Billy West as Zoidberg, Professor Farnsworth, Zapp Brannigan, and Nixon

It was interesting to hear the stories behind some of Billy West's main roles on Futurama. I'm glad I got to see him perform in person :D
I recorded this at Anime Midwest on July 3rd, 2015 in Rosemont, IL.

[@aaronstark5060]

I love the fact that he used his normal voice for Fry just to make it near impossible for him to be replaced.

[@acoleman51096]

Did he say that's why?

[@iim4xii129]

Um... no.

[@aaronstark5060]

@@iim4xii129 Um… yes.

[@iim4xii129]

@@aaronstark5060 It's clearly not his real voice.

[@aaronstark5060]

@@iim4xii129 Well he said so himself. It’s not a fact I made up, he’s the one who said it.

[@PinguinodelRio]

So that's the story behind "Aroo!"

[@BrandonGarbage23Trucks247]

Pinguino del Rio That comment made me laugh so hard thanks for the laugh lol

[@_Aemse]

lmao i honestly do that sometimes when im finessing a master plan on whatever game im playing, musta stuck with me since i was a kid watching this. feels even better now that i know the story behind it hahaha.

[@thehollowkingful]

This short clip explained quite a bit about the voice choices an actor made for a fantastic show. Well done Billy! Well done.

[@sonicboom879]

The "Aroo!" makes so much sense now lol!

[@notsureiL]

I tried listen to Nixon interviews and debates to see were West got aroo from. If Nixon did some similar sound West exaggerated and baked into the character. Now I know 😅 Nixon the best Marvel villain out there.

[@PorkStew1]

My favorite Nixon in entertainment history.

[@cowboyluigi5275]

history, period.

[@ajack1312]

Aroooooo!

[@SensiofRabbitude]

Seeing as Zapp Brannigan was originally supposed to be voiced by Phil Hartman before Phil was murdered and also seeing as Billy West's Zapp pretty much sounds like Phil Hartman is indeed voicing the character, it makes me wish he'd temporarily gone over to the Simpsons to take over Troy McClure, as a tribute to Phil and so the character could get a proper goodbye

[@MisterMalleable]

“Billy West, what a stupid, phony made up name.” -Phillip Joshua Fry

[@Leto617]

Where did you see that his middle name is Joshua? I can't find anything that confirms it.

[@MisterMalleable]

Leto617 I may have taken a random guess at what Fry’s middle name was, because the show never revealed what the “J.” Stood for

[@Twiska]

@@keysersoze2352 Homer's middle name is Jay.

[@MinorScalesMajorFuckups]

@@Twiska Hmm i think its actually just J. Not 100% sure

[@Twiska]

@@MinorScalesMajorFuckups In the episode where Homer becomes a hippie it is revealed that that stands for Jay.

[@alwest4472]

“All I know is that that bastard drafted me in 1970” damn

[@Freshlydeliveredegg]

What makes him irreplaceable that his natural voice is frys voice

[@artur6912]

It's actually his voice when he was in his 20's according to him, which is both impressive (to be able to pull off as a way older man) and can be heard even in this interview, when he speaks normally he sounds exactly like NONE of the characters from the show, including Fry.

[@dannigro8794]

Fry is his natural voice

[@kingofrivia1248]

I LOVE farnsworth. My favorite character wouldnt watch the show without him

[@Vesper778]

Amazing guy

[@rocket_owo8341]

That's it you just made my list *Nixon bites Fry like a stray dog*

[@josukefrthistime]

Looks Like Fry's Gonna-

[@notsureiL]

He is perfect Billy West. Talented man. My favorite must be dirt poor Dr. Zoidberg.

[@BrandonGarbage23Trucks247]

Billy West is a awesome and talented voice actor :D

[@distilt1238]

I first heard Billy West as Rayman, in that short animated series they made for Rayman 2. Y'know, the show where he says "car" like "cahhh". But I love Futurama, and thought it was really cool that he voiced so many great characters.

[@brianrunyon266]

Very cool. I read that Farnsworth is based off Burgess Meredith, among other inspirations.

[@troutymctrouttrout3809]

Just incredible to watch him live. The knowledge that drives him to create the voices really shows his dedication.

[@houseofleaves126]

I can’t believe Nixon really tried to draft the Fry voice actor

[@j.d.clayborne5556]

His normal voice sounds like all the characters mixed together, am I right?

[@zw246]

AROOOOOOOO !!!

[@BrandonGarbage23Trucks247]

3:19 “Aroo”!

[@hauntedhose]

The Nixon voice always makes me bubbbbbaaarrrooooo👍

[@georgefeser2487]

Nixon has to be my favorite

[@bryanb9432]

He sounds like fry

[@erolsivri8042]

he is fry

[@riley5722]

Like Fry! Like Fry!

[@zw246]

I’ve heard he didn’t change his voice for Fry because he wanted it to be hard to replace him lol

[@Shrimpfriedpee]

Older fry

[@Nothisispat2814]

@@erolsivri8042 @ R/Woooosh

[@michaelvino8679]

He sounds like Fry, Zapp, and the Professor combined😂

[@cs512tr]

"he prob farts dust" lol

[@Zecrid.]

So that's how he got the "Baroo"

[@violentbryan21]

Amazing

[@Caolan114]

That last line 😂

[@1957rcajr]

Happy happy! Joy joy!

[@Lanwarder]

Wasn't Phil Hartman supposed to voice Branigan? I've heard it was the case, but I've also heard the opposite lol

[@CookinginRussia]

Actually Rich Little did Nixon in most of the episodes and Billy West was copying Rich Little more than Nixon himself.

[@DarthTwilight]

If Leonard Hofstadter could do voices

[@Freshlydeliveredegg]

I'm still waiting for smitty

[@ejosjek52.87]

0:34

[@maxfranklinmeans]

I came here for 3:13

[@angavelar3534]

Guy: does voice of character Everyone: X'D LMAO LO ROFL FUNNIEST SHIT IN YEARS

[@Supergeologist]

I strongly believe that Zapp is based on Trump, they even look alike!

[@sid7088]

Kif must be Erik.

[@-8h-]

Lol Zapp came way before the trump you've been taught to know today. He's also said before what Zapp was based off of, and thats not it.

[@Supergeologist]

Uncanny likeness though