Today, I attended an event at the National Press Club, featuring a number of people from Nickelodeon speaking on “diversity in children’s television programming.”
I didn’t know exactly who was going to be there. As I was standing in the hallway outside the room, I suddenly became aware that Tom Kenny was standing near me. He’s done a huge amount of animation voiceover work and is best known for his work on SpongeBob SquarePants. But that’s not necessarily what I think of first.
So, I went up to him and introduced myself and commended him for his work on Mr. Show. He laughed and said you didn’t get a lot of crossover between the SpongeBob and Show audiences.
Then he thought about it and said that Bob Odenkirk and David Cross (creators of Mr. Show) and Stephen Hillenburg (creator of SpongeBob SquarePants) share some similar sensibilities. They all share a taste for anarchy and a distrust of authorities. I said that I guess there’s the kind of rebellion you have at age 30 and the kind you have when you’re six.
And he was nice enough to pose for a picture, seen above.
Here’s a picture of Tom with Kathleen Herles, the voice of Dora The Explorer.
Also there was Tommy Lynch, seen here with Romeo. Lynch is the executive producer of Romeo!, although I think I know him best for his show The Secret World of Alex Mack. Lynch seemed like a really nice guy and was clearly committed to kids’ programming, which I respect. I didn’t know Romeo was going to be there and all I could think of was this. If I’d known he would be there, I would have brought a bag of BAR-B-Quin’ With My Honey along.
I must confess, I really didn’t know him all that well, as a performer. I was surprised at how charming he was.
Romeo’s manager was there — I’m sorry that I didn’t quite catch his name; I think he said it was DuWayne. Anyway, he said he manages both Romeo and his father Master P. I loved the shirt he was wearing and asked to take a picture.
The detail is not great, but that’s a head (it sort of reminded me of the Cookie Monster) made out of glittery sequins. He said it was from a new clothing line they were launching, Fathead Apparel.
These Press Club luncheons are often broadcast on NPR stations and/or shown on C-SPAN, so you might run across this event.
Tags: Tom Kenny, SpongeBob SquarePants, Mr. Show, Kathleen Herles, Dora The Explorer, Tommy Lynch, Romeo, Rap Snacks, Fathead Apparel, National Press Club, children’s television