Rocko’s Modern Life on Nickelodeon hits different when you watch this show as an adult. For Nickelodeon viewers, the show is a fun break from reality i.e. the latest drama happening at the school cafeteria. For the adults in the room, it’s a nice break from reality plus full of fun and filthy laughs.
First airing in 1993, Rocko’s Modern Life is still as highly entertaining today as it was in the 90s. Fun for kids of all ages. But now with a twist. Afterall, the show is about the struggles of adulting. Something children can’t really relate to anyhow.
So let’s get our minds in the gutter and relive some of the adult humor strewn about one of the most classic “Nicktoons” of all, Rocko’s Modern Life.
Sand in Your Navel
I’ve always thought this scene was so funny, so random. As a teenager, I went as far as to making this audio my answering machine outgoing message. Remember recording an outgoing message on an answering machine cassette tape?! But yes, I really hadn’t put any thought into what this scene may have actually been inferring.
“Boy… you’ve got a buoy in your pants.”
What else is there other than Rocko legitimately having a buoy in his pants after being flung into the ocean? Oh to be a kid again. Now, after understanding the context, I see that it’s more like, “is that a buoy in your pants or are you just happy to see me?”
Sucker for the Suck-O-Matic
The very first episode of the series setting the tone for things to come. Rocko’s vacuum cleaner breaks down and he really needs to tidy up his house. He and his best friend, Heffer, become mesmerized by a TV commercial for the brand new, state-of-the-art Suck-O-Matic vacuum cleaner. A vacuum that does it all!
In a particular scene that stands out, Rocko is reviewing the many functions available on the vacuum. He comes to the image of a dog, subtract two baseballs. You hear him say to himself, “Gee, maybe we should try the neutering device later.”
It happens pretty fast. This is one of those that just flies by too quickly to pick up on it the first time around. And for the Nickelodeon audience, probably a lot more times after that.
Chokey Chicken
When the show first aired, Rocko and friends would frequent a fast food joint named, “Chokey Chicken.” But only after a few episodes, the restaurant changed to “Chewy Chicken.”
We kids noticed the change but didn’t understand why. When we learned what “choking the chicken” is a euphemism for, that was the day we applauded the show for being able to get away with what they did. And no, we weren’t experiencing the Mandela Effect. This fast food place was in fact once called “Chokey Chicken.”
Carnival Knowledge
Full of hilarious quips, this episode pokes fun of rigged midway games and janky carnival rides. Most of which Nickelodeon viewers can understand. But in the spirit of squeezing in some good adult humor, more sexual innuendo is upon us.
Quick and to the point with this one.
Road Rash
This is one of those scenes that if you didn’t see it, you didn’t know it existed. This scene was cut after airing only a handful of times. Not released again until the box DVD set sold in 2013. Again, I can’t imagine being a kid and understanding what actually goes down at a sleazy motel. But having the censors pull your material from a Nickelodeon cartoon, after it’s already aired, several times, is a badge of honor in my book.
The series continued for four seasons. Each episode as fun, entertaining, and even a little “adult” as the next.
And after rewatching the series all grown up, it’s nice to know I still at times have the mind of a 12 year old.
I would highly recommend for those who haven’t watched Rocko’s Modern Life, to go ahead and give it a try. It’s relatable content and a great way to disconnect from the daily grind. Right now it’s available to watch on Paramount+. And in 2019, Netflix released a reboot special.