Manage episode 522564298 series 3691368
Legendary impressionist Jim Meskimen (Parks and Rec, America’s Got Talent) joins the show for a fast-paced, hilarious, and insightful deep dive into the craft of voices and impressions. From his earliest days imitating Tiny Tim to voicing iconic characters for Disney, Jim breaks down how he studies vocal patterns, physicality, pitch, and personality to bring celebrity impressions to life—sometimes within seconds.
Jim and Nancy jump into rapid-fire Simpsons challenges, reimagining Bart catchphrases as delivered by celebrity voices, plus dramatic reenactments, Krusty Burger clashes, and Springfield improv that only a world-class mimic can pull off. He also shares stories about stepping into Robin Williams’ Genie roles, meeting actors he imitates, and the surreal moment he “lost” an impression the same day the real performer passed away.
Beyond impressions, Jim opens up about his artistic roots, his mother Marion Ross, his early animation days at Hanna-Barbera, and how he approaches acting in both comedy and drama. He explains why authentic humanity—not tricks—makes performances memorable, and how he prepares characters for film, TV, and his upcoming projects.
Whether you’re a Simpsons fan, a voice-acting nerd, or someone who loves celebrity impressions, this episode is packed with technique, nostalgia, storytelling, and nonstop comedy from one of the greatest vocal performers working today.
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12 episodes