By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ted-cruz-reminds-everyone-professional-voice-actors Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Ted Cruz reminds everyone why we have professional voice actors Politics Jul 1, 2015 12:58 PM EDT Video by Buzzfeed Ted Cruz stopped by the Buzzfeed offices to prove he was the biggest fan of “The Simpsons” by working his way through many personalities made famous by the animated comedy. Buzzfeed published a video Tuesday of the Republican presidential hopeful’s attempted impressions that ranged from Homer Simpson and Ned Flanders to the drooling aliens Kang and Kodos. Cruz even tented his fingers as he said Mr. Burns’ “Excellent” catchphrase. One can understand, however, why the Texas senator would avoid associating himself with Richard O’Hara, the character known as the trigger-happy Rich Texan on the show. “I have been told many times, I have a face for radio and I have a face for animation,” Cruz said in the video. Cruz said he wanted to replace Harry Shearer, the voice of Flanders, Burns and many more characters on the show, who left the show in May. Shearer, in response, took to Twitter to critique Cruz’s audition. Dear Ted Cruz: 1, I never said I was "retiring". 2, When you do different characters, it's useful to pitch them in different vocal ranges. — Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) July 1, 2015 “When you do different characters, it’s useful to pitch them in different vocal ranges,” Shearer said. Since almost all of Cruz’s impressions sound the same, he could study a better attempt at “Simpsons” impressions. By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
Video by Buzzfeed Ted Cruz stopped by the Buzzfeed offices to prove he was the biggest fan of “The Simpsons” by working his way through many personalities made famous by the animated comedy. Buzzfeed published a video Tuesday of the Republican presidential hopeful’s attempted impressions that ranged from Homer Simpson and Ned Flanders to the drooling aliens Kang and Kodos. Cruz even tented his fingers as he said Mr. Burns’ “Excellent” catchphrase. One can understand, however, why the Texas senator would avoid associating himself with Richard O’Hara, the character known as the trigger-happy Rich Texan on the show. “I have been told many times, I have a face for radio and I have a face for animation,” Cruz said in the video. Cruz said he wanted to replace Harry Shearer, the voice of Flanders, Burns and many more characters on the show, who left the show in May. Shearer, in response, took to Twitter to critique Cruz’s audition. Dear Ted Cruz: 1, I never said I was "retiring". 2, When you do different characters, it's useful to pitch them in different vocal ranges. — Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) July 1, 2015 “When you do different characters, it’s useful to pitch them in different vocal ranges,” Shearer said. Since almost all of Cruz’s impressions sound the same, he could study a better attempt at “Simpsons” impressions.