Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Ladies and gentlemen, Good afternoon, Welcome on the Culture News.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
My name is David severe Row.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
And I have the pleasure to have today on iHeart
ready on the Culture News, but also on several platforms.
The one and only mister John Allen. John Allen, this
is a wonderful, wonderful, versatile voice actor, comedian, and on
camera performer. His work spans fain favorite animated series, International
(00:31):
Giving It, live action films, and stand up comedy. Definitely
a great performer to watch. He's going to talk to
us about all the great roles and the great project
that he is part of. Right now, John Allen is
on the phone with us, John, how are you today?
Speaker 3 (00:54):
I'm doing all right. That was quite the introduction.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Thank you, my pleasure. Thank you so much for being
with us.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
So would you be so kind to tell us just
introduce yourself, like, tell us who are you, where are
you from?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
And what brought you to your profession.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
I mean you kind of covered the major points in
your opening there, but I'm from San Diego, born and
raised in the Ocean Beach Point Loma area. I was
attracted to doing voices and making people laugh from an
early age, and then I would say it's about high school.
I started thinking about, oh, there's a business for that,
(01:33):
and how would one contribute to it. And I've drifted
off and done other things from time to time, but
I've always kind of kept one foot in the pool,
as it were. And here we are with me being
able to talk to you, David.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Well, that was you know, a beautiful career so far
that that you have done so a lot of people
they know you for being the voice in Rick and Morty.
Can you please tell us a little bit about how
that role shaped your career.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Well, it's only been in the last couple of years
that I've come on board to carry the torch with
that one, but I will say that it has been
very validating and an honor to be a part of
such a big phenomenon as this. I was a fan
of it before coming on board, and it does seem
(02:23):
to be opening up a few doors as far as
appearances that I'll be making in the next well have
been making and will continue to make.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
We love that and indeed it's such a beautiful role.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
So you're doing you know, gaming, kids, animation, adult comedy.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
How do you work each medium separately?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Well, I don't do them at the same time. That helps,
But I think a lot of the psychology behind acting
is the same regardless of what medium you're in. There's
just little nuances to each one perhaps, so I just
bear that in mind. I'm very cognizant of whatever world
I'm playing in and try to play to its strengths.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
And indeed, you're doing, again, a wonderful work.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
So you're doing stand up comedy, convention appearances, acting. Where
do you find this creative energy and how do you
approach I should say each medium a little bit differently,
like working in a studio with a mic versus working
(03:34):
in front of a live audience.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Well, luckily, I'm usually working with a mic in front
of a live audience as well, so that helps, as
far as like staying in a certain comfort zone for it.
What was the other part of your question, No.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
It was like, mostly how do you stay creative for oh?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Oh oh yeah, yeah. Well, it's doing all these things
that I believe helps me to stay. For example, when
I was working on a cartoon in twenty seventeen, I
remember the director asking me if I was exhausted after
a four hour session, and a lot of these things
don't take energy from me. They give energy to me.
(04:17):
So I like that. You know, if I'm not working
on a show or a game, there's stand up, or
there's wrestling, or there's a film to do or a
convention appearance. It's a way to keep busy and keep
from getting rusty.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
I love energy from me. That's that. That was a beautiful, beautiful.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Thing that he gives you energy back. That is definitely
at the thing. How do you see You know, we
spoke a lot.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
About AI these days, you know about AI taking more
a lot of a voice actor, etc. How do you
see the future between AI and a voice actor such
as yourself.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Well, I'm pretty worried about it, to be honest, I
think most voice actors are. I was. We just came
off having the Interactive Media Agreement strike, or the Video
Game Actors Strike as some people know it. So I'm
very aware of the existential threat it poses to the
arts and did what I could as far as being
(05:21):
on the picket lines, attending the meetings and speaking out
against corporate greed. You know, as far as the idea
of replacing us with data that comes from AI, I
think maybe there's a place for it as far in
certain respects with helping a production. But I just I
(05:43):
don't like the idea of going in one time to
perform and then they feed that data to a machine
and now they can have a sort of soulless sort
of reproduction of kind of what we do. You know,
I think any artist, whether it's somebody who draws or
would also say the same thing. How it's kind of
(06:05):
diluted and satury to the market. I'm worried about where
it's going, the tech, and it's also amazed me how
many people have reached out and asked me to contribute
to developing their AI programs. And I'm aware that this
technology is going to be out there and continue to grow.
I just don't really want to play an active part
(06:27):
in treating my replacement. And I think that's fair given
that this is what I do for a living.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Absolutely, and there is one thing that cannot be replaced
by AI is your want on stage and your enthusiasm
of going on stage and being the best every time.
Talking about stage, you'd be back on stage October seventeenth
in Hollywood. Can you tell us where is it?
Speaker 2 (06:54):
What is it, and what can audiences expect from that set.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Yes, certainly, I'll actually be at the Hollywood Improv for
on October twelfth as part of a showcase the stand
up talent from eris talent Adam lee Blinde excuse me.
That'll be I believe, my first time actually being at
the Hollywood Improv And then October seventeenth is when I'll
(07:22):
be at the Comedy Chateau in North Hollywood. So that's yeah.
I really enjoy both wherever the chance I get to perform.
I've been having a really good run with the Comedy Chateau.
But Adam Lee Blin's show is also going to be
something pretty special because it's the first time I'll have
(07:43):
had the chance to be a part of one of
his showcases.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
And we will be there definitely to uplaud you and
support you. We say hello to our friend Amy Prenner,
who introduced us. Yes, your shoe is absolutely wonderful and
who introduced us to your wonderful, wonderful work. You can
follow more about John Allen on his two websites. He
(08:06):
has John Allen Voice dot com, but he has also
John Allencomedy dot com.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Which is a great idea to have both.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
This is wonderful before we say goodbye to each other,
anything else you would like to add.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
I'll also thank Amy Prenner for putting us in touch.
She's been working tirelessly to help get me out there
in recent weeks. Thank you to you for having me,
and I will continue to give the audiences everything I've got.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
And we are definitely not expecting less than that because
the absolutely wonderful ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
My name is David so we broke. I had the
pleasure to have.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Today on iHeart when you on the Call to News
a wonderful, wonderful artist. His name is John Allen, so
Johnny spelled jo N alan a double l e N
John Allen. You can check him out John Aen Voice
dot com or Jon Allen Comedy dot com. He's a
very versatile voice, actor, comedian and on camera performer. He
(09:14):
would be on October seventeenth performing in Hollywood. Definitely go
to check him out right now, Ladies and gentlemen, more
music on I HeartWare you stay tuned with us.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
It's a beautiful day.
Ladies and gentlemen, Good afternoon, Welcome on the Culture News.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
My name is David severe Row.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
And I have the pleasure to have today on iHeart
ready on the Culture News, but also on several platforms.
The one and only mister John Allen. John Allen, this
is a wonderful, wonderful, versatile voice actor, comedian, and on
camera performer. His work spans fain favorite animated series, International
(00:31):
Giving It, live action films, and stand up comedy. Definitely
a great performer to watch. He's going to talk to
us about all the great roles and the great project
that he is part of. Right now, John Allen is
on the phone with us, John, how are you today?
Speaker 3 (00:54):
I'm doing all right. That was quite the introduction.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Thank you, my pleasure. Thank you so much for being
with us.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
So would you be so kind to tell us just
introduce yourself, like, tell us who are you, where are
you from?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
And what brought you to your profession.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
I mean you kind of covered the major points in
your opening there, but I'm from San Diego, born and
raised in the Ocean Beach Point Loma area. I was
attracted to doing voices and making people laugh from an
early age, and then I would say it's about high school.
I started thinking about, oh, there's a business for that,
(01:33):
and how would one contribute to it. And I've drifted
off and done other things from time to time, but
I've always kind of kept one foot in the pool,
as it were. And here we are with me being
able to talk to you, David.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Well, that was you know, a beautiful career so far
that that you have done so a lot of people
they know you for being the voice in Rick and Morty.
Can you please tell us a little bit about how
that role shaped your career.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Well, it's only been in the last couple of years
that I've come on board to carry the torch with
that one, but I will say that it has been
very validating and an honor to be a part of
such a big phenomenon as this. I was a fan
of it before coming on board, and it does seem
(02:23):
to be opening up a few doors as far as
appearances that I'll be making in the next well have
been making and will continue to make.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
We love that and indeed it's such a beautiful role.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
So you're doing you know, gaming, kids, animation, adult comedy.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
How do you work each medium separately?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Well, I don't do them at the same time. That helps,
But I think a lot of the psychology behind acting
is the same regardless of what medium you're in. There's
just little nuances to each one perhaps, so I just
bear that in mind. I'm very cognizant of whatever world
I'm playing in and try to play to its strengths.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
And indeed, you're doing, again, a wonderful work.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
So you're doing stand up comedy, convention appearances, acting. Where
do you find this creative energy and how do you
approach I should say each medium a little bit differently,
like working in a studio with a mic versus working
(03:34):
in front of a live audience.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Well, luckily, I'm usually working with a mic in front
of a live audience as well, so that helps, as
far as like staying in a certain comfort zone for it.
What was the other part of your question, No.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
It was like, mostly how do you stay creative for oh?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Oh oh yeah, yeah. Well, it's doing all these things
that I believe helps me to stay. For example, when
I was working on a cartoon in twenty seventeen, I
remember the director asking me if I was exhausted after
a four hour session, and a lot of these things
don't take energy from me. They give energy to me.
(04:17):
So I like that. You know, if I'm not working
on a show or a game, there's stand up, or
there's wrestling, or there's a film to do or a
convention appearance. It's a way to keep busy and keep
from getting rusty.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
I love energy from me. That's that. That was a beautiful, beautiful.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Thing that he gives you energy back. That is definitely
at the thing. How do you see You know, we
spoke a lot.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
About AI these days, you know about AI taking more
a lot of a voice actor, etc. How do you
see the future between AI and a voice actor such
as yourself.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Well, I'm pretty worried about it, to be honest, I
think most voice actors are. I was. We just came
off having the Interactive Media Agreement strike, or the Video
Game Actors Strike as some people know it. So I'm
very aware of the existential threat it poses to the
arts and did what I could as far as being
(05:21):
on the picket lines, attending the meetings and speaking out
against corporate greed. You know, as far as the idea
of replacing us with data that comes from AI, I
think maybe there's a place for it as far in
certain respects with helping a production. But I just I
(05:43):
don't like the idea of going in one time to
perform and then they feed that data to a machine
and now they can have a sort of soulless sort
of reproduction of kind of what we do. You know,
I think any artist, whether it's somebody who draws or
would also say the same thing. How it's kind of
(06:05):
diluted and satury to the market. I'm worried about where
it's going, the tech, and it's also amazed me how
many people have reached out and asked me to contribute
to developing their AI programs. And I'm aware that this
technology is going to be out there and continue to grow.
I just don't really want to play an active part
(06:27):
in treating my replacement. And I think that's fair given
that this is what I do for a living.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Absolutely, and there is one thing that cannot be replaced
by AI is your want on stage and your enthusiasm
of going on stage and being the best every time.
Talking about stage, you'd be back on stage October seventeenth
in Hollywood. Can you tell us where is it?
Speaker 2 (06:54):
What is it, and what can audiences expect from that set.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Yes, certainly, I'll actually be at the Hollywood Improv for
on October twelfth as part of a showcase the stand
up talent from eris talent Adam lee Blinde excuse me.
That'll be I believe, my first time actually being at
the Hollywood Improv And then October seventeenth is when I'll
(07:22):
be at the Comedy Chateau in North Hollywood. So that's yeah.
I really enjoy both wherever the chance I get to perform.
I've been having a really good run with the Comedy Chateau.
But Adam Lee Blin's show is also going to be
something pretty special because it's the first time I'll have
(07:43):
had the chance to be a part of one of
his showcases.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
And we will be there definitely to uplaud you and
support you. We say hello to our friend Amy Prenner,
who introduced us. Yes, your shoe is absolutely wonderful and
who introduced us to your wonderful, wonderful work. You can
follow more about John Allen on his two websites. He
(08:06):
has John Allen Voice dot com, but he has also
John Allencomedy dot com.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Which is a great idea to have both.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
This is wonderful before we say goodbye to each other,
anything else you would like to add.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
I'll also thank Amy Prenner for putting us in touch.
She's been working tirelessly to help get me out there
in recent weeks. Thank you to you for having me,
and I will continue to give the audiences everything I've got.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
And we are definitely not expecting less than that because
the absolutely wonderful ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
My name is David so we broke. I had the
pleasure to have.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Today on iHeart when you on the Call to News
a wonderful, wonderful artist. His name is John Allen, so
Johnny spelled jo N alan a double l e N
John Allen. You can check him out John Aen Voice
dot com or Jon Allen Comedy dot com. He's a
very versatile voice, actor, comedian and on camera performer. He
(09:14):
would be on October seventeenth performing in Hollywood. Definitely go
to check him out right now, Ladies and gentlemen, more
music on I HeartWare you stay tuned with us.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
It's a beautiful day.
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