Simpsons Declassified with Nancy Cartwright

Bill Farmer: 40 Years of Goofy, A Goofy Movie, Disney Legends & the Voice That Changed Lives

Disney Legend Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy and Pluto for nearly 40 years, joins Nancy Cartwright for a funny, nostalgic, and surprisingly moving conversation about A Goofy Movie, Disney history, voice acting, and the extraordinary journey that took him from small-town Kansas to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in animation.Bill shares how he started out studying broadcast journalism and electronics, worked in small-town radio, became a stand-up comedian, and eventually took a chance on Hollywood. Just months after arriving, he was asked if he could do any Disney characters. He chose his childhood favorite, Goofy, studied the original performance by Pinto Colvig, and walked into an audition without knowing that roughly 1,100 other actors had tried out. Nearly four decades and thousands of performances later, he's still Goofy.The conversation dives deep into A Goofy Movie and the unexpected emotional legacy it has built across generations. Bill reveals how Disney originally experimented with changing Goofy's voice to make him a more conventional father before ultimately finding the balance between the classic character and the emotional performance the story needed. He also shares the touching memory of watching an early pencil-test screening with his five-year-old son, Austin, who burst into tears when Goofy went over the waterfall because he thought it was actually his dad.Bill and Nancy reminisce about their early years together in animation, including Goof Troop and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, while Bill shares memories of Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor, working with celebrities like Alice Cooper, and performing as Goofy before 17,500 people at the Hollywood Bowl.The episode also explores the craft behind the characters. Bill credits legendary voice acting teacher Daws Butler with teaching him one of the most important lessons of his career: voice acting is acting. He and Nancy discuss performance, emotion, confidence, improvisation, and why aspiring voice actors need more than the ability to imitate a voice.But some of the most powerful moments come from Bill's encounters with fans. He recalls meeting Muhammad Ali, who called Bill his hero after learning about his work with children, and tells the emotional story of a fan who said A Goofy Movie helped him through an extremely dark period and ultimately gave him hope to keep going. Those experiences changed how Bill views his work: it's not simply about performing a character—it's about what that character can mean to someone else.Of course, there are plenty of laughs along the way, including Goofy and Bart swapping famous lines, Pluto impressions, wild Disney recording stories, fan questions, and a strawberry cronut so good that the usual 1-to-10 donut rating system completely falls apart.Whether you're a fan of Goofy, Pluto, A Goofy Movie, Disney, The Simpsons, or the art of voice acting, this episode is packed with animation history, laughter, heart, and unforgettable stories from a true Disney legend.

Felicia Day: The Guild, Buffy, Breaking Hollywood’s Rules & Betting on Yourself

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.

Chris Prynoski: Beavis and Butt-Head, Titmouse, Vox Machina & Building an Animation Empire

Animation powerhouse Chris Prynoski, founder of Titmouse, joins Nancy Cartwright for a hilarious and fascinating conversation about breaking into animation, working on Beavis and Butt-Head, building one of the industry's most influential independent animation studios, and helping creators bring some of today's most original animated worlds to life.Chris takes us back to the early days of adult animation, when he began working as a storyboard revisionist on Beavis and Butt-Head at MTV in the 1990s. He shares what it was like learning the craft before today's digital production tools, working with film and tape, and realizing he was part of a groundbreaking series during an era when shows like The Simpsons were redefining what television animation could be.The conversation dives into the unlikely origin of Titmouse, which Chris reveals wasn't originally intended to become an animation studio at all. What began as a small T-shirt business eventually evolved—with an important push from his wife, Shannon—into a creative powerhouse with studios in Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, and Paris. Chris also explains what he looks for when evaluating new projects, revealing why the creators behind an idea can matter even more than the concept itself.Chris also shares some unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories, including an absolutely wild Snoop Dogg recording session that ended with the fire department arriving at the studio. He and Nancy talk about casting, pitching projects, navigating setbacks, working with writers and artists, and why even a "bad day" in animation can still mean getting paid to come up with creative ideas.The episode also touches on The Legend of Vox Machina, Motorcity, Metalocalypse, the lasting influence of The Simpsons, and Titmouse's exciting partnership with Meow Wolf, including experiential projects and a television series. And, naturally, there are donuts, fan questions, Bart Simpson, animation memories, and the surprisingly philosophical question everyone eventually has to answer: Are you a ghoul or a pastry?Whether you're an animator, aspiring creator, longtime Titmouse fan, or simply fascinated by how animated shows actually get made, this episode is packed with industry insight, creative inspiration, hilarious stories, and a rare look inside the world of one of animation's most influential creators.

Patrick Renna: The Sandlot, Savannah Bananas, Social Media & “You’re Killing Me, Smalls!”

Actor Patrick Renna, forever beloved as Hamilton "Ham" Porter from The Sandlot, joins Nancy Cartwright for a nostalgic, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about one of the most iconic baseball movies ever made, building a career in Hollywood, raising a family, and finding a whole new audience through social media.Patrick shares behind-the-scenes stories from filming The Sandlot, including the unforgettable baseball boot camp that brought the young cast together, how he landed the role, and why the cast remains close friends more than three decades later. He also talks about stepping onto the field with the wildly popular Savannah Bananas, reliving baseball memories, and discovering that the magic of The Sandlot continues to resonate with multiple generations of fans.The conversation also explores Patrick's career beyond acting, from producing films and television projects through his production company to creating highly successful comedy content across social media. He explains why authentic storytelling and making people laugh remain at the center of everything he creates, and how connecting directly with audiences has opened exciting new creative opportunities.Nancy and Patrick swap stories about Hollywood, family life, baseball, classic films, and The Simpsons, while sharing hilarious fan questions, tasting some memorable donuts, and revisiting the legendary line, "You're killing me, Smalls!" Along the way, Patrick offers insight into balancing career, creativity, fatherhood, and the importance of continuing to create work that genuinely brings joy to others.Whether you grew up quoting The Sandlot, love behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories, enjoy great comedy, or simply appreciate conversations filled with humor, nostalgia, and heart, this episode delivers plenty of laughs and unforgettable moments with one of America's most recognizable childhood stars.

Jennifer Hale: Mass Effect, X-Men '97, Overwatch & Becoming the Queen of Video Game Voices

Legendary voice actress Jennifer Hale joins Nancy Cartwright for an inspiring, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation about four decades in entertainment, the evolution of voice acting, and the unforgettable characters that have defined gaming and animation. From Commander Shepard in Mass Effect to Jean Grey in X-Men '97, Ashe in Overwatch, and countless animated favorites, Jennifer shares the remarkable journey behind one of the most celebrated careers in the industry.Jennifer reflects on stepping back into the Marvel Universe for X-Men '97, explains how the creative team balanced honoring the beloved 1990s series while modernizing the performances, and shares what it feels like watching a new generation discover the X-Men alongside longtime fans. She also opens up about the unique camaraderie within the voice acting community, where iconic roles are often shared across generations of performers.The conversation explores Jennifer's unlikely path into voice acting, from struggling with self-doubt and booking her first animated series, Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?, to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in video games. She discusses the intense demands of game performance, recording battle sequences, creating memorable characters from almost no context, and why acting—not simply creating funny voices—is the foundation of great voice work.Jennifer also shares her passion for helping the next generation of performers through SkillsHub.Life, the voice acting education platform she co-founded. With guidance from working actors, casting directors, and voice directors, the platform is designed to help aspiring and professional voice actors develop their craft and build sustainable careers. Learn more at https://acting.skillshub.life/.Nancy and Jennifer reminisce about classic animation, Animaniacs, Scooby-Doo's Hex Girls, Powerpuff Girls, Rugrats, and the golden era of voice acting, while swapping stories about mentors, creative risks, career setbacks, and the importance of continually investing in yourself as an artist. Along the way, they enjoy donuts, perform hilarious crossover skits featuring Bart Simpson and Jean Grey, and share priceless behind-the-scenes stories from decades in entertainment.Whether you're a fan of Mass Effect, X-Men '97, Overwatch, animation, gaming, or simply love hearing how extraordinary creative careers are built, this episode is filled with laughter, wisdom, and fascinating behind-the-scenes moments from one of the most accomplished voice actors of all time.