As a child of the 60s, I remember the Nixon/Kennedy debate like it was yesterday. The television set in our living room became a battleground for political aspirations, and poor Nixon seemed to be losing the battle against his sweaty, beard-heavy self. The debate, broadcasted live for the first time, left a lasting impression on me, just as it did on many other viewers.
As we approach the final two episodes in the 2024 television schedule for this cherished animated series, it’s almost farewell time again. But given Futurama’s history after Season 12, there’s no need for fans to fret about this television offspring of creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen disappearing anytime soon.
Since it’s clear that we can funnel even greater resources into one of the greatest animated TV shows ever made, let’s delve a bit further and explore the hilarious supporting characters from its rich history. I’d particularly like to share an intriguing tale – the creative process behind series star Billy West’s iconic impression of former U.S. President Richard Nixon.
It’s a story of both creative nurturing and childhood memories, the result being so crafty it could stage the moon landing…ON VENUS! Arooo!
The Part Of Matt Groening’s Approach That Shaped Billy West’s Nixon Impression For Futurama
Being an avid fan of Futurama, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join the press events for the premiere of Season 12. Sharing a room with Billy West and Lauren Tom, there were questions about my love for Futurama that simply had to be asked, resulting in a conversation focusing on Billy West’s exceptional portrayal of Richard Milhouse Nixon in the show.
In sharing information with TopMob, West recounted this tale that he uses to explain his initial motivation for behaving so unusually towards the former President.
It doesn’t sound anything like him. … You know, what I wanted to do is [take] a cue from Matt [Groening]. He inspires me to try to throw a hook on things. You know, just don’t have it come out where everything’s what it’s supposed to be. You’ve gotta throw something in that makes people go, ‘Why the hell would somebody do that?’ And I like that factor. … That became a signature of him because, like I told you, I get inspired by the ideas that Matt has. He just, he never runs out of ideas for characters or hooks or stuff. So I was inspired.
An out-of-body portrayal of the 37th U.S. President, Nixon from Futurama, is a paranoid leader, who will go to great lengths to gain control. This relentless ambition has made him a key character in some of Futurama’s most enjoyable episodes for rewatching, including “A Head in the Polls,” and more recently, he appeared in Season 11’s “The Impossible Stream” and “Rage Against the Vaccine.
In Futurama, although Richard Nixon isn’t part of the regular Planet Express team, he was eccentric enough to leave a lasting impression. Given his role in the episode where we first met the jovial character, this isn’t surprising at all.
I’ve watched that particular clip numerous times since its initial broadcast over two decades ago. However, let me clarify that I found myself rewatching that episode quite a few times as I prepared for my upcoming Futurama interviews. Indeed, it still holds its ground when viewed through the lens of contemporary scrutiny.
Because Matt Groening co-created the show, maintaining a distinctive group of recurring characters might be crucial for the long-term appeal of the series that often faces cancellation. Those who doubt this can simply refer to this collection of popular characters from The Simpsons, introduced after Season 1, as a means to revise their perspective.
The eccentricity of Groening in creating and hooking his characters paved the way for the humorous reincarnation of Richard Nixon. To understand the rest of this tale, we must delve into Billy West’s early years, as an influential event left a lasting impact on him about a California politician, eventually shaping a defining characteristic of a beloved Futurama character.
How Billy West’s Childhood Memories Of Richard Nixon Inspired His Futurama Character
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice that Futurama never misses a beat when it comes to weaving in a touch of youthful hardship, right? It’s evident in the persistent motifs of grim dystopian capitalism and lingering abandonment issues that run through Season 12. Yet, let’s not forget, we’re following the escapades of the Planet Express crew here, which calls for a good dose of humor to lighten the load of the heavier topics.
The character clearly aligns with Hulu’s ongoing depiction of this polarizing political personality, and it’s surprising that even Nixon’s strongest critics might not have anticipated that Billy West would create his Nixon version in the realm of creature features.
Additionally, as Mr. West discussed with TopMob, the unique “flair” this legendary voice actor incorporated into his performances stemmed from an influential event – that particular night. However, before we delve into that, let’s listen to what Mr. West has to say about the Nixon/Kennedy debate in general:
As a young lad, I recall witnessing the Nixon/Kennedy debate on television, marking its inaugural appearance as a televised event. Kennedy exuded an air of a game show host, while Nixon seemed rather uncomfortable and perspired profusely, making him appear more like a pig drenched in sweat. His beard was also in its early stages of growth, which added to the overall impression. The general consensus among viewers at that time was, ‘What a pity,’ as those who listened to the audio believed Nixon had emerged victorious. However, those who watched it reacted quite differently with expressions of discomfort, including myself.
It’s worth noting that the Nixon/Kennedy debate from 1960 is one of those iconic occurrences that have left an indelible mark on popular culture. In fact, the first season of “Mad Men” depicted the team at Sterling Cooper attempting to secure Dick Nixon’s election, with unfortunate consequences. However, to truly appreciate the magnitude of this event, you should definitely watch it for yourself.
For the sake of educational insight into cultural history and a more enriching experience of “Futurama,” I invite you to explore the first televised debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.
In a nutshell, how does a disastrous debate performance link up with the bigger picture? This brings to mind some relevant apprehensions that the voice actor for Futurama’s future scenes expressed about Vice President Richard Nixon’s look during his time. To sum up, this closing excerpt from Billy West’s crucial recollection serves as a connecting thread:
I told my mom, “Mom, he seems like he might transform into a werewolf.” This idea came from me. The writers asked, “Why do you make that ‘Aroo’ sound with Nixon?” To which I replied, “What? You don’t like it?”, and they said, “No, we love it. We just don’t understand why you do it.” I then explained, “Because he was on TV saying, ‘I want to be…I want to be president of the United States because Aroo. Arooo.’
Learning that Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s vice president, was depicted like a headless version of Frankenstein’s monster fits more neatly into the realm of classic Universal Monsters. This understanding also boosts my admiration for Billy West’s work in creating this unique character for Futurama, as the focus on humor rather than historical precision enhances the clever dialogue he delivers.
In a similar vein to Darryl Hammond’s impression of Sean Connery on Saturday Night Live’s Celebrity Jeopardy sketches, Mr. West’s portrayal of Richard Nixon will forever hold a spot in my heart that combines darkness and comedy. I suspect the team behind Futurama might share this sentiment, particularly when the 2023 premiere on Hulu saw Nixon making his entrance into the streaming era with his distinctive “aroo.
Currently, I can’t wait to discover what kind of mischief the former president might cause whenever he reappears. It even crosses my mind whether he could be involved in the recent surge of unexplained global apocalypse scenarios hinted at in the latest few episodes of Futurama. I suppose I’ll need to trace the money trail if I want to uncover the truth.
All episodes from Futurama’s entire collection can be streamed by Hulu subscribers, giving everyone ample time to watch Season 12 before its finale on September 16th. For those keen on revisiting the classics, the rest of the show’s run is accessible as well, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in nostalgia and enjoy a trip down memory lane.
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2024-09-18 23:41