How Rocko Got His Modern Life
By Stephen

This article takes a look at the old school television cartoon Rocko's Modern Life, a cartoon series that first aired on Nickelodeon on September 18, 1993. Rocko's Modern Life is a show about a wallaby that moved to America from Australia and must now cope with the absurdities and chaos of modern life. Rocko, along with a small group of other characters, live within O-Town, a town that is built around the big business Conglom-O, who's slogan is "We Own You." While juggling jobs at the Comic Book Shop, as well as the occasional job at Conglom-O, Rocko has his work cut out for him on an episode basis. The final episode of Rocko's Modern Life was season 4 episodes 13a and 13b which aired on November 24, 1996. Although this show has ended and will not be coming back, Stephen Hillenberg, producer of the fourth season, has come out with Spongebob Squarepants on Nickelodeon in 1999.

Rocko's Modern Life was created by Joe Murray, who then pitched the idea to Nickelodeon and got a four season contract. With producers such as Ken Kessel, Krist-Ann Pehrson, Richard Leroy, Michele Jabloner, and Mary Harrington, as well as directors Mr. Lawrence, Stephen Hillenburg, Timothy Berglund, and Jeff Marsh this series began soon after the idea was pitched. This show's four seasons and fifty-two episodes contained many story lines written by many writers over the years that the series remained on the air. Some of the most popular writers of this series include Tim Hill, George Maestri, Robert McNally-Scull, John McIntyre, and Martin Olson. In addition, creator Joe Murray, and producers Mr. Lawrence and Stephen Hillenburg wrote their share of episodes, each writing fourteen episodes, the most any one writer has written in exclusion from Martin Olson, who is the only writer to have written fifteen episodes.

Working alongside the team of creators, directors, producers, and writers are the Animators, the Animation Directors, and the Animation Timers. A staff of over fourteen Animators, Animation Directors, and Animation Timers work daily to provide the "life" of the series, giving the character?s a style all their own and providing the audience with the fabled characters they love and remember. The Animation staff also works in partnership with Sunwoo Animation, an overseas animation facility. The main purpose of the Animation staff is to bring the Storyboard to life, but a storyboard would not exist, and with it the series, without a Storyboard staff. With a staff of over twenty-one storyboarders, including Joe Murray himself as well as Stephen Hillenburg, the series is able to enthrall viewers across the globe with classic antics and constant flow of story.

Rocko's Modern Life is now a series. It has a complete staff to bring the show to life as well as characters, settings, and stories to keep the viewers entertained. All that is left is actors, or Voices. Playing the voice of the main character Rocko, as well as his pet dog Spunky, is Carlos Alazraqui. Playing Rocko's best friends Heffer the steer and Filburt the turtle are Tom Kenny and Mr. Lawrence. Charlie Adler is a third co-star of the series, playing the most voices of any other voice actor, including Mr. and Mrs. Bighead, Heffer's dad, Grandpa Wolfe, as well as the Fatheads, a pair of characters that are characters of a television show that Rocko and his friend's watch within the series. Linda Wallem and Kevin Meaney are two other voice actors that play additional characters within the series. Finally, creator Joe Murray himself plays the voice of Ralph Bighead, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bighead and creator of the television show that Rocko watches featuring the Fatheads.

Many have asked if there is a chance of Rocko's Modern Life being on television in the future. The answer is, yes, actually, it was brought back to television a little while ago! Nickelodeon just released their new spin-off channel, Nicktoons TV. Rocko's Modern Life is on Nicktoons TV weekdays at 3:00 P.M. and 3:30 P.M. and 12:00 P.M. and 12:30 P.M. on Saturday afternoons and 6:00 P.M on Sundays. TV Line-Up. In addition, Rocko's Modern Life videos such as: "Machine Madness", "Modern Love", and "With Friends Like These" can be found on Amazon where any fan dying to see some classic episodes can go to purchase the videos.