The Energon Pub

Changing subjects, you are set to play Jazz in the new Transformers show. It’s a great role with a lot of history, so are you going to follow the footsteps of the old series, the movie, or should we expect something new?

LAMARR: There’s no way to follow in the footsteps Scatman Crothers [Jazz’s original voice from the old series]. I mean, those are just shoes that are too big to fill. So, yeah, we’ve gone a different direction. Obviously the “cool” element is still there, that’s never going to go away with Jazz, and in my head I always hear Scatman but it’s a different sound. It’s a new sound.

I’m glad you brought up Scatman Crothers, because it must just be cool to pick up after such a legend. What is that like?

LAMARR: It’s an honor to be able to play something that somebody so talented originated. Even though they’re revamping the story, you know and the fans know that that’s where it came from and it’s nice to be connected to that kind of history.

So, by the technical and scientific laws of acting does this make you the best choice for the role if they ever redo Hong Kong Phooey?

LAMARR: [Laughs] I’d say so.

What is it like to be doing the voice of Jazz for a whole new generation of Transformers fans?

LAMARR: Well, it’s been interesting for me because I was not really familiar with much Transformers stuff. It sort of fell in between my kid years and my adult years. So, I missed it the first time around. So, I’ve been doing a lot of research actually. [I’ve been] looking at the old cartoons and reading the old comics just because I’d be reading the scripts and going, “My gosh, what an intricate world!” And it just got me more and more interested in what’s going on. How much of this is new? How much of this is original? So, I’ve been getting into it.

Damolisher wrote:It's kidna funny, I said ages ago when Jazz was announced for the movie that Phil LaMarr would be the perfect choice. I've kinda gotten my wish here.