Joe A checking in...

[joealaskey]

Yeah, sorry I've been away awhile, voicing cartoons & other projects. Last year was incredibly busy for me, which was great but relatively exhausting!! :sweat:
Plus, I've been writing a lot at this phase of life (22 short stories & a play over the past year-and-a-half -- Sorry, no fanfic!!)
And somewhere along the way, I remembered I have a personal life as well.
But things have levelled off just recently, so I intend to check back here & stay in touch more often.
Have backtracked all 10 pages of CN Forum threads & already posted a few responses in a couple of them today.
'Coz TZ is still the spot to ask me -- or tell me -- anything that's on your animated minds!! :)

[Corrado]

A few questions for you, Joe:

1.Do you know of any famous guest stars that could appear on Season 2 of Duck Dodgers??

2.Will you be doing any more "Birdman" episodes?? You are good as Peter Potomus.

[joealaskey]

A few questions for you, Joe:

1.Do you know of any famous guest stars that could appear on Season 2 of Duck Dodgers??

2.Will you be doing any more "Birdman" episodes?? You are good as Peter Potomus.
1. Sure do!! Know 'em all!! See the "Duck Dodgers Nominated for Daytime Emmy" thread for a teaser. But surely you don't expect me to spoil any more surprises?! :p

2. Well, thanks!! Loved doing it. HB is a saucy, bawdy, hiply dippy show, ain't it? Makes me laugh gutturally. Hope I get to voice more Adult Swim stuff soon. :cool:
Now let's see... :rolleyes:
I also did the character of "FEAR One" :evil: (Don Messick-villain-style) shortly after that.

[Saotome2U]

Wow, "the" Joe Alaskey. It is a true honor to be able to converse (a bit) with you on the forums here, sir. :) Before Duck Dodgers, I had begun to wonder what you had been doing in the voice acting business, since it kinda seemed you had disappeared for a few years. I later found out that you had started voicing Grandpa on Rugrats, so silly me. :D Anyway, I've been a fan of your work for some time... Heh, you may not remember when you were actually on, but I remember my 1st time seeing you on TV and showcasing your Looney Tunes voices. It was back in '90 or '91, when you were on VH1 Spotlight, as a stand-up comic...you know the show that Rosie O'Donnell hosted? I remembered it so well because after the passing of Mel Blanc, I said to myself that you'd probably be the one to take over those duties of the characters...and lo and behold, when Tiny Toons (TTA) came out, you were voicing Plucky, Daffy, Sylvester, Tweety...

Anyway, I'll stop the gushing now. *LOL* I've just been fascinated by voice actors since I was in the 5th grade, and honestly would eventually like to try it out..since people love it when I do impersonations and change my voice, too. But anyway, I do have a few Q's for ya:

1. May be a far shot, but have there been any talks of bringing new eps of TTA? CN has seemingly given all sorts of ground for WB to bring forth their cartoons, and I was thinking WB could make new eps of that, Animaniacs, P&TB, or even Freakazoid and devote them to CN.

2. Just a general question, but do you, Tress MacNielle (sp?), Charlie Adler, Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMaurche or Cree Summer ever communicate often? I ask because I've often wondered if you guys ever really worked together and built a true friendship while working on TTA or any others, though I know most of the time you did recordings separately.

Again, it's a pleasure to meet'cha. :sweat:

[Bubblegum Girl]

Wow! Joe Alaskey, the voice of Duck Dodgers & Martin Commander! :D (I'm suprised that you're member of ToonZone) I was wondering which do you like better? Dodgers or the Commander. I'm more of the Marvin fan myself. ;)

[Fone Bone]

Ha! Can't fool me! I remember you as Uncle Beano on "Out of This World"!

What exactly was a factor in deciding to try voice-over work? You are just so dang good at it but I wonder what your big break was? How does a person go about voicing cartoons? Do you send an audio tape of yourself to cartoon studios?

By the way, I absolutely love you on Duck Dodgers.

Edit: Was that you voicing Mighty Mouse as Ralph Kramden on the late eighties' Mighty Mouse: the New Adventures? I always remembered you did a fantastic Jackie Gleason. I remember your impersonation of him on "Out of This World" fondly as well as your "Roxanne" inspired insults to that annoying heckler on the same episode.

[Corrado]

"Sure do!! Know 'em all!! See the "Duck Dodgers Nominated for Daytime Emmy" thread for a teaser. But surely you don't expect me to spoil any more surprises?!":p

Cool.

Thanks for answering my questions, Joe!!

But my friend had some questions of her own and here they are:

1. On Duck Dodgers, in addition to voicing the main stars Duck Dodgers and
Martin Commander, you also voiced a few one timers like Drake Darkstar and
Dr. Woe. Are there any other one shot characters you are going to voice on
the next season of DD? And if so, could you drop hints to who they would
be.
2. Are there any upcoming animation shows/projects that you are involved in
anyway in?
3. To me, one of your most impressive voice acting skills is being able to
not only do a good voice on the character, but actually to various variant
voices to the character that sound similar but different in a way. Like
when Voicing old Duck Dodgers in "Duck Codgers". This obvious takes a lot
of talent. How long would you say it's taken you to mature to that level of
excellence and greatness in Voice Acting?

[Duke]

Y'know, before today, I would have never guessed Stinkie from Casper, Grandpa from Rugrats, and Daffy Duck all had the same voice actor.

And who knew your very first Looney Tunes role was in Roger Rabbit? (I spit out my soda when I saw your name in the credits while watching it recently.)

A couple Q's:

1) Are they currently making a new Rugrats movie (probably based on the new spinoff)?

2) Have you ever done an impression of Disney characters?

[joealaskey]

Wow, "the" Joe Alaskey. It is a true honor to be able to converse (a bit) with you on the forums here, sir. :) Before Duck Dodgers, I had begun to wonder what you had been doing in the voice acting business, since it kinda seemed you had disappeared for a few years. I later found out that you had started voicing Grandpa on Rugrats, so silly me. :D Anyway, I've been a fan of your work for some time... Heh, you may not remember when you were actually on, but I remember my 1st time seeing you on TV and showcasing your Looney Tunes voices. It was back in '90 or '91, when you were on VH1 Spotlight, as a stand-up comic...you know the show that Rosie O'Donnell hosted? I remembered it so well because after the passing of Mel Blanc, I said to myself that you'd probably be the one to take over those duties of the characters...and lo and behold, when Tiny Toons (TTA) came out, you were voicing Plucky, Daffy, Sylvester, Tweety...[QUOTE]

Oh, stop your gushing now!!


[QUOTE=Saotome2U] Anyway, I'll stop the gushing now. *LOL*[QUOTE]

Heh heh. By the way, I still have that VH1 jacket, now a collector's item, I hear.
Also by the way, ... thanks. :cool:


[QUOTE=Saotome2U] I've just been fascinated by voice actors since I was in the 5th grade, and honestly would eventually like to try it out..since people love it when I do impersonations and change my voice, too.[QUOTE]

Well, that's how I got started!! Except I didn't get bold enough to try to amuse classmates till high school. :eek:
So do it if you want to. There's always room in this biz for talent. (I suggest you develop your own voices, though, as well.)


[QUOTE=Saotome2U] But anyway, I do have a few Q's for ya:
1. May be a far shot, but have there been any talks of bringing new eps of TTA? CN has seemingly given all sorts of ground for WB to bring forth their cartoons, and I was thinking WB could make new eps of that, Animaniacs, P&TB, or even Freakazoid and devote them to CN.[QUOTE]

I honestly have not heard a peep about anything like that from the inner circles (not to be confused with the LT rings). :confused:


[QUOTE=Saotome2U] 2. Just a general question, but do you, Tress MacNielle (sp?), Charlie Adler, Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMaurche or Cree Summer ever communicate often? I ask because I've often wondered if you guys ever really worked together and built a true friendship while working on TTA or any others, though I know most of the time you did recordings separately.[QUOTE]

We see each other from time to time, but no real deep friendships emerged for me. We're all individuals with our own lives & tastes in people.
I am directed by Charlie, & see Cree now & then, on "Rugrats". Always a warm hug & kiss. :o Eh -- from her!! Real pros & extra-talented, both of them.
Don't see Tress much. :( A couple of years ago in the supermarket, I think.
Moe & Rob have worked on "Duck Dodgers", & many other shows. Both hilarious guys in real life, a lot of fum to work with. :D
On that subject, you're misinformed, though, as to how we recorded TTA. We were almost always at the same voice sessions, and still are on DD. :)
And may I add?: I still miss working with TTA's Hamton, the late, great Don Messick (sadly often-overlooked TV VO pioneer that he is). I learned lots from him in the years we sat side-by-side.


[QUOTE=Saotome2U] Again, it's a pleasure to meet'cha. :sweat:

Hey, dittoes!!

[joealaskey]

Wow! Joe Alaskey, the voice of Duck Dodgers & Martin Commander! :D (I'm suprised that you're member of ToonZone) I was wondering which do you like better? Dodgers or the Commander. I'm more of the Marvin fan myself. ;)
Okay, that's not the same as asking 'Who do I like voicing better?', so this one's easy!!
The character I like better is --
is...

:daffy: "Yethhhh...?"

-- is...

:marvin: "Yesssss...?"

Eh...
Lemme get back to you.

[joealaskey]

Ha! Can't fool me! I remember you as Uncle Beano on "Out of This World"![QUOTE]

:eek: !!
But did you ever see "Lucky Stiff" (1988 New Line feature)? I believe the VHS rental is still available here & there. You won't believe who directed it!!


[QUOTE=Fone Bone] What exactly was a factor in deciding to try voice-over work? You are just so dang good at it but I wonder what your big break was? [QUOTE]

Well, I've heard this one often enough to whittle my reply down to (in this order): stand-up act ('78-'95 approx.) / scouted by Friz Freleng ('81) / protege of Bill ("Bullwinkle") Scott ('85-'86) / Bob Zemeckis ("... Roger Rabbit") / Steven Spielberg, who cast me in TTA (with assist by Andrea Romano & Tom Ruegger).
Consider 'em all 'big breaks'!!
Hope answers Q.
I mean... I hope that answers your question.


[QUOTE=Fone Bone]How does a person go about voicing cartoons? Do you send an audio tape of yourself to cartoon studios?[QUOTE]

Can't hurt. But try to get an VO agent first. It's more professional. ;)


[QUOTE=Fone Bone]By the way, I absolutely love you on Duck Dodgers.[QUOTE]

Another gusher, Tex!! I'm rich!! :D


[QUOTE=Fone Bone]Edit: Was that you voicing Mighty Mouse as Ralph Kramden on the late eighties' Mighty Mouse: the New Adventures?[QUOTE]

Yep. And wotta character Ralph Bakshi was to work for!! :p


[QUOTE=Fone Bone] I always remembered you did a fantastic Jackie Gleason. I remember your impersonation of him on "Out of This World" fondly as well as your "Roxanne" inspired insults to that annoying heckler on the same episode.
Thanks!!
Also on OOTW, I did a Bill Shatner rip & a Raymond ("Perry Mason") Burr interrogation scene ("Isn't it true...?!").
My Shatner also showed up on an ep of "Nurses". I played a near-psychotically zealous Trekkie whose "crew" was struck by very earthly food poisoning they got at a Con!! :o
Also, I did a Cary Grantish villain & Jimmy Durantean "Gandy Goose" on MM:TNA.
(Gentlemen, start your search engines!!)

Thanks for the compliments & for writing, FB!!

[Speedy Boris]

This is gonna sound so fanboyish, but what was your favorite TTA episode to do Plucky's voice for? Some of my favorite TTA episodes happen to star Plucky- Hollywood Plucky, Best O'Plucky Duck Day, Animaniacs!, Inside Plucky Duck, Return of Batduck, etc. :D

[joealaskey]

Thanks for answering my questions, Joe!!
But my friend had some questions of her own and here they are:
1. On Duck Dodgers, in addition to voicing the main stars Duck Dodgers and Martin Commander, you also voiced a few one timers like Drake Darkstar and Dr. Woe.[QUOTE]
And loved every second of both!! :D :D
Not to mention Dodgers' vampire-slave variation in "I'm Gonna Get You, Fat Sucka", which was a combo of Renfield (the 1931 "Dracula" / Dwight Frye), Peter Lorre & Gollum!!


[QUOTE=Corrado] Are there any other one shot characters you are going to voice on the next season of DD? And if so, could you drop hints to who they would be. [QUOTE]

Sure hope so!! I've been hinting at a return gig for Drake Darkstar to Spike & Tony... But unfortunately, it won't be in Season Two. As for Season 3, who knows? Certainly not me!! :confused:


[QUOTE=Corrado] 2. Are there any upcoming animation shows/projects that you are involved in anyway in? [QUOTE]

Well, for a BIG change of pace, I'll be on the next "Spider-Man" game as the not-funny-at-all Dr. Connors, Peter's mentor.
(Also voiced the monstrous "Lizard", his alter ego, but that part got cut due to a time-overrun. :mad:
Hope they saved the tracks for"S-M III"!!)


[QUOTE=Corrado] 3. To me, one of your most impressive voice acting skills is being able to not only do a good voice on the character, but actually to various variant voices to the character that sound similar but different in a way. Like when Voicing old Duck Dodgers in "Duck Codgers". This obvious takes a lot of talent. How long would you say it's taken you to mature to that level of excellence and greatness in Voice Acting?
Well, I just try to deliver the goods as I think Mel Blanc would. But that also means one needs terrific & precise direction.
Since you mention it, we usually get about about a day or two before the recording session to look over storyboards & scripts. On "Codgers", I had a voice all ready for his antiquated self, but it turned out to be too similar to what Bob Bergen had chosen for his elderly Cadet!! So it was changed at the last minute. Glad it worked for you!!
As for my 'excellence and greatness' -- Sheesh!! Even Daffy's blushing!! :o
But seriously, you never stop learning on a job you really love, because there's always room for improvement.
I try to apply this work ethic to everything I do.
And character development in different wacky directions is the fixed course we're on for "Duck Dodgers" -- & beyond!! So stay tuned for more!!

Appreciate your ongoing interest & support, Mr. C.!!

[joealaskey]

This is gonna sound so fanboyish, but what was your favorite TTA episode to do Plucky's voice for? Some of my favorite TTA episodes happen to star Plucky- Hollywood Plucky, Best O'Plucky Duck Day, Animaniacs!, Inside Plucky Duck, Return of Batduck, etc. :D
You named two of my runners-up: "Hollywood Plucky" & "Retun of BatDuck"... But my all-time favorite was the last one we voiced (coincidentally): "Night Ghoulery"!!
It was sheer delight for me to take off on these scary standards: Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" (which I used to do as a theatre audition piece!!); "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" (by my favorite fantasy author, Richard Matheson); & "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein", which was the first movie I ever saw!! (-- in a late-'50s reissue)!!
Related Trivia: I was voice-directed on that one by Tom Ruegger himself, the only time that ever happened. (Andrea Romano was predisposed on that occasion.)

PS. I Was a Teenage Fanboy myself. No shame in that!! :)

[Sprocket]

Wait, was that the one that was only shown like, once, on Fox? Night Ghoulery, I mean.

I've ALWAYS wanted to see that one again, because it was SO hilarious. Your performance on the Frankenstein parody CRACKED ME UP! GOD was it funny!

Ah well. Maybe some day I'll see it again.

[j32885]

Welcome Back Joe! :)

I like Duck Dodgers a lot, favorite episode was the one when they spoof the space battle from Star Trek Movie II. Keep up the good work. :cool:

[Xfox]

You're THE Joe Alaskey? *bows down*

I'm in the presence of VA royalty!

I'm a big fan of Plucky and Daffy. Very cool to meet ya!

[CjFilmz]

Joe Alaskey.. wow. Uhhh, i don't really have any questions for you. An honor to meet you though.

[Fone Bone]

Thanks!!
Also on OOTW, I did a Bill Shatner rip & a Raymond ("Perry Mason") Burr interrogation scene ("Isn't it true...?!").
My Shatner also showed up on an ep of "Nurses". I played a near-psychotically zealous Trekkie whose "crew" was struck by very earthly food poisoning they got at a Con!! :o
Also, I did a Cary Grantish villain & Jimmy Durantean "Gandy Goose" on MM:TNA.
(Gentlemen, start your search engines!!)

Thanks for the compliments & for writing, FB!!
Whoa! You were Gandy Goose?! I had no idea! ("Now you're cross with me.") :p What was the name of the Cary Grant character? I have every episode on tape and I want to check if it sounds like you. (There is no way I could place you as Gandy... Unless... You actually voiced Sourpuss. He was the Jimmy Durantean one. Either way you so good at blending voices I can't even recognize you sometimes!) You da man!

Question, do you have any good Ralph Bakshi stories? Or at least any G-rated ones?:D

[DarthGonzo]

But my all-time favorite was the last one we voiced (coincidentally): "Night Ghoulery"!!

I recall a line by Hampton midway through the episode in which he asks Plucky if he ever intends to talk in his normal voice at any point. That must have been a blast doing Plucky in all those different ridiculous voices. I particularly loved Plucky's whole Shatner thing in the Gremlin segment. His insane narration in the TellTale Vacuum was also terrific. Personal favorite bit:

Plucky: Would a madman do THIS? (looks in a mirror, shines a flashlight on himself and makes a crazy face) Dont answer that.

Joe, I cant tell you how many times I've seen Back in Action. Your just terrific in it. Best Bugs I've heard in a long time. Your Sylvester is so good I'm shocked he didnt have a bigger role in the movie. Probably the most sprited Daffy performance as well.

Question: looking back on your years as voicing Plucky are you surprised that it eventually led to you voicing a hugely classic character such as Daffy?

[joealaskey]

Wait, was that the one that was only shown like, once, on Fox? Night Ghoulery, I mean.

I've ALWAYS wanted to see that one again, because it was SO hilarious. Your performance on the Frankenstein parody CRACKED ME UP! GOD was it funny!

Ah well. Maybe some day I'll see it again.
Well, you can!! This hour-long TTA Halloween special is still available on VHS. (Now I sound like E-Bay -- Yecchh!!) :p
And thanks for the nice words.
TRIVIA: Favorite line: "...Eye...?"

[joealaskey]

Whoa! You were Gandy Goose?! I had no idea! ("Now you're cross with me.") :p What was the name of the Cary Grant character? I have every episode on tape and I want to check if it sounds like you. (There is no way I could place you as Gandy... Unless... You actually voiced Sourpuss. He was the Jimmy Durantean one. Either way you so good at blending voices I can't even recognize you sometimes!) You da man!

Question, do you have any good Ralph Bakshi stories? Or at least any G-rated ones?:D
Whoops. I stand corrected. It was Sourpuss, not Gandy, that I did on that show. :o

"Cary Grant" character name? Sorry. Can't remember my own name sometimes. (But now ya make me wanna see those Mighty Mice again!!)

Here's a fun Bakshi story (RATED PG - Language):
Well-known for his abrasive approach to voice direction, which I knew going in to my 1st session, he lambasted me after one line-reading with something like: :yawn: "Wow, that sucked!!"
Without thinking, I replied: :rolleyes: "Well, you're the expert."
He almost fell off his chair laughing. (The rest of the cast liked it too, as I recall.)
Happy Ending: We got along great after that, although it didn't change his style much. But there was this new twinkle in his eye. Out of the studio, he was a sweetheart to me. :cool:

[joealaskey]

I recall a line by Hampton midway through the episode in which he asks Plucky if he ever intends to talk in his normal voice at any point. That must have been a blast doing Plucky in all those different ridiculous voices. I particularly loved Plucky's whole Shatner thing in the Gremlin segment. His insane narration in the TellTale Vacuum was also terrific. Personal favorite bit:

Plucky: Would a madman do THIS? (looks in a mirror, shines a flashlight on himself and makes a crazy face) Dont answer that.

Joe, I cant tell you how many times I've seen Back in Action. Your just terrific in it. Best Bugs I've heard in a long time. Your Sylvester is so good I'm shocked he didnt have a bigger role in the movie. Probably the most sprited Daffy performance as well.

Question: looking back on your years as voicing Plucky are you surprised that it eventually led to you voicing a hugely classic character such as Daffy?
Greetings from Gratitude City, DG!!
After years of yelling for dear life on "Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries", I was kinda glad his role in LT:BIA was a cameo!! :sweat:
Not much surprise on the Plucky-to-Daffy connection, though, since this parallel voicework was generally contemporaneous, if not literally simultaneous.

:daffy: "-- Hahh?"

[Callia]

:eek: . . . *can hardly believe you're on this forum* Ok, I know it's been a LONG time since anyone's posted here, but I thought I'd try. (Sorry if it's against rules?)

O-okay.. uh, What'd I wanna say here? There's so many things to say! First off, I wanna thank ya again for signing my Casper DVD cover! I always keep it in a place where I can see it. It's my special little treasure now. As I said to you before, I've been a HUGE HUGE fan of your work for a long time. Almost everything you've ever voiced in I've seen and LOVED that character you voiced.

My first memorable one though is Plucky whom I took more than a great liking to when I first watched it. I never missed an episode while that show aired. Same goes for the Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries! I REALLY enjoyed and loved Looney Tunes Back In Action, GREAT work! You're an AMAZING Bugs and Daffy! <3 After I finished watching it the first time in theaters I couldn't wait to go back to see it again. Duck Dodgers was BRILLIANT too of course!

Of course, that holds NO TIES to how many times I watched Casper in theaters and my ever growing love for that series and movie. Favorite episode.... Oh goodness, there are just so many to choose from! Let's see, mine has to be "Something to Stink About!" That was a great episode! "Legend of Duh Bigfoot" was pretty hilarious too. "Where's da Potty?" :D My favorite quote has to be in that episode though where Fatso gets tricked into being an opera singer! Hehe, Stinkie says that, "It's my new Roll-On Obsession, Ode de Doody" XD How you delivered that line was Great! :o

E-er uh, Anyways! Sorry 'bout fan girling again! Uhm, Questions! Yes! Questions..

1. What was your favorite episode of Casper?

2. What was your favorite Casper line TV Series/And or Movie?

3. I believe you said you collected Hats/Pins-Badges?? Do you have any from the Casper movie? :anime:

4. Will you be going to anymore conventions soon? (I missed you this year at San Diego!! My friend was there and I almost went too, but, I didn't cause I didn't see anyone listed there that I knew! I could've had an autograph in person! :crying: Hrmn, but, she had you sign something for me! ;) Ninja Turtle friend of mine..)


5. What happened to your Website? :crying: It disappeared...

6. Are you excited about the release of the Spooktacular Casper series on DVD?? :D I literally walked from 10:25AM to 3:30PM JUST to find the darned DVD on release day! XD I went to 5 different places.

7. Did you guys get t keep anything from the movie set afterwards? Anything special other than memories from it...? :)

8. What about any memories from the set that were funny? :D Anything that wasn't shared on the Casper DVD that happened?

9. Have you visited my website yet like you promised? ;) :p It's grown considerably, Especially the art section! Oh and we have a forum where all us fans chitter-chatter. (14 of us.)

OK, I'll stop there.. :anime: You're a very busy guy and I'd rather not keep ya too long. Just in case, Thanks for everything!! *hugs* :anime:

[Draft]

it is agaisnt the rules

We even Joe Alasky to post here? Wow, good going Toon Zone!

[Callia]

Oopsy, I'm sorry then :)

[Callia]

Oopsy, I'm sorry then :sweat: :sad:

Whoops, sorry for the double post, didn't think the first one submitted.