Bob Bergen on becoming Porky Pig, Mel Blanc, Bart Simpson, Looney Tunes & 40 Years of Cartoon History

Bob Bergen on becoming Porky Pig, Mel Blanc, Bart Simpson, Looney Tunes & 40 Years of Cartoon History

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Stephen Glickman: From Shrek to Big Time Rush, Broadway Heartbreak & Viral Fame

Actor, comedian, musician, and Big Time Rush fan-favorite Stephen Kramer Glickman joins Nancy Cartwright for a hilarious, inspiring, and surprisingly emotional conversation about resilience, creativity, and embracing unexpected opportunities. From nearly starring as Shrek on Broadway to becoming Gustavo Rocque on Big Time Rush, Stephen shares the winding path that shaped his remarkable career. Stephen opens up about one of the biggest disappointments of his life—being cast as Shrek in the Broadway development of Shrek the Musical, only to be replaced before opening night. What felt like a devastating setback ultimately led to a life-changing opportunity when a chance meeting and a powerful piece of career advice helped open the door to Nickelodeon and Big Time Rush. The conversation dives into Stephen’s experiences touring the world with Big Time Rush, performing in front of massive crowds, working in animation, voice acting, stand-up comedy, and building a successful career across multiple entertainment industries. He shares stories about bullying, persistence, learning to appreciate the journey rather than focusing only on the destination, and finding success in unexpected ways. Stephen also reveals the incredible story behind his viral TikTok music success, how a simple cover song unexpectedly climbed the Billboard charts, and how that momentum helped launch a new chapter in his music career. Along the way, he reflects on working with legends like Mel Brooks, collaborating with top creators in animation, and why maintaining perspective is essential in a business filled with ups and downs. Nancy and Stephen exchange stories about animation, auditions, creative risks, Broadway, social media, family support, career reinvention, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Filled with laughter, donuts, memorable fan questions, and inspiring career lessons, this episode is a must-watch for aspiring performers, creatives, and longtime fans alike. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Michael Bublé on Music, The Voice, Family & Finding Joy in the Journey

Grammy-winning superstar Michael Bublé joins Nancy Cartwright for a warm, funny, and deeply personal conversation about music, fame, family, creativity, and the lessons that come with a life in the spotlight. From his experience coaching on The Voice to his love of classic standards, songwriting, and country music, Michael shares stories and insights that reveal the heart behind one of the world’s most beloved entertainers. Michael reflects on his journey from aspiring performer to international music icon, discussing how success arrived later than many people realize and why those formative years helped shape the person he became. He opens up about balancing ambition, ego, family life, and personal growth while remaining grounded despite global fame. The conversation explores Michael’s passion for songwriting, his admiration for legendary artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash, and the creative process behind writing songs that connect with audiences around the world. He also shares stories about coaching young artists on The Voice, mentoring aspiring performers, and helping his own children discover music and creativity. Nancy and Michael swap stories about early career milestones, memorable fan encounters, Christmas traditions, artistic perseverance, and the importance of embracing both success and struggle. Along the way, they tackle fan questions, perform hilarious musical skits, rate donuts, and dive into heartfelt discussions about resilience, gratitude, and living a meaningful life. Whether you're a fan of Michael’s music, The Voice, classic crooners, songwriting, or inspiring stories about pursuing your dreams, this episode is packed with laughter, wisdom, and unforgettable moments from one of music’s most charismatic performers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Jim Cummings on Winnie the Pooh, Darkwing Duck & 40 Years of Voice Acting Magic

Legendary voice actor Jim Cummings joins Nancy Cartwright for a nostalgic, hilarious, and inspiring conversation about the characters that shaped generations of animation fans. From Winnie the Pooh and Tigger to Darkwing Duck, Taz, and beyond, Jim shares stories from his incredible four-decade career bringing some of the world’s most beloved characters to life. Jim reflects on becoming the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, reveals what it was like stepping into iconic roles that already had a rich history, and explains how he approaches preserving the heart and soul of classic characters. Along the way, Nancy and Jim swap stories about the early days of animation, recording sessions, conventions, fan encounters, and the evolution of the voice acting industry. The conversation also dives into Jim’s surprising journey into entertainment, from competitive speech competitions and singing in cover bands to working with John Williams on Hook and eventually becoming one of the most recognizable voices in animation. Nancy and Jim reminisce about Disney Afternoon classics like Darkwing Duck, Bonkers, Goof Troop, and the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons. Of course, the episode wouldn’t be complete without fan questions, donut breaks, character impressions, behind-the-scenes stories, and a hilarious skit featuring Bart Simpson, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Darkwing Duck all sharing the same conversation. If you grew up with Disney cartoons, Winnie the Pooh, Darkwing Duck, Looney Tunes, or simply love voice acting and animation history, this episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, and unforgettable stories from one of the most legendary performers in the business. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Liam O’Brien on Critical Role Chaos, Voice Acting & the Power of Storytelling

Liam O’Brien joins Nancy Cartwright for an unforgettable conversation about Critical Role, voice acting, fantasy storytelling, and the incredible impact stories can have on people’s lives. From hilarious behind-the-scenes tabletop RPG chaos to heartfelt reflections on creativity, fandom, and family, this episode is packed with laughs, inspiration, and nerdy goodness. Liam shares how Critical Role began as a casual game night between voice actor friends and unexpectedly grew into a worldwide phenomenon. He opens up about returning to Dungeons & Dragons as an adult, the magic of collaborative storytelling, and the unforgettable moments where entire campaigns went wildly off the rails. Nancy and Liam also dive into fandom culture, convention stories, and the unique bond that animation and storytelling create between generations. The episode also explores Liam’s love of dark fantasy, musicals, fairy tales, and character creation, while Nancy shares iconic Ralph Wiggum lines and stories from decades on The Simpsons. Along the way, there are donut breaks, tabletop roleplay skits, psychic donut score predictions, and thoughtful conversations about leaving the world better than you found it. If you’re a fan of Critical Role, The Simpsons, animation, Dungeons & Dragons, fantasy storytelling, or voice acting, this episode is filled with hilarious moments, emotional insight, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the industry’s most beloved performers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy [https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]