Retirement’s a laugh for 67-year-old comic

Gid Pool turned his retirement into one big laugh after taking a comedy class six years ago, and now he is entertaining audiences with his jokes at a club in Sarasota, Florida and teaches comedy on cruise ships. TODAY contributor Jane Pauley reports.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Bob Bergen's Views On Celebrity Voice Overs

Bob Bergen, the voice of Porky Pig:

      Hi all! Many of you have forwarded me that article in the LA Times regarding how much VO work has gone to celebrities. For those who didn't see it I'm posting the link at the bottom of the article.

      This trend in celebrity VO is indeed true, and can be frustrating to those of us who are trained, have great track records, and rely on VO for our livelihood. However, I choose to look at the glass half full!

     Let me elaborate: -When I got into the business 30 years ago, there were 3 networks. Today, there are 500 plus cable networks, all needing promo voices, narration, and commercials. -When I got into the business there were only Saturday morning cartoons, occupying 3-5 hours of programming per network/per week. Today, there are complete networks/channels devoted to animation. From Disney Channel, to Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, etc. - Home studios were for the wealthiest and most successful voice actors 30 years ago. Today, for under $500 you have a broadcast quality home studio. And, you can travel with your studio enabling you to keep working/auditioning. -30 years ago Disney released an animated feature every 5-7 years. Today, every major animation studio has a thriving animation department, releasing dozens of animated features a year.

     Since the 90s I've been fortunate to have worked on almost every Disney/Pixar feature, as well as features for Sony, FOX, Dreamworks, etc. Never the lead, but as a utility player able to provide a variety of characters and voices that celebs cannot do. Would I like to play the lead? My ego says yes. But the guy who loves what he does is creatively fulfilled. And, the residuals are splendid! So, should I be worried about celebrities taking vo gigs? For me, it's a waste of time worrying about what I cannot control. Which leaves me a slew of time being positive and proactive as I pursue all that IS available to me. There have never been more opportunities for voice actors than today.

     Now, the REAL threat is the fact that many pros estimate that 40% of what was union vo work 30 years ago is now non union. The bright side of that, at least in animation, IS (or is it are??) celebrities. Since animation uses celebs so often, animation is relatively safe from the erosion of non union.

  http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-voiceover-20120507,0,7571081.story?page=1

Coming This Fall - "I Know That Voice"

A documentary on the voices behind the animated characters in "Voice Over & Voice Acting." They have collected the top voice actors, voice directors, casting voice directors, creators, agents, producers, engineers, mixers, voice teachers, voice school and all those involved in the booming voice-over industry.

This is a must see documentary for anyone that wants to know what goes on behind the scenes in cartoons, animations, and anything to do with voice acting. They are still in production and are obtaining more interviews.

Robert Sherman dies at 86

Disney songwriter, Robert B. Sherman has passed away at the age of 86. Farewell to one of the greatest songwriters Disney ever had.

Rob Paulsen interview

On this episode of Microphone Monday, An interview with the timeless and extremely talented Rob Paulsen. Rob has been doing voices for almost 30 years - from Snow Job on the original GI JOE to The Mask: The Animated Series to Pinky from Pinky & The Brain and now Donatello on the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The Daly Superheroes" with NATHAN FILLION

The Life Of A V.O. Artist

Here is a . . . slightly exaggerated portrait of voiceover artists:

New speech pattern of young women: ‘Vocal fry’

NBC’s chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman reports on a new trend called “vocal fry,” a speech pattern of low, rough sounds that’s popular with pop stars and entertainers.

Defining glottal fry:
the raspy or croaking ("froglike") quality of the voice in its lowest register. It results from loose closure of the glottis that allows air to bubble through, giving rise to a series of low-pitched pops and rattles.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Nolan North, the voice behind Nathan Drake and Penguin Answers Questions.

Nolan North, the voice behind Nathan Drake in Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and the Penguin in Batman: Arkham City, answers questions posed to him by fans.

Bioshock Infinite -The Voice Actors Behind Booker and Elizabeth.

Ken Levine, the Creative Director of "Bioshock Infinite" talks about directing the voice actors: Troy Baker, the voice of Booker Dewitt, and Courtnee Draper, who provides the voice of Elizabeth.