# Whats the most oddball impression you can do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 9, 2023, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783 "2023-05-09T02:15:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/61 "2023-05-11T18:57:14Z")
Voice are always enhanced when you can add a visual effect. I know someone who does a reasonable Groucho voice, greatly enhanced by eyebrow motion and a pretend cigar. Some voices have simple vocal techniques that have been mentioned. There are a bunch that are based on speaking through clenched teeth, Beavis is one, Edward G. Robinson also. He’s been imitated so many times people recognize the mannerism even if they don’t know who is was. Just talk through clenched teeth and end every sentence with an extended “seeee”. I do Butthead the way Mike Judge said he did it. It’s a voice that comes from deep down, way below the diaphragm. Let any sense of motivation and will leave your body, slowly utter the words followed by the least emotional chuckle possible. I don’t know how I do it, but I can do the Boris Karloff part in Monster Mash. I have a deep voice already, there’s something about over enunciating the words or something. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/62 "2023-05-11T20:21:56Z")
I remembered that I do a good Gregory Peck and didn’t think anyone had done one. YT proved me wrong. Plenty do from Rich Little 50 years ago to Seth McFarlane. But Steve Landesberg here does the best. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TwD3A28HmI&t=35s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TwD3A28HmI&t=35s) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/63 "2023-05-11T21:56:57Z")
I can do a decent Peter Lorrie. As well as: Ed Sullivan John Mankiewicz Felix the Cat Oh, yeah, James Mason - can nail him. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/64 "2023-05-12T00:21:12Z")
Can’t believe nobody’s mentioned the Pythons yet. They are _so_ easy to do! ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/65 "2023-05-12T00:38:13Z")
I suppose I must mention my bravura performances of the welcome to Munchkinland by the Lollipop League. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/66 "2023-05-12T00:49:26Z")
Guild, dear. The Lollipop Guild. Unless you saw a different movie than I did. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/67 "2023-05-12T01:22:20Z")
Oh my God, what a humiliating error. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/68 "2023-05-12T01:25:48Z")
No problem, you’re forgiven. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/69 "2023-05-12T02:38:27Z")
Lullaby League. Lollipop Guild. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/70 "2023-05-12T05:18:58Z")
> [@YellowDog51](#): > > Mike from _Breaking Bad_ (Saul’s “fixer”). It helps to look a bit like him. You have our sympathy. Unless you’re interviewing for a hitman position; then it’s a huge plus! ---
**Author:** ![BigDfromLA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@BigDfromLA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDfromLA)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/71 "2023-05-12T08:28:59Z")
Larry King Huell Howser Dick Nixon Ronald Reagan Vin Scully Jack Webb Jerry Orbach ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/72 "2023-05-12T15:17:51Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Edward G. Robinson also. He’s been imitated so many times people recognize the mannerism even if they don’t know who is was. Just talk through clenched teeth and end every sentence with an extended “seeee”. Edward G. Robinson has kind of become the default “old-timey gangster” voice. As with many frequently-imitated people, most people aren’t really doing an impression of the actual person. They’re doing an impression of other impressionists. Like when you “do” Shatner, you’re really doing Kevin Pollak doing Shatner. When you do Bela Lugosi, you’re really doing some long-forgotten nightclub comedian doing Lugosi. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/73 "2023-05-12T15:23:57Z")
When I do Lugosi I’m doing Lugosi based on his films. However, even Shatner is doing a Kevin Pollak impression of Shatner because nobody… really… talks!.. that!.. way!. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/74 "2023-05-12T16:13:06Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > Edward G. Robinson has kind of become the default “old-timey gangster” voice. Along with Jimmy “You dirty rat!” Cagney. Ronald Reagan is fun to do too. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/75 "2023-05-12T17:00:51Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > Like when you “do” Shatner, you’re really doing Kevin Pollak doing Shatner. Who’s Kevin Pollak? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/76 "2023-05-12T18:30:18Z")
A pretty legit **Donald Duck** that’s a hit with the kids and nieces and nephews. I can only do it for a few minutes, as it makes my jaw hurt. ---
**Author:** ![CorpusNeptune](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corpusneptune/32/17561_2.png) [@CorpusNeptune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CorpusNeptune)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/77 "2023-05-12T18:35:36Z")
I can do a decent impression of Mr Krabs, though only for a bit before my throat gets all scratchy. It’s fun to do though. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/78 "2023-05-12T18:42:41Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Who’s Kevin Pollak? I’m quite sure I’m being whooshed, but [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGIlNGAhS40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGIlNGAhS40) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/79 "2023-05-12T19:05:47Z")
No one does Bob and Doug MacKenzie any more, eh? ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783/80 "2023-05-12T19:13:05Z")
Pollak is probably the man most responsible for giving us the idea that you imitate Shatner by pausing…after…every…word. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-oddball-impression-you-can-do/983783.md?page=5)