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After 10 years, ‘Phineas and Ferb’ returns with a new season and more musical moments

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Jaret Reddick recollects his initial encounter with Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh. He had made a trip to L.A., as Povenmire and Marsh were keen on having Reddick, the frontman of the pop-punk band Bowling for Soup, perform the theme song for their upcoming animated series titled “Phineas and Ferb“.

The meeting turned out successfully, giving Reddick the opportunity not only to perform the theme song “Today’s Going to Be a Terrific Day,” but also landing him the role as the vocalist for Danny, the frontman of the in-show band Love Händel.

Reddick remembers saying as he left, “Wow, I really admire those people. I truly wish their show will succeed.

Since its debut in 2007, “Phineas and Ferb” has proven to be the most successful children’s and tween animated series ever produced by Disney Television Animation. The show, featuring brothers Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (David Errigo Jr.) as they spend their 104 days of summer vacation inventing and building amazing things, spanned four seasons and produced numerous films, including the 2020 release “Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe.

10 years following the finale of its fourth season, the show is back for a fifth installment this Thursday at 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Disney Channel. The initial 10 episodes of the new season will be available on Disney+ starting Friday. A majority of the primary voice actors have returned, including Dan Povenmire (Martella), Ashley Tisdale (Candace), and Caroline Rhea (Linda, the boys’ consistently calm mother).

In the latest series installment, creators Povenmire and Marsh stuck with the proven recipe for success, where the characters continually dream up fresh and more imaginative ways to amuse themselves. As expressed by Povenmire himself, who lends his voice to the show’s bumbling antagonist Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, “I believe there are numerous episodes this season that will become viewers’ all-time favorites.

Just as Phineas and Ferb were consistent in planning their daily adventures, Marsh was certain about Disney’s expectations for the show’s comeback. “They essentially wanted more of the same,” Marsh explains. “The show had been successful before, and it had a kind of timeless quality. It wasn’t dependent on current events or trends. Our main goal was to keep innovating within the boundaries we had established and continue pushing the creative limits.

For the upcoming season, there’s been a shift in our writers’ room, as it now comprises writers who were fans of the show while growing up. Additionally, Olivia Olson, known for voicing Vanessa Doofenshmirtz on the series and singing “All I Want for Christmas is You” in “Love Actually,” has joined the writing team. Olson reveals that this new position legitimizes her previous unofficial role of learning from her father, Martin Olson, who wrote for the show during its initial run. Now, they form a collaborative writing duo on the series.

She expresses that there’s significantly more of Vanessa in this latest season, speaking with a chuckle. It’s thrilling for her to script for her own character, witnessing the narratives she envisioned for her unfold, and she’s gained an immense amount of knowledge from the experience. Returning to write alongside her father is equally exciting for her.

From its inception, the music of the show has been instrumental in distinguishing it from others. As Olson puts it, “Phineas and Ferb never fail to come up with something fresh and unique each day.” The music, he explains, reflects this spirit of creativity.

Marsh reminisces about an initial episode that included the tune “Let’s Take a Rocket Ship to Space,” a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Initially, there were concerns among executives that the show’s core audience wouldn’t understand it, but this proved unfounded. As the program gained traction, so did its music that spans numerous genres. “From country and rock, to pop and opera, even big band and rap – it covers a wide range,” Marsh explains. “The tunes advance the narrative, aiming to provide laughter while also revealing character insights.

At Bowling for Soup concerts, Reddick mentions that along with popular tracks like “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” and “1985”, fans eagerly request the performance of their beloved theme song. He explains, “It’s incredibly catchy.” He continues, “Somehow we created a song that resonates with everyone. It’s adored by all.

Dan Povenmire and Jeff ‘Swampy’ Marsh, co-creators of ‘Phineas and Ferb’, are seen working in their studio. According to Marsh, the songs serve not only to advance the plot but also to bring humor while revealing character traits.” (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / Disney)

Initially, during the early stages of the show, creators Povenmire and Marsh asked Danny Jacob, the series composer and song producer, to ignore their calls so they could leave their newest songs as messages on his answering machine instead. According to Marsh, “We sounded like a group of college fraternity boys recording into a cassette recorder.

Although they’ve upgraded their technology, their method for handling the show’s music remains consistent. Jay Stutler, a high-ranking executive in music at Disney Television Animation, has been part of the production since its debut. “That pilot was the most enjoyable project I’ve ever worked on,” he recalls. Povenmire and Marsh introduced a musical style that “took risks and delved into some truly rare musical references from various corners of the globe.

He notes that no other show managed to pull off what this particular show did so well, which is making a song adaptable to whatever form it requires.

In the sixth episode of this season, titled “Lord of the Firesides,” one tale showcases the Girl Scout-like group, the Fireside Girls, transforming into wild and untamed beings, much like in the classic William Golding novel. The episode features the aggressive song “Watch It Burn.” As Povenmire explains, it’s a loud, intense song for the most adorable girls imaginable. He describes it as the hardest-rocking tune that could ever grace the Disney Channel.

In a humorous manner, Tisdale – known for her roles in the “High School Musical” series – tells her agent she now only wants “please provide iconic roles.” Famous for singing hits like “Busted” and “Gitchee Gitchee Goo” from the show, Tisdale is thrilled to voice Candace again. She finds Candace’s character delightful, describing her as a wild sister who’s always trying to pull pranks on her brothers. Tisdale adds that she feels Candace simply yearns to be noticed.

During its fifth season, Candace has turned sixteen, a year older than when the series initially aired. Alongside a modernized phone, this new phase of Candace’s life includes learning to drive, obtaining her driver’s license, and attending therapy sessions, as Tisdale notes, “it’s something she really needs.

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Michael Bublé guest stars in “Phineas and Ferb”

Apart from the original voice actors, Povenmire and Marsh have secured numerous well-known guest stars for the show. They’re thrilled about who they managed to land: Brendan Hunt, Alan Cumming, John Stamos, Leslie Jones, Anna Faris, Cristo Fernández, Megan Rapinoe, Meghan Trainor, Jonathan Banks, Rhys Darby, Ruth Negga, and Michael Bublé. In a beach concert, Bublé performs as himself, serenading the audience with his music. Povenmire shares that Bublé texted him saying, “You would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the meeting with my manager when I told him that at this stage of my career, I wanted to sing a song called ‘Tropey McTropeface.’

The star musicians have always been a standout aspect of the program, and Povenmire fondly remembers when they composed “I Believe We Can,” which showcased performances by Clay Aiken and Chaka Khan in the 2010 episode “Summer Belongs to You.” It was then that they understood they needed Aiken and Khan for the joke to make sense. They managed to get them.

Despite their playful banter, the comeback of the series resonates deeply for the pair, who tirelessly pitched it for 13 years before Disney agreed to produce it. “Upon viewing the first episode, I found myself in tears and returned to the writers’ room,” Povenmire confessed. “It feels like Phineas and Ferb have returned. That’s the sentiment I want people to share. This show is back with a renewed passion.

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2025-06-05 13:33

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