The Actors of Mr. Whittaker

[Metal15]

Hal's my fave, I think he's the best Whit.

[Pound Foolish]

People always knock the "noob" as the poll puts it. First people complained about the Washingtons, but now they aren't new anymore, what do you know, everyone loves them.

It's hard not to see people prefer Hal not because he was the best, but because he happened to be the first. Or the "classic" or the one who "set the role of Whit" as some said. But, if I may make up a metaphor, the apple you pick first isn't necessarily the best. Especially if Glossman contaminates it.

None of the Whits are noticeably better actors, or more genuinely kind sounding, or fit their character better. All of them are selected by the AIO team and are the best we could hope for. Andre plays a gentler Whit, with a genuine sweetness and an occasional distinctive growly drawl to his voice. That's not better or worse than Hal's lively delivery or Paul's, only different. It shows a new side of Whit. All the Whits show a distinctive side of him and do it effectively.

[Helios]

Personally I prefer Paul simply because he's the toughest of them all. But Hal and Andre both have their strong points. And Andre delivered well in the GRC. He just takes a little getting used to. (I will add, however, that I once disliked him so strongly that to call someone "the Stojka Whit" was just about the biggest insult possible. I have since warmed up to him and now like him as well as any of the other Whits, though I'm still miffed at Paul for up and dying)

[TigerShadow]

Paul. Definitely Paul.

I think PF has a point in saying that none of them are objectively better than the other—their acting is great and their chemistry with their co-actors is wonderful for all three. I think what it comes down to is which actor you grew up with and which era you lean towards. The people who grew up on the older episodes or like those episodes better prefer Hal, the people like me who grew up largely in the Novacom and post-Novacom era or who listen to those episodes most often prefer Paul, and the people who are just experiencing Odyssey or lean more toward the relaunch prefer Andre. So I like Paul's Whit better—not because Hal or Andre have played Whit poorly in comparison, but because I grew up with Paul, I'm most familiar with his Whit, and that's the Whit voice I'll remember the most—especially because I prefer to listen to albums 30-50.

[John Henry]

Paul Herlinger shows a more serious character. Hal is too goofy and sometimes too angry while Andre - we need to get used to him (he sounds like Bernard )

[MilkandEggs]

So I like Paul's Whit better—not because Hal or Andre have played Whit poorly in comparison, but because I grew up with Paul, I'm most familiar with his Whit, and that's the Whit voice I'll remember the most—especially because I prefer to listen to albums 30-50.

Well said, and I prefer listening to those as well, but I also love the volumes in between the two Whits

[TigerShadow]

Agreed. The Jack-and-Jason era was one of the best.

[The Old Judge]

The people who grew up on the older episodes or like those episodes better prefer Hal, the people like me who grew up largely in the Novacom and post-Novacom era or who listen to those episodes most often prefer Paul, and the people who are just experiencing Odyssey or lean more toward the relaunch prefer Andre.

Not to contradict you Tiger, (Would you happen to be TigerintheShadows off the ToO?), but it not so much what era you started listening in, but what era you started listening to. I started listening to AIO in December of 2009, as I have often said, and that was an interim period. But the first four albums were given to me, and I worked up from there. Because I listened to the series from the beginning, I have a special reserved place in my heart for Hal Smith's role, even though I started listening to the series during the interim period between Herlinger and Stojka.

[TigerShadow]

The people who grew up on the older episodes or like those episodes better prefer Hal, the people like me who grew up largely in the Novacom and post-Novacom era or who listen to those episodes most often prefer Paul, and the people who are just experiencing Odyssey or lean more toward the relaunch prefer Andre.

Not to contradict you Tiger, (Would you happen to be TigerintheShadows off the ToO?), but it not so much what era you started listening in, but what era you started listening to. I started listening to AIO in December of 2009, as I have often said, and that was an interim period. But the first four albums were given to me, and I worked up from there. Because I listened to the series from the beginning, I have a special reserved place in my heart for Hal Smith's role, even though I started listening to the series during the interim period between Herlinger and Stojka.

Point taken, though I meant my post more in the general sense of "the era you started listening to first" rather than actual chronology (different wording would have been in order, methinks).

Yes, I am in fact TigerintheShadows, though I took the liberty of choosing a less ungainly username when I joined here.

[Mandy]

Which is your favorite actor who played Mr. Whittaker? Who do you think did the best job, whose voice do you like best, which actor sounds the most like you think Whit should sound? Just thought it'd be interesting to hear other thoughts on that.

[Bethany Shepard]

I like Hal Smith the most. I think Paul Herlinger did a good job, but Hal just had a wise, grandfatherly charm to him. (And I don't like Andre Stojka at all. Go ahead. Judge. )

[Mandy]

LOL. My judgement is that you are exactly right! At least what you said about Andre Stojka. But I like Paul Herlinger the best. I loved his voice. He just sounded so wise and kind. Hal was awesome too, I loved his laugh! But I still like Paul better. And Andre... he just is NOT whit. His voice is so different and he doesn't sound wise enough to be Mr. Whittaker.

[Paula]

I like Hal Smith the most. I think Paul Herlinger did a good job, but Hal just had a wise, grandfatherly charm to him. (And I don't like Andre Stojka at all. Go ahead. Judge. )

*Judges Bethanna*

But I do agree. Listening to AIO episodes with different actors for Mr. Whittaker is annoying tho...
Example: I listened to the Novacom saga, and then listened to The Ties That Bind...It gets weird when you get used to a certain voice for a certain character and then it changes...Drastically.

[Miss Friendship]

I like Paul Herlinger the best... but that's probably because I like the time period he covered the best. The children, excepting a few, during the Hal Smith time weren't as interesting as the next set. Although two of my favorite episodes "Suspicious Minds" and "A License to Drive" happened during that time. I think Eugene and Connie had a charm about them longer ago that's missing now... maybe cause we didn't know as much about them.

[Blitz]

I like Paul Herlinger the best though Hal Smith was the first person I listened to. I think he sounds much more friendly. They do change Whit a bit each time they change his actor I think.

[Novatom]

Paul Herlinger and Hal Smith were basically the same, but Paul Herlinger was at a time where the episodes were better, so I think that influenced my decision. And Hal Smith has this weird way of saying "Oh" at the beginning of a sentence that kind of annoys me. Andre Stoika's voice is just strange and not Whit.

[Pound Foolish]

Andre Stoika's voice is just strange and not Whit.

Just strange? Do you also dislike Owl's voice?

[Novatom]

Andre Stoika's voice is just strange and not Whit.

Just strange? Do you also dislike Owl's voice?

His voice isn't like the other Whits. Of course I shouldn't be complaining, because in order for AIO to continue there would have to be Whit, and Andre Stoika is a good actor. He's not bad or anything, he just doesn't compare with the others because his voice is different. And I haven't heard him play owl on Whinnie the Pooh, if that's what you're talking about.

[The Old Judge]

Novatom's comment brings to light something I have pondered for a while now. Andre Stojka has played our beloved Mr. Whittaker for five long years now. Andre has grown on me. I am getting into his style of vocalization, and I truly enjoy it now. Yet many people do not feel this way. Stojka has just a long list of experience and credentials as did the other two. He is more of a successor to Hal Smith than Paul was, taking up the proverbial mantle in several of his other roles. Am I the only one who has developed a fondness for Andre, or are you all just suppressing your feelings?

[Miss Friendship]

I don't think anyone is denying the fact that Andre is a very talented actor... that's not the point. The point is that he isn't "Whit" to us. Or rather, a different Whit than what was portrayed before... which for many fans is hard to accept.