The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

The voice behind Disney XD’s animated series Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja

Posted: 25 Mar 2013 01:07 AM PDT

Actor Ben Schwartz shares why being on Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja gives him a sore throat.

ACTOR Ben Schwartz is constantly losing his voice these days.

"When I get out of the room, I'm totally sweating, my voice is totally gone," he says of his latest project.

Has he taken on a role as a grouchy drill sergeant barking commands under the hot sun in a war flick? Or perhaps a blue-collar worker picketing for fair wage in a historical biopic? Well, no.

Schwartz has been lending his voice to Disney XD's latest animated series Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja. Though he is no stranger to voice-acting, having landed various guest roles on animated series and films, this is the first time Schwartz is voicing a main character.

"I have to speak in an octave higher than my normal voice for the role," Schwartz says, adding that he spews out 60 to 70 lines for each episode on average.

To ease the strain on his voice, the actor reveals a regiment he sticks to closely. "I drink a special mixture that we have shipped in from out of the country and I do warm up exercises to make sure my voice is smooth."

It seems to work. When Star2 caught up with Schwartz in a phone interview from Los Angeles recently, the actor's voice is crisp and clear – not a hint of his parched, worn out throat.

In the series, the 31-year-old actor is the voice of a geeky, 14-year-old high school student and videogame enthusiast, Randy Cunningham, who finds out one day that he has been chosen to become the town's next ninja. Set in the fictional town of Norrisville, its inhabitants have been protected by a secret ninja for 800 years against the evil powers of the Sorcerer.

Banished to a dungeon beneath the Earth some 800 years ago by the original ninja, the Sorcerer survives on a diet of chaos and destruction. To get his fill of mayhem, he wreaks havoc by releasing a stinky gas that turns the unsuspecting students of Norrisville High (the dungeon is situated right below it) into crazy monsters.

But now, the villain is plotting to escape the dungeon for good and unleash his powers on the town.

Schwartz says he is very similar to his character in reality. "In real life I am very geeky. I'm probably closer to Randy than any of the other live-action characters I've played. I still DVR (record) all my cartoons, I used to play videogames all day and I'm really into tech stuff. It is a part of who I am. I think that's why I connect with the role so well," he explains.

The actor goes on to describe the show, saying it is "a beautiful mix of action and comedy" and thinks viewers would enjoy it. But more than just fun and games, Schwartz believes children can learn some valuable lessons from it too.

"One of the biggest lessons kids can learn is how important friendship is. If you really care about somebody, you would be true to them and you would have their back," he shares, referring to his character's relationship with his friend Harold Weinerman.

Asked what the actor would do if he was suddenly granted superpowers like Cunningham, Schwartz says he would use the powers to do some travelling. "If I could run really fast and jump on buildings like Randy, I love the idea of visiting different cities in the US and overseas.

"But I would never use them for something bad like spy on people, I'm not that type of person."

Schwartz got his start in show business doing improv at a theatre and training centre. He has since landed roles on both the big screen (Everybody's Fine and The Other Guys) and TV (Parks And Recreation and House Of Lies).

He is also a promising scriptwriter with writing credits on shows like The Late Show With David Letterman. Schwartz is in talks with Randy Cunningham creators Scott Thomas and Jed Elinoff to write an episode for the animated series.

> Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja airs daily at 9.30am on Disney XD (Astro Ch 617/HD Ch 637).

Catch the latest fashion trends on radio station 988

Posted: 25 Mar 2013 05:46 AM PDT

A television show on the radio? Yes, please.

IT'S time for fashion! Popular radio station 988 and Unifi's HyppTV bring you a brand new style and fashion programme called Vogue In Paris, a variety show that features the latest news on trends and beauty.

Vogue In Paris is exclusively shown on HyppTV's Now International (Ch 155) every Sunday at 10pm, while the show's three-minute segment Vogue In Paris: (Nu Huang Jia Dao) Beauty Tips is aired over 988's Good Show hosted by DJ KK at 7pm every Monday to Friday.

This is the first cross-media collaboration between the Star Radio Group and HyppTV. Starting this year, the Star Radio Group's four radio stations are available on HyppTV (Red FM on Ch 955, Suria FM on Ch 956, 988 on Ch 957 and Capital FM on Ch 958).

Vogue In Paris is hosted by Hong Kong style queen Anna Yau Hoi Man, who, along with featured guests will give beauty tips, fashion updates and a whole lot more.

Also on 988 this week:

Morning Up (Monday-Friday, 9am-10am)

Most people have a fear of going to the dentist, even though we know just how important dental care is! The hosts of Morning Up Cases chats with listeners about teeth – what is tooth decay, what causes our tooth to ache and others. Dental care professionals will also be on hand to talk about how best to look after your teeth.

Meanwhile, in Morning Up VIP, guest star singer Kit Chan, dubbed "Singapore's national treasure" who performed in the Hong Kong musical Snow. Wolf. Lake with Jacky Cheung in 1997, shares her story with listeners. From singing pop to jazz numbers, Kit Chan talks about her upcoming retirement from the pop music.

Let's K-Pop (Saturday, 3pm-4pm)

The 3rd Korean Wave best music chart of the year has released the results of two awards: The Best K-Pop Song goes to Girls' Generation SNSD (I Got A Boy) while Most Popular K-Pop Song is Super Junior's From U.

This week, results for the Best K-Pop Dance Song and Most Popular Rookie Star will be released. Cast your vote on 988.com.my.

> 988 is owned and operated by The Star.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Ahad, 24 Mac 2013