Léveillée"]
* French-Canadian TV Show [[Rock et Belles Oreilles|RBO (Rock et Belles Oreilles)]] parodied Pierrot McDo (Mac Tonight) twice, in two sketches,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBoNvKqpvI "Pierrot WacDo"] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TyThmLQWKE "Claude Léveillée"]


Revision as of 12:12, 31 January 2024

Mac Tonight
File:MacTonightPaintingPicture.png
First appearanceDec 29. 1986
Dec 26. 1987 (Canada)
Created byDavis, Johnson, Mogul & Colombatto
Portrayed byDoug Jones (1986–1997)
Voiced byBrock Walsh (1986–1990) Eason Chan (2007-2010) Sharizan Borhan (2007)
In-universe information
GenderMale
OccupationNighttime mascot for the McDonald's fast food restaurant chain

Mac Tonight is a fictional character who was used in the marketing for McDonald's restaurants during the late 1980s. Known for his crescent moon head, sunglasses and piano-playing, the character used the song "Mack the Knife" which was made famous in the United States by Bobby Darin. Throughout the campaign, Mac was performed by actor Doug Jones in his fourth Hollywood job and voiced by Brock Walsh.

Originally conceived as a promotion to increase dinner sales by Southern California licensees, Mac Tonight's popularity led McDonald's to take it nationwide on Aug. 27th 1987. in 1988 the ad campaign had spread worldwide, however in 1989, Bobby Darin's son Dodd Mitchell Darin sued McDonald's for allegedly infringing upon Bobby Darin's Likeness. After the lawsuit, McDonald's stopped using the song featured in the original Mac Tonight campaign in the United States, although there were several attempts to reboot Mac Tonight in the US throughout the 90's, unfortunately none of them took off.

History

Original marketing campaign (1986–1989)

The campaign, created by Jim Bennedict [1] and Steve Neill, was created locally for Southern California McDonald's franchisees by Los Angeles advertising firm Davis, Johnson, Mogul & Colombatto,[2] for A budget of around $500,000 dollars. Looking to increase the after-4 p.m. dinner business, the agency was inspired by the song "Mack the Knife" by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, which was made famous in the United States by Bobby Darin in 1959 and listened to different versions of it before opting to create an original version with new lyrics.[2] After deciding not to feature real people or celebrities, the designers settled on an anthropomorphic crooner moon on a man's body with 1950s-style sunglasses; the song and style were designed to appeal to baby boomers and a revival of 1950s-style music in popular culture.[2] The character, who played a grand piano atop either a floating cloud or a giant Big Mac (hence the name), was intended to garner a "cult-like" following, e.g. Max Headroom.[2] From 1986 to 1987, the campaign expanded to other cities on the American West Coast. McDonald's said that the campaign had "great success" while trade magazine Nation's Restaurant News announced that it had contributed to increases of over 10% in dinnertime business at some Californian restaurants.[2] A crowd of 1,500 attended the visit of a costumed character to a Los Angeles McDonald's.[2] Despite concerns that he was too typical of the West Coast, in February 1987 it was decided that the character would feature on national advertisements which went to air that September and he attracted a crowd of 1,000 in Boca Raton, Florida.[2] A September 1987 survey by Ad Watch found that the number of consumers who recalled McDonald's advertising before any other doubled from the previous month, and was higher than any company since the New Coke launch in 1985.[2]

Doug Jones performed Mac Tonight for over 27 out of the 29 commercials. Years later in 2013, he recalled "[T]hat's when my career took a turn that I was not expecting. I didn't know that was a career option."[3] Mac Tonight's voice was provided by Roger Behr.[4] Director Peter Coutroulis, who won a Clio Award for a previous campaign for Borax, pitched several commercials which did not air, including an E.T.-like one in which two astronomers watch Mac Tonight drive his Cadillac through the sky.[2]

In 1989, Bobby Darin's son Dodd Mitchell Darin claimed that the song infringed upon his father's trademark without prior permission and filed a lawsuit as well as an injunction for the song to be removed from both TV and radio ads.[5] As a response to the lawsuit, McDonald's stopped airing the commercials "They thought that I had co-opted his father’s singing style, and they filed suit for infringement of likeness. 

"Specifically, my vocalization was apparently the issue. To me though, Bobby Darin wasn’t the imprint on that song. I was more influenced by guys like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong — Louis Armstrong was known for this song, too. That brought the gravy train to a grinding halt. I do think, though, that this lawsuit coincided with the downturn of Mac Tonight ads as effective marketing anyway. I think McDonald’s looked at it like, Do we really want to fuck with this? Isn’t it easier to just cut and run from the whole thing?” So that’s what they did. It’s cool, though. It’s a business. I get it. I think they tried to change the song for a bit, but it just didn’t work. Mac was done soon after that."[6]

Commercials (1986-1989)

No.TitleOriginal air date
1"Spinning Burger"December 29, 1986 (1986-12-29)
Mac Tonights debut. Originally produced under the name 'Mac Tonight', in this commercial he is seen singing atop a giant Big Mac
2"Cards"January 1987 (1987-01)
Mac Tonight promotes the Mac Tonight Scratch Card Promotion in this commercial. This promotion would last a while, and would later be redone in New Zealand a year later.
3"Clock Tower"August 1987 (1987-08)
Mac Tonight sits at his piano, both him and his piano are flying around on a cloud over a cityscape. He flies around a Clock Tower.
4"State Fair"August 1987 (1987-08)
Better known as Carnival, Mac Tonight sits in a rollercoaster as he goes through a McDonald's themed Carnival
5"Morning Mac"February 1988 (1988-02)
Better known as Beautiful Morning, Mac Tonight sings a new variation of his iconic theme. In this ad he advertises McDonald's breakfast. He flies through a beautiful sunrise through the clouds.
6"Constellation"August 1988 (1988-08)
Better Known as Stars, Mac Tonight sings a new variation of his iconic theme as he flies through space, circling around the earth.
7"Band"1988 (1988)
Mac Tonight sings his iconic theme, while surrounded by crowds of band members playing along to the song
8"Study Break"August 1988 (1988-08)
A kid is studying, whistling the beginning of the Mac Tonight theme. Mac Tonight flies by the kids window and summons a McDonald's Big Mac Meal onto the table next to his windowsill.
9"Blast Back with Mac - Something's Comin'"July 1989 (1989-07)
Mac Tonight announces the Blast Back with Mac campaign.
10"Blast Back with Mac"July 1989 (1989-07)
Mac Tonight flies in on a cloud with his piano to a stage while singing a song specifically made for this series of commercials. Then the commercial would describe what prizes you could win by participating in the contest.
11"Mac Tonight Travel Toys"1988 (1988)
This ad promotes the Mac Tonight Happy Meal toys, which feature Mac Tonight in a series of vehicles. It shows a dad obnoxiously playing with the travel toys, until his son walks in on him.

The Forgotten Age (1990's)

After the Lawsuit, Mac Tonight still made infrequent appearances throughout the 90's, unfortunately these ads were unsuccessful.

Commercials (1990 - 1997)

No.TitleOriginal air date
1"Cityscape"1990 (1990)
Mac Tonight is seen in the clouds in front of a cityscape. The clouds have hands and are playing instruments alongside Mac Tonight. The song used was made for the commercial, and is not a parody of a pre-existing song. This commercial was made for the Food, Folks and Fun campaign.
2"2 Dollar Dinner Deal"1992 (1992)
This ad was made for Australia using recycled footage from the Spinning Burger remake that aired in Australia in 1988. Mac Tonight plays his piano in front of 4 back up singers inside a shiny blue room.
3"4 Dollar Dinner Deal"1993 (1993)
This ad was made for Australia as part of a new Mac Tonight campaign used alongside the american ads, which had not previously been aired in Australia due to the law in Australia at the time.
4"Open 24hrs"1994 (1994)
In Mac Tonight's first CGI Commercial, Mac Tonight's laying on a cloud advertising that McDonald's Drive Thru's are open 24 hrs
5"Rocket Car"1996 (1996)
Mac Tonight's in a red corvette driving through outer space, and goes through a floating McDonald's drive thru. In this commercial Mac Tonight is singing a parody of Paul Revere and the Raiders 'Hungry'. This commercial features a mix of CG and Live Action.
6"Big Picture"1997 (1997)
A conference is going on, when Mac Tonight suddenly comes through the screen and talks about McDonald's
7"Spaceship"1997 (1997)
This ad was made in Spanish and was aired exclusively on Spanish speaking TV Channels. We cut to a spaceship where a family is having dinner of chicken flavored food pills, the family is disappointed Until suddenly Mac Tonight appears, and advertises Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, and gives the family all Chicken Sandwiches.
8"Limousine"1997 (1997)
A man and his girlfriend are trying to decide what to eat on their date while in a limousine. It is revealed that Mac Tonight is driving the limousine and Talks about McDonald's and takes them to get McDonalds for their date.

Reintroduction in Southeast Asia (2006-2010)

In 2007, McDonald's brought back the character in territories throughout Southeast Asia such as in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and China. The Asian-exclusive campaign featured a CGI-animated Mac Tonight dancing atop a McDonald's restaurant while singing and playing a saxophone.[7]Later in the ads animated by SiLLY THING, Mac Tonight was depicted in a Chibi style in various surreal situations. This campaign would last until 2010. Alongside this campaign there was a promotion where you could have a Mac Tonight themed Party.

The 'Mac Tonight Party' promotion lasted from 2009-2019.

Commercials (2006-2010)

No.TitleOriginal air date
1"Mac Tonight (2007)"December 2006 (2006-12)

Mac Tonight (2007) known in Hong Kong as "Cheers for Midnight"[1] was the first ad part of this new campaign. This ad featured Mac Tonight playing a saxophone on top of a McDonald's. This Ad is entirely CGI and was made by Liquid Animation.[2] Singer Sharizan Borhan voiced this Advertisement in English and Indonesian.

In Hong Kong, Eason Chan voiced the role in Cantonese, his singing was remixed for the other ads in this campaign. In 2007, Eason Chan would win 'Most Popular TV Commercial Song' at the 'TVB Most Popular Advertising Awards'[3] for this commercial [4]
2"Double (2008)"2008 (2008)
Made in collaboration with SiLLY THING. This ad features a remixed version of the Cantonese version of the 2007 Commercial. This ad, produced in CGI, has a tiny stylized version of Mac Tonight and is full of surreal imagery.
3"Double (2009)"2009 (2009)
Made in collaboration with SiLLY THING. This ad, produced in CGI, has the same Mac Tonight design and song from the 2008 commercial. Although in this commercial, Mac Tonight is a DJ playing in front of a large crowd.
4"MEGA!"2010 (2010)
Made in collaboration with SiLLY THING. and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, This ad, produced in CGI, has the same Mac Tonight design and song from the 2008 and 2009 commercial, and features Mac Tonight playing soccer. This would be the final ad in this campaign.

International Commercials

Throughout the 1980's, McDonald's aired Mac Tonight worldwide, some of which having major changes made to the commercials.

In Quebec Mac Tonight is named Pierrot McDo. Instead of singing an upbeat spoof of Mack the Knife, Pierrot McDo performs a parody of the song Frédéric by Claude Léveillée.

Original (French)

"Je me fous du monde entier"

"la voie lactée et tout le reste"

"ç'que je veux ç'est mon McDo' "

"M'sieur l'soleil peut s'coucher"

"Ce qu'il me plait c'est un big mac et des grosses frites"

"un p'tit tour sous les arches"

"au clair de moi"

"Je me fous de l'heure qu'il est pour regarder la télé"

"Quand la nuit les arches brillent"

"Vous savez où me' trouver"

"Moi j'aime McDonalds... "

Translation (English)

" I don't care about the whole world"

"The Milky Way and all the rest"

"What I like is my McDo' "

"Mr. Sun can go to sleep"

"What I like is Big Mac and fries"

"A little walk under the arches"

"Under my Light"

"I don't care what time it is to watch the television"

"When at night the arches shine"

"You know where to find me"

"I love McDonald's... "

Furthermore, the lyrics “Au clair de moi” seemingly point towards the French folk song 'Au clair de la lune'.

In Japan, Mac Tonight (renamed to マックトゥナイト) was voiced by Yōsui Inoue. The Japanese ads have a new backing track used.[8]

Mask

The mask the actor wore was made by a makeup and practical effects artist called Steve Neill, it weighed over 10 pounds and had the facial expressions motorized with animatronics. It needed three puppeteers in total to control the lip, jaw and eyebrow movement.[9] This being mostly done by Steve Neill, Gilly Neill, and Bob Burns.[10]

As the years went by, new masks were made with more articulation and animatronics added.

File:HeadEvolution.png
A picture showing the evolution of Mac Tonight's Head Design through out each commercial.

The Australian 1988 Mask was made by Robert Bertie.[11] Due to the law in Australia at the time, they were forced to remake 'Spinning Burger from scratch in order to air it. This required a new actor, a new head, a new instrumental, and a new set, all done in Australia. In 1993 the original American Commercials would later air as laws had changed by then.[12] Along with the old ad's re-airing in Australia, a new commercial was produced,[13] the new commercials featured a new head, made to emulate the look of the 1987 and 1988 head's

Animatronics

In addition to the advertising campaign, a number of McDonald's restaurants during the early 1990s were also fitted with Mac Tonight hydraulically-powered animatronic figures built by Mannetron[14] which featured the character seated in front of a piano and playing it.[15] The most and only prominent McDonald's restaurant to still feature one of the (non-working) animatronics is the World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's in Orlando, Florida.[16] Other known locations include a Greenfield, Wisconsin McDonald's known as the Solid Gold McDonald's, prior to undergoing major renovations in 2011.[17]

NASCAR

Bill Elliott's Mac Tonight-themed car

Between 1997 and 1998, McDonald's sponsored NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott with Mac Tonight featured on his car.[18] In 2016, the Mac Tonight theme was McDonald's driver Jamie McMurray's Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 Chevrolet SS throwback scheme for Darlington Raceway's Southern 500.[19]

Legacy

Mac Tonight has appeared on the cover of the split album Late Night Delight by Saint Pepsi and Luxury Elite,[20][21] becoming an icon of the vaporwave genre.[22] He was also featured in The Simpsons episodes "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore" as a cardboard cutout and "Burger Kings" via Homer's imagination.[23]

Moon Man

Moon Man is an internet meme and unofficial parody of Mac Tonight that originated in 2007 on the Internet meme community YTMND, in which the character is depicted as advocating for racism and racist acts.[24] A Salon article compared Moon Man to Pepe the Frog, another meme labeled as a hate symbol.[24] YouTube consistently removes all Moon Man videos for violating its community guidelines on hate speech, and AT&T, whose text-to-speech software was used to create the meme, has edited it to filter out the character's name and obscenities.[24] Although the meme has added a lasting stain onto Mac Tonight's reputation, the meme is frequently regarded as a forgotten obscure meme from the early internet, and has been disregarded by those who have used Mac Tonight's imagery for Vaporwave, Fangames, and the people at Crescents Corner.[25]

Trivia

See also

References

  1. ^ https://rotationandbalance.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-credits-due.html?m=1
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Prescott, Eileen (November 29, 1987). "The Making of 'Mac Tonight'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  3. ^ Radish, Christina (June 26, 2013). "Doug Jones Talks FALLING SKIES Season 3, the Makeup Process, His Career, His Desire to Make HELLBOY 3, and More". Collider. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  4. ^ "Roger Behr". Patterson & Associates. Archived from the original on June 19, 2005.
  5. ^ "Darin's Son Sues McDonald's". Deseret News. October 15, 1989. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  6. ^ https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/mac-tonight-moon-man-oral-history
  7. ^ Mac Tonight commercial in Southeast Asia (commercial). McDonald's Corporation. 2007.
  8. ^ Mac Tonight-Spinning Burger (Japan Edit) Instrumental, retrieved January 27, 2024
  9. ^ "A Delicious Oral History of 'Mac Tonight'". MEL Magazine. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  10. ^ Bongo, Mighty. "Steve Neill...Make-Up... Models... and Monkey Man !". Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Australian Mac Tonight commercial, head by Robert Bertie, retrieved January 25, 2024
  12. ^ "Mac Tonight's 1993 Australian TV Commercials - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "Other Mac Tonight Australian Ads - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Retroist. "The History of Mac Tonight". www.retroist.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  15. ^ Ocker, J.W. (March 21, 2012). "Mac Tonight". Odd Things I've Seen. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  16. ^ Kubersky, Seth (March 16, 2016). "World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's reopens on International Drive". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  17. ^ Snyder, Molly (March 28, 2011). "So long, Solid Gold McDonald's". OnMilwaukee. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  18. ^ "Driver Bill Elliott 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  19. ^ Jensen, Tom (August 15, 2016). "Jamie McMurray unveils 'Mac Tonight' Darlington throwback scheme". FoxSports.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  20. ^ Beauchamp, Scott (August 18, 2016). "How Vaporwave Was Created Then Destroyed by the Internet". Esquire. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  21. ^ Minor, Jordan (May 19, 2016). "McDonald's Mac Tonight should make a comeback as the lead in a fast food cinematic universe". Geek.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  22. ^ Bowe, Miles (June 10, 2019). "Acid Test: Harsh Electronics, Spoken Word, A Vaporwave Classic, & More". Bandcamp Daily. sec. Luxury Elite / Saint Pepsi – Late Night Delight. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  23. ^ Burke, Timothy (December 22, 2014). "Rape, Murder, Violent Racism: The Weirdest McDonald's Ad Campaign Ever". Deadspin. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  24. ^ a b c Sheffield, Matthew (October 25, 2016). "Meet Moon Man: The alt-right's racist rap sensation, borrowed from 1980s McDonald's ads". Salon. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  25. ^ https://discord.gg/BJEBAWGQHD
  26. ^ The REAL Voice Actor behind Mac Tonight, retrieved January 24, 2024
  27. ^ McDonald's 1988 "Mac Tonight Cards" New Zealand Commercial, retrieved January 24, 2024
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