The following is an interview from KaBlam! Wiki bureaucrat/founder YouGottaBigBand with Henry and June creator Mark Marek, that was originally published on December 13, 2015. It has been edited for typos and clarity.
KaBlam! Wiki: What got you interested in animation?
Mark Marek: I've been interested in animation ever since I was [interested] in art and drawing, as a young child.
KW: What were your favorite cartoons as a kid?
MM: Jonny Quest, early Looney Tunes, early Popeye, the first two Peanuts specials (Christmas and Halloween)
KW: Any inspirations for your work?
MM: George Herriman, Red Grooms, Mark Beyer, Gary Panter.
KW: Where did you study?
MM: University of Texas [at] Austin.
KW: How did you get booked for KaBlam! on Nickelodeon and how did you create Henry and June?
MM: I sent a demo tape of rough animations to some art directors I was familiar with at Nickelodeon (via my illustration career) and they asked if I'd be interested in animating for the show.
KW: What animation was Henry and June done? Flash or traditional?
MM: A proprietary mix. Drawn on paper, scanned and then animated in Macromedia Director, the precursor to Flash.
KW: Why a name like Crank-It-Out! Inc.?
MM: I liked the (tongue-in-cheek) concept of a studio [whose] main goal was to get the work done quickly without too much regard for quality. Other possible names were ASAP, Inc., and Get It Done, Inc.
KW: What was it like to work with Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi, the creators of The Adventures of Pete & Pete and Action League Now!?
MM: Great guys to work with. Very smart.
KW: Ever met or worked with Noah Segan and Julia [McIlvaine]; the voices of Henry and June?
MM: Yes, I often voice directed them. In fact, long story short, I met Julia's family [in 2010] when I bought their house in [Los Angeles].
KW: In general, what's your favorite KaBlam! episode or Henry and June segment? And what's your favorite KaBlam! segment other than Henry and June?
MM: I liked the later episodes.
KW: Did you do any voices in KaBlam!?
MM: Yes, very small parts.
KW: In the episode "Resistance is Futile" you were credited as Dr. Ferdinand Blem. Why is that?
MM: I supplied his voice.
KW: Any fun experiences working with [Noah and Julia]?
MM: ... They were both a lot like the characters they portrayed; Julia being very quick-witted and Noah just a bit slower, enough to fall for the occasional prank.
KW: To your perspective, why did KaBlam! end or [get] canceled?
MM: Four seasons is a pretty standard run for a successful show. Because of the difficult prospects for licensing products from the show with so many contributors [involved], there wasn't much [inspiration, monetarily], for Nickelodeon to produce more episodes. Boils down to making money.
KW: Were you aware that you have the same name as the creator of a pornographic site called Bestgore.com?
MM: Yes, an unfortunate coincidence. Almost considered changing my name.
KW: What was the purpose of The Henry and June Show? If picked up as a series, was it going to have two 11-minute episodes or half hour episodes like KaBlam!?
MM: It was meant to be a pilot that would lead to spinning Henry and June off into their own half-hour show.
KW: You did a project for Howard Stern. What was it and when did it air?
MM: Howard was trying to find a director for an animated show based on his early years. I was one of the directors he talked with and animated a short test. As far as I know, the project died on the vine somewhere along the line.
KW: You were involved with Saul of the Mole Men. What was your position on the show?
MM: I was a special effects animator using [Adobe] After Effects to composite green screen shots with graphics.
KW: How did you get involved with Warner Bros. Animation?
MM: A fellow I'd known for years (Peter Girardi, who also brought me into Crank Yankers and Saul work) is development head at WB. He brought me in to work on MAD.
KW: You [were] a producer for Cartoon Network's MAD animated series. How did you get booked for it and what was it like working with Kevin Shinick?
MM: Kevin was great. Very talented writer and actor.
KW: Any advice for an animator?
MM: Learn the digital platforms and develop [your] own style. Don't try to join the usual ranks of animators.