voiceover Tag

November 24, 2025 In Blog

Shapiro Voices Dutch AFV

Greg Shapiro Voices Dutch AFV as “LOHV” on SBS6

24 November, 2025
It started in 1990 as AFV: “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” In the Netherlands, it’s called LOHV “Lachen Om Home Video’s” – now with voiceovers by me, Greg Shapiro.

In the US, there’s a presenter – originally Bob Saget – who also narrates the video clips. In the Dutch version, there’s a Dutch presenter – who does NOT narrate the video clips. Apparently they tried that, but it ruined the humor. The only way the American videos get laughs is if the narrator is American as well.

Over the years, Disney has sent their clips to the Dutch broadcasters at Talpa with US presenters like Saget (RIP), Richard Kind, Steve Carell, Tom Bergeron, and currently Alfonso Ribeiro. But then came the licensing trouble with using the voice internationally. And that is what I got the call!

Shapiro Voices BeachBoys Documentary

During the audition, I tried a couple options: very American, but also very dry – a bit more British. In the end, they chose for the dry, sardonic voice – with the occasional over-the-top American announcer thrown in. We call it “Couch Commentary.” Somewhere between David Spade and John Cleese.

 

Writing on the fly

In the studio, we sometimes have to change the jokes. Like when they refer to the presenter, personally. But also the text sometimes gives away the joke. These days, when everyone is watching Instagram reels and TikTok videos of stupid people doing stupid things, the set up can be very minimal.

It reminds me of the time I did a column for BNR Nieuwsradio. The presenters are Dutch and the whole show is in Dutch. But they wanted me to speak in English. We tried it with both of us in Dutch, but it didn’t really work. Both of us in English? Also no. Just for fun, see tried it with questions in Dutch and answers in English. That is what worked. That’s the only version that worked.

In 2025, America’s Funniest Videos celebrates its 35th anniversary. In the Netherlands, you’ll be hearing my voice doing the narrating. Thanks to INC International Native Casting for getting me the gig!

Lachen Om Home Video’s
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachen_om_Home_Video%27s

 

Greg Shapiro DEMO Actor / Voiceover

Actor / Voiceover

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April 12, 2022 In Blog

Greg Shapiro – Commercial & Character Voiceovers

Greg Shapiro – Commercial & Character Voiceovers
12 April, 2022

Many people know me as the voice of Trump in the ‘Netherlands Second’ video – which is great. But it’s also making me lose jobs.

So for everyone who has labeled me as ‘too comedic’ (business event), or ‘too crude’ (corporate video), here is an updated DEMO: ‘Greg Shapiro: Commercial and Character Voiceovers.’
Please note: ‘Commercial’ FIRST. ‘Character’ SECOND.

The Menu:
– ‘WILD’ nature film. (Dutch Voiceover: Andre van Duijn. English Voiceover: Greg Shapiro.)
– SHELL ‘New Energy Challenge’ Radio & TV, Netherlands.
– RABOBANK ‘Growing a Better World Together’ Radio & internet, Netherlands. 
– CHICKEN TONIGHT ‘The Terry Stinger Show’ Radio & TV, Netherlands.
– THEATER CARRé ‘Pippin / Broadway aan de Amstel’ series. Radio & TV, Netherlands.
– MEDIA MARKT ‘ePro TV’ Internal.
– DE WERELD DRAAIT DOOR. ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light (Baseball Announcer).’ TV, Netherlands.
– ZONDAG MET LUBACH. ‘Netherlands Second’ video. TV Netherlands + Internet. 

That’s all the time I had for the demo. But so you know, I’ve also done the following Voiceovers:

– FRIESLAND MARKETING. ‘Fascinating Friesland,’ Internet.
– ALLIANZ DIRECT. (Dutch Voiceover: Jeroen van Koningsbrugge. English Voiceover: Greg Shapiro.)
– TELE2. Frank the Sheep. Internet.
– SANYO. Explainer video, ULT freezers. Internal.
– RANDSTAD. 50th Anniversary Podcast Host. Internal.
– WAKA WAKA Power. Host / Voiceover. Internet.
– THE QUICKEST QUIZ. Quiz App. Host / Voiceover. GooglePlay / App Store.
– CITIZEN M. Annual General Mtg. Host / Voiceover. Internal Livestream.
– PRINGLES. ‘Spanish Salsa.’ Radio, NL.
– COCA COLA. ‘Happiness Factory.’ Internal.

And last but not least. One of the first voiceover jobs I got in the Netherlands was back in 1994 for Gatorade. It was a tagline: “Gatorade. Because water just ain’t wet enough.” I gave it my most over-the-top, American DJ delivery. It was for a Dutch radio commercial, and it got a lot of airtime. 

In 1999, I was getting ready to get married to a Dutch woman – when I mentioned I had done that Gatorade voiceover. She recoiled in horror: “That was YOU?” The marriage was almost called off.

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