Interview With Butch Hartman Creator Of The Fairly Odd Parents

We had a chat with Butch Hartman creator of the "Fairly Odd Parents." Butch talks about the origins of the show, season 9, introducing a new character and the evolution of characters. Be sure to catch season 9 of the "Fairy Odd Parents" on Nickelodeon starting Saturday May 4th at 9:30 a.m. (ET/PT)

OtakusandGeeks.com: Before we begin we just want to congratulate you on the show and its success. How does it feel to have a show that is in its 9th season?

Super duper awesome, of course! How many people even get to have ONE season of a show, let alone NINE? I’m truly blessed, thankful and thrilled!

OtakusandGeeks.com: How did the idea of The Fairly OddParents come up? Do you remember the exact moment you met Timmy Turner and his fairy friends?

I do - it was October 1997 and I was working on Johnny Bravo at Cartoon Network with a guy named Seth MacFarlane. The first season of Johnny Bravo was over and it was unclear whether there would be a 2nd season so we –the entire staff – were let go.  I realized I had to create a show of my own because I was tired of being subject to the whims of others.

I wanted to do a show about a character that could travel from place to place easily so I thought that “science” would be a good way to accomplish that. But Dexter’s Laboratory had already launched so I thought “magic” would be a good approach.  After that, everything else started falling into place.  I decided to make the show about a little boy with a fairy godmother. Since I had never seen a fairy god FATHER before, I decided to add one to the mix. The next thing I knew, Cosmo, Wanda and Timmy Turner were born. So, in a nutshell, the idea arose out of the need for employment!

OtakusandGeeks.com: Coming up with new story ideas has to be a challenge after nine seasons.  What are some the creative challenges, if any, you’ve faced? How have you been able to keep the series fresh?

Creative challenges are always there but, as a cartoonist who also writes, I realize the importance of good storytelling. I have an amazing group of writers who are always trying to throw new things into the mix. Bottom line: Never get lazy! 

OtakusandGeeks.com: This season you are introducing an all new character “Sparky.” What can you tell us about him and how he will interact with the rest of the characters on the show?

Sparky is a magical talking fairy dog with magic “dog” powers. He can make fire hydrants appear out of thin air and poof up cats to chase! He’s also a character with a past. He’s been everywhere and done everything. For example, when Timmy has to go to Mexico, Sparky says he “knows a guy who can set them up with passports.”

OtakusandGeeks.com: How has Timmy Turner evolved over time?

I think he’s become smarter. He is truly the nucleus of the show and the character that is most like me. He’s a kid who is smarter than all the insane adults around him, which is why he needs his fairy godparents. Timmy is the one character who always says what everyone is thinking. He’s definitely risen to the level of Cosmo and Wanda. At first he was just there to wish for things and give the fairies something to do. But now we can write entire stories around him with very little help form any other outside characters.

OtakusandGeeks.com: You wear many hats – you are creator, writer and sometime even a voice over performer on the series.  How do you balance all these roles?

I am able to balance it all because I enjoy it all. Seriously, there’s not one aspect of my job I dislike. I get to write, draw and produce cartoons every single day. What could be better than that? But, if it’s a practical answer you’re looking for, it all comes down to time management. Doing each thing one little piece at a time each and every day.

OtakusandGeeks.com: Sometimes show creators inject some of their own real-life personality into the characters they develop.  Is there a character on the show that is a reflection of you?

Yes! Most of them have a twinge of my personality infused in them, but Dr. Rip Studwell – the Fairy Doctor who is also a soap opera actor – is probably the one who most closely resembles me. In fact, the character designers saw to it that he even looks like a much younger version of me!

OtakusandGeeks.com: One thing we love about the show throughout the years is Timmy’s crush on Trixie.  Are we going to see any Trixie and Timmy interaction this season?

Trixie is a great character that means a lot to the show and to Timmy so I’m hoping they interact this season.  If there’s a great Trixie story out there that we haven’t done, then we’re up for it. Got any ideas?

OtakusandGeeks.com: Do you have a favorite character on the show?

I have a bunch! But I think the ones I turn to the most – the ones the writers and I like working with the most – are Timmy’s Dad, Mr. Crocker and Cosmo. Always guaranteed a laugh with them.

OtakusandGeeks.com: What can we expect from Cosmo and Wanda this season? How has their relationship grown over the years?

For one thing, Cosmo and Wanda have not only adopted Timmy as their fairy god kid, but they’ve also had a baby of their own! Poof was an amazing addition to the show and, even though he only speaks in two word sentences, “Poof Poof,” he has definitely added a level of fun to the series. But I think Cosmo and Wanda have grown in the fact that they continue to love each other no matter what insanity threatens to tear them apart.

OtakusandGeeks.com: Finally, what would you wish for if you had your own fairy god parents?

More time to make more episodes of The Fairly OddParents!