Best Buy's DVD Insider; Billy West's interview

[on:]

IGN:How would you sum up your experience on Futurama?


West:thought the whole experience-top to bottom-was totally professional and really cool. I never had anybody bugging me for anything, no directors standing on my throat while they are directing me. That was the kind of abuse that came with Ren & Stimpy...many actors were simply beaten down. People were in emotional wrecks to the point where they had to come in with tow trucks and pick up bodies to get them out of there. That's what I was told by Nickelodeon. They were saying, "You've gotta watch out, this guy wears actors out." My response to that was, "Bring it on! I've had worse things that happen to a human being happen to me in the first ten years of my life,so I was tailored made for the abuse." But I did no know how long I would last with all the screaming and yelling, and it wasn't just the screaming and yelling, it was the particular S&Y taking place.

IGN: And Futurama was the complete opposite of that?
West:Yeah, it was the total opposite of that. There's no need for torture. There really isn't. I mean, I like the idea that he was pushing me, to drive me to other places, but constant repitition of screaming... As I look back, I could have blown my voice out, for real. I couldn't talk aftera few sessions. But I learned how to do it, and I discovereda new place in my throat where I could do it effortlessly and sound like I was on fire.

IGN: So, in some ways, it was a worthy learning experience...

West: Yeah.. Everything's a learning experience, wether you're learning bad things or good ones.

IGN: If you were to look at the four Futurama episodes on the Monster Robot Maniac Fun Collection, which would you say is your favorite?

West: Those are all great- I love every one of them. There's not an episode I don't like...I think some were better than others...but I do like "Roswell That ends Well," because it has some great interaction with one of Fry's relatives from the 50's, who got married to a girl who eventually had Fry's father, or something like that. Very Back to the Future. I like that one the best. Time runs amok, and I love time travel and people who play with time. It's so cool.

IGN: And what about the rumors of new Futurama adventures on the horizon?

West: Well, they're more than rumors. I was talked to. The first bulliten that I got is that they were in talks with Fox because Fox was very, very happy with the way the DVDs were selling. David X. Cohen told me they were in talks with Fox and that things were looking great, and that their idea was to make a Futurama movie to DVD, and then maybe release a 2nd one. Then I heard that it was decided to do that.

IGN: And you're ready and rarin' to go?

West: I'm ready and rarin' to go, because I love that show more than anything. I thought it was just far and away above anything I had ever done.

[Reply #1 on:]

That sounds pretty cool. But no offense to Billy West, but I'll feel more comfortable when an official announcement is made. But hopefully what he said was true.

[Reply #2 on:]

It's the next best thing to official confirmation, and I always enjoy a Billy West interview.

[Reply #3 on:]

I love it when Billy West talks so highly of the show...

[Reply #4 on:]

Awesome, thanks for posting that.  Billy West is one of the best voice actors out there.  Lousy nickelodeon people   

[Reply #5 on:]

I feel the same way. IDAR. The aritcle also said if he keeps coming up with new vioces he may soon give Mel Blanc (know as the man of 1000 voices) a run for the money. Nowdays nickelodeon does really wang..I think he plays one character (possibly more) on Jimmy Neutron...read that on a site, not IMDb though.. much welcome for the info everyone 

[Reply #6 on:]

He played a few characters in the Jimmy Neutron theatrical movie and has been on the TV show and TV movies a few times.

[Reply #7 on:]

Yeah, I honestly never knew he was on there...Shows how much a master voice actor he is.
Loads of characters have almost the same voice on different shows.. how unoriginal

[Reply #8 on:]

thanks for that.

[Reply #9 on:]

Really proves that Futurama is a different kind of show.

Not many TV shows get that much praise from their actors.

It truly is a different show.

[Reply #10 on:]

 

Originally posted by scumbagsteve976:
Really proves that Futurama is a different kind of show.

Not many TV shows get that much praise from their actors.

It truly is a different show.

yes it is. john dimaggio has given it praise too

[Reply #11 on:]

I think that this is really good news. It gives this idea of the Futurama movie a lot of press. A whole lot more people will know about the idea. Maybe it will force fox into producing it.
I still think it's really cool that they gave Futurama, a show that has been cancelled for ober 2 years, the same amount of page space as Family Guy and every other show in that book.

[Reply #12 on:]

bily west is great... he even did bugs bunny and elmer fudd in space jam....i don't know why i know that... anyways i think everyone in this forum deserves a round of aplause becausethis forum's members made a huge contribution to this if you think about it. Like everyone here has got the dvds... i got all 4 seasons and so so many others here

[Reply #13 on:]

oh my yes, i spelled his name wrong..... i typed itin wrong on my laptop... i know its billy....

[Reply #14 on:]

Commie, try to remember to use the edit button next time  Yes, and I just bought the Monster Fun DVD today to help get Fox's face crammed into a new movie... I hope to get all the boxed sets as well; I'm getting some for my b-day next Sunday. Yes, and they have good rewason to praise it so highly. I mean, look at the really awesome detail. Not once did they have a drawing so crappy you can't stand to look at it, unlike manga or most other animated shows 7_7

[Reply #15 on:]

ok..... they actually, in my opinion, could get more money from futurama than atleast 1 other show they have now, i mean does kng of the hill have such a great fanbase???

[Reply #16 on:]

No, frankly, I watched it only because I was too lazy to change the channel..Malcom In tHe Middle's the same..only I hate it with a passion (KOTH too though, don't get me wrong) Even more money than Simpsons! I mean the new season seems a bit more promising than the last, though animation's still a bit obsoletely made andthey skip to different scenes too quick...

[Reply #17 on:]

well i guess we all have to forgive FOX because, at least they made the movie we all wanted(right?), and Futurama made it on the air for 4 seasons which we all love and cherish, and then FOX shot them down in their prime, WHY? oh well i have a movie to look forward to (right?)
also i wanted to ask zoidy how she got so many posts so quickly... Your really ddicated

[Reply #18 on:]

 

Originally posted by commie:
well i guess we all have to forgive FOX

that is the worst thing I've ever heard. Ever. EVER. EVER. 

[Reply #19 on:]

I dont know what i was thinking I hate FOX... who the hell watches "The Simple Life"
i was feeling good about the movie I was being soft I am truly sorry forgive me please, i love Futurama I love it!!

edit: also why does it say Commie.. oh hey..what thats evil...but funny good one

[Reply #20 on:]

So, you've taken time out of your schedule to just look at my profile? I'm honored and yes, very dedicated 

[Reply #21 on:]

Yes i have looked before this topic for that matter... i looked on the first day of my being here when we both were posting a lot... YAY! post # 100!!

[Reply #22 on:]

I'm tickled pink that Billy gave Futurama such high praise, although it isn't much of a surprise, given how much he enjoys himself on the audio commentaries. (Or at least sounds like he does.) Oh, and don't bash Nickelodeon just because of one animation director's faults, people. True, some of Nick's stuff has been crap, but the same is true of other stations, too. Personally, some of my favorite shows are Nicktoons. (Though nothing replaces Futurama in my heart...*salutes*)

 

Originally posted by Professor Zoidy:
Not once did they have a drawing so crappy you can't stand to look at it, unlike manga or most other animated shows 7_7

Them's fightin' words to an anime fan. *gives evil death glare* If you didn't already have my respect as a Futurama fan, I might be more PO'ed. But, anytosh, y'all know that John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Maurice Lamarche, AND Billy West have all done voices in the English dubs of the Studio Ghibli films. If that wasn't reason enough. But my rant has ended. Have a splendid day! ^_^

[Reply #23 on:]

well well welll three southern USA people in a row... wow.... just wow

[Reply #24 on:]

Heheh. I've never paid any attention to the profiles before. Cool that there's some other people on PEEL from good ol' Dixieland. ^_^ I've not found many other Futurama fans in my high school...aside from, y'know, my friends and I. >_>;;

[Reply #25 on:]

But, that's the point. We meet fans around the world. I'm not saying all[/] Anime drawings wang, just some. Sorry for affendin' ye

[Reply #26 on:]

also i know many people in my high skool who love Futurama... not as much as me of course... but like 20%  of the people there are aware of Futurama

[Reply #27 on:]

@ Professor Zoidy: Ye didn't offend me, I was just teasin' ya a little. I'm not one of those psycho anime fans, after all. You can like something without liking everything in its genre...

I suppose Futurama has some casual fans in my area, but none gung-ho enough to post on PEEL, or anything like that. Nooo, they all have to have "social lives", whatever those are.   

[Reply #28 on:]

nice response... you do tease a lot and use a funny accent i like it.... you type with an accent? huh yea it is cool though..

[Reply #29 on:]

Hee. Thanks for the complement. *flattered* But, to return to the topic at hand... >_> Erm, well, we may just have to wait until Billy West (or someone else on the Futurama staff) can give us starving fans some more info. 'Til then, we'll just hafta wait and see...*bites nails* At least it's more certain than it was before, right?

[Reply #30 on:]

@ T-Veronica : I know. Even a student teacher in my school knows of it.Very aware...anyways, I don't go around asking people if they like/hate it since I don't have that much time, but I'm guessing roughly 5% know or care to watch tv at all...My school mostly has snooty rich-ass preps that hate cartoons all together *rolls eyes* almost half of the people I knew so well go to the other junior-high we have...

[Reply #31 on:]

if I go at my current posting rate saying I will post 6 more messeges after this one, I will post About 2494 messeges overall by next Sept. 12 unless next year is a leap year than i will have about 2501 messeges overall.... anyways about the Billy West thing... how can he not love Futurama?

edit:now it is about 2720 posts by sept. 12 2006

[Reply #32 on:]

Uh, he...does... O_o;;

Or was that a rhetorical question?

@ Professor Zoidy: Your school sounds just like mine, but that's probably just because I live in Cobb County. (Preps EVERYWHERE!! *hides under desk*)

[Reply #33 on:]

where I live it is not a city or town because its Pinellas County, Florida... it has over a million people easily and there are 3291 people per square mile and it is like a huge city...

edit: look for yurselfs-http://www.pinellascounty.org/facts.htm

[Reply #34 on:]

That's a lot of people 

[Reply #35 on:]

yea.... it really does fell like a big city..with lots of water and trees and....with blackjack...and hookers....ah, screw the whole thing...but really they are mostly old....
Go Go Go billy west....staying on topic roughly....i love the movie

edit: see you tomorrow ... well talk... bye zoidy

[Reply #36 on:]

What, we other PEELers don't get a goodbye? *scoffs*  Also, I don't think ya need to do that, anyway. More of a chat room thing, really. ^_^

[Reply #37 on:]

I suppose so.. Never say goodbye unless you're leaving *shudders* which I hope you don't either of you two. But yeah, the movie sounds awesome. I really wish it was gonig to be a trilogy though

[Reply #38 on:]

i wish it was gonna be a quadrilogy...

edit: nice job zoidy... you will have 400 posts in less than 30 days... wow that has to be a record for a non-mod

[Reply #39 on:]

Woo! I deserve an award for this! Look out, Mods, I may invent a new PEELie award, and if they already have one for the most postings, then I will win muwahahahaha!!