For fans of myself and voice actor, Steve Blum, this post will serve as a peek behind the internet mayhem we sporadically released from the recording studio of The Hub’s “Transformers: Rescue Bots.” For the rest of you, it’ll just seem plain bizarre.
I had mentioned to Steve that I planned to put all our Photoshop joke pictures into a video as a simple recap of the fun we had. But I was fooling myself.
I have a disease.
And I haven’t done a Tweaked Nipple video or Hit-The-Fan film short in forever! I texted the other voice actors to send me what pictures and videos they had so I could concoct something grander.
They obliged.
I concocted.
Now you get to feast your eyes and ears on THIS:
(And, no, we’re not angling for a guest shot on “My Little Pony!” They only hire Canadians, those poopie heads.)
A Whimsical Roll Call of Griffin Rock’s Finest
On the fog‑clad island of Griffin Rock, a team of first responders — some human, some decidedly metallic — keep things safe while occasionally engaging in comedic banter with alarm clocks. Let’s meet them, shall we?
The Burns Family (Humans Who Can Fly…Sort Of)
Dani Burns (voiced by Lacey Chabert) is the helicopter pilot and eldest sister whose calm demeanor can out‑hover a hummingbird. She also occasionally voiced background characters, proving that multi‑tasking is a Burns trait.
Cody Burns (voiced by Élan Garfias) is the youngest sibling, always eager to help and often serving as translator between humans and robots — think of him as Griffin Rock’s bilingual teen ambassador.
Chief Charlie Burns (voiced by Maurice LaMarche) commands the family and the town’s emergency services. His resonant voice lends authority whether he’s directing traffic or debating the ethics of alien technology.
Kade Burns (voiced by Jason Marsden) is the hot‑headed firefighter who believes sirens should be set to eleven. When not rescuing kittens, he sometimes plays other bit parts like Salvage, showcasing a surprising range.
Graham Burns (voiced by Shannon McKain) is the engineering‑minded brother who would rather fix a bridge than jump off it. He moonlights as Jerry or other incidental citizens because, in animation, why hire twice?
The Rescue Bots (Mechanical Heroes in Disguise)
Heatwave (voiced by Steve Blum) transforms into a fire engine and leads the team with all the seriousness of a kettle about to boil. He also occasionally provides the voice of Mr. Alper and other locals, because vocal cords are clearly modular.
Blades (voiced by Parvesh Cheena) is a helicopter who loves heights but hates turbulence — a contradiction that makes him endearing. When not saving the day, he doubles as Mr. Sharma, proving versatility extends even to helicopters.
Chase (voiced by D.C. Douglas) is a police car who speaks in procedural jargon and believes parking violations are a cardinal sin. He occasionally lends his pipes to the town’s lifeguard or ferry rider, because law enforcement is a side gig.
Boulder (voiced by Imari Williams) is a gentle giant and construction vehicle who enjoys rock gardening and poetry. He sometimes voices nameless workers or ghost soldiers, which sounds like a hobby only a Transformer would have.
The Brainy Bunch
Doc Greene (voiced by LeVar Burton) is the resident scientist whose inventions range from useful to accidentally dimension‑warping. His daughter Francine “Frankie” Greene (voiced by Diamond White) often assists him when she isn’t inadvertently unleashing robots.
Huxley Prescott and Mayor Luskey (both voiced by Jeff Bennett) provide commentary and bureaucratic challenges respectively, showing that even in a world of sentient machines, local politics and sensational journalism survive.
High‑Profile Guest Stars (Because Even Robots Need Celebrity Cameos)
Mark Hamill dropped by as Woodrow Burns, the eccentric uncle convinced there are aliens beneath Griffin Rock. According to a Hub Network press release, his episode “What Lies Below” paired him with a certain Autobot leader.
Peter Cullen, the iconic voice of Optimus Prime, reprised his role in select episodes, reminding viewers why having a giant robot mentor makes your family barbecue infinitely cooler.
Tim Curry, master of flamboyant villains, voiced Doctor Morocco — a time‑hopping mad scientist whose schemes involve more cravats than actual science. Curry’s official site confirms this delightfully evil credit.
Danica McKellar appeared as Hayley, a botanist whose expertise in snakes saves the day. Yes, the same Danica McKellar who once solved math problems on camera now solves serpent problems in animation.
Alex Kingston lent her voice to the Autobot secret agent Quickshadow in a handful of episodes, blending British poise with Cybertronian stealth.
Diedrich Bader turned up as Jules Verne in a time‑travel story that could only make sense on Griffin Rock, while veteran voice actor Michael Bell commanded the seas as the grizzled captain High Tide.
Why This Cast Works
The magic of Transformers: Rescue Bots lies in its ensemble: seasoned voice talent delivering heartfelt performances alongside legendary guest stars who drop in like meteorites. Whether it’s Chabert’s warm heroics, LaMarche’s paternal gravitas, or Hamill’s comedic eccentricity, each performance elevates what could have been a simple toy commercial into a genuinely charming series. For the full roster and episode breakdowns, explore the authoritative cast listing on IMDb.
So, next time your smoke alarm chirps, imagine it might be Heatwave calling, ready to save the day alongside a family of humans, a few celebrity relatives, and a talking police car who insists you wear your seatbelt. That’s Griffin Rock — absurd, earnest, and never ending with “in conclusion.”
