The cult television series Rocko's Modern Life, which ran for 52 episodes across four season from 1993 to 1996 has recently returned in a 45 minute special on Netflix, Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling. A show that has been noted for its veiled social commentary, adult humour, and anti-corporate themes, the new special is no exception, tackling people's inability to accept change, and transgender issues.
The end of the original series saw characters Rocko, Heffer, and Filburt blasted into space, with nothing to keep them entertained except a video of their favourite cartoon show, The Fatheads. Having now returned to earth the three of them are shocked to find the world changed in their absence, surprised by the existence of mobile phones, 3D printers, and laptops to name but a few. Disliking this new world and wanting to recapture their old life the three of them set out to find Ralph Bighead, the creator of The Fatheads, so that he can bring the show back.
The three of them find Ralph's parents, and are told that they've not seen him for a long while. 'Ralph went off to find himself years ago' the three of them are told. Eventually tracking him down they discover him hiding inside a truck in the desert, where they discover that Ralph has indeed found himself.
'I've changed', Ralph tells the three of them as he steps out of the truck to reveal a woman, 'I'm not Ralph anymore. I'm Rachel.'
Despite being relics of the 90's Rocko, Heffer, and Filburt are all positive and accepting of this news, and congratulate Rachel. From here the story changes to Rachel having to reunite with her family in order to bring The Fatheads back. Rachel's mother is quite accepting of this change, saying 'I think it's great what Rachel has done. I'm sure she's much more comfortable with herself.' Sadly, her father is less than happy with his daughters transition, going as far as telling Rachel 'I have no daughter'.
Thankfully, Rocko is able to bring Mr Bighead around. 'You can live without your old job, and you can live without your house, but you can't live without a relationship with your child' Rocko tells him. By the end of the special he learns to accept his daughter.
Speaking to Queerty about the special the series creator, and voice of Rachel, Joe Murray talked in depth about the project.
'I wrote in the story that the creator of The Fatheads went through a change in the last 20 years, and it like a natural progression of character for Rachel to find herself. Since the whole special is about change, it felt like the only way to go. Rachel wanted to make her transition.' He said.
'Nickelodeon had their initial reluctance. I think I kind of caught them off guard with it. I said that this is the story I really wanted to do. And they promised me we wouldn't back off of anything the original Rocko would have done and then some. So, Chris Viscardi took it to the then president of Nickelodeon who signed off on it as long as we brought GLAAD into the picture to consult.I thought that was a great idea and we moved forward. By the time Netflix saw it it was already baked in, but I can't imagine they would have had reluctance.'
The special has so far well received by both fans and the trans community.
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