Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling reveals the poignant wit beneath the show’s raunchy exterior
TV Reviews Pre-Air
Rocko’s Modern Life, the surrealist, wildly enjoyable 1993 cartoon created by Joe Murray, has what you might call a “bad boy” reputation. The show’s indirect (and sometimes direct) shocking, risqué, off-color gags have been talked about for years, elevating it into “how did they get away with this” status, along the lines of Ren And Stimpy and Invader Zim (which also has a made-for-TV movie coming out next week). In one episode, Rocko gets a job as a phone sex-line operator; in another, he and his two best friends are caught playing a board game which requires “spanking” a toy “monkey” (and much has been shared about a certain scene of Heffer being “milked”). However, as much as it’s worth looking back on these kinds of jokes with the kind of cynical, eye-opening epiphany one has as an adult, it’s fairly disappointing that it seems as if that’s all Rocko’s Modern Life is remembered for.
In reality, Rocko’s Modern Life was an audacious, wild, slice-of-life show that explored the complexity of living as a twentysomething through issues both mundane—like laundry day or credit-card debt—and serious, like adoption or immigration. Rewatching the final four Rocko’s Modern Life episodes ahead of Static Cling, you’re struck by how blunt it could be when it came to its satirical voice; the last episode aired, “Floundering Fathers,” (as opposed to the produced last episode “Future Schlock,” on which Static Cling is following up) has a moment where Rocko is excluded from a patriotic parade event because he’s “a foreigner.” It’s that kind of juxtaposition—of frustrating, minor issues butted up against more serious, complicated ones, all while functioning in an absurdist setting—that showcases Static Cling as a smarter and more powerful, more resonant piece of satire than the show’s overall reputation.
Don’t worry, though—Static Cling maintains the original show’s look, sound, and aesthetic perfectly (although Philbert appears a bit off-model at times). It takes a moment to get reacquainted with the show’s energy and pacing, which is a bit slower and more easygoing than one might remember, but by the time Rocko, Heffer, and Philbert land back in O-Town, you’ll feel right at home. Rocko himself is still the adorable ball of anxiety that graced TV screens years ago, and while over the course of that iteration he had grown into a more assertive version of himself, Static Cling utilizes a solid explanation to revert him somewhat back to his old, nervous self. Being trapped in space watching the same episode of The Fatheads over and over gave the wallaby a certain level of comfort and familiarity, a stable visual to keep his sanity after all these years. To land back in 201X, and to be completely overwhelmed by the significant changes in technology, lifestyles, and social relationships has Rocko desperately clinging to the familiar comforts that The Fatheads provided. But when he learns that show was canceled years ago, he goes off to do what he can to try to bring the show back—to “reboot” it.
Yes, Static Cling pokes delightful fun at itself and its existence, utilizing the “rebooting old property” concept to make some solid, if easy, jabs at the soulless, corporate nature behind most reboots and the idea of pop culture nostalgia as a spurious crutch upon which meaning and purpose can be placed. (One chyron during a newscast reads “90’s Cartoon Solves Problem$,” the dollar sign adding an extra wink). But it also uses the theme of encountering and embracing change to explore some pretty powerful, relevant modern-day issues. As reported, there is indeed a significant trans storyline that centers on Rachel Bighead, the daughter of Ed and Bev Bighead, who was introduced in the original series as Ralph Bighead in the season-two episode, “I Have No Son.” Static Cling doesn’t get into the story of her transition, so don’t expect a deep exploration of her past; but she still is a real, filled-in character whose return and reveal tests the comfort levels of her father. It’s all handled respectfully, and even provides a surprising emotional connection between Rocko and Ed, the two who struggle the most within this setting of change and transition.
Everything else is still intact, from the distinct, stylistic curvatures of the buildings and landscape, to the unique and downright nutty Fleischer-esque randomness that always provide a (slightly disturbing) laugh. Rocko’s still has that distinctive purple/orange/off-green color palette and Pat Irwin’s smooth, somewhat discordant jazzy score. And yes, it still has its share of blue gags, particularly about a certain dog and his enjoyment of mops. But most importantly, Static Cling brings its trivial-to-thoughtful narrative possibilities fully to the forefront. If there are flaws, they’re in the ending, which feels rushed and cluttered in a way that fails to really explore a meaningful way for Rocko to find a more emotional, grounded way to sustain himself in this new O-Town. But perhaps such a direct skewering would be a bit too much for the eager audience champing at the bit to see the familiar, triangle shirt-wearing wallaby again. Besides, that’s the mundane stuff. The more genuine storyline that’s explored is a much more significant piece worthy of consideration, so much so that it’s worth re-evaluating Rocko’s Modern Life as a whole.
46 Comments
“Oh baby! Oh baby! Oh baby!”“Rocko?”“Mrs. Bighead?”[SLAMS PHONE DOWN IN HORROR]Poster in the background: “Be hot! Be naughty! Be polite!”…Didn’t even have to Google that. Still remember it, 26 years later.
You have no idea how glad I am this is good.
Binge Rocko with me. Please. I have nobody. I’m all alone with nothing but screenwriting tips for company.
Loneliness is the modern natural state of the human experience. Stinks, but it is true.
You were probably joking around with this comment, but I’d like to binge Rocko with you! I’m a bit challenged in the friendship department lately and also am trying to learn the ins and outs of screenwriting. Hit me up!
Yea but where do you “binge” Rocko? I’ve seen an episode here and there on a pirated something or rather, but that doesn’t really count. I’ll tell you this, that episode where Rocko gets on an airplane and everything immediately goes to shit will always make me laugh. I remember narrating that episode when I was a teenager to a friend who hadn’t seen it -including doing the airline pilot’s voice- and making a convert that night. Funny funny shit.
I started rewatching the episodes they have on Amazon. It’s still so great.
Ditto. I was pretty sure with the crew and cast on board that they wouldn’t release anything mediocre or worse, but I’ve been let down before. My weekend just got 3138% better.
I will reserve judgment until I see it myself. But, this makes me hopeful for this evening’s entertainment.
This and the Harvey Birdman special last year are like coming home from a rough day of work and having your dog be happier than usual to see you. You don’t know what you did to have this in your life, but damnit it sure feels great.
Is there any place for Really Really Big Man and his nipples of the future?
Another shipment of mops.
Sicko.
A good joke at the end is that Heffer slept with Philbert’s wife and Philbert is cuckolding Heffer’s kid.
To be fair, the joke of one of Filbert’s babies looking like Heffer was in the original series, too.
I always interpreted that as Heffer somehow fertilizing the eggs as he sat on them, or a reference to Horton Hatches an Egg
I’m still paying off my Suck-o-Matic.
The only issue I might have with this is that, just judging from the trailers, the voices are very different from the original run. Which is understandable cause it has been about 2 decades since these guys have voiced these characters.Outside of that nitpick I have a feeling this is going to be a very enjoyable romp.
You can chalk it up to the characters aging as well, if that helps you enjoy it more. 😀
I only really hear a clear difference with Heffer, personally. Mrs. Bighead, too. Filburt had some extra growl, but I assume that was intentional? Funny that he took the more confident role in this special, and Rocko the neurotic role.
Ed was the only one who sounded a bit off, the others sounded almost the same
The ending is a bit on the rushed side. But it did stick it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The show looked fantastic and it had tons of great gags. I only wish the plotline about Rachel was not spoiled in the hype train. Going into that blind would have been amazing. I understand why they wanted to publicize it, but still.
I was able to be surprise just got finish watching it.
Kevin, would you go so far as to say “that was a hoot”?
I’m glad this turned out well, because it was easy to imagine it being stuck up and “Oh, millennials” in a way that was obnoxious.
Hyped to finally see this tonight. Rocko was always my favorite Nicktoon.
Imma get me some Chokey Chicken and watch this tonight.
I loved that they changed it back to its original name, and even referenced the original theme to Rocko (which I liked better despite loving the B52’s)
How important is knowing the series to watching the movie? I used to watch it all the time but it’s been a while and this might make for half decent late night comedy for some guests tonight
I used to watch the show as a kid but have very little recollection of anything in particular that isn’t a meme and I had no issues keeping up. It’s a very self-contained story.
Turdy was…um…bird
Really happy to see this got a good grade but I can’t watch it right now. I’ve become trapped in a Rocko clip rabbit hole on the interwebs binging old eps. What a classic show. It still holds up
Don’t believe him, it was awful. Everyone is shook to say it because of the trans storyline. It wasn’t funny and was just OK at best. This is just like the movie US, people were afraid to call it bad because they didn’t want to be seen as not getting it.
Has this dropped yet, I thought it would come out as the same time as GLOW?
Holy crap that Fathead’s ice pop joke at the end from Bev was…. hooboy.
Bev snuck in a good but subtle “vaginal rejuvenation” reference a tad bit earlier as well. The show is dirty, just like the original. Now we’re all old enough to get it!
Ah, so THIS is the Hollywood movie Trump was fuming about.
I might wait a week, see if the Invader Zim movie is good, and make it a double feature with this. I remember Zim much better than I do Rocko (I was actually able to get Zim on DVD and rewatch it, whereas I haven’t been able to track down some of the other Nicktoons of my youth), but I’ve been hyped to see this ever since this was announced.I’m glad to hear about the Rachael storyline, and hear that it’s handled respectfully. I don’t know if anyone who doesn’t remember the 90’s would watch this on TV to begin with, but I wish they’d air this on Nickelodeon proper to inspire some closeted or newly out trans kids, remind them that they’re not alone.
“Wacky Delly” is my favorite episode from the original series, so I’m glad to hear that the showrunner character has a notable role. The meta-ness of the plot sounds perfect for this show.
I just watched it, that, was, amazing! I don’t think I have laughed that much in years.It was simultaneously funny, biting and genuinely sweet, plus it seemed to reference all of the episodes that were burned into my brain from oh so long ago.It was pure nostalgia fuel but in a good way, I have no idea what the future holds for the show but it has legs if they to do more and if that was it’s swansong, what a way to go.“This is the fruit of capitalist redundancy.”
Just listened to an interview with Joe, assuming this does well in terms of views etc, he has more Roko Stories to tell.
The reviewer is correct though, the ending is without any true consolidation on the concept of change. It just kind of stops. I’m still glad to have it, though.
Wow the Rachel storyline really surprised me but was well done. This was about as good as you could hope for. A solid 45 minutes of self-aware nostaglia.
Raise your hand if you can still sing the entirety of the R-E-C-Y-C-L-E Recycle Song from start to finish BECAUSE I SURE CANAnd also if you still catch yourself singing “You can’t fight city hall” whenever local politics is stupidSo glad to hear this is good. So going to watch it immediately
Finally got around to seeing this. I loved it. They did a fantastic job of capturing the feel of the original but putting enough of a modern twist on it to make it feel fresh. They also managed to successfully stuff in a bunch of cameos and throwbacks without it feeling overly fanservicey. It makes me wish Netflix would give this a series reboot (how fun would Rocko and Bojack be back to back?) but Static Cling is perfect as is.
I enjoyed it, but the Fatheads plot bothered me: Because it would be streaming on something already, plus they kind of already did this long lost kid thing AND creator makes a show thing. It was a bit too meta. Also when Rocko, Hef and Filburt blasted off in the original finale it was already 20 years in the future. But overall I did like the theme of accepting change and the tasteful storyline of Ralph becoming Rachel. It was nice seeing pretty much all the old crew back together and not missing a beat.