John Waters Brings His Signature Humor to 'The View' and Animated Series 'Kevin'

The legendary filmmaker discusses his new voice role, the concept of 'hair hoppers', and his 80th birthday celebration tour.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:20pm

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An abstract close-up image of shimmering, high-contrast sequins in a range of vibrant colors, evoking the glamour and high-fashion aesthetic of Hollywood celebrity culture.John Waters' signature blend of subversive humor and social commentary shines through in his new voice role and television appearances.Today in Miami

Iconic Baltimore filmmaker John Waters made his first appearance on 'The View' this week, joining co-stars Aubrey Plaza and Amy Sedaris to promote their new adult animated comedy series 'Kevin' on Amazon Prime Video. During the 10-minute segment, Waters discussed his voice role as the sarcastic Persian cat Armando, shared his thoughts on topics like politics and bad taste, and reminisced about his long friendship with 'The View' host Whoopi Goldberg.

Why it matters

Waters' appearance on 'The View' and his role in 'Kevin' showcase his enduring influence and relevance in pop culture, even as he approaches his 80th birthday. The filmmaker's signature blend of subversive humor and social commentary continues to resonate, as he brings his unique perspective to new mediums and audiences.

The details

In 'Kevin', Waters voices Armando, 'a gorgeous, sarcastic and no-nonsense Persian cat who has sworn off all humans in favor of the freedom he gets out of life as an 'independent' cat.' The series, created by Aubrey Plaza, follows a neurotic housecat named Kevin who breaks up with his owners and moves to a pet rescue facility. Waters' character is part of the misfit group of animals that helps Kevin realize what he wants out of life. Along with Waters, the voice cast includes Whoopi Goldberg, Patti LuPone, Jason Schwartzman, and more.

  • Waters will celebrate his 80th birthday on April 22, 2026.
  • The eight-episode adult animated series 'Kevin' will debut on Amazon Prime Video on April 20, 2026.

The players

John Waters

A legendary Baltimore-based filmmaker known for his subversive and satirical works, including 'Pink Flamingos' and 'Hairspray'. He is currently on a seven-city tour of his spoken-word show 'Going to Extremes: A John Waters 80th Birthday Celebration'.

Aubrey Plaza

An actress who created the 'Kevin' series with Joe Wengert and Dan Murphy, and voices the character of Dana, one half of the human couple that leaves the titular cat behind.

Amy Sedaris

An actress who voices the character of Brandi, a brassy Shih Tzu who runs the pet rescue facility in 'Kevin'.

Whoopi Goldberg

One of the hosts of 'The View' and the voice of Cupcake, a feral hairless cat at the pet rescue in 'Kevin'.

Patti LuPone

A Broadway icon who voices the character of Patti LuPony, a 'Broadway pony', in 'Kevin'.

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What they’re saying

“I believe you use humor to win in politics. You make people laugh and you can change their mind and they'll listen.”

— John Waters, Filmmaker

“Trump 'did ruin bad taste. It's no fun anymore. He's a hair hopper and I think Whoopi knows what a hair hopper is – a white person that spends too much time on their hair without irony and brags they're rich. He is the ultimate hair hopper.”

— John Waters, Filmmaker

“'Kevin' is 'a lot of fun. I don't know if I would recommend it for eight-year olds, but it is fun. If you're looking for some fun, you'll find it here…There are fabulous lines in it, and we all have them.”

— Whoopi Goldberg, The View Host

What’s next

Waters is in the middle of a seven-city tour of his spoken-word show 'Going to Extremes: A John Waters 80th Birthday Celebration', with upcoming stops in New York City, Miami, and the Washington, D.C. area.

The takeaway

At 80 years old, John Waters continues to push boundaries and bring his singular brand of humor to new mediums, from animated series to talk show appearances. His enduring relevance and influence in pop culture demonstrate the timeless appeal of his subversive yet insightful commentary on society.