Why was James Avery replaced in Season 8 of the 1987 show?

jignat · 03-09-2018, 09:04 PM

In S8-S10 ,the "Red Sky" episodes, Shredder is voiced by William Martin instead of James Avery.

Has there ever been any official reason given as to why?

*FredWolfLeonardo* · 03-09-2018, 09:39 PM

I've heard that it was because of scheduling conflicts with Fresh Prince of Bel Air but that could be untrue.

*CyberCubed* · 03-10-2018, 12:33 AM

He was already gone for half of Season 7 too. His actor probably just got too busy.

cammy85 · 03-10-2018, 09:39 AM

Season 4 took place before Fresh Prince started IIRC. That was a full 13/26 episode season with Shredder and Krang being absent in every second episode and one week entirely. That number decreased through 5-7 with more repeats, possibly because of Fresh Prince, but who knows. Jim Cummings even voiced Shredder in one episode of Season 5 and the European episodes which came later.

In short, CyberCubed is right. James Avery was too busy.

*Vegita-San* · 03-10-2018, 10:07 AM

who did the 89 replacement voice?

The one in episodes like metalhead and leatherhead?

doesn't quite sound like jim cummings. it's more gritty.
I didn't care for it at first, but over the years, it's grown on me.

*Prowler* · 03-10-2018, 10:46 AM

It's quite impressive how Townsend Coleman and Cam Clark never missed an episode in the series. Even Rene Jacobs missed one or two(the episodes without April)... Turtle Trek and what else?

*FredWolfLeonardo* · 03-10-2018, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegita-San

who did the 89 replacement voice?

The one in episodes like metalhead and leatherhead?

doesn't quite sound like jim cummings. it's more gritty.
I didn't care for it at first, but over the years, it's grown on me.

That was Dorian Harewood. He also filled in for War Machine in Iron Man when James Avery was unavailable.

*Vegita-San* · 03-10-2018, 01:52 PM

was that his only voice on the show? seems like he only did it for one season.

**Jester** · 03-10-2018, 02:27 PM

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 03-10-2018, 02:31 PM

Were the "Vacation in Europe" episodes produced at the same time as season 4? (even if they didn't air until 1992)

*MrPliggins* · 03-10-2018, 04:59 PM

Yes, I'm pretty sure they were produced and aired in other countries at the time of 1990, but didn't air in the states until '92 when USA Network acquired the rights to the show.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 03-10-2018, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPliggins

Yes, I'm pretty sure they were produced and aired in other countries at the time of 1990, but didn't air in the states until '92 when USA Network acquired the rights to the show.

They first aired in some European countires during 1992. They didn't air in the USA until the autumn of 1993.

But still, they may have been produced earlier.

*ranger_scout* · 03-12-2018, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowler

It's quite impressive how Townsend Coleman and Cam Clark never missed an episode in the series.

That is one of the many reasons why Leonardo and Michelangelo were my two favorite turtles in the original series. Their voices never changed. The substitutes for Rob and Barry were fine, but it wasn't quite the same when they weren't there.

*DarkFell* · 03-13-2018, 12:35 AM

According to the man himself, James Avery stated that his contract expired.

His work on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, also made it difficult for him to continue his VA role as The Shredder.

Listen in at @6:14.

Hopefully the studio didn't refuse to renew his contract, but if so, it unfortunately does happen.

Spoiler:

*pferreira* · 03-15-2018, 05:39 PM

Avery was too busy. He had less time for TMNT due to his commitments on Fresh Prince so I'm thinking he was let go by the studio.

Can you imagine having to spend the morning going into work to shout at Krang and then in the afternoon going into to work to shout at Will Smith? Requires a lot of energy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPliggins

Yes, I'm pretty sure they were produced and aired in other countries at the time of 1990, but didn't air in the states until '92 when USA Network acquired the rights to the show.

We didn't get those episodes in the UK until Christmas 1992.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 03-15-2018, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pferreira

We didn't get those episodes in the UK until Christmas 1992.

They aired in Sweden over TV 1000 Sweden around November 1992 at least, but I recall catching some at Sky 1 around Christmas 1992.

*Prowler* · 03-16-2018, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger_scout

That is one of the many reasons why Leonardo and Michelangelo were my two favorite turtles in the original series. Their voices never changed. The substitutes for Rob and Barry were fine, but it wasn't quite the same when they weren't there.

Raphael's first VA replacement(Ninja Sword of Nowhere) was terrible. Raph sounded SO awkward in that episode.

I dunno what other shows Cam Clarke and Townsend Coleman were doing at the time, but I know Paulsen voiced The Mask and Mighty max in the 90s at least. And also one of the Animaniacs.

Also, Coleman was the Rat King and Cam Clarke was Rocksteady. Barry was Bebop I think. Paulsen was... Zach and Mister Ogg. Poor Rob.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 03-17-2018, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowler

I dunno what other shows Cam Clarke and Townsend Coleman were doing at the time

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Clarke

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Townsend_Coleman

The-Shredder · 03-18-2018, 05:20 PM

*Vegita-San* · 03-19-2018, 10:28 AM

he either intentionally or un intentionally goes into his shredder voice twice in that clip

.

03-09-2018, 09:04 PM	#1
jignat Foot Soldier Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 134	Why was James Avery replaced in Season 8 of the 1987 show? In S8-S10 ,the "Red Sky" episodes, Shredder is voiced by William Martin instead of James Avery. Has there ever been any official reason given as to why?

03-10-2018, 10:07 AM	#5
Vegita-San Emperor Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,915	who did the 89 replacement voice? The one in episodes like metalhead and leatherhead? doesn't quite sound like jim cummings. it's more gritty. I didn't care for it at first, but over the years, it's grown on me. __________________ 'Wrong, April. We've Been upgraded to Women hating TROLLS' ?The force is not female, the force is not male, the force is for everyone?

03-10-2018, 01:52 PM	#8
Vegita-San Emperor Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,915	was that his only voice on the show? seems like he only did it for one season. __________________ 'Wrong, April. We've Been upgraded to Women hating TROLLS' ?The force is not female, the force is not male, the force is for everyone?

03-10-2018, 02:27 PM	#9
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,216	__________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

03-13-2018, 12:35 AM	#14
DarkFell A Crusty Bob Fan Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: At the current moment, on your screen. Posts: 1,978	According to the man himself, James Avery stated that his contract expired. His work on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, also made it difficult for him to continue his VA role as The Shredder. Listen in at @6:14. Hopefully the studio didn't refuse to renew his contract, but if so, it unfortunately does happen. Spoiler: A couple of radio DJ's for a rock station that I will occasionally to, have been gone for about eight years now. What happened? Their contracts simply weren't renewed, probably because the vice-president of the radio station wanted some fresh talent to bring in more early morning ratings.

03-10-2018, 12:33 AM	#3
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 41,002	He was already gone for half of Season 7 too. His actor probably just got too busy.

03-10-2018, 09:39 AM	#4
cammy85 Stone Warrior Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Minnedosa, MB Canada Posts: 703	Season 4 took place before Fresh Prince started IIRC. That was a full 13/26 episode season with Shredder and Krang being absent in every second episode and one week entirely. That number decreased through 5-7 with more repeats, possibly because of Fresh Prince, but who knows. Jim Cummings even voiced Shredder in one episode of Season 5 and the European episodes which came later. In short, CyberCubed is right. James Avery was too busy.

03-10-2018, 10:46 AM	#6
Prowler Emperor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Portugal Posts: 8,909	It's quite impressive how Townsend Coleman and Cam Clark never missed an episode in the series. Even Rene Jacobs missed one or two(the episodes without April)... Turtle Trek and what else?

03-10-2018, 02:31 PM	#10
Original TMNT Cartoon Fan Overlord Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 10,154	Were the "Vacation in Europe" episodes produced at the same time as season 4? (even if they didn't air until 1992)

03-10-2018, 04:59 PM	#11
MrPliggins Foot Elite Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,006	Yes, I'm pretty sure they were produced and aired in other countries at the time of 1990, but didn't air in the states until '92 when USA Network acquired the rights to the show.

03-18-2018, 05:20 PM	#19
The-Shredder Hench Mutant Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 448

03-19-2018, 10:28 AM	#20
Vegita-San Emperor Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,915	he either intentionally or un intentionally goes into his shredder voice twice in that clip . __________________ 'Wrong, April. We've Been upgraded to Women hating TROLLS' ?The force is not female, the force is not male, the force is for everyone?

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