Simpsons Declassified with Nancy Cartwright

Chris Parnell joins Nancy Cartwright for a hilarious conversation spanning Saturday Night Live, Rick and Morty, Archer, voice acting, comedy, and the unforgettable sketches and characters that have defined his career. From the truth behind SNL’s legendary “More Cowbell” sketch to playing Jerry Smith across the multiverse, Chris shares stories from a career that has made him one of comedy and animation’s most recognizable voices.Chris takes Nancy behind the scenes of “More Cowbell,” revealing how Will Ferrell wrote the sketch, why Christopher Walken was the perfect host for it, and how Ferrell made one very important wardrobe choice: getting his famous shirt a size or two too small. Chris remembers struggling to keep a straight face as Ferrell played the cowbell inches away from him, while Jimmy Fallon famously cracked up in the background. He also clears up one important piece of SNL history: no, that wasn’t actually Chris singing the Blue Öyster Cult track.The conversation also explores Chris’s years on Saturday Night Live, including the painful experience of being fired—and the remarkable story of fellow cast members reportedly going to bat for him before he was eventually rehired. Chris discusses why he memorized his scripts instead of relying heavily on cue cards, how that once backfired when a sketch was rewritten without anyone telling him, and why live television leaves very little room for improvisation.Animation fans get plenty, too. Chris talks about recording multiple versions of Jerry Smith in Rick and Morty, his early exposure to voiceover through his father’s home recording studio, and landing Archer, where he spent 14 years playing Cyril Figgis. He also reflects on conventions, his castmates, and the strange experience of people recognizing Jerry’s voice without necessarily recognizing the man behind it.Chris and Nancy also compare the worlds of The Simpsons, SNL, and animated television, talk about raising kids around video games, auditions, anonymity, musical comedy, and what it takes to stay working in entertainment for decades. And naturally, there are donuts—including an extremely serious debate over whether Chris is more of a ghoul or a pastry.Chris also looks ahead to new projects, including the animated series Breaking Bear and a dramatic role in the film Wake, offering a glimpse at a performer who continues to find new territory after decades of making audiences laugh.Whether you know Chris Parnell from SNL, Rick and Morty, Archer, Anchorman, “Lazy Sunday,” or “More Cowbell,” this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, comedy history, voice acting insight, and plenty of laughs.

Geek culture icon Felicia Day joins Nancy Cartwright for a hilarious, heartfelt, and candid conversation about The Guild, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, voice acting, anxiety, independent filmmaking, and what happens when creators stop waiting for Hollywood's permission.Felicia looks back at how The Guild helped prove that creators could make their own shows, build their own communities, and succeed outside the traditional entertainment system. Nearly two decades later, she reflects on seeing a new generation of filmmakers follow that path and why she believes creators have more opportunities than ever to connect directly with audiences.She also opens up about the Kickstarter behind her return to The Guild, the realities of financing an independent movie, and why she's putting the project directly in the hands of fans rather than changing her creative vision to satisfy executives or industry expectations.Felicia shares the incredible story of how a nerve-racking audition for Buffy the Vampire Slayer unexpectedly became one of the most important breaks of her career. After struggling with her original audition, a spontaneous cold read landed her the role of a Potential Slayer and helped her realize that her wonderfully nerdy, unconventional self had a home in Hollywood.The conversation gets personal as Felicia discusses the anxiety that followed her through the early years of her career and the pressure she put on herself as both an actor and creator. She reveals what she wishes she could tell the younger version of herself making The Guild on a tiny budget and why learning to stop anticipating disaster changed her perspective on creativity and success.She also tells a brutal-but-transformative Hollywood story about showing up to work on a major network comedy pilot only to discover that her character had been written out—and nobody had told her. That painful experience ultimately helped push Felicia toward investing in The Guild, her own creative work, and the community already waiting for what she wanted to make.Meanwhile, Felicia turns the tables and interviews Nancy about the origins of Bart Simpson, including Nancy's original audition for Lisa, recognizing herself in Bart instead, and landing the role on the spot. They also revisit the earliest Tracey Ullman Show recording sessions and how those tiny animated shorts eventually became a television phenomenon.And, of course, things get wonderfully ridiculous. Felicia shares the hilariously humbling experience of seeing her "Do You Want to Date My Avatar" costume displayed at the Smithsonian, only to stand beside it unnoticed while museum visitors focused on Xena. Nancy and Felicia also talk My Little Pony, memorable fan encounters, rate donuts, and perform an unexpected crossover featuring Nelson Muntz applying to join The Guild.Felicia also discusses her graphic novel The Lost Daughter of Sparta, what's next for The Guild, and why creating art can have an impact far beyond anything its creator could ever predict.Whether you're a longtime fan of The Guild, Buffy, Supernatural, My Little Pony, The Simpsons, or simply someone chasing a creative dream, this episode is packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a powerful reminder that sometimes the best response to a closed door is to build your own.

Voice actor Zach Aguilar, the English voice of Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer, joins Nancy Cartwright for an energetic, funny, and inspiring conversation about anime, gaming, voice acting, and what it's like to become the voice of one of the biggest franchises in the world. From landing his breakout roles to meeting Stan Lee and navigating overnight success, Zach shares the journey behind his remarkable career.Zach opens up about booking Demon Slayer before anyone knew it would become a global phenomenon, watching the series explode in popularity during the pandemic, and the surreal experience of walking into conventions where thousands of fans were suddenly dressed as Tanjiro. He also explains the surprising technique behind creating Genos' iconic deep voice in One-Punch Man and how years of online gaming accidentally became part of his voice acting toolkit.The conversation explores Zach's early acting career, from skipping school for auditions as a child to winning a voice acting competition at Anime Expo that launched his professional career. He shares valuable advice for aspiring performers, emphasizing that voice acting starts with becoming a great actor, embracing creativity, and never being afraid to make bold choices behind the microphone.Nancy and Zach also dive into anime dubbing, convention culture, gaming, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Blue Box, and the unique challenges of creating unforgettable characters. Along the way, they swap hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, perform character voices, debate anime, rate maple bacon donuts, and share unforgettable moments—including Zach's chance encounter with Stan Lee and one very awkward fan interaction in an airport bathroom.Filled with laughter, career advice, animation history, and heartfelt stories about believing in yourself, this episode is a must-listen for anime fans, gamers, aspiring voice actors, and anyone chasing a creative dream.

Award-winning voice actress Kari Wahlgren joins Nancy Cartwright for a fun, heartfelt, and inspiring conversation about building one of the most versatile careers in animation, anime, gaming, and television. From Rick and Morty and Mortal Kombat to Disney, Marvel, anime, and countless beloved animated characters, Kari shares the unexpected moments that shaped her incredible journey in voice acting.

Kari reveals how a single improvised line during a Rick and Morty recording session unexpectedly transformed Rick's spaceship into one of the show's most memorable recurring characters. She also discusses voicing iconic video game characters like Kitana and Mileena in Mortal Kombat, becoming Aunt May in Marvel's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and the creative freedom that comes with bringing hundreds of unique characters to life across animation, anime, and games.

The conversation dives into Kari's early career, from moving to Los Angeles with big dreams to landing the Disney series that changed everything. She reflects on learning from legendary performers, building confidence in the booth, and why preparation and persistence are often the difference between missing an opportunity and launching a lifelong career.

Nancy and Kari also swap stories about Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, classic Disney animation, anime, auditioning, conventions, voice acting techniques, and the surprising ways fans recognize their voices in everyday life. Along the way, they share memorable behind-the-scenes moments, career advice for aspiring performers, donut ratings, and plenty of laughter—including one unforgettable audition story that proves perseverance sometimes means pushing through the most embarrassing moments imaginable.

Whether you're a fan of animation, anime, video games, Disney classics, Rick and Morty, or simply love hearing how creative careers are built, this episode is packed with inspiring stories, practical advice, and fascinating behind-the-scenes insights from one of the industry's most accomplished voice actors.

Legendary voice actor Bob Bergen, the voice of Porky Pig, joins Nancy Cartwright for an unforgettable conversation celebrating animation, storytelling, and the incredible craft of voice acting. With decades of experience bringing iconic Looney Tunes characters to life, Bob shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, career-defining moments, and the lessons that helped him become one of animation's most respected performers.

Bob reveals that he knew he wanted to become Porky Pig when he was only five years old. That childhood dream led him on an extraordinary journey that included tracking down Mel Blanc's phone number as a teenager, secretly observing a recording session, studying under legendary voice actor Daws Butler, and eventually inheriting one of the most beloved characters in animation history.

The conversation explores Bob's work on Space Jam, Tiny Toon Adventures, Looney Tunes, and countless animated projects, along with fascinating insights into how classic cartoon voices evolved over decades. Bob explains the art behind Porky Pig's famous stutter, why voice acting is really about acting—not funny voices—and why even after more than three decades, he still auditions to keep the role.

Nancy and Bob also dive into the history of animation legends including Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, June Foray, Joe Alaskey, Chuck Jones, and Friz Freleng, sharing personal memories that offer a rare glimpse into the golden era of cartoons and the people who built the industry. Along the way they discuss The Simpsons, audition techniques, protecting your voice, performance psychology, and the importance of taking creative risks.

Filled with laugh-out-loud moments—including donuts, customs agents, weddings officiated by Porky Pig, Ryan Seacrest auditions, and some unforgettable celebrity impressions—this episode is a love letter to animation and the artists who have entertained generations of fans. Whether you're an aspiring voice actor, lifelong Looney Tunes fan, or simply love hearing incredible Hollywood stories, this episode is packed with inspiration, nostalgia, and pure fun.