Zapp Branigan's voice?

[on:]

I know this isn't possible but the voice of Zapp Branigan on tonight's episode sounded like Phil Hartman's voice. Can anyone tell me the name of the person who plays Zapp?

Thanks!
Nadine

[Reply #1 on:]

It's Billy West. the same voice as Fry. Zapp's voice has always been like that.  Billy West actually does a hell of a lot of cartoon voices.  He's very well known in the cartoon part of TV Land.  Aaahhh TV LAND.  how I will always frolic in your meadows.

[Reply #2 on:]

why the hell does this stupid board just HAVE to tell the whole damn world that I edited a message.  JEEZE!!

[Reply #3 on:]

Aaaah... Billy West. I've read a little about him. Okay, thanks so much Bovinatron. I appreciate it!

 

Originally posted by Bovinatron:
It's Billy West. the same voice as Fry. Zapp's voice has always been like that.  Billy West actually does a hell of a lot of cartoon voices.  He's very well known in the cartoon part of TV Land.  Aaahhh TV LAND.  how I will always frolic in your meadows.

[Reply #4 on:]

You can tell the part was written for Hartman though!
How was tonites episode? Good? I heard from ppl who were at the san diego comic con that it was awesome...

[Reply #5 on:]

It kicked. Loved the whole "M*A*S*H" parody, Zapp's sexual confusion, the training scenes... But wait... wasn't there supposed to be a "Kif falls in love" subplot? Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait for "Amazon Women in the Mood".
And Amy's had, what, TWO lines this season? Where's my gun?

[Reply #6 on:]

billy west did voices on ren and stimpy
and if you listen closely you'll notice he did voices very similar to zapp there, hell fry is just a cleaned up stimpy voice

[Reply #7 on:]

 

You can tell the part was written for Hartman though!

Speaking of Phil Hartman, I've very disappointed that they killed off President McNeal before he could come on the air with Morbo and do the "McNeal Perspective."

[Reply #8 on:]

You were really giving me a heartattack! I always thought thatZapp Branigans voice was one of the funniest parts of Futurama.

His German voice is extramly lame.

I'm glad the voice wasn't changed!

Ainoth (the greatest Zapp Branigan-Fan!)

[Reply #9 on:]

 

originally posted by hangman3k

You can tell the part was written for Hartman though!

I remember reading in more than one place that it was supposed to be Phil Hartman.  Fry's first name is also a tribute to him.

[Reply #10 on:]

I don't think it was Phil Hartman. He was shot dead before Futurama even came about.

[Reply #11 on:]

Yeah, check out frcr.com and it was originally supposed to be Phil Hartman. You're right Bovinatron. RIP buddy. Man, Phil's voice would have been just perfect, ya know? What a shame.

[Reply #12 on:]

Yeah but Billy West does a terrific job, filling his shoes, though!

BTW Frysgirl how come you hardly ever post now?

[Reply #13 on:]

Yeah, it's true. The great Phil was given the part by Matt Groening (Futurama was in development for over 3 years remember...) and he was all ready to play it when he meet his untimely end 
Because Billy West was already cast as Fry/Zoidberg/everyone else nearly he took on the role of Zapp. He actually based Zapp's voice on Phil's which is why it sounds familiar. Also, as pointed out by FG, Fry's first name, Philip, is a tribute the guy himself.
I didn't have much contact with his work but what I did see (The Simpsons, 3rd Rock from the Sun) I've got to admit was great. He certainly had a talent with the way he delivered his lines.
Who here can say they don't miss Troy McClure?

[Reply #14 on:]

 

Originally posted by Kryten:
But wait... wasn't there supposed to be a "Kif falls in love" subplot?

Now where you mention it, I remember. Yeah there should have been one. The only subplot where Kif was involved was when he got his assistant.

[Reply #15 on:]

Maybe Kiff fell in love with his assistant but it was cut.

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by iliketowankalot:
Maybe Kiff fell in love with his assistant but it was cut.

Want that I get a heartattack?

[Reply #17 on:]

I kinda wanted to see that subplot, considering who Kif is paired with in two upcoming episodes...

[Reply #18 on:]

One of my favorite Kif episodes is "Brannigan begins again". This "all about Zapp" attitude is quite good.

[Reply #19 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nadine:
I know this isn't possible but the voice of Zapp Branigan on tonight's episode sounded like Phil Hartman's voice. Can anyone tell me the name of the person who plays Zapp?

Thanks!
Nadine

wasn't phil hartman scheduled to do zapp branigan's voice? i know fry's real name of phillip fry was dedicated to phil hartman. later

~futurefreak 

[Reply #20 on:]

also, don't u have to be a registered member to write somethin on the boards? i tried writing somethin when i was unregistered n it wouldn't  let me. what's up w/ that? later

~futurefreak 

[Reply #21 on:]

1.  Yes we've established that.

2.  Apparantly, you can somehow post if you're not regestered
 
and what's with Pitt32's 0 posts?

[Reply #22 on:]

i heard billy west is really up himself

[Reply #23 on:]

Regarding Billy West doing the voice of Zapp Brannigan here is what I have been able to cull together from various sources. Yes, the part of Zapp Brannigan was written for Phil Hartman. Phil actually read for the part on his insistance and of course was given the job. I believe Billy West also read for the part of Zapp Brannigan but based his voice off of an amalgamation of DJ's that he has worked with in radio.
When Hartman was killed Billy West was able to step in and provide the voice and the rest as they say is history. So Billy West did not, nor is he, doing an imitation/homage to Phil Hartman. It is his own creation.
One thing I would be really interested in is to hear the tapes of Hartman reading for Brannigan just to hear what it would have been like. I am sure Brannigan wouldn't have changed too much to what he is today but maybe our perception of him would have. It will always be one of those great unknowns.
RM

[Reply #24 on:]

Yes, Phil Hartman was originally supposed to voice Zapp.

Yes, Billy West voices him now.

I have no idea why someone had to bump a two-year-old thread just to dis Billy West.

And for that reason... buh-bye.