James Urbaniak ([info]urbaniak) wrote,
2008-01-01 21:05:00
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And that's the word.

It saddens me that Stephen Colbert, a man I once compared on this blog to Pablo Picasso and Bob Dylan, will no longer be the voice of Prof. Impossible on The Venture Brothers. From [info]jacksonpublick:
One sour note from the past month (aside from my car getting hit yet again) is that Mr. Stephen Colbert has decided not to reprise his role as Professor Impossible this season, for reasons which probably have something to do with him being all super-famous, super-busy, and no longer in need of a few hundred bucks here and there. We figured this would happen eventually, considering his monumental success in the years since our first season, but we held out hope that the WGA strike would leave him with enough bored free time on his hands that he'd have a go at it. But after getting shuffled around from his assistant to his assistant's assistant to his agent to his manager, one of them finally shot us an email saying: "Stephen has neither the time nor the interest in participating in your project."

Was the "nor the interest" really necessary? I would have bought the "time" part without question, but man...you gotta kick a guy when he's down like that? Well maybe I'm not interested in your ice cream, mister! Or your book. Unless someone buys it for me for Christmas.
As my wife noted, it's an open question why the assistant who wrote that email didn't add the word "little" before the word "project." (One also wonders if Mr. Colbert's lack of interest in the show applies retroactively to the two seasons he's already recorded. The assistant fails to clarify.) Ah well. Such are the consequences of Mr. Colbert's much deserved success. I realize that the person who wrote the email was probably not quoting Mr. Colbert directly and may very likely have had no idea what The Venture Brothers is. Nevertheless (and no one's unhappier about this than I am) I am left with no choice but to put Mr. Colbert on his own board. Guess what, Prof. Impossible-For-Me-To-Do-Any-More-Cartoons? You're on notice!



("On Notice Board" Generator courtesy shipbrook.com.)

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  • 60 comments

[info]eronanke

January 2 2008, 05:18:45 UTC 4 years ago

I can honestly say that this is the first thing I can disparage him for. And it will cost him greatly in my book. How long could it possibly take to record lines for this show for a tertiary character? A day or two - maybe three. I'm very sorry to hear this, because it was smaller projects like this and Strangers with Candy that made me adore him all the more.

Boourns, Colbert. Booourns.
I would suggest a letter-writing campaign, but I think a better idea would be to hit the web; go to his precious Wikipedia and change his entry to reflect this snooty response.
For shame, sir.

[info]vurumai

January 2 2008, 05:43:06 UTC 4 years ago

Amen. Hit em where it hurts.

In the Wiki.

[info]darktoki

January 2 2008, 05:19:12 UTC 4 years ago

bravo.

[info]solarbird

January 2 2008, 05:31:08 UTC 4 years ago

Yeah, +5.

It'd have been +10 If there'd been a right-pointing arrow at the end of "my bitchy little assistant." -_^

[info]greyaenigma

4 years ago

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[info]solarbird

4 years ago

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[info]crudelydrawn

January 2 2008, 05:19:35 UTC 4 years ago

When I read that, I just kind of pretended it didn't happen. I refuse to believe my darling Mr. Colbert really put it in terms like that. He's probably just super caught up in having to start carrying a show without writers four days a week.

So does this mean that Professor Impossible won't be in the third season? Or is it some other guy playing him? Liev Schreiber? Obviously I don't really understand how these things work.

[info]urbaniak

January 2 2008, 05:23:16 UTC 4 years ago

I think we should get Sarah Chalke.

Special Prize to anyone who gets that!

[info]tycho_anomaly

4 years ago

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[info]urbaniak

4 years ago

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[info]chaosomega

4 years ago

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Anonymous

4 years ago

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[info]cheezmuffn

4 years ago

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[info]jarodrussell

4 years ago

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[info]hobo_del_mono

4 years ago

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[info]jarodrussell

4 years ago

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Anonymous

4 years ago

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[info]vurumai

4 years ago

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[info]vurumai

January 2 2008, 05:39:45 UTC 4 years ago

So are we in store for a James Bond-style changing of the guard as we transition from one voice actor to another with a different style or will it be another voice actor trying to imitate the nuances of Steven "Not Interested" Colbert?

Anonymous

January 8 2008, 21:12:56 UTC 4 years ago

I THINK THE PROF IMPOSSSIBLE SHOULD NOT SPEAK ON ANY NEW SHOES AND MAYBE JUST HOLD UP A SIGN OR SOMETHING

[info]kira_

January 2 2008, 05:48:03 UTC 4 years ago

OUUUCH, that's a funny jab at his guest role on Criminal Intent. That made my night.

[info]toddalcott

January 2 2008, 05:54:00 UTC 4 years ago

In a weird kind of reverse-sympathy move, I have asked Mr. Publick to remove my own voicework from Episode 34.

[info]mr_mxyzptlk13

January 2 2008, 06:20:30 UTC 4 years ago

hmm... given that the info came from the 'assistant', i'm smelling a Jane Goodall/Gary Larson-esque issue here of a lowly gopher overstepping herself. that and if done properly, and if enough of a stink can be made, perhaps it can be addressed on both shows, boosting the exposure of both. i mean, for cryin' out loud, SC has Cpt. America's shield, Aragorn's sword, and has been prevented from running for president.

[info]mitejen

January 2 2008, 14:55:00 UTC 4 years ago

Jane Goodall/Gary Larson

That is exactly the example I was thinking of!

Some crummy assistant with high-falutin' ideas about their own position exacerbating a situation their employer isn't even aware of. Wretched.

[info]noskilz

January 2 2008, 08:19:58 UTC 4 years ago

Those Astrobase Go fellows seem to be have a flair for making the most of unexpected developments, so I wonder what sort of impact it will have on the storylines of the upcoming episodes. Will they find someone else to do the voice, work the character into a nonspeaking or off-screen role in an episode, or maybe we'll get to spend time with characters we wouldn't have otherwise?

I'm sure they'll swing it handily, but I expect fans of the show will just have to wait for season 3 to see exactly how (maybe later - until the season 2 dvd commentary, I had no idea the Ladysmith Black Mambazo exclamation wasn't something planned from the getgo.)

[info]greyaenigma

January 2 2008, 09:01:01 UTC 4 years ago

The way it's phrased, I'm actually wondering if the assistant in question even understood that Mr. Colbert had already done two seasons of work on the show.

What a shame. I hope he's not to blame personally, but it's still unfortunate.

I'd be happy to fill in -- I'm looking for work. If I can't make it, it'll be nice to hear my old school chum Liev in the role.

PS: Hi, I'm Glenn, and I read this blog for the trenchant flippancy. And the videos.

[info]amberuseno

July 13 2008, 10:31:33 UTC 3 years ago

"It's a great question by the way, and I'm glad you asked it," Mr. Bush said. But when the president finished taking questions, an aide immediately went to Jessica and took her backstage.

Anonymous

January 2 2008, 09:22:49 UTC 4 years ago

Rich Little will do it!

[info]tempest_omouthy

January 2 2008, 10:18:28 UTC 4 years ago

Wow - I was sad before, but now I'm a little miffed. Good job putting him on his own board, LOL!

[info]toddalcott

January 2 2008, 12:37:24 UTC 4 years ago

On his board, you forgot to mention his lame, establishment-promoting "Mr. Goodwrench" commercials.

[info]mcbrennan

January 2 2008, 13:12:20 UTC 4 years ago

He's not doing those anymore. Stephen has neither the time nor the interest in participating in anthropomorphized automotive maintenance.

[info]dragonvyxn

4 years ago

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[info]glamourcorpse

January 2 2008, 15:08:16 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  January 2 2008, 15:08:55 UTC

That's sad. :(

[info]urbaniak

January 2 2008, 17:05:20 UTC 4 years ago

That's sad. :(

Edited at 2008-01-02 10:08 am (local)

What the hell did you edit in that comment?

[info]glamourcorpse

4 years ago

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[info]urbaniak

4 years ago

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[info]sevenpsychosis

January 2 2008, 15:09:28 UTC 4 years ago

Its too bad he doesn't have a couple days to spare doh.

[info]mo_neek_a

January 2 2008, 15:57:10 UTC 4 years ago

I read this on Mr. Publick's page, but didn't really know what to say. I don't want to believe that Colbert would say no to something so seemingly inconsequential as a couple days' work. Especially since he had done the part before. I prefer to believe that his agent made the decision, and communicated to the assistant poorly as to what the response should be.

And maybe, just maybe, Colbert will be announcing a second attempt to run for President, and that's really why he won't have the time.

[info]urbaniak

January 2 2008, 16:27:51 UTC 4 years ago

Well, the man has a full-time job, a family and an ever-burgeoning career. Spare time is not inconsequential in that situation; it's no great shock that he's cutting back on extraneous performing opportunities. But as Jackson indicates, his people's phrase "nor the interest" is salt in the wound of his unavailability. So he goes on the board.

Anonymous

4 years ago

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[info]urbaniak

4 years ago

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Anonymous

4 years ago

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Anonymous

4 years ago

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[info]evilkumquat

4 years ago

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[info]dragonvyxn

January 2 2008, 17:43:48 UTC 4 years ago

yeah. i was disappointed in the lack of professional courtesy. they put the ass in assistant...

[info]malpertuis

January 2 2008, 19:20:13 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  January 2 2008, 20:24:50 UTC

I like what your wife said. I mean, if you're gonna be all petty power play - go for gold and twist the knife.

mmmm... love mixing my metaphors....

[info]sevenpsychosis

January 2 2008, 21:01:08 UTC 4 years ago

I'm just gonna stop watching comedy central.

[info]urbaniak

January 2 2008, 22:27:36 UTC 4 years ago

That'll learn 'em.

[info]chombowombo

January 2 2008, 21:24:17 UTC 4 years ago

wow I didn't even know he did the voice of Prof Impossible, goes to show how much attention I pay to what I watch. That's a bummer, espeically the dick email. Oh well, his loss

Oh and by the way I saw you in the Domino's commercial, I gave a squeal of surprise when I realized it was you. Congrats to making it onto my tv again!

[info]urbaniak

January 2 2008, 22:27:00 UTC 4 years ago

Ah. Didn't know it was airing yet. Very good. Do you remember what show you saw it on?

[info]alexandercraig

4 years ago

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[info]chombowombo

4 years ago

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Anonymous

January 18 2008, 23:16:17 UTC 4 years ago

He's been skipping out on a lot of things this year

He was supposed to come to College of Charleston to record for a week this month. About 15 had to sign up for horrible class schedules so they could have internships with the show. I guess the only thing the show was going to use them for was to run from the writers room to Mr. Colbert. Otherwise why couldn't they still shoot? WHY!?!?!?!?!

[info]prisoner6ix

January 27 2008, 17:07:48 UTC 4 years ago

Nice job slamming Colbert. I think you should kill off Prof. Impossible at some point to make sure he can never come back, in the same vein as South Park did with Chef; a statement that the show has a solid foundation and does not need the likes of him. Have Brock tear him a new one or something. I cannot wait until Season 3!

Anonymous

April 8 2008, 22:48:04 UTC 4 years ago

ha-ha!

The way they iced his characters on Harvey Birdman when he left was pretty smooth and classy. But that seemed to be on amicable terms, so unless he gets to responding personally I'd think they owe him a big ration of crap for this one.

[info]kioska

April 4 2008, 06:42:09 UTC 4 years ago

this is very disappointing to me. i had thought he was a fan of these "little" projects. i am a huge fan of the venture bros and was very impressed that colbert was doing these kind of things. but now i am not so sure about how "cool" he is!

[info]spiveyd

June 19 2008, 04:04:19 UTC 3 years ago

Have you just tried asking again?

I mean seriously, have you asked a second time? What's it gonna hurt? Maybe his assistant didn't really understand, or maybe he just didn't know what Venture Brothers was and replied to you before even consulting Colbert. C'mon just ask again!

Anonymous

June 25 2008, 07:03:52 UTC 3 years ago

..... excuse me???

I'm sorry but Venture Brothers is THE best show on television, and if he really thinks he's to big for it, and I mean if your no longer interested you cant even do a few voice overs to kill off the character so it wouldn't be an issue ever again, but no, thats fine, then I'm to big to ever have or desire anything to do with him.... doesn't he realize that he is nothing without the fans, Your only as big as we allow you to be..., F*CK YOU Colbert, I've lost all respect for you ...

Anonymous

February 23 2009, 19:06:15 UTC 3 years ago

Re: ..... excuse me???

well said

Anonymous

June 26 2008, 18:43:26 UTC 3 years ago

Sign the Petition!

I'm sure that whoever wrote the email to Jackson wasn't quoting Stephen Colbert directly, and that he or she was merely responding to the email as if it were one of the other thousands of messages Mr. Colbert must get.

If that's the case, then I would be surprised if Mr. Colbert would deny the role again if there were enough public outcry to garner his attention.

So, if anyone is interested I started a Facebook group with the intention of gathering support and attention. I figure if Colbert can get 1,000,000 strong, then The Venture Bros should be able to get a community too.

Join 1,000,000 STRONG FOR STEPHEN COLBERT AS PROFESSOR IMPOSSIBLE! and go to - http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=21289951779

What's the worst that could happen? If we don't succeed then maybe James will just have another character to voice. Win/win.
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