"After a decade-long hiatus, the animated series 'Phineas and Ferb' makes a comeback, promising fresh episodes filled with catchy tunes"
Revamped Story:
Phineas and Ferb's Musical Extravaganza: Catchy Tunes, Unconventional Genres, and a Timeless Hit
Remember the first time Jaret Reddick met Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh? They wanted him to sing the theme song for their wacky animated series, Phineas and Ferb. Turns out, Reddick also scored the role of Danny, the lead singer of the show's fictional band Love Händel. After that crackling meeting, Reddick left thinking these creators were destined for greatness. Fast-forward to today, and Phineas and Ferb is a record-breaking success.
First airing in 2007, this hilarious show was the most popular kids' and preteens' animated series in Disney Television Animation history, running for four seasons and spawning multiple movies like the 2020 smash hit, Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe. Now, it's back after a decade-long hiatus with a fifth season premiering on Disney Channel on August 5th. The initial 10 episodes will also drop on Disney+ the following day. Most of the main voices have returned, including Vincent Martella as Phineas, David Errigo Jr. as Ferb, Ashley Tisdale as the aggravated older sister Candace, and Caroline Rhea as the boys' laid-back mother, Linda.
Povenmire and Marsh have embraced Phineas and Ferb's successful formula for this new batch of episodes, where the boys always seem to come up with mind-blowing ways to entertain themselves. Povenmire hints that "there's probably a bunch of episodes this season that are going to be people's favorite episodes they have ever seen."
When it came to Disney's expectations for the show's relaunch, Marsh knew what they were asking for: more of the same, their winning formula that has delighted fans since day one. "It was always timeless," Marsh explains. "It was not anything that relied on current events or the current zeitgeist." That being said, the writers' room now includes writers who grew up on Phineas and Ferb, and Olivia Olson, who voices Vanessa Doofenshmirtz, has joined the writing team, forming a father-daughter writing duo.
Reddick can't help but gush about the show's music, saying, "Phineas and Ferb do something completely out of the box and different every day." This musical diversity is a major reason why the series broke boundaries and gained such a massive following. The music in Phineas and Ferb spans multiple genres, giving listeners a thrilling melange of country songs, rock songs, pop songs, operatics, big band, and even rap music. The diversity in genre underpinned its widespread appeal among kids, families, and music enthusiasts alike.
Marsh recalls an early episode featuring the song "Let's Take a Rocket Ship to Space," which was an homage to Frank Sinatra. Concerned that the show's target audience wouldn't get it, the creators were surprised to find that young viewers adored it. As the show gained popularity, so did its music. Tisdale, who famously starred in the High School Musical franchise, says her new talent agent instructions are "iconic stuff only please." Tisdale, who lent her voice to some of the show's most memorable songs, such as "Busted" and "Gitchee Gitchee Goo," is thrilled to be back as Candace.
Some exciting guest stars signed on for the new season, including Brendan Hunt, Alan Cumming, John Stamos, Leslie Jones, Anna Faris, Cristo Fernández, Megan Rapinoe, Meghan Trainor, Jonathan Banks, Rhys Darby, Ruth Negga, and Michael Bublé. Bublé plays himself in an episode, serenading an audience during a beach concert. Accomplishing even the most fantastical guest appearances was an enchanting experience for the creators. Povenmire recalls one instance when they wrote the song "I Believe We Can," featuring performances from Clay Aiken and Chaka Khan, only to have to actually secure Aiken and Khan for the joke to work. They landed both stars, just as they did for "Tropey McTropeface" with Michael Bublé.
Apart from the returning main voice cast and impressive guest stars, a couple of fan favorites are back, too, such as Phineas and Ferb's iconic title sequence song, "Today is Gonna Be a Great Day," performed by Bowling for Soup. The song became a household hit, earning an Emmy Award nomination in 2008. Supposedly, Phineas and Ferb fans can't get enough of the show's music, with many demanding to hear it at Bowling for Soup concerts. So grab your popcorn, kids, because Phineas and Ferb is back!
For Extra Reading:
- He Orchestrated the End of the World (With Musical Accompaniment) - When the apocalypse is upon us, you might as well sing about it. Discover Dan Povenmire's ambitious plan for a musical apocalypse and the tale of his journey toward realizing this vision.
- The Prodigies Take the Stage: Talent, Triumphs, and Tragedies - Read how Povenmire and Marsh’s past experiences and personal struggles have shaped their music and inspired the celebrated world of Phineas and Ferb.
- Ballad of the Witches' Unexpected Rebirth - Uncover the flawless fusion of harmony, humor, and supernatural charm that transformed Agatha All Along from a forgotten song into a sensational 70’s rock hit.
- The revamped Phineas and Ferb series, set to air on Disney Channel, promises a thrilling melange of music spanning multiple genres, drawing parallels with California's diverse entertainment industry.
- In the new season, entertainment giants like Brendan Hunt, Alan Cumming, John Stamos, Leslie Jones, Anna Faris, and Meghan Trainor have signed on for guest roles, adding star power to Phineas and Ferb's already captivating storylines.
- Jaret Reddick, who rose to fame due to his collaboration with Phineas and Ferb's creators, expresses his admiration for how the show transcends traditional music genres and appeals to a wide audience.
- As technology advances and streaming platforms like Disney+ dominate the landscape, Phineas and Ferb's high-quality movies and TV shows are poised to captivate both new and longtime fans, cementing its status as a timeless hit in the world of entertainment.
