Transcript

Butch Hartman (0:00)

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

Bobby Bones (0:04)

I'm Bobby Bones from the Bobby Bones Show. Whether you're a seasoned small business owner or if you're just thinking about getting started, check out season four of Mind the Business small business success stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Intuit QuickBooks. In this latest season, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Janice Torres are talking to self starters about the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and how QuickBooks helps you get more done in less time. You won't want to miss it. Listen to Mind the Business Small business success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, this is very exciting. So Butch Hartman's about to come in, and I'm actually recording this after the interview, just so you guys know. So the setup. So Butch Hartman, as you'll know, created the fairly oddparents. Danny Phantom, big animation guy, now has his own studio. You'll hear all about it. But Scuba Steve came to me and was like, hey, do you want to have Butch Hartman on? And we have a little meeting after the show most days. And I was like, I don't know, like, why? And he goes, well, everybody on the show is trying to do voiceovers. And I was like, oh, that is perfect. So you are going to hear. And I thought it was super fun, super compelling. The entire interview now with Butch Hartman, who now has Butch Hartman Studios, and he makes his own cartoons under his own company. But I think to all of us on the show, this was super fun. So here he is, and you can follow him. Butch Hartman. But us, the show did not know who was coming in, by the way. And then Lunchbox thought it was O's that he's already yelling, that's Oz. You'll hear it. Okay, Butch Hartman, here we go.

Lunchbox (1:38)

The Bobby Bones Show.

Bobby Bones (1:40)

We're about to have a guest enter the studio. I think everybody's gonna be like, what in the world?

Lunchbox (1:44)

Let's go.

Bobby Bones (1:45)

I think everybody's gonna get very excited. I don't think you'll recognize this person's face when he walks in. But when I tell you who it is and he sits down at the microphone, then I think everybody will sit up just a little bit taller and be on a little better behavior. Any guesses, Amy?

Amy (2:00)

I have. Honestly, I'm stumped.

Bobby Bones (2:03)

I'm gonna say I love this guest booking so much, but why do they

Amy (2:07)

Summary

The Bobby Bones Show – Episode Summary

Episode: FRI PT 2: Bobby Reveals Our Mystery Guest!
Airdate: February 20, 2026
Main Theme:
A surprise in-studio appearance by legendary animator Butch Hartman, creator of "The Fairly OddParents" and "Danny Phantom." The crew dives into voice acting, animation, Butch’s career, his new studio and family-friendly projects, with live audition fun and candid industry advice.

1. Introduction & Mystery Guest Reveal

[00:00–03:03]
- Bobby Bones sets the stage: the show’s cast do not know who the guest is.
- Lunchbox tries to guess, shouting “That’s Oz!” as Butch enters.
- Bobby teases that the mystery guest will “affect this room in such a way that they're going to explode.”

2. Meet Butch Hartman

[03:03–06:25]
- Introduction of Butch Hartman, famous for creating “The Fairly OddParents,” “Danny Phantom,” “T.U.F.F. Puppy,” and “Bunsen Is a Beast.”
- Butch gifts Bobby a fresh Cosmo doodle. “That’s a drawing of Cosmo on a post-it. That’s for you.” [04:05, Butch Hartman]
- “Fairly OddParents” ran for 18 years and still airs, but no new episodes are being made.

3. Butch’s Origin Story

[05:05–06:25]
- Started drawing as a child in Michigan, moved to California, dreamed of working at Disney (but never did).
- Pitched his idea to a new Nickelodeon in the 1990s; “A little boy with two fairy godparents that grant his every wish, but they get it wrong all the time.”
- Survived nerve-wracking focus tests with actual kids.

4. Voice Acting Workshop (On-Air Auditions!)

[06:32–17:14]
- The crew shares their aspirations to break into voiceover work.
- Butch’s Key Voice Acting Advice:
  - "The best thing that makes a good voice actor is making a good choice. If you come in with a choice that helps me make my day easier, that's going to make me happy." [06:59, Butch Hartman]
  - Emphasizes emotional choices and improv skills.
- Live Audition Highlights:
  - Amy performs ‘sad princess turned into a frog’ — Butch suggests, “Let’s have a little more energy…” [08:21]
  - Eddie does his ‘neurotic horse dad’ for a My Little Pony spin-off audition.
    - “I mean, the plants, they're all gonna die.” [13:56, Eddie]
  - Lunchbox delivers an over-the-top “tiger gym coach” persona:
    - “Oh, hello, little Jimmy and Sally and Susie. Guess what today is? It's dodgeball! Jimmy, you're over there. Boys versus girls. You know why? Boys rule and girls drool.” [16:17, Lunchbox]
  - Butch’s feedback throughout is warm, practical, and specific.

5. Butch’s New Projects & Family Animation Focus

[11:43–14:35]
- Launched Butch Hartman Studios after leaving Nickelodeon in 2018.
- Current flagship: “The Garden” (on Angel Studios)—a Biblical cartoon for kids.
  - “It’s a cartoon called The Garden, that teaches kids the Bible, which is real exciting.” [11:48, Butch Hartman]
  - Angel Studios is all family-friendly content.
- Butch: “I want to make sure kids have a safe place to go, but an entertaining place to go to. That's what I'm trying to do.” [12:29]

6. Industry Insights: Animation, Content & Careers

[14:29–18:43]
- Commitment to uplifting, positive programming drawn from his faith and sense of responsibility.
- Discusses the challenge and privilege of sustaining long-running kids’ characters.
- On current animation trends:
  - “Parents want to feel like they can put the phone in front of their kids and just walk away and take a breather...I just want to create great characters that kids can fall in love with and want to watch again over and over.” [18:02, Butch Hartman]

7. Career Anecdotes – Game Shows & Early Hustle

[18:44–20:55]
- Butch recounts moving to California, attending CalArts, and working his way through Hanna Barbera, Amblin Productions, and more.
- Funny aside: Appeared on two game shows, winning ~$177,000.

8. Behind the Scenes of "The Garden" & Family Work

[22:03–23:19]
- Butch works closely with his wife Julianne, who handles the business side.
- “She is my main motivator in life. And she also handles all the money. So be nice to my wife.” [22:08, Butch Hartman]
- Describes “The Garden” as “Fairly OddParents with scripture.”

9. Inside Animation: Making a Hit

[23:50–25:05]
- Episode order and longevity depend on ratings, which “Fairly OddParents” often topped—even over SpongeBob at times.
- Financial rewards: royalties and residuals for show creators.

10. The Realities of Hollywood & Auditioning

[25:05–28:53]
- Butch enjoys telling people he “draws cartoons”—the reaction is always surprise.
- Voice acting casting process:
  - A ‘reel’ (2-minute demo) is sifted by agents—out of thousands, maybe 10 get to Butch; he picks one.
    - “It's a very, very competitive field.” [28:53]
  - Sometimes has to recast voices if it doesn’t work in production—even with celebrities.

11. Audience Q&A

[25:57–32:33]
- Amy: Dreams of voicing a fish. Butch notes the Fairly OddParents fairies would become fish in Timmy’s room and encourages her.
  - Gives Amy a line: “‘The bubbles tickle!’” [27:49]
- Eddie: Asks about the logistics of auditioning (reels, agents, competitive process).
- Lunchbox: Angles for direct contact: “So if you could just shoot me over your email and your phone number, and that way you have lines. You want me to, you know, test out. Drop them to me and I'll send them back.”
  - Butch deadpans: “My email is don't email me at Butchart.” [29:54]
- Mike D (fan/animator): Asks about breaking in as an animator—Butch says build a portfolio that impresses and makes the producer’s life easier.

12. Lightning Round & Closing

[32:33–34:44]
- “The Garden” entered season two with Angel Studios, has two movies out.
- Mike D receives a Timmy doodle (“That’s for Mike right there, that’s your little…”). [34:30]
- Butch plugs his socials (“@ButchHartman,” 2.4M TikTok followers).
- Crew expresses gratitude and excitement; Butch thanks them and invites everyone to his convention booth.

Notable Quotes

Butch Hartman on Acting:

“The best thing that makes a good voice actor is making a good choice... If you come in with a choice that helps me make my day easier, that's going to make me happy.” [06:59]
On Faith and Content:

“There’s a ton of kids that won’t ever go into a church, but they’re all going to have a phone to look at. ...So I want to make sure at least I can put a healthy option on the screen and something that's uplifting for kids and families.” [14:35]
On Hollywood Odds:

“Selling a show is like throwing a dart through a donut. But the donuts on a merry go round… you got to keep throwing and you got to keep trying.” [24:48]
Lunchbox, on ambition:

“Just let me get– jot down your number and your email so we can skip through all the agents and all that.” [29:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------- |:----------:| | Guest reveal and reactions | 01:38–03:03| | Butch’s animation career intro | 04:05–06:25| | Voice acting audition advice | 06:53–08:55| | Amy’s audition (Princess) | 07:47–08:55| | Eddie’s “horse dad” audition | 12:37–13:59| | Lunchbox’s “tiger gym coach” | 16:13–16:33| | Butch on launching his studio | 11:43–12:29| | Angel Studios/The Garden details| 12:04–14:29| | Animation trends/parental needs | 18:02–18:43| | Breaking into TV/early hustles | 18:44–20:55| | Surviving casting and auditions | 25:05–28:53| | Amy performs a fish | 27:57–28:01| | Mike D’s animator question | 32:01–32:33| | Butch plugs socials, doodling | 33:34–34:44|

Memorable Moments

Butch gifting real-time character sketches to Bobby and Mike.
Genuine voice acting critiques and laughs during live cast auditions.
Lunchbox’s relentless quest to shortcut the Hollywood process.
Butch’s blend of humor, wisdom, and encouragement throughout.

Summary

This episode offers a fun, lively deep-dive into the world of animation and voice acting with Butch Hartman at the heart—enriching the crew with guidance, inspiration, and a little drawing magic. Aspiring creatives will find practical advice and some much-needed reality on breaking into the industry, while fans get a heartwarming peek behind the scenes of some of the biggest cartoons of the last 20 years.