Considering the tremendous achievement of *Phineas and Ferb*, it’s hard to imagine a time when creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh had to battle for its inception and integrity. The Disney Channel series, which launched in 2007, produced 137 episodes over four seasons, resulting in two television films and video games. The characters became iconic, later appearing in memes as fans grew into TikTok users. With the debut of Disney+ in 2019, the series found renewed popularity on the platform, leading the studio to invite Povenmire and Marsh back for a fifth season, ten years after Season 4 wrapped up.
To celebrate the premiere of Season 5, the show’s creators appeared on Mashable for the *Say More* interview series. The complete interview can be found on YouTube. Below are some remarkable anecdotes about the show’s success.
*Phineas and Ferb* was a dream endeavor for 16 years prior to its debut. On the *Say More* couch, Povenmire and Marsh recounted how they pitched the series for 13 years while developing other animated programs like *Family Guy* and *Rocko’s Modern Life*. It took an additional three years in development before its Disney Channel launch. Throughout this time, they remained dedicated to their vision, proudly declaring the pilot was “the exact same show” they had proposed for years. However, bringing their dream show to life involved challenges, including one regarding their hero’s signature look.
Dan Povenmire’s ultimatum safeguarded Phineas’ appearance. “A friend once told me,” Povenmire shared, “that the greatest power you can wield in Hollywood as a creative is the ability to walk away. Know your line in the sand and say, ‘No, thank you.'” He recounted nearly stepping back when Disney executives suggested alterations after the pilot performed well, including redesigning characters to be “more appealing.” After several discussions, Povenmire informed an executive, “You can create whatever show you want, but if you want me to be involved, it has to be the show I pitched.” Following this, they were granted greater creative autonomy.
Marsh reflected, “We’d pitched it for 13 years, so the urgency was gone. We waited this long.” They stood up for aspects they believed in, trusting in the intelligence of their young audience. Fans recognized this faith, frequently expressing their appreciation.
Povenmire and Marsh pushed for addressing divorce and alimony in *Phineas and Ferb*. The series depicts a blended family, with Phineas and Ferb as stepbrothers. While Disney accepted the family dynamic, they initially resisted the term “divorce.” Marsh, personally touched by the subject, countered, “Half of your audience experiences such situations. You can’t label it as unmentionable.” Povenmire added, “If a viewer’s parents are divorcing, they’ll feel acknowledged.” Eventually, supportive executives concurred.
However, when they sought to include Doofenshmirtz receiving alimony, they encountered more meetings. Ultimately, they prevailed.
*Phineas and Ferb* was never exclusively for children. Disney feared the humor might “go over the heads” of younger viewers. Marsh explained, “We recognized there are parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents watching too.” Povenmire noted, “40% of our audience grew into adults, and that concern diminished.”
Reflecting on their experience, Marsh remarked, “I’m thankful it took 13 years to sell the show. We evolved, our reputations grew, and we learned to stand up for our beliefs. It all turned out perfectly.” For more insights from Povenmire and Marsh, catch the full *Say More* interview on YouTube.
*How to watch:* *Phineas and Ferb* Season 5 is currently available for streaming on Disney+.