Nickelodeon Animation Podcast

Nickelodeon Animation Podcast is a 39-40 minute podcast series posted on YouTube, iTunes and SoundCloud, which is dedicated to the animation works of Nickelodeon Animation Studio, through animators, voice actors, and others. The podcast gives voice to creators and talent from inside and outside of Nickelodeon who brought to life some of the most innovative, hilarious, and heart-tugging animation in the history of television and animation.

'Nickelodeon Animation Podcast'
Presentation
Hosted by	Hector Navarro
Genre	Interview
Language	English
Length	50–120 minutes
Production
No. of episodes	50
Publication
Original release	May 13, 2016 – November 17, 2017

Episodes

Series overview

Season		Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired
	1	20		May 13, 2016	September 23, 2016
	2	20		November 18, 2016	April 21, 2017
	3	10		August 15, 2017	November 17, 2017

Season 1 (2016)

No.	Title	Original air date
1	"Bryan Konietzko & Michael Dante DiMartino"	May 13, 2016
Bryan likes to talk. A lot. Not Mike. Luckily for the rest of us, they both like to make cartoons in the exact same way. Hector talks to the geniuses and best friends behind two of the most awesome cartoons in TV history – Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.
2	"Chris Savino"	May 20, 2016
Chris Savino's life changed forever when, barely out of high school, The Ren & Stimpy Show creator John Kricfalusi made him an artist on his legendary series. It began a career that included gigs on Rocko's Modern Life, The Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, and now his own series The Loud House.
3	"Billy West"	May 27, 2016
Hector tries to convince Billy West that Billy is the greatest cartoon voice actor ever, and not a sad untied shoe. Joining Billy in the booth are Doug Funnie, Roger Klotz, Ren, Stimpy, Elmer Fudd, Philip J. Fry, Dr. Zoidberg, President Richard Nixon, and Billy's seven-year-old self.
4	"Arlene Klasky"	June 3, 2016
When Arlene Klasky formed her animation company with Gábor Csupó, they dreamed that one day they would produce a cartoon. Their first cartoon was a little show called The Simpsons. Then came Rugrats, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, The Wild Thornberrys, Rocket Power and As Told by Ginger. Dreams come true? Check.
5	"Kevin Eastman"	June 10, 2016
Kevin Eastman co-created Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Enough said. Seriously. If you love cartoons like we do, what more do you need to know to listen to this episode?
6	"Maria Bamford"	June 17, 2016
Hector shares the mic with the legendary comedian, cartoon voice actor, Lady Dynamite star, and former Nickelodeon receptionist. Unfortunately the receptionist job didn't end well for Maria, but like every low in her life, she finds the funny in it.
7	"C. H. Greenblatt"	June 24, 2016
Chowder and Harvey Beaks creator C. H. Greenblatt talks cartoons, cooking, steampunk, stalking SpongeBob creator Steve Hillenburg, and still finds the time to summon the voice of Billy & Mandy's Fred Fredburger.
8	"Jim Jinkins"	July 1, 2016
If it happened to Doug Funnie in a cartoon, there's a good chance that it happened to Doug creator Jim Jinkins in real life. Hector discovers that from a crush on a girl named Patty to the torment of bully named Roger to the superhero fantasies of Quail Man, no cartoon in Nick history is drawn more from the life of its creator than Doug.
9	"Tom Kenny"	July 8, 2016
Tom grew up loving two things: punk rock and comedy. He pursued both until he voiced Heffer the steer in Rocko's Modern Life. Then he gave life to a sponge in square pants, and the world of cartoons has never been the same. And for that, Tom thanks punk rock and comedy.
10	"Butch Hartman"	July 15, 2016
Butch Hartman has been making The Fairly OddParents for 15 years. Hector gets Butch to share the secrets of his success, like the fact that Butch knows every cartoon joke in history because he was born in 1850 and cloned.
11	"Andy Richter"	July 22, 2016
You know Andy Richter as Conan O'Brien's sidekick, but to us, he's one of the top dog's when it comes to giving voice to hilarious cartoon characters like Mort in the Madagascar films and TV spin-offs, Benjamin Higgenbottom in The Mighty B!, and hilarious roles on Bob's Burgers, Metalocalypse, Robot Chicken, and King of the Hill. Hector talks cartoons, comedy, Studio Ghibli films and more with the comic actor who will never be a second banana to fans of cartoons.
12	"Craig Bartlett"	July 29, 2016
Craig Bartlett's legendary career in cartoons includes three of the most iconic kid shows ever: Pee-wee's Playhouse, Rugrats and his very own, universally adored Hey Arnold!. As he embarks on a new TV-movie adventure with Arnold and friends, Craig stops by the podcast to discuss his illustrious past and the future of his beloved football-headed hero.
13	"San Diego Comic-Con"	August 5, 2016
The podcast has a backstage pass at this year's San Diego Comic-Con where Nickelodeon celebrates 90's Nick shows plus 25 amazing years of animation. Hector's fanboy frenzy includes interviews with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Executive Producer Ciro Nieli and voice actors Sean Astin, Rob Paulsen, Greg Cipes, Mae Whitman and others, plus SpongeBob SquarePants' very own Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass and more. Hector also gets a Comic-Con exclusive on the upcoming Legends of the Hidden Temple movie from superstar animation actor Dee Bradley Baker, the voice of Olmec!
14	"Jhonen Vasquez"	August 12, 2016
Few cartoons in the history of kid's animation are as joyously dark and comically cruel as Invader Zim. Legendary creator, artist and writer Jhonen Vasquez discusses his journey from a disgruntled video store clerk, to his breakthrough gig as a comic book artist, to the fateful day that Invader Zim became his "hideously immortal baby" on TV. Jhonen also tells Hector about his lifelong fandom of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and discusses the original animated Turtles short that he wrote, produced and premiered at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.
15	"Jennifer Yuh Nelson"	August 19, 2016
When a young Jennifer Yuh Nelson (director of Kung Fu Panda 2 and 3) watched her mother draw, it was like watching magic! She saw her future in that talent and has risen to the top of the animation world. On this week’s episode Hector speaks with the most successful female animation director in history about all things Kung-Fu, her love of cartoon blood and gore, and why she'll never draw another horse.
16	"Jorge R. Gutierrez"	August 26, 2016
It was the mighty Popeye who taught El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera creator Jorge R. Gutierrez that "If you fight people bigger than you, for something greater than you, you can win the girl of your dreams!" Jorge's fight for his artistic vision has been a heroic journey too. From his work on Mad to The Book of Life, Jorge discusses why staying true to yourself, your culture and heeding the advice of a "good Mexican woman" are the keys to success!
17	"John A. Davis"	September 2, 2016
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius creator John Davis claims that even though he was once a boy, he was never a genius. Fans of Jimmy, Planet Sheen and the movie Ant Bully will certainly disagree. Hector talks tech with the computer whiz, animation master, and astrophotographer (whatever that is!) and learns how technical challenges can be your best inspiration as we roam Spaceship Earth.
18	"Lauren Faust"	September 9, 2016
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic creator Lauren Faust hated the My Little Pony TV show as a kid. Why can't girl cartoons be badass too? After honing her storytelling skills on Iron Giant, Powerpuff Girls, and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Lauren got her chance to make My Little Pony the way she always wanted. You're welcome all you girls and Bronies!
19	"Scott Schultz & Christian Jacobs"	September 16, 2016
Yo Gabba Gabba! was the first punk rock preschool show ever. When their radical series idea was rejected at every pitch, creators Scott Schultz and Christian Jacobs did a very punk rock thing and made the pilot themselves! Soon, kids and families worldwide were busting out their Dancey Dance moves! Scott and Christian talk with Hector about their DIY journey, their love of weird midnight movies, The Aquabats! Super Show!, and that dang arcade game at 7-Eleven that took all their quarters.
20	"The Loud House Sisters"	September 23, 2016
We're getting LOUD on the final podcast of season one! Hector is joined by the seven actresses who play the ten sisters on the new hit cartoon THE LOUD HOUSE: Grey Griffin, Lara Jill Miller, Jessica DiCicco, Cristina Pucelli, Nika Futterman, Liliana Mumy and Catherine Taber. It's a Loud lovefest as Hector finds out what it's like to be one of Lincoln's sisters, who went to law school, who was on Family Feud in high school, who’s a champion poker player and so much more.

Season 2 (2016–17)

No.	Title	Original air date
21	"Tara Strong"	November 18, 2016
Tara Strong's voice is everywhere and we've got her in the studio to kick off season 2 of the podcast! The voice of Timmy Turner, Twilight Sparkle, Harley Quinn, Dil Pickles, Ben 10, Raven and many more characters talks to Hector about voicing Hello Kitty as a kiddie, her origins at Second City, love of the fans (that means you, Bronies!) and why "getting paid to be silly" is the best job in the world.
22	"Ciro Nieli"	November 21, 2016
Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles wouldn’t be a smash hit without its cartoon mastermind Ciro Nieli. The veteran of TEEN TITANS, Family Guy and Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! talks about his love of Creature Double Features, the Melvins, and his early days in LA surviving on one burrito a day. Join Hector for a deep-dish dive into the life and times of the cartoon super genius behind Kevin Eastman’s favorite version of TMNT.
23	"Joe Murray"	December 2, 2016
Rocko's Modern Life remains one of the most iconic and influential cartoons in Nickelodeon history. Creator Joe Murray joins Hector and a live audience at the EW PopFest and shares why he was initially reluctant to bring our favorite anxiety-prone wallaby back to television and why flying under the radar was the best thing that could have happened to the inhabitants of O-Town.
24	"Bobby Moynihan"	December 9, 2016
The SNL star tells Hector what it was like playing a runty Christmas tree with big dreams in Albert, an animated holiday movie coming to Nickelodeon this month. Bobby also shares his journey from humble pizza-maker at Pizzeria Uno to the comedy heights of SNL, Comedy Bang! Bang!, and We Bare Bears.
25	"Angela Santomero & Traci Page Johnson"	December 16, 2016
Blue's Clues creators Angela Santomero and Traci Paige Johnson forever changed the way that kids interact with television. Combining their backgrounds in child development, love of Mister Rogers and the paper cut-out aesthetic of Monty Python, they created an animated/live-action phenomenon. Skidoo into the studio with Hector, Angela, Traci and Blue to discover that you really can "do anything that you want to do" with a clear animation vision and a commitment to getting every detail right.
26	"Fred Seibert"	December 20, 2016
To call Fred Seibert "a producer" is like calling Steve Hillenburg "a guy who drew a sponge". A visionary force in the early days of Nickelodeon, the former president of Hanna-Barbera, and the current big cheese behind Frederator, Fred has produced cartoon classics such as The Fairly OddParents, Adventure Time, Fanboy & Chum Chum, and Bee and PuppyCat, to name a few. To us, he’s a legendary animation entrepreneur, even though Fred calls himself a professional fan.
27	"The Invader Zim Cast"	January 6, 2017
Let’s kick off the insanely unpredictable world of 2017 with the most insanely unpredictable cartoon cast of all time! Yes, INVADER ZIM! Richard Horvitz (Zim), Rikki Simons (Gir), and Melissa Fahn (Gaz) reminisce, talk shop, and break into musical numbers while discussing the iconic series. What was it like working for the legendary Jhonen Vasquez? What is Zim's favorite episode? And, why was there bacon in the soap, Gir?! SILENCE! Zim's empire of podcast doom begins NOW!
28	"Rob Renzetti"	January 13, 2017
MY LIFE AS A TEENAGE ROBOT creator Rob Renzetti has worked with some of the most legendary names in animation: Genndy Tartakovsky, Craig McCracken, Samurai Jack, Harvey Birdman, the Powerpuff Girls, and some guy named Dexter who had a laboratory. Rob tells Hector that he's lucky to have come up during a new renaissance in TV animation, but with the resume of Rob Renzetti, it's clear that he's a massive talent of his own who never stopped working his cartoon butt off.
29	""Weird Al" Yankovic"	January 20, 2017
Buckle up, because the podcast gets "white and nerdy" when "Weird Al" Yankovic visits the studio. Everyone knows that the Almighty Weird One is a legendary songwriter and pop culture satirist, but did you know that he’s an animation geek who has done voices on The Simpsons, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Adventure Time, Pig Goat Banana Cricket, Teen Titans Go!, Gravity Falls, Wallykazam!, and Milo Murphy's Law? Weird Al talks with Hector about his craft, his upcoming projects, and getting the white-glove thumbs up from none other than Michael Jackson.
30	"Jeremy Zuckerman & Bryan Konietzko"	January 27, 2017
The music for Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are two of the most daringly brilliant TV soundtracks ever. Composer Jeremy Zuckerman and series Co-Creator Bryan Konietzko visit the studio to discuss their decade-long musical collaboration. Hector guides the duo song by song through a selection of inspired and memorable tracks, discovering how and why they created musical magic worthy of the epic Avatar universe.
31	"E.G. Daily"	February 3, 2017
A podcast's gotta do what a podcast's gotta do, and this week we're talking toons with the incomparable E.G. Daily. Known worldwide as the voice of Tommy Pickles, one of the most iconic characters in Nickelodeon history, E.G. has also given life to Buttercup (The Powerpuff Girls), Mocking Bird (The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes), and Baby Mumble (Happy Feet). Hector gets the scoop on how and why E.G. does what she’s gotta do, including working with everyone from Rob Zombie and Pee-wee Herman ("Dottie!?") to making her own music and being a finalist on The Voice. E.G is living proof that listening to the voice inside yourself can be the greatest asset to your career.
32	"Danny Phantom Cast"	February 24, 2017
We're GOING GHOST! Get ready to enter the Phantom fan dimension as Danny Phantom cast members David Kaufman (Danny), Grey Griffin (Sam), Rickey D'Shon Collins (Tucker), and Colleen O'Shaughnessey (Jazz) join Hector in the ghost portal. The cast talks about their favorite Phantom fan theories, the chemistry between Danny and Sam, and recently reuniting to record "The Fairly Odd Phantom" an animated short that combines all of the iconic Nick characters from the world of Butch Hartman. So prepare to start singing, "Gonna catch ‘em all, 'cause he’s Danny Phantom!"
33	"Pete Docter"	March 3, 2017
Pete Docter was just 21 when he joined Pixar and since then he's been the creative force behind some of the most influential animated films of all time like Inside Out, Up, WALL-E, Monsters, Inc., and Toy Story. His films are modern animated classics, with characters and stories that break new ground, thrilling generations of cartoon fans, and that is exactly what we celebrate on the Nickelodeon Animation Podcast. Pete shares with Hector what it was like to be one of the first animators at Pixar, how constraints can elevate storytelling, and he even drops a few hints at what's next for him and the animation wizards of Pixar.
34	"Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz"	March 10, 2017
Shimmer and Shine creator/genie Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz cut her teeth in post-production at Nickelodeon, learning all she could from My Life as a Teenage Robot, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go! and Ni Hao, Kai-Lan before creating magic on her own hit series. Farnaz doesn't just walk she runs us through her career journey, explaining how she broke through the boxes that people tried to put her in, and the misconception that preschool animation is "easy". Get ready for a shot of animation energy and inspiration by this amazing talent and self-proclaimed spontaneous planner.
35	"Rob Paulsen"	March 17, 2017
HELLOOOO PODCAST! This week living legend Rob Paulsen is in the studio! The voice of your cartoon favorites Yakko Warner (Animaniacs), Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1987), Pinky (Pinky and the Brain), Jack Fenton (Danny Phantom), Donatello (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2012) takes us through his 30+ year career in animation. Did Rob almost sabotage his chance to play tech turtle, Donnie? Which of his characters is a fan favorite with the ladies? Will he sing the "Nations of the World" song!?! We get ZANY TO THE MAX answering these questions and so many more!
36	"Bunsen Is a Beast Cast & Creator"	March 24, 2017
Butch Hartman (The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy) has created another MONSTER hit series, "Bunsen is a Beast!" This week the legendary creator stops by the studio with the show’s stars Jeremy Rowley (Bunsen), Ben Giroux (Mikey), and Kari Wahlgren (Amanda) to discuss how this new toon is made, developing the "voice" of a character and just how hard a hard-working actor works. (Hint: REALLY HARD!) It’s a beastly cartoon world out there and we're thrilled that this talented trio and their fearless leader is bringing Nick's next hit to life!
37	"Margaret Dean"	March 31, 2017
When your cartoon career includes Snoopy, Scooby-Doo and Stimpy you really have run with the BIG DOGS of animation. Veteran producer Margaret Dean (Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, Mattel, Stoopid Buddy Studios) and co-president of W.I.A. (Women in Animation), brings her incredible insight to this week's podcast. Join us as she discusses equality in the industry, the changing landscape of animation, and what the impacts and opportunities are for anyone with the drive to create.
38	"Paul Germain"	April 7, 2017
Rugrats co-creator Paul Germain belongs in the Animation Hall of Awesomeness for his work on the seminal Nickelodeon show. And then there's that little thing called The Simpsons that he developed as shorts on The Tracy Ullman Show. Then there's Recess. And Lloyd in Space. You want more? How about getting his first job after college on the Academy Award-winning movie Terms of Endearment and giving Cameron Crowe the idea for the graduation speech in Say Anything...? Paul joins Hector in the studio for a lively talk about his incredible career and breaks it down for aspiring writers, producers, and animation buffs. So listen up and learn from one of the masters of the Hollywood trade!
39	"How SpongeBob Gets His SquarePants"	April 14, 2017
"Are you ready kids?! I can't hear you!" SpongeBob SquarePants is cartoon royalty and adored worldwide but what goes into making our favorite sponge fresh, hysterical and a fan favorite year after year? This week supervising producers Vincent Waller and Marc Ceccarelli break it all the way down to Bikini Bottom. The series vets provide krusty insights on how the team cracks a story, collaborates, brings visual life to the written word, and relies on the incomparable brilliance of many artists until each episode is grilled to Krabby Patty perfection. It's no surprise why Team Hillenburg has mined comedy gold for almost two decades, and why Patchy’s pirate chest will be filled for eons to come!
40	"Inside the Loud House Writers' Room"	April 21, 2017
The Loud House is the brainchild of creator Chris Savino and one of the most popular cartoons on television. But what goes into writing this smash hit week after week? On this epic season 2 finale of the podcast, Hector learns the behind-the-scene details when he takes our crew out of the recording studio, across the Nickelodeon campus, and into animation offices of this beloved series. We're unpacking all the secrets with writers Mike Rubiner, Karla Sakas Shropshire, Kevin Sullivan, Whitney Wetta, Sammie Crowley, and the main Loud-man himself, Chris Savino. So join the gang and learn what it takes to tell hilarious stories straight from the heart.
N–A	"Stephen Hillenburg"	Cancelled
An interview with the creator of Spongebob Squarepants, Stephen Hillenburg was planned to be on the Podcast, but was cancelled most likely due to his contraction of ALS.[1]

Season 3 (2017)

No.	Title	Original air date
41	"Jimmy Neutron Cast"	September 15, 2017
3-2-1… Season 3 of the podcast blasts off with the legendary cast of The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Debi Derryberry (Jimmy), Jeffrey Garcia (Sheen) & voice super-genius Rob Paulsen (Carl) visit the studio and share all the nerdtastic details of this CG-animated classic. Join our super fan host Hector as the actors discuss taking each other and cartoon fans to new dimensions of time, space and hilarity with an Academy Award-nominated film, a brilliant series and the spin-off Planet Sheen.
42	"Billy Lopez"	September 22, 2017
Welcome to the Wayne's creator Billy Lopez grew up in a big city, in an apartment building, and was obsessed with the mysteries of the strange place he called home. It's no coincidence that Welcome To The Wayne is about three kids who have exactly the same experience! Nick's newest creator (and voice of Olly Timbers!) joins Hector in the booth and reveals the musical, literary and brotherly influences behind Nick's new cartoon.
43	"John DiMaggio"	September 29, 2017
John DiMaggio is the mad voice genius behind some of our favorite cartoon characters ever: Bender from Futurama, Jake from Adventure Time, the Scotsman from Samurai Jack, Penny from Sanjay and Craig, and lately the grumpy Mr. Grouse from The Loud House. Hector holds on tight as the actor, comedian, and producer of the documentary I Know That Voice recounts his career and inspirations, and shows us why he's one of the best of the best
44	"Valerie Walsh Valdes"	October 6, 2017
¡Hola amigos! Dora the Explorer co-creator Valerie Walsh Valdes helped bring to life the world's most popular Latina explorer. As one of the longest running series ever on Nickelodeon, Dora wowed kids and parents in homes and toy aisles across the globe, while always empowering audiences to come along on her adventures. From Dora the Explorer to Go, Diego, Go! to Dora and Friends, Valerie is one of the few creators who knows what it's like to see a creative vision explode into a worldwide phenomena.
45	"Mitch Schauer"	October 13, 2017
The Angry Beavers creator Mitch Schauer was more than an expert animator when Nick heard his idea for a cartoon; he was also a self-educated beaver expert! Luckily for future fans, Nick said "yes" to the idea and before long, Norbert and Daggett became the network's most memorable cartoon critters ever. Join Hector as Mitch stops by the studio to share beaver fun facts, career stories, and insights into the creation of these ridiculous broad-tailed rodents.
46	"The Legend of Korra Cast"	October 20, 2017
Earth. Fire. Air. Water. And many elements of awesomeness in this episode with The Legend of Korra cast! Janet Varney (Korra), Seychelle Gabriel (Asami), David Faustino (Mako) and P.J. Byrne (Bolin) join Hector on a deep dive into their auditions, favorite memories and what it was like to star in one of the most inspiring toons of all time.
47	"Greg Cipes"	October 27, 2017
Beast Boy! Stinkyfly! Craz! Steven Jackson! Tu! Kevin Levin! Chiro! And of course, the amazing Michaelangelo on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Greg Cipes is one of the most successful and soulful voice actors working in cartoons. But as Hector discovers in this epic episode, Greg’s passions don’t stop there. He teaches meditation, writes music and is devoted to the rescue and welfare of animals. Booyakasha!
48	"Chris Garbutt and Rikke Asbjoern"	November 3, 2017
Pinky Malinky creators Chris Garbutt and Rikke Asbjoern are the proud parents of the first social media savvy cartoon character on Nickelodeon – who also happens to be a hotdog! Pinky Malinky is an infectiously-positive wiener who lives in the human world, goes to school, sings, dances, inflates like a balloon, and makes hilarious social content with his best buds Babs and JJ. The ingenious creators join Hector and share the inspirations for the series design, music, diversity, humor and why we should always remember that “wiener” is just one letter away from WINNER!
49	"Making of an Iconic Theme Song"	November 10, 2017
Everyone loves a theme song! It’s the first thing you hear on your favorite toon, and it’s a tune you’ll never forget. Why are Nickelodeon theme songs so catchy? What makes a good theme song? Hector finds out when he talks toon tunes with some of our iconic Nick creators from CatDog, Invader Zim, Hey Arnold!, Dora the Explorer, TMNT and more in this special musical episode of the podcast. Get ready to start singing along! Recurring & Special guests: Jim Jinkins, Peter Hannan, Craig Bartlett, Jim Lang, Valerie Walsh, Ciro Nieli, Chris Garbutt and Rikke Asbjoern, & Jhonen Vasquez
50	"Hey Arnold! Deep Dive"	November 17, 2017
Heeeyyy Arnold fans! You’ve waited almost 20 years for The Jungle Movie and it’s almost here! This week on the podcast, Hector shares the mic with Hey Arnold mastermind Craig Bartlett, voice stars, and the team’s creative visionaries to discuss the legacy and highly-anticipated movie starring our football-headed hero, friends and family. It’s the deepest of dives into everything you want to know about The Jungle Movie which premieres Friday, November 24th at 7pm!

References

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECjjodDbPJY

External links

• Nickelodeon Animation Podcast YouTube