Taylor Hicks - Popular Culture

Popular Culture

Hicks became the subject of two Weekend Update skits on NBC's Saturday Night Live on April 15 and May 20, 2006, portrayed by cast member Jason Sudeikis. In a reference to Hicks's quirkiness and disposition, Sudeikis mocked playing Hicks's trademark harmonica and repeatedly shouted out "Soul Patrol!" Hicks, when interviewed by Ryan Seacrest on the subsequent episode of American Idol on April 18, 2006, as to whether or not he saw the impression, admitted that he had and that the impression made him "fall out on the floor" with laughter.

"Weird Al" Yankovic parodied Hicks on his 2006 album, Straight Outta Lynwood, on a track called "Do I Creep You Out", which is set against the melody of "Do I Make You Proud". In the music video of the song, an animated Yankovic, dressed as Hicks, is portrayed as the stalker. The video can be seen on JibJab. Hicks is also known to perform Yankovic's version during soundchecks.

Talk show host Jay Leno frequently refers to Hicks as "his son" due to their striking gray-haired resemblance. Seacrest has also mentioned on American Idol that Hicks resembles Leno, Phil Donahue and George Clooney.

Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report, promised to give political pundit Bill O'Reilly a copy of "Do I Make You Proud" upon O'Reilly's appearance on the show on January 18, 2007.

On the television sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, in the episode titled "The Real Thing", Christine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, mentions that she has an imaginary relationship with Taylor Hicks.

On April 1, 2011, Hicks made a surprise appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon during a cover of Rebecca Black's "Friday," which was being parodied by Stephen Colbert. Jimmy Fallon hinted at his upcoming appearance by wearing a sweater with the label 'Soul Patrol' when appearing on stage.