Reading – Bumblebee and Me

Bumblebee and Me: Life as a G1 Transformer*, written by Dan Gilvezan, is the first book I know of written by a Transformers Generation One cartoon voice actor that specifically addresses the rise — and fall — of the Transformers animated series in the eighties. And at just $6.95 it was cheap enough that I took a shot at the book after reading the brief description:

In the spring of 1984 Dan Gilvezan walked into an audition for a half-hour animated TV series and walked out an hour later with a role in a show that would change the landscape of television in the late ’80s: A show called The Transformers. As the voice of Bumblebee, the little yellow Volkswagen, Gilvezan was there from the very start, witness to the birth of an entertainment industry phenomenon that continues to surprise and delight audiences to this very day. Bumblebee & Me takes you behind the scenes of the original Transformers television series for a first-hand look at the making of a classic. Experience the controlled chaos of the recording sessions, learn the secrets behind creating a character voice, get to know the members of the cast up close and personal. Chock full of stories, reminiscences, anecdotes and never-before-published photographs, Bumblebee & Me is sure to satisfy even the most knowledgeable and discerning Transformers fan. Includes cast list and complete G1 episode guide.

Innocently Entertaining

Gilvezan may not be an accomplished master of atmosphere and storytelling, but Bumblebee and Me* is engaging, quick, and quite entertaining for anyone who has ever wondered about the behind the scenes activities of voice actors. And where many “tell all” books focus on juicy and exciting tidbits and stories Gilvezan instead says only the nicest of things about his co-workers and fans, reserving the very few less-than-friendly comments (and even those are quite tame and polite) for the decision makers who took a success and made choices that — ultimately — helped remove Transformers from the airwaves.

Ten Quick Chapters

At just over 80-pages long, almost 30 of which are devoted to an episode guide and cast list, Bumblebee and Me* is an insanely fast read that’s going to be over almost as quickly as it started. But Gilvezan manages to say a lot in just a few pages, giving us his thoughts on the different actors involved in the show, sharing his joy the day that he found Bumblebee in a toy store, and even going so far as to thank fans and tell us about his surprise as the popularity of the series today.

No chapter in the book is wasted space or a filler — though the episode guide is of minimal use if you’ve already got a copy of Prime Targets* — but of them all I think Chapter 3, Gilvezan’s thoughts of each of the voice actors he worked with — is the most honest and enjoyable. Reading the chapter — actually, the entire book — you get the impression that Gilvezan genuinely enjoyed the work and cared for his co-workers. Either he’s one extremely nice guy or he’s an amazing storyteller; I get the idea that Gilvezan is a very, very nice guy and not just spinning tales.

Closing Thoughts

Bumblebee and Me: Life as a G1 Transformer* won’t change your life, but it may change your thoughts about the cartoon and it will definitely make you think of the people involved in the show the next time you watch the old cartoons.

I know I’ll forever be imagining Alan Oppenheimer running his finger across his lips the next time I hear Seaspray’s distinctive voice. Thanks, Dan, for a fun read and for sharing such personal memories.