the world needs heroes on patrol

Calling all Teen Titans fans!
This weekend’s new episode “Winner Take All,” airs at 9PM on Cartoon Network, and features everyone’s favorite underwater-fish-talking-guy, Aqualad!

Speedy vs. Aqualad -- found at Comics Continuum dot Com.

I can’t recall if I wrote about this, or if I just talked about it with some friends, but I am incredibly proud of the work I’ve done on Teen Titans, and I am so grateful that I get to be part of it.
The last time I was over there, when I was walking from my car to the studio, someone called out to me, “Hey! Aqualad!” and the biggest smile filled my face. It was quite a contrast: when someone calls out, “Hey! Wesley!” I sort of look at the ground and wish I was invisible . . . but when this unseen person called me “Aqualad” my heart jumped, and I looked around to see who said it.
You know, I could probably sell my soul and work all the time on shitty low budget genre films that nobody cares about. I could probably make a decent living doing it, too. I mean, you’d tune in if I was on some late night erotic thriller, right?
Wait. Don’t answer that. As a matter of fact, let’s forget I ever brought that up. (Although . . . it would be nice to see Lisa Boyle up close and in person.)
Uhhh . . . let’s forget I said that, too, okay?
The point is, I care about the work that I do, and if I can help it, I don’t want to contribute to the stinking pile of garbage that passes for popular entertainment these days.
When I get to be part of something that’s consistently good, something that I can be totally proud of, and heartily endorse, I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile. It’s just awesome that I can tell people to watch Teen Titans without any of the standard disclaimers that have accompanied just about everything I’ve acted in over the last few years.
Now, if I can just get Las Vegas, The West Wing, Arrested Development, and Family Guy to give me a chance . . .
Seriously. Tune in on Saturday. Teen Titans is superfuckingcool.

91 thoughts on “the world needs heroes on patrol”

  1. Yeah! First Post!
    Wil, love you on the Teen Titans. I SO want to see Aqualad full time, though that would mean more work for you!
    Keep up the great work!
    Leo
    The Philadelphian

  2. SWEET!
    Saturday Morning here I come.
    I’ll be in my underoos with a huge bowl of Capn Crunch in front of the boob tube!

  3. Wouldn’t it be irony if Wil were on The West Wing, not as himself, and the President of the United States turns to his character and says:
    “I could swear I’ve seen you somewhere before… Didn’t you used to be an actor?”
    🙂
    -ian.

  4. Still a teen after so many years…very youthful, dude, very youthful. I’ve watched a bit of teen titans, and enjoyed it, but now that I know you’re on it, I’ll make sure to watch even more.
    Hey Wil, didn’t you play a werewolf or something on Amazing Stories…I vaguely remember it. Is there anywhere we can buy that episode?
    Always a fan,
    Jeff

  5. Wil, cant wait to watch teen titans not a bad show at all and its something i can watch with my kids, my son loves that show!!! thanks!!
    Brook

  6. Congrats Wil! I missed your first TT appearance but I’ll be sure to tune in for this one. I watch with my daughter sometimes because she likes it. Personally, I don’t like TT’s “Japanimation” approach. It’s also nowhere near as well-written as Justice League (a show you’d be great on, Wil). I love how JL is actually dealing with very relevant issues right now, such as the curbing of our civil rights or how our leaders need to take repsonsibiliy for their actions. It’s a cartoon, but just like The Simpsons it’s one of the best (and most subversive) shows on TV today.
    Anyhow, I hope the work on TT leads to parts on Justice League, The Simpsons, West Wing (a show that’s lost its touch but still pretty good) and any Cinemax late night features your little heart desires!

  7. I only just recently found your blog, and lo, you post about something I love. 🙂 The quality of storytelling, voice-acting and animation on Teen Titans has made me a fan; it’s one of the few shows I watch regularly (along with my five year old, natch). I thought you did a fantastic job as Aqualad in “Deep Six,” and I really like the character, so I was jazzed to see Aqualad in the preview for the next episode. My son and I will definitely be watching!

  8. What I like the best is that in the description of the episodes, they had to spell out who Mike Erwin was, but not Wil.
    Everyone KNOWS who Wil Wheaton is!

  11. It’s great there’s another Aqualad episode of TT; my friends and I really dig the show. You being on there makes it just that much keener.

  12. Someone is going to have to tape that for me. They will all be pestered for the rest of the day until they promise to do so. Aqualad is such a hottie.
    And Mr. Wardwell, there’s a problem with the idea of Wil playing Donna’s love interest.
    2/3 of the males the lovely Miss Moss falls for are Republicans. I’m sure Wil is versatile, but I just have a hard time seeing that.

  13. My friends and I loved you on TT. We’re total TT nuts and we were so happy to get a picture with you at LosCon last year. I can’t wait for this weekend’s episode! Yay! =)

  14. Voice acting has “late night erotic thriller” beat, hands down. Didn’t the whole ST:TNG cast do the voices for “Gargoyles”?
    You’ll know you’ve made it when they ask you to do a voice on the Simpsons.

  15. Seems like you realy miss the acting gig dude!
    Now c’mon, Wesley isn’t something to be ashamed of! I never could understand the hatred some people had for the character of Wesley. He seemed like a cool super genius kid to me. Now, Riker could be annoying sometime. But, it was Star Trek. It’s all good. Well, except that stupid ‘Enterprise’ theme song.

  16. Yay for you, Wil! You know I’ll be watching…just me, my bowl of cereal, my dog and my drunkass friends who passed out on the couch the night before…we’ll all be watching.

  17. Hmmm…wonder if the motel the spouse and I are staying in has Cartoon Network???
    “Honey, I’ll come to bed in a little while; Aqualad is on!”

  19. That’s what I wanted to ask! I didn’t think they were making new Family Guy eps…
    As much as I’d love to watch Teen Titans, Wil, it’s not available up here in CanaDUH… sadly we don’t get ANY good cartoon content… grrr!

  22. Actually, we do get Teen Titans in Canada. It’s on YTV at I think 10:30 AT on Saturdays. Awesome show; I had no idea Wil was the voice of Aqualad, so that makes the show even cooler.

  24. As a fan of the original Teen Titan comic book, I’ve tried to watch the show. So far, I haven’t been able to make it through the opening theme song. It makes my teeth itch (and not in a good way). Having said the above, I’ll break out my “Clockwork Orange” TV viewing apparatus, and force myself through it, just to hear ‘Uncle Willie’ do Aqualad.
    For Wil, Break a leg on the Audition guy!!!! Knowing what a great dad you are in real life, I’d love to see you do it on TV.

  25. a family guy ep with will wheaton would be incredibly awesome. although sadly, they would prolly have you play wesley in a star trek joke.
    lois – “Peter, I thought I told you to fix the lawn mower.”
    peter – “Don’t worry honey. I got that Wesley Crusher to do it.”
    ~ ~ pans over to ~ ~
    will wheaton – “Bite me!”

  26. Hey, best of luck! I’d love to see you in something. Although – /I/ wish they’d read you for the “punk dad.” The whole “had a different past” might resonate nicely in the background, and add an extra little bit of ‘back of the brain’ fun to the role.
    An example – I LOVED seeing Billy Mumy in Babylon Five. He did an awesome job in the role, but it was always just that extra bit of fun watching it, just because we knew who he had also played in Lost in Space.
    I think you could add exactly that little touch of fun, in the same way. And of course, what would make it work is the same thing that made it work for Mumy- you actually do have real acting chops (unlike some child stars that had to leave the acting biz when they grew up because they’d been cast solely for their ‘cute factor’).
    In any case – hope you get the role! Break a leg, or whatever one says ;P
    Kerin

  29. I had no idea your voice was on Teen Titans. I seriously love that cartoon and have since the beginning. The theme song rocks. I’m looking forward to seeing the episode.

  30. Too bad you didn’t record the dialogue in Atlanta. I work for a sister network of Cartoon and I’d love to meet you.
    Any tips on landing VO gigs? Other than working for a company that uses VO talent, obviously.

  33. I have loved Aqualad since his inseption. My 2 year old and myself love TT and our favorite is Aqualad…We were wondering when he was going to show up more. I hope that he becomes a permenant fixture on TT. We look forward to seeing more of Aqualad in the future.
    (P.S. Please excuse my spelling.)

  34. ok, strange…as we were drifting off to sleep last night, my boyfriend was making a comment about this aqualad appearance happening on saturday…we will both be tuning in!
    and just biting my tongue like hell to not comment on this:
    “I mean, you’d tune in if I was on some late night erotic thriller, right? ”
    -s

  35. Aren’t they casting for McFarlane’s new show right now? Also, with Family Guy coming back, they may not be able to get all of the old voice guys back. You should break into McFarlane’s house and tie him up and refuse to let him go until he casts you. That’s what Peter Griffin would do! Get in there!

  36. Aren’t they casting for McFarlane’s new show right now? Also, with Family Guy coming back, they may not be able to get all of the old voice guys back. You should break into McFarlane’s house and tie him up and refuse to let him go until he casts you. That’s what Peter Griffin would do! Get in there!

  38. I’ve been watching Teen Titans since it’s premiere, and got even more enthused when I heard you were voicing Aqualad. It’s a great show, and killer to see (or in this case, hear) you be a part of it! I agree with the other posts that want to see Aqualad on a more regular basis, working with the Titans. He’s a great character and has teh r0x0rz voice actor behind him!
    Titans, GO!

  40. You know, my 4-year-old son has recently discovered Teen Titans, gleefully encouraged by my husband. I am *sure* that he’ll be thrilled with this. He was talking about “the boy with the spider legs” on the way home from pre-school the other day…

  41. Heh, my little brother is a huge fan of your’s (as am I), but I think he’s even a bigger fan of Aqualad’s (he never put two and two together to get you as the voice of Aqualand, by the way). I just called him and told him that Aqualad was going to be in the newest episode (and that you played him, lol) and I think he had a heart attack…
    You just made one 12 year old boy really happy, Wil.

  43. Nuh-uh! That’s you??? I LOVE Teen Titans! Man, I knew I recognized the voice! Wicked!
    It’s definitely a wicked good show…I always rush home from work to watch it (I work Saturdays till 7 pm, so I make sure that my boss doesn’t keep me overtime)
    Rock on!

  45. There’s just no denying it: the Teen Titan themesong kicks the crap out of the Justice League Themesong. Always has, always will.
    Plus, the new Ninja Turtles show has no pizza jokes- someone’s gotta take those on, right?
    and TT has better animation than JL ever will.
    Wil, I think it’s really cool that you’re on as Aqualad. He’s got the hair. There’s no messin’ with that hair.

  46. I would kill to see you on an ep of Bliss, that terrible Oxygen/CBC softcore porn show, getting molested by two or three 40 year old Canadian women. But only because you’d rip on how stupid the whole ordeal was afterwards.

  47. Too bad The Outer Limits wasn’t still around… I thought you were great in “The Light Brigade.”
    And no… I don’t own a comic book store or weigh 300 pounds.

  48. Wil on West Wing would rock! They need a new speech writer, now that Wil Bailey has gone to work for the VP …
    Setting Tivo for Teen Titans now …

  49. Wil, I wish you would not be so hard on yourself about your past role as Wesley. Almost every time you refer to “him” you are writing an appology either as the main thought, or as an afterthought. Ya know, S.T.N.G. is on SPIKE-TV as I type these words. I watched the previous episode but decided after your preformance (as Wesley) to forgo the second installment and write to you here. The sho I just watched was the episode where Wesley had returned to the Enterprise on vacation from the academy, and Wil Riker had brought back those trick game glasses from is shore leave on Risa. You did a fine job of carrying your role on that show. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Wesley Crusher was who the writers and the powers that be had him to be. Any young actor would have been faced with the same challenges and frustrations. Be at peace with Wesley. I for one happened to like the kid and looked forward to the episodes that centered on him. Later, Joel

  50. Wil,
    I do not have any kids and I have never watched
    Aqualad, but I will watch it Sat. night just to hear your voice. And if i ever see you on the street and I say “Hey, Wesley”, you had better look up and smile…I mean it! “A couple of light years can’t keep good friends apart.”
    (Robin’s Law No. 103)
    Live long and prosper!!
    Freeman.

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