With bright colors, snappy humor and catchy songs, Disney Channel’s latest animated series, “Kiff” evokes the endless fun and chaos of childhood, unlike any other age. The cartoon follows the energetic squirrel Kiff and her slightly anxious bunny-eared friend Barry, as they get into misadventures around their friendly and charming community of Table Town. From attending her first sleepover to escaping biker gangs on family road trips, the series doesn’t hold back on the many wacky scenarios Kiff and her friends fumble into. Created by Lucy Heavens and Nic Small, with Kimiko Glenn voicing Kiff, and H.Michael Crooner as Barry, the show hosts a multitude of talented voices; including Lauren Ash, Vella Lovell, Gary Anthony Williams, Nichole Sakura, Eugene Cordero, Kate Flannery, and more.
With the first episode of “Kiff” premiering tonight on Disney Channel, and on Disney XD at 8:00 p.m (EST/PST) and hitting Disney+, Character Media sat down with Glenn to get to the show’s nitty and nutty (get it?) details.
What are you most excited about for audiences to see in Kiff?
Glenn: We’ve been recording this for years so I’m [just] excited for people to see it. I’ve been so enthusiastic about this. I’ve been telling all my friends about it. No joke. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to because I personally am a fan of it.
There’s a new original song in every episode. Did you ever get a song stuck in your head? How did you deal with that?
Glenn: They all get stuck in my head. I have to sing them [and] I have to learn them. Therefore it marinates inside my brain [but] I don’t mind it. The only thing annoying about it is that I can’t see it all until a year later. It’s funny to have recorded these songs years ago, and now finally [I’m] able to see it all.
Kiff is so rambunctious and she gets into a lot of mischief. Was there any time in your childhood, or do you have childhood memories of you acting similarly or someone near you getting into trouble like that?
That was me to a T. I think that’s part of the reason why my parents were like, “Maybe you should audition for a play or get this energy out somehow in a productive way.” I was very enthusiastic as a kid. I was always putting on shows, [and] getting into mischief all the time, but I was annoying. Not to say Kiff is annoying. I think she’s incredibly lovable and someone you want to watch gets into little adventures.
During your childhood, did you have a best friend like Kiff has Barry?
Glenn: Throughout my life, I’ve had my people. It’s so special being able to have those relationships as a kid and even as an adult. Having that sort of support system or camaraderie with a best friend is what life is all about.
You mentioned how you related to Kiff as a child. Are there any other characters you connect to as an adult in the series?
Glenn: I feel like I’m constantly evolving and trying to figure out what’s best for me and how to live as fully, gratefully, and happily as possible. That answer might change every six months because I feel like I identify as a different human every month.
What do you hope children take away from watching Kiff?
Glenn: I love this because there’s always something [the viewers] can learn from every episode, but it doesn’t force [the message]. It’s just something you glean from every episode in small little ways. When I saw [the show], I was like, “This is going to single-handedly shape a lot of the kids’ sense of humor,” and I think that is so valuable, because if you have a great sense of humor, it can make everything, even the hard things, better. I hope they enjoy watching it and have a sense of fun and ease about themselves once they’re done.
For our last question, there are so many little critters in this show, so if you could be one woodland creature, what would it be and why?
Glenn: I had said a pigeon yesterday, and there’s a definite storyline with pigeons that is just so funny. But also, flight, who doesn’t want to fly? I’ve had so many dreams about me flying and it’s euphoric.
