Animal Talking with Gary Whitta

{{Infobox television

| image = Animal Talking with Gary Whitta logo.png

| alt_name = {{Plainlist|

Animal Talking
Animal Talking with Gary Whitta

}}

| genre = {{Plainlist|

}}

| creator = {{Plainlist|

Gary Whitta

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| writer = {{Plainlist|

Gary Whitta

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| presenter = Gary Whitta

| starring = {{Plainlist|

Gary Whitta
Adam Nickerson

}}

| theme_music_composer = Kenny Fong

| opentheme = "Animal Talking Theme Music"

| num_seasons = 2

| num_episodes = 26

| list_episodes =

| executive_producer = Leah Whitta

| runtime = approx. 90-200 minutes

| network = {{Plainlist|

}}

| first_aired = {{Start date|2020|04|25}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2020|10|30}}

| editor = Adam Nickerson

| location = Animal Crossing: New Horizons

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Gary Whitta
Adam Nickerson

}}

Animal Talking: The Adventures of Gary Whitta (alternatively known as Animal Talking with Gary Whitta or simply Animal Talking) was a web television virtual talk show hosted by Gary Whitta on Twitch and executive produced by Leah Whitta. The show was livestreamed entirely from a talk show set built in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Animal Talking premiered on April 25, 2020. It features Adam Nickerson as the bandleader.

The show only lasted for 2 seasons with 25 episodes, and ended on October 10, 2020.

Background

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Gary Whitta began streaming himself playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons daily a month before Animal Talking began, in the form of Animal Crossing Mornings. The show helped the channel gain a growing audience and identity. During his playthrough, Whitta came up with an idea to create a talk show set that paid homage to his favorite shows of the genre, such as The Tonight Show, The Larry Sanders Show, and Between Two Ferns.{{Cite web|title=We speak with Gary Whitta on the creation of 'Animal Talking,' his talk show within 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons'|url=https://www.newsweek.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-talk-show-talking-gary-whitta-interview-1501506|last=EDT|first=Phillip Martinez On 5/1/20 at 2:55 PM|date=2020-05-01|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=2020-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518194222/https://www.newsweek.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-talk-show-talking-gary-whitta-interview-1501506|url-status=live}} A pilot episode was livestreamed in the set on April 25 with his friend and internet personality Naomi Kyle, which was well regarded by viewers. The show would later produce four more shows that week, before settling into a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule, with a permanent schedule at 7PM PT every Wednesday starting from episode 16.

In December 2020, during one of his Animal Crossing Mornings Twitch streams, Whitta announced he had no plans for new Animal Talking episodes in the foreseeable future by revealing he had redesigned the basement of his Animal Crossing home, where the Animal Talking set had been constructed. Whitta cited anxiety and stress around organizing the show on a weekly basis as his main reason for ending the show.{{Citation|last=Whitta|first=Gary|title=Gary Whitta on Twitch.TV|url=https://twitch.tv/garywhitta}}

Production

The show was filmed in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Gary's island of Kawaii. The set was put together with in-game furniture created by or gifted to the Whittas by viewers of the show. The in-game camera was used to film the show, although its limitations required the host avatar to move for better angles. Guests appeared on the show as Animal Crossing avatars, with the wardrobe supervised by Twitch streamer [https://www.twitch.tv/kate Kate Stark]. On the occasion that a guest did not play Animal Crossing, executive producer and Gary's wife Leah Whitta customized her own avatar to match the appearance of the guest and puppeteered them live as they spoke.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Animal Crossing talk show host Gary Whitta gives us a tour {{!}} Launcher Live FULL LIVE STREAM 5/6 |url=https://theglobalherald.com/news/animal-crossing-talk-show-host-gary-whitta-gives-us-a-tour-launcher-live-full-live-stream-5-6/ |access-date=2020-05-18 |website=The Global Herald |date=6 May 2020 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007042847/https://theglobalherald.com/news/animal-crossing-talk-show-host-gary-whitta-gives-us-a-tour-launcher-live-full-live-stream-5-6/ |url-status=live }} The production and guests spoke together through Discord.

Additional staff members included Adam Nickerson, who served as band leader and edited full episodes into ten minute highlight videos for the show's YouTube channel. The logo was designed by Chandana Ekanayake with Leah Whitta. The theme song was composed by Kenny Fong, and also credits Tom Young, Cameron Rose, Chris Petty, Desmond Splitter, Christian Lucy, and K.K. Slider.{{Citation|last=Whitta|first=Gary|title=Animal Talking Theme Music - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxj8w-1P_FE|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=2020-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518053047/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxj8w-1P_FE&list=WL&index=5|url-status=live}}

Due to the show's viral success, the show was approached by potential sponsors, cable television networks, and advertisers. However, Whitta rejected these opportunities, citing disinterest and stating, "As soon as it becomes cynical, monetized, or corporatized, I think the whimsy and authenticity of it will disappear."{{Cite web |last1=Forde |first1=Matthew |title=Interview: Why Rogue One screenwriter Gary Whitta started a talk show in Animal Crossing: New Horizons |work=Pocketgamer.biz |date=2020-05-05 |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/interview/73285/interview-gary-whitta-animal-talking/ |access-date=2020-05-15 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=2020-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517171318/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/interview/73285/interview-gary-whitta-animal-talking/ |url-status=live }}

=Format=

The show functioned similarly to its real-life counterparts. Each episode started with an opening sequence featuring Whitta's avatar performing various activities around his island, while Snowbike Mike announced that episode's guests. The theme song played in the background as Mike introduced Gary Whitta as the host, who greeted the audience, conversed with Nickerson, and delivered any news about the show.

Following the introduction, main segments included celebrity interviews, live musical performances, and stand-up comedy.{{Cite web|title=Gary Whitta Hosts A Talk Show From Within Animal Crossing: New Horizons|url=https://screenrant.com/gary-whitta-animal-crossing-talk-show/|last=Warman|first=Dylan|date=2020-04-27|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=2020-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508015335/https://screenrant.com/gary-whitta-animal-crossing-talk-show/|url-status=live}} While interviews dived into the life of the guests, much of the conversation revolved around gaming and Animal Crossing. At the end of the show, each guest was invited to step up to a mic to deliver a joke, and the best joke among the guests was determined through chat poll votes from the live audience.

A segment Danny's Diary featuring Danny Trejo first aired its debut episode on 8 June.{{Cite web|title=Danny Trejo Joins Animal Crossing Talk Show as a Regular Correspondent|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/danny-trejo-gary-whitta-animal-crossing-talk-show/|last=Deschamps|first=Marc|date=May 19, 2020|website=Comicbook.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20|archive-date=2020-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526192742/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/danny-trejo-gary-whitta-animal-crossing-talk-show/|url-status=live}} The first episode followed Trejo's avatar giving Nickerson a tour of his own island.

Episodes

=Season 1=

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{{episode table|overall=4|season=4|airdate=17|guests=40|musicalguests=25|background=883A7C|episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=1

|EpisodeNumber2=1

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|04|25}}

|Guests= Naomi Kyle

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=2

|EpisodeNumber2=2

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|04|26}}

|Guests=Leah Whitta, Tanya

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=3

|EpisodeNumber2=3

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|04|27}}

|Guests=Kate Stark

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=4

|EpisodeNumber2=4

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|04|29}}

|Guests=Mike Drucker, Mary Kish

|MusicalGuests=Raquel Lily

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=5

|EpisodeNumber2=5

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|01}}

|Guests=Felicia Day, Leah Whitta

|MusicalGuests=DJ Cupcakes

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=6

|EpisodeNumber2=6

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|04}}

|Guests=Jordan Mechner, Hugh Howey

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=7

|EpisodeNumber2=7

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|06}}

|Guests=iJustine, Mike Krahulik & Jerry Holkins, Joey Noelle

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=8

|EpisodeNumber2=8

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|08}}

|Guests=Colin Trevorrow, Emily Carmichael

|MusicalGuests=Ryan Miller (Guster)

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=9

|EpisodeNumber2=9

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|11}}

|Guests=Greg Miller, Chuck Wendig, Samantha Ruddy

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=10

|EpisodeNumber2=10

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|13}}

|Guests= T-Pain, Chastity Vicencio

|MusicalGuests=Very Handsome Billy

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=11

|EpisodeNumber2=11

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|14}}

|Guests=Danny Trejo, Elijah Wood, Greg Grunberg, Jessica

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=12

|EpisodeNumber2=12

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|15}}

|Guests=Tim Schafer, What's Good Games

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=13

|EpisodeNumber2=13

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|18}}

|Guests=Cliff Bleszinski, Tom Nichols, LDShadowLady

|MusicalGuests=DJ Cupcakes

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=14

|EpisodeNumber2=14

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|20}}

|Guests=Duncan Jones, Paul Scheer

|MusicalGuests=The Dapper Rapper

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=15

|EpisodeNumber2=15

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|05|22}}

|Guests=David Mandel, Rebekah Valentine

|MusicalGuests= N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

=Season 2=

{{hidden begin

|title = List of episodes

|titlestyle = background:#D0A9F5;

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{{episode table|overall=4|season=4|airdate=17|guests=40|musicalguests=25|background=883A7C|episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=16

|EpisodeNumber2=–

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|06|07}}

|Guests= Noel Clarke, Amy Okuda, Kahlief Adams, Deejay Knight, iamBrandon, Tanya, Riana, Panda Bair, Dripping Honey, and Raquel Lily

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary= Special 6 hour episode in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and to raise money for Color of Change.

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=17

|EpisodeNumber2=1

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|06|24}}

|Guests=Sting, Kevin Smith and Marc Bernardin

|MusicalGuests=That Violin Chick

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=18

|EpisodeNumber2=2

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|07|01}}

|Guests=Shaggy, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Jimmy O. Yang and Kiki Wolfkill

|MusicalGuests=N/A

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=19

|EpisodeNumber2=3

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|07|08}}

|Guests=Simu Liu, Shannon Woodward

|MusicalGuests=Shawn Wasabi and Sophia Black

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=20

|EpisodeNumber2=4

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|07|15}}

|Guests=Josh Gad, Matthew Mercer, Alex Winter

|MusicalGuests=Cavetown and Tessa Violet

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=21

|EpisodeNumber2=5

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|07|22}}

|Guests=Brie Larson, DrLupo, Friskk

|MusicalGuests=Kenny Fong

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=22

|EpisodeNumber2=6

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|07|29}}

|Guests=Susan Orlean, Justin Roiland

|MusicalGuests=The Elwins

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=23

|EpisodeNumber2=7

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|08|05}}

|Guests=Selena Gomez, Cory Barlog, Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Shannon Woodward

|MusicalGuests=Selena Gomez and Trevor Daniel

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=24

|EpisodeNumber2=8

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|08|12}}

|Guests=Phil Spencer, Lisa Loeb, Dylan Sprouse

|MusicalGuests=Lisa Loeb

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=25

|EpisodeNumber2=9

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|10|24}}

|Guests=Shroud, Kate Stark

|MusicalGuests=Gorillaz

|ShortSummary=

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber=26

|EpisodeNumber2=10

|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2020|10|30}}

|Guests=Mike Shinoda, iJustine, Lisa Loeb, Greg Miller, Matthew Mercer, Mike Krahulik, Jerry Holkins, Paul Scheer, Naomi Kyle, Friskk

|MusicalGuests=Rebekah Valentine

|ShortSummary=Special "Halloween Spooktacular" episode.

|LineColor=883A7C

}}

Reception

The show was well received by viewers. Animal Talking was featured on the Twitch homepage, with its fourth episode reaching over 12,000 viewers, reaching number 14 on the site's most watched streams that day.{{Cite web |last1=Gerblick |first1=Jordan |title=Screenwriter Gary Whitta talks origins and plans for Animal Crossing: New Horizons talk show |work=GamesRadar |date=2020-05-02 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/screenwriter-gary-whitta-talks-origins-and-plans-for-animal-crossing-new-horizons-talk-show/ |language=en |access-date=2020-05-15 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=2020-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518105921/https://www.gamesradar.com/screenwriter-gary-whitta-talks-origins-and-plans-for-animal-crossing-new-horizons-talk-show/ |url-status=live }} Episode 10 pulled in a total of 339,000 individual viewers,{{Cite web|title=ANIMAL TALKING WITH DANNY TREJO, ELIJAH WOOD, GREG GRUNBERG|url=https://www.twitch.tv/garywhitta/video/621362367|website=Twitch|access-date=2020-05-18}} while Episode 11 reached 18,000 concurrent viewers, a record for the show.

The Verge proclaimed Animal Talking as "2020's Hottest Late-Night Talk Show." Touching on the uniqueness of the concept, Megan Farokhmanesh highlighted the pros of the show taking place in the video game: "On any other talk show, it would be an agonizing minute and a half of mistakes. Here, it's what makes Animal Talking so special."{{Cite web |last1=Farokhmanesh |first1=Megan |title=Late night's hottest talk show is in Animal Crossing |work=The Verge |date=2020-05-14 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/14/21257183/animal-talking-new-horizons-elijah-wood-danny-trejo-gary-whitta-late-night-show |language=en |access-date=2020-05-15 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=2020-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515023133/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/14/21257183/animal-talking-new-horizons-elijah-wood-danny-trejo-gary-whitta-late-night-show |url-status=live }} Screen Rant{{'}}s Christopher Teuton commented that "while most (...) traditional late-night talk show hosts are currently filming (...) and holding interviews over live chat services like Zoom, it's refreshing and unique to see the same format translated so perfectly here inside of Animal Crossing: New Horizons." He praised Whitta's skill as an interviewer and host, saying, "his conversations with Hollywood celebrities, musical geniuses, and video game enthusiasts are almost always just as enjoyable as those of his professional late night show counterparts, if not more so."{{Cite web|title=Animal Talking Is The Best Video Game Television Combo Ever|url=https://screenrant.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-television-show-gary-whitta/|date=2020-05-15|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=2020-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515050650/https://screenrant.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-television-show-gary-whitta/|url-status=live}}