Zapp's voice

[:]

My sister pointed out that Zapp has the same voice with Lionel Hutz (I don't know how it's spelled) from Simpsons. I think it's true but Billy West's name doesn't show in the credits....   

[#1 :]

He was originally supposed to be played by Phil Hartman who played several characters on the Simpsons including Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure. Sadly, Phil died shortly before Futurama started and so Billy West took his place (As a mark of respect, Fry's first name was changed from Curtis to Philip).

[#2 :]

I should point out that in the DVD commentary, they say that Zapp's voice is not supposed to be a tribute or reference to Hartman, it just happens to sound like him.  They say West tried out for Zapp on the same day as Hartman, and they unknowingly used similar voices.

[#3 :]

Billy West actually said recently on his message board though that he did have Hartman in mind a little when he did the voice.

[#4 :]

i thought it was the same person at first, at the time i didn't know anything about who plays what voice and the details of everything and such and such

[#5 :]

Phil Hartman's death was a tragic one (he was shot by his wife), and he will be missed as his work was continuously brilliant. Especially NewsRadio.

I didn't like Zapp's voice at first, because I thought it was Billy doing a rather lame Hartman impression. However, as the series developed, I began to see what Billy had given to the voice and all of the differences. After all, it wouldn't be Zapp if he didn't add an extra syllable to the end of each sentence ("I'll be there to score you on the rebound-uh" ). If there was one person who could have done Phil justice, then it's Billy, and he did so with gusto.

[#6 :]

I've taped every episode of NewsRadio that was shown in the UK.  Phil Hartman was easily the best thing about the show.  Did you see the episode where he and Dave are at an airport and he's bitching at all the staff? 

[#7 :]

Yeah, it's a classic. Also recommended is the episode where Bill is a rap fan until he gets his car stereo "fixed" and discovers that it has lyrics  . Also, the Space station episode is great too.

Wonder which channel you recorded that off of, Fred? 

[#8 :]

I miss Phil Hartman too.   

[#9 :]

 

Originally posted by Mouse On Venus:
Billy West actually said recently on his message board though that he did have Hartman in mind a little when he did the voice.

Message board? I tried the Fox's futurama homepage, but couldn't find it. Couldn't find anything. Sorry if it's off topic

[#10 :]

Since Futurama's been cancelled, it's a safe bet that FOX have deleted their Futurama pages as well.

[#11 :]

It's Billy private messageboard at www.billywest.com (more specifically this thread ) , not the FOX boards.

In fact never, ever visit the FOX boards, unless you want your brain to melt and your head explode.

[#12 :]

I did feel a slight burning sensation, but I thought it was just my trip to Istedgate acting up on me.

[#13 :]

is it me or does a voice actor having his own website seem a bit self indulgent.

samuel X are you serious his wife shot him thats shocking, the bitch

[#14 :]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
is it me or does a voice actor having his own website seem a bit self-indulgent.

I dunno. Perhaps you should ask the voice actor in question.   

 You could argue that it's self-indulgent for anybody to have a website about themself. If it's self-indulgent to acknowledge that some people might have an interest in what you do then there's probably hundreds of thousands of websites that you should also be pointing your condescending finger at.   

[#15 :]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
is it me or does a voice actor having his own website seem a bit self indulgent.

No more self indulgent than the people who have online journals.

[#16 :]

wait a second! Phil Hartman was shot by his wife? why?

[#17 :]

Because she was a coke-binging freak with no self-esteem and fake boobs.  Duh.

[#18 :]

Just like Cobain.

[#19 :]

No, Cobain's boobs were real.

[#20 :]

ba doom cha

[#21 :]

 

Originally posted by Mouse On Venus:
  I dunno. Perhaps you should ask the voice actor in question.   

 You could argue that it's self-indulgent for anybody to have a website about themself. If it's self-indulgent to acknowledge that some people might have an interest in what you do then there's probably hundreds of thousands of websites that you should also be pointing your condescending finger at.   

I'm not condescending i'm just
 self-righteous and therefore consider myself above everything and everyone and so I make sarcastic comments at there expense

[#22 :]

[#23 :]

 

Originally posted by Prof. Wernstrum:
(As a mark of respect, Fry's first name was changed from Curtis to Philip).

Sorry to double post people!(slaps own hand)
So Fry's original first name was Curtis?
Curtis J. Fry...hmmm...doesn't have the same ring as Philip J. Fry.

[#24 :]

I did not know that about Fry's first name.  That is very cool!  Phil Hartman's death was one of the first celebrity tragedied that effected me emotionally    Anyway- for those NewsRadio fans, just in case you didn't know, the first 2 seasons will be coming out on DVD soon!  Hooray!

-cris