In my cranky old age, I actually prefer recording alone now, on ’The Simpsons ’ for example, because I find that the director can just focus on what I’m doing and I can do a lot of variations. A lot of times, when I record with a group, I’ll stay after class for another hour or two.

Azaria contrasts ensemble voice sessions with solo recording, describing how working alone lets the director concentrate on his performance and gives him room to improvise multiple takes. The remark reflects the craft of voice acting—especially on a long-running animated series where a performer may supply many characters and where subtle timing and vocal experimentation matter. His self-deprecating “cranky old age” framing suggests a veteran’s preference for efficiency and control: solo sessions reduce the social and scheduling complexity of group records while enabling him to refine choices, then optionally stay longer to explore alternates. The quote also hints at professional perfectionism—he keeps working after the formal session to capture the best version.