Why reuse a character's lines?

T

True Balla

New member
I was always wondering this. After watching a few Don Bluth movies I've wondered why do studios reuse audio lines? Does it save money on voice actor pay by refusing to record a simple phrase?
 
I don't know about Don Bluth, but I do know that this happens for Ed Edd n Eddy alot. I remember reading that the reused lines are not in the script and put in blank spots.
 
Basically hearing the same audio again from a character.

In most animated cartoons it would be a character's screams or yelps. In certain other cartoons entire lines are reused, courage the cowardly dog is an example.

Eustace: What's your offer? Who the heck are you?

Courage: The things I do for love. What do I do?

Etc,
 
My guess would be due to saving money. Why have the actor record the same line over and over again when you can just lazily recycle what you already have?
 
I know for a fact that whenever Amy Wong does a pratfall on Futurama, they use the exact same exclamation ("WHAA!!!") from VO Lauren Tom, despite the fact that she ususally records a new one for each episode.
 
Out of all the reused lines, I think my favorite would have to be "MY LEG!" from Spongebob. Despite how I've grown tired of the new episodes, that one cry always amuses me.
 
One I found somewhat annoying was Wart exclaiming 'WHOA-WHUT? WHOA!!' constantly during Disney's Sword in the Stone. It was a particulary jarring case since the voice acting for that character was pretty much all over the place during that film.

During regular animation though, I think there are cases where it's merely used for comedic effect. 'Ed, Edd n' Eddy' and 'Courage the Cowardly Dog' were particulary good at pulling it off without it becoming obnoxious.

"Fine! You can stay in there forever!" "...But it smells funny."
*4 episodes later*
"Actually Eddy, it's hip! it's now!.....but it smells funny."

And who doesn't crack up every time they hear that same 'gravy'' and 'where's my dinner'?
 
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