# Ouch! New voice actors in new Futurama? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 20, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573 "2009-07-20T00:38:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/21 "2009-07-21T02:00:03Z")
Remember how in _Bewitched_ there was suddenly a different Darren, a different Mrs. Kravitz and a different Louise Tate? Let’s go all the way and have a different Smantha and Endorra, too. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/22 "2009-07-21T02:04:38Z")
But not a different Uncle Arthur. Heavens, no. ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/23 "2009-07-21T02:52:45Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > Because, whilst skilful, what they do adds nearly no value. The jokes would be just as funny if I read them out. I think you really underappreciate the value of delivery and comedic timing. Many times, the jokes are just as funny if you just read them aloud, but just as often, they are more funny or \*only \*funny if they are performed by the right voice actors. This should go without saying, especially as the show goes and the material is written specifically with the voice actors in mind. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/24 "2009-07-21T04:00:05Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > Because, whilst skilful, what they do adds nearly no value. The jokes would be just as funny if I read them out. [Nope](http://www.friedo.com/prof.wav), it [just](http://www.friedo.com/zoidberg.wav) [doesn’t](http://www.friedo.com/leela.wav) [work](http://www.friedo.com/bender.wav). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/25 "2009-07-21T04:55:38Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > [Nope](http://www.friedo.com/prof.wav) This one was even funnier. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/26 "2009-07-21T05:07:28Z")
Barney Rubble got a voice change mid-series. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/27 "2009-07-21T05:36:13Z")
We’re all going to feel really bad when it’s finally revealed that **Mr Shine** is actually deaf and just reads the closed captioning. Barring that development, he should only read transcripts of television shows (with suitable commercial interruptions of course). Of course transcripts of Futurama, The Simpsons, and Seinfeld are funny when you read them; you’re remembering how the actors delivered their lines. I submit that if you simply read them cold, they wouldn’t be half as funny. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/28 "2009-07-21T06:44:13Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > Barney Rubble got a voice change mid-series. Yes, but the actor didn’t change. In the second season, in 1961, Mel Blanc was involved in a near-fatal car accident and was unable to perform in five episodes. Daws Butler took Blanc’s place until he recovered and was able to return. Upon Mel Blanc’s return, he used a deeper voice for Barney rather than Barney’s higher pitched voice in earlier episodes. Blanc also continued to voice Barney all through the 70s in other Hanna-Barbera projects such as the Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show and the Flintstones Comedy hour. Betty did get a change of actor from Bea Benederet to Gerry Johnson due to Benederet’s role in Petticoat Junction. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/29 "2009-07-21T09:28:33Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > [Nope](http://www.friedo.com/prof.wav), it [just](http://www.friedo.com/zoidberg.wav) [doesn’t](http://www.friedo.com/leela.wav) [work](http://www.friedo.com/bender.wav). When I say “I” or “random person off the street” I was of course assuming someone who spoke English and could be relied upon to stress words properly. Sorry for not making that clear. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/30 "2009-07-21T10:07:05Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > Because, whilst skilful, what they do adds nearly no value. The jokes would be just as funny if I read them out. I’m sure you believe that. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/31 "2009-07-21T12:35:20Z")
As I mentioned earlier, I have never been a big fan of this set of voice actors. It took a long time for them to grow on me, and I liked the show in spite of them, not because of them. Having said that, I’m used to them now, so I guess a change at this point would be sort of jarring. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/32 "2009-07-21T15:01:10Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > Because, whilst skilful, what they do adds nearly no value. The jokes would be just as funny if I read them out. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, whilst skilful, add nearly no value to [Waiting for Godot](http://www.waitingforgodottheplay.com/). The lines would be just as dramatic and entertaining if I went to a high school production of it. In fact, I could save myself close to $70 a ticket. Why are those two being so greedy? Beckett’s lines are the same in both plays! ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/33 "2009-07-21T15:07:21Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, whilst skilful, add nearly no value to [Waiting for Godot](http://www.waitingforgodottheplay.com/). The lines would be just as dramatic and entertaining if I went to a high school production of it. In fact, I could save myself close to $70 a ticket. Now you’re talking sense. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/34 "2009-07-21T15:15:40Z")
Personally I’m not calling Billy West el al greedy. If they can convince someone to pay them $75000 an episode, good luck to them. I just don’t think they _should_ be able to convince anybody of that, especially on a budget. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/35 "2009-07-21T15:24:37Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > I just don’t think they _should_ be able to convince anybody of that, especially on a budget. Everybody’s on a budget. So is it your opinion that all people are equally funny and can deliver a joke equally well? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/36 "2009-07-21T15:25:48Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Why are they greedy, rather than Fox cheap? Whoa Whoa! Hold on… A large corporation might be cheap and undercut talent to save money? I don’t believe it! Also, I’m an idiot and apparently didn’t think of this ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/37 "2009-07-21T15:29:09Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Everybody’s on a budget. > > So is it your opinion that all people are equally funny and can deliver a joke equally well? No, some people are atrocious, but once you reach the point of “pretty decent”, then it’s the joke that matters, not the teller. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/38 "2009-07-21T15:33:34Z")
Will you be able to tell the dee-diddly-difference? Actually, for “jarring”, I just recently caught the first _Futurama_ episode and there were significant differences from what the actors eventually settled on. Hermes (in his debut in the the second episode) is particularly different from later performances. I expect I’ll adjust. What was _really_ jarring and distracting was hearing John DiMaggio playing Toyman in one of the direct-to-DVD DC movies. I kept expecting him to tell Superman to bite his shiny flabby ass. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/39 "2009-07-21T15:51:10Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Will you be able to tell the dee-diddly-difference This probably depends a lot on the watcher. Would John Q public tell a diff? I don’t know, but I can guarantee you I would. Aside from being a huge Futurama fan, I am a huge animation fan. I pick out voices in movies and piece them to an actor (Transformers 2 was hell for me…) so I could immediately tell you who was there/missing within the first 2 lines of a character. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573/40 "2009-07-24T01:11:19Z")
People people people, can’t it be both that Fox is a greedy corporation trying to save a buck and that the actors are self important dumbasses that went and priced themselves out of the market? Bottom line, the only truly innocent ones , the fans, are who will suffer most from this.☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouch-new-voice-actors-in-new-futurama/503573.md?page=3)