Will Ferrell has spent decades making people laugh in some of the funniest films, starred in some of the most quotable comedies ever made and even turned aggressively playing a cowbell into a permanent piece of pop culture. Still, watching his oldest son Magnus build a music career seems to hit differently. And now the legendary Saturday Night Live alum has a fever to perform with his son. The only prescription? You guessed it. More cowbell.The Anchorman star took some time away from his busy 2026 TV schedule to talk about Magnus’ career in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, shortly after the 22-year-old musician landed a Best New Artist nomination at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Ferrell sounded every bit the proud dad, admitting that watching his son chase his own career has been one of the most surreal experiences of his life. He said:For all the things I’ve gotten to do and experience, this is the most surreal, and yet the most exciting. Like it really is. This is his passion, and to get to pursue that, you know, is the best.Magnus, while no Bruce Dickinson, has been releasing music for several years and does, in fact, put his pants on just like the rest of us: one leg at a time. Except once his pants are on, he makes gold records. Well, at least that’s the dream.Things have started moving considerably faster for the younger Ferrell. His song “Asleep Talking” took off online, and he is now nominated for Best New Artist at the VMAs alongside Bella Kay, CORTIS, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, Sienna Spiro and Stella Lefty.For the Megamind voice actor, watching his son chase that dream has clearly been something special, which is unusually sweet coming from a man whose public persona usually involves screaming, near-nudity or someone getting hit with a tranquilizer dart. Magnus has also been open about how supportive his famous dad has been. He previously took time away from USC to pursue music professionally, and his funny-man father was apparently in his corner all the way.Now Ferrell may have to contribute some percussion. When the Old School star was asked whether he might play cowbell on one of Magnus’ songs, he gave the upcoming VMAs a little extra incentive:If he wins the VMA, yes.I suddenly have a rooting interest in Best New Artist.Of course, this would not technically be their cowbell debut. The actor-comedian joined Magnus during his first public live performance in San Diego in 2022, when the younger Ferrell opened for The Psychedelic Furs at a Cancer for College benefit. Dad walked onstage during “Back in Place” and started hammering away on his signature instrument.(Image credit: Saturday Night Live, NBC)The bit traces back to one of the most iconic Saturday Night Live sketches built around Blue Öyster Cult recording “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” Christopher Walken’s producer repeatedly demands more cowbell while Ferrell’s fictional Gene Frenkle attacks the instrument with increasing enthusiasm. While the sketch apparently ruined Walken's life, more than 25 years later the Elf star still occasionally brings out the cowbell, including a recent SNL performance alongside Paul McCartney and his Hollywood doppelganger, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.Magnus winning a VMA and immediately summoning his dad with a cowbell would be a pretty fantastic next chapter for the bit. The 2026 VMAs are set for Sept. 27, with Magnus up for Best New Artist. So vote however you want. I’m just saying there is now considerably more cowbell riding on the outcome.