Regular Show: The Lost Tapes Creators on The Show’s Big Return in 2026

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Before the release of Regular Show: The Lost Tapes, a new series bringing back characters from the popular Cartoon Network show, we spoke with creator and voice actor J.G. Quintel (who voices Mordecai) and fellow voice actor Sam Marin (who voices Benson, Pops, and Muscle Man). We discussed the show’s return after almost ten years and what made this the right moment to bring it back.

Watch our interview with the creators below:

Regular Show: The Lost Tapes is being presented as a continuation of the original Regular Show, rather than a direct sequel, though it’s still unclear exactly how it connects to the main series. Creator J.G. Quintel is holding back details until the premiere on May 11th. There’s a lot of anticipation surrounding the show, and while we didn’t want to press Quintel and Marin for spoilers, they were happy to discuss what’s coming up.

The Mystery Behind The Lost Tapes

The eighth season of Regular Show, titled ‘Regular Show in Space,’ aired in 2017 and felt like a satisfying conclusion to the series. However, when discussing the new episodes in ‘The Lost Tapes,’ creator J.G. Quintel explained their initial hesitation about continuing the show. Quintel said they initially thought the original run had provided a good ending, and they carefully considered whether to bring the series back before landing on an idea they were enthusiastic about.

Qintel didn’t reveal the specific idea, but it adds to the overall mysterious atmosphere of The Lost Tapes, leaving viewers curious.

You know, I was listening to Sam Marin talk about voicing characters like Benson and Pops, and he explained how he gets those distinct voices so easily. Basically, he said it’s just practice – the more he does it, the better he gets! But he also pointed out that each character is pretty different. One’s all energetic and upbeat, another is really close to my normal voice, and the last one is super raspy and gravelly. It’s cool how he finds those differences to make each character unique.

Marin explained that because the characters are so distinct, it’s relatively easy to switch between them. While the actors don’t typically record lines together, there are moments where she needs to quickly alternate between voices, which she finds enjoyable. What’s remarkable is that Marin can seamlessly transition between characters within a single recording, unlike many other shows that piece together separate recordings – it’s a genuinely impressive skill.

Bridging The Gap Between Old and New Fans

I asked J.G. Quintel what prompted the return of The Lost Tapes. He explained they’d already made over 250 episodes of the original series, and with many shows doing reboots, he and Sean Beckmann discussed how they could approach it differently. Quintel shared they’ve developed a concept they’re thrilled with, but wants viewers to experience it without knowing the details beforehand.

The original show first aired in 2010, and its original audience has grown up a lot since then. I was curious if the new series, The Lost Tapes, was created just for longtime fans, or if it aimed to attract new viewers as well. Quintel answered my question directly:

Honestly, we’re still making this show the same way we always have – for ourselves! When we first started, we weren’t trying to be like anyone else or second-guess what fans might want. We just wanted to make each other laugh. It really felt like being back in school, hanging out with your friends, throwing out ideas, and seeing what gets a reaction. We figured if we were amused, there had to be other people out there who felt the same way.

Quintel also mentioned that people of all ages enjoyed the show. He’s even met viewers who grew up with it and now share it with their own children, or who remember watching it with their parents when they were younger. Some even caught their parents secretly watching it themselves!

Marin explained that many people she meets at conventions tell her the show was something they enjoyed with their fathers. It’s a series that appeals to multiple generations, creating a shared experience for families.

Why Now is The Right Time For a Comeback

Regular Show was a highly praised animated series, receiving nominations for six Emmy Awards and seven Annie Awards. Many viewers consider it a standout show from the 2010s. With its recent return, I spoke with the show’s creators, Quintel and Marin, to find out what made this the right moment for its comeback.

Quintel explained that after an eight-year hiatus, revisiting ‘Regular Show’ felt right. Finishing the original series had been challenging, and they were hesitant to compromise its quality. However, they were surprised to learn the show still had a dedicated audience, even among a new generation of viewers who discovered it through streaming. Being away from the show for so long gave them a fresh perspective and allowed them to develop new ideas they hadn’t considered before, making the revival process exciting.

Marin reflected on his early work on ‘Regular Show,’ noting he didn’t fully appreciate how rare it was to create so many episodes and work with the same team for an extended period. He explained that subsequent projects typically had much shorter seasons – around ten episodes – making it difficult to maintain a consistent team for very long. He expressed excitement about revisiting ‘Regular Show’ and taking the time to truly appreciate the experience.

The first episode of Regular Show: The Lost Tapes will debut worldwide as a special half-hour program on May 11, 2026.

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2026-05-04 10:15