Snorks

This article is about the television series. For the characters in Tove Jansson's Moomin media, see Moomin.
The Snorks
Genre
  • Comedy
  • Fantasy
  • Adventure
  • Animation
Created by Nic Broca
Directed by Carl Urbano (Season 1)
Rudy Zamora (Season 2)
Alan Zaslove (Season 2)
Oscar Dufau (Season 2–4)
Don Lusk (Season 2–4)
Art Davis (Season 3–4)
Charlie Downs (Season 3–4)
Bob Goe (Season 3–4)
John Kimball (Season 3–4)
Paul Sommer (Season 3–4)
Ray Patterson (supervising director)
Voices of Michael Bell
B.J. Ward
Barry Gordon
Frank Welker
Nancy Cartwright
Brian Cummings
Rob Paulsen
Roger DeWitt
Clive Revill
René Auberjonois
Fredricka Weber
Theme music composer Hoyt Curtin (Season 1–2)
Chase/Rucker Productions (Season 3–4)
Opening theme "Snorks"
Ending theme "Snorks" (Instrumental)
Composer(s) Hoyt Curtin
Country of origin Belgium
United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 65 (108 segments plus an unaired pilot)
Production
Executive producer(s) William Hanna
Joseph Barbera
Freddy Monnickendam
Producer(s) Gerard Baldwin (Season 1)
Berny Wolf (Season 2–4)
Editor(s) Gil Iverson
Robert Ciaglia (Season 3–4)
Running time 12 minutes per episode
24 minutes per episode (later episodes)
Production company(s) Hanna-Barbera Productions
SEPP International S.A.
Distributor Warner Bros. Television
Broadcast
Original channel NBC (1982, 1984–1986)
Syndication (1986–1989)
USA Network (1990–1992)
First shown in 1982 (unaired 3 mins demo pilot)
Original run September 15, 1984 – May 13, 1989

Snorks is an animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera which ran on NBC from September 15, 1984, to May 13, 1989. Although not as popular as the animated series The Smurfs, the program continued to be available in syndication from 1986 to 1989 as part of The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera '​s 3rd season, on USA Network in the late 1980s and early 1990s, on the BBC in the late 1990s, and from 2009 to 2011 and again from time to time on Cartoon Network's sister channel Boomerang.

Origins

Early years (1977–81)

In 1977, Freddy Monnickendam, a Belgian businessman and artist, started his contact with the comics when he negotiated the rights of The Smurfs comics for Father Abraham.

He became later the head of SEPP, the branch of Dupuis, a editor responsible for the merchandising of Smurfs' comic series. He negotiated the contract between Peyo, NBC and Hanna-Barbera for the creation of a new Smurfs' cartoon series.

Peyo wanted the cartoon series more faithful as possible to his creation in the comics. But, Monnickendam wanted the cartoons more mainstream, and accessible.

These negotiations later would result in a legal dispute between the two men due to the division of the rights and the money involved. As a final result, Monnickendam decided to compete with Smurfs' success, starting a new series of cartoons.

Development, concept and first comic book (1981–84)

In June 1981, Nic Broca created the earlier character designs that were made for "Diskies", a very early iteration, made for the comic series Spirou et Fantasio.[1][2] Soon, the debut Snorks comic book was published in January 1982 by Nicolas Broca.[3]

Freddy Monnickendam, after battling with Peyo in court, searched for series that could rival the success of the Smurfs, as he tried and failed to buy the rights to the Smurfs since 1977. He acquired the Snorks' rights from Nicolas Broca, and both started a partnership with Hanna-Barbera for the creation of a new cartoon series.

After that, a three-minute Snorks pilot episode was then made for NBC, although this episode has not been seen by the public.

Premiere as cartoon series (1984–89)

The Snorks cartoon series premiered in September 15, 1984 and ended in May 13, 1989. It aired for five years.

Unlike Monnickendam had hoped, he wasn't able to take the Snorks' success to the same heights as the Smurfs animated series, which resulted on the end of his partnership with Nicolas Broca, and finally, the disbanding of SEPP.

Although the Snorks' success was limited, the cartoon show gained fans worldwide, making appearances on popular culture and gaining various product lines.

In May 2011, the series was added to Hulu as a part of their Hulu Plus instant streaming for paying subscribers.[4]

Synopsis

The Snorks are a race of small, colorful beings that live happily in the undersea world of Snorkland. They have snorkels on their heads, which are used to propel them swiftly through the water. As evidenced by the cartoon series, when a Snork becomes excited their tube makes a "snork" sound. They have much of the same technology as contemporary humans, adapted to their own aquatic environment. The Snorks use clams as currency ("clams" is also a slang term for money).

According to the Snork back-story, which was described in the show's first opening theme, a few ventured to the surface (which the Snorks believe is "outer space") in 1643, and watched a Royal Navyship of the Spanish Armada being attacked by pirates. The captain wound up in the water, and that was the first contact between the species when the Snorks saved his life, to which the captain then expressed his gratitude by writing down the encounter in his logbook, although very few humans believe in the existence of the Snorks. Since then, Snorks have adopted several human habits, such as wearing clothes.

There are a few episodes which have human encounters with the Snorks. In the episode "Allstar's Freshwater Adventure", the Snorks (who are saltwater snorks) meet freshwater snorks. Freshwater snorks have two snorkels on their head and a distinctive biochemistry from saltwater snorks.

Characters

Main Snorks

Minor Snorks

Supporting Snorks

Villains

Others

Episode list

Season 1 (1984)

Season 1 is the first season of Snorks which ran thirteen episodes from September 15, 1984 (Journey To the Source) to December 8, 1984 (Whales Tales). Several title cards from Season 1 were lost in syndication for some unknown reason, and quite a few of the episodes are paired with a few Season 2 episodes in Boomerang reruns. In fact, some Season 1 episodes are out of order when on the Season 1 DVD.

The first season had a narration opening starting off with a sailor narrating about a mythical legend about mysterious underwater sea creatures rescuing Spanish Navy Captain Ortega who's log is housed in a library at a Caribbean Monastery. It was used exclusively on NBC in 1984, and although it has never graced American television screens ever since, it can be found on the DVD.

  1. Journey To the Source / Vandal Scandal (September 15, 1984)
  2. Hooked On a Feeling / The New Neighbors (September 22, 1984)
  3. Das Boot / Which Snork Snitched (September 29, 1984)
  4. Allstar's Allstar Band / Snorkymania (October 6, 1984)
  5. A Snorking We Will Go / Now You Seahorse, Now You Don't (October 13, 1984)
  6. Snorkdance / Snork Marks the Spot (October 20, 1984)
  7. Junior's Secret / The Big Scoop (October 27, 1984)
  8. The Blue Coral Necklace / Up, Up and Awave (November 3, 1984)
  9. Snorkin' Surf Party / The Snorkness Monster (November 10, 1984)
  10. A Snork On the Wild Side / Allstar's Double Trouble (November 17, 1984)
  11. Fine Fettered Friends / Time Out for Sissies (November 24, 1984)
  12. Me JoJo, You Daffney / The Old Shell Game (December 1, 1984)
  13. The King of Kelp / Whales Tales (December 8, 1984)

Season 2 (1985–1986)

Season 2 of "The Snorks" premiered on September 14, 1985 on NBC with "Snorkitis Is Nothing To Sneeze At," and ended on November 16, 1985 with "The Backwards Snork."

Several changes were made during this season aside from animation style - Allstar's voice got deeper, Casey's voice became slightly raspier, and the "We're the Snorks" theme song was used.

The Season 2 theme can be seen on YouTube, as well as Snorks home videos distributed by World Vision in the 80s. All the episodes were directed by Berny Wolf. This is also the shortest season of "The Snorks," with only 10 episodes total.

  1. Snorkitis is Nothing to Sneeze At /The Whole Toot and Nothing But... (September 14, 1985)
  2. Chickens Of the Sea/Never Cry Wolf-Fish (September 21, 1985)
  3. A Hard Day's Snork/Learn to Love Your Snork (September 28, 1985)
  4. Allstar's Freshwater Adventure/Dr. Strangesnork (October 5, 1985)
  5. It's Just a Matter of Slime/Water Friends For? (October 12, 1985)
  6. Junior's Octopuppy/The Shape Of Snorks To Come (October 19, 1985)
  7. Casey and the Doubleheader/The Ugly Yuckfish (October 26, 1985)
  8. Gills Just Wanna Have Fun/Guess What's Coming to Dinner! (November 2, 1985)
  9. A Sign Of the Tides/The Littlest Mermaid (November 9, 1985)
  10. I Squid You Not/The Backwards Snork (November 16, 1985)

1986–1987 Season

Production was suspended during the 86–87 season as the series made its transition from NBC to Syndication.

Season 3 (1987)

Season 3 of "The Snorks" began on September 12, 1987 on both NBC and first-run syndication with "All's Whale That Ends Whale," and ended on December 5, 1987 with "The Snorkshire Spooking."

Many changes were made this season, and have progressed well into Season 4. Dimmy disappeared from the show for unknown reasons; however, he made cameo appearances in several episodes. Corky was introduced as a main character, and Jojo also became a main character. Several new villains were introduced, such as the Great Snork Nork, Bigweed, and Lil Seaweed, the latter two going on to replace Junior as the main villain(s).

This was also the first (and only) season of "The Snorks" to use digital ink animation. The widely known "Come Along With the Snorks" theme song was in use, and has been used in further syndication and reruns for many years to come. Finally, several casting changes were made - Barry Gordon replaced Frank Nelson as Governor Wetworth following his death, and Jim Cummings replaced the late Bob Holt as Mr. Seaworthy. Lane Raichert also took over as the head writer for the show. All the episodes were directed by Berny Wolf.

  1. All's Whale that Ends Whale / Allstar's Last Hour (September 12, 1987)
  2. A Willie Scary Shalloween / Sea Shore Sideshow (September 19, 1987)
  3. Freeze Save our Town / Snip and Snap (September 26, 1987)
  4. Junior's Empire / The Golden Dolphin (October 3, 1987)
  5. It's Always Darkest Before the Snork / The Sand Witch (October 10, 1987)
  6. Tooter Loves Tadah / The Shady Shadow (October 17, 1987)
  7. Daffney's Ransom / Salmon Chanted Evening (October 24, 1987)
  8. Casey in Sandland / Reefberry Madness (October 31, 1987)
  9. A Farewell of Arms / Mummy Snorkest (November 7, 1987)
  10. Jo-Jo in Control / The Day the Ocean Stood Still (November 14, 1987)
  11. Chills, Drills and Spills / The Longest Shortcut (November 21, 1987)
  12. Willie & Smallstar's Big Adventure / Taming of the Snork (November 28, 1987)
  13. A Snork in a Gilded Cage / The Snorkshire Spooking (December 5, 1987)

Season 4 (1988–1989)

Season 4 of The Snorks began at different times on different television stations. On the USA Network, it began on September 10, 1988, with "Daffney's Not So Great Escape", and ended on January 14, 1989, with "My Dinner With Allstar".

In first-run syndication, Season 4 began on October 24, 1988, with the same episode, and ended on December 2, 1988, with the same episode. Dimmy still made cameo appearances throughout, and Bigweed and Lil Seaweed had bigger roles as villains. Also, every episode following "In Junior's Image" was two-part rather than one-part. The digital ink animation style was abandoned, and replaced with the older styles.

The two differences of the Season 4 animation were that the animation of the snorks themselves were different, and the animation overall was lighter than in Season 1 and Season 2. This is also the longest season on the show, with a total of 35 episodes. The "Come Along With the Snorks" theme was kept intact. All the episodes were directed by Berny Wolf.

  1. "Daffney's Not So Great Escape/Willie's Best Fiend" (Production codes 401 and 402 – Aired September 10, 1988, and October 24, 1988)
  2. Day Of the Juniors/Dr. Strangesnork's Bomb (Production Codes 403 and 404 – Aired September 17, 1988 and October 25, 1988)
  3. A Starfish Is Born/Ooze Got the Snorks (Production Codes 405 and 406 - Aired September 24, 1988 and October 26, 1988)
  4. The Silly Snorkasaurus/Who's Who (Production Codes 407 and 408 - Aired October 1, 1988 and October 27, 1988)
  5. Battle Of the Gadgets/Little Lord Occy (Production Codes 409 and 410 - Aired October 8, 1988 and October 28, 1988)
  6. Junior's Fuelish Kelp Rush/The Boo Lagoon (Production Codes 411 and 412 - Aired October 15, 1988 and October 31, 1988)
  7. How the Snork Was Won/In Junior's Image (Production Codes 413 and 414 - Aired October 22, 1988 and November 1, 1988)
  8. Robosnork (Production Code 415 - Aired October 29, 1988 and November 2, 1988)
  9. Summer and Snork (Production Code 416 - Aired October 29, 1988 and November 3, 1988)
  10. Allstar's Odyssey (Production Code 417 - Aired November 5, 1988 and November 4, 1988)
  11. In Greed We Trust (Production Code 418 - Aired November 5, 1988 and November 7, 1988)
  12. Jaws Say the Word (Production Code 419 - Aired November 8, 1988 and November 12, 1988)
  13. Prehissnorkic (Production Code 420 - Aired November 9, 1988 and November 12, 1988)
  14. Rhyme and Punishment (Production Code 421 - Aired November 10, 1988 and November 19, 1988)
  15. The Wizard Of Ice (Production Code 422 - Aired November 14, 1989 and November 19, 1988)
  16. Big City Snorks (Production Code 423 - Aired November 15, 1988 and November 26, 1988)
  17. Nightmare on Snorkstreet (Production Code 424 - Aired November 16, 1988 and November 26, 1988)
  18. Robin Snork (Production Code 425 - Aired November 17, 1988 and December 3, 1988)
  19. Snorkerella (Production Code 426 - Aired November 18, 1988 and December 3, 1988)
  20. Snork Ahoy (Production Code 427 - Aired November 21, 1988 and December 10, 1988)
  21. The Daring Young Snork on the Flying Trapeze (Production Code 428 - Aired November 22, 1988 and December 10, 1988)
  22. Oh Brother! (Production Code 429 - Aired November 23, 1988 and December 17, 1988)
  23. The Story Circle (Production Code 430 - Aired November 24, 1988 and December 17, 1988)
  24. I'll Be Senior (Production Code 431 - Aired November 25, 1988 and December 31, 1988)
  25. The Day They Fixed Junior Wetworth (Production Code 432 - Aired November 28, 1988 and December 31, 1988)
  26. First Snork In Space (Production Code 433 – Aired November 29, 1988 and January 7, 1989)
  27. Wish Or Wish Out (Production Code 434 – Aired November 30, 1988 and January 7, 1989)
  28. All That Glitters Is Not Goldfish (Production Code 435 – Aired December 1, 1988 and January 14, 1989)
  29. My Dinner With Allstar (Production Code 436 – Aired December 2, 1988 and January 14, 1989)

Home media releases

On September 25, 2012, Warner Archive released Snorks: The Complete First Season on DVD in region 1 as part of their Hanna–Barbera Classics Collection. The release is available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com.[5]

In addition, 39 episodes have been released on Hulu per a distribution agreement with Content Media Corporation

Home media releases

On September 25, 2012, Warner Archive released Snorks: The Complete First Season on DVD in region 1 as part of their Hanna–Barbera Classics Collection. The release is available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com.[6]

In addition, 39 episodes have been released on Hulu per a distribution agreement with Content Media Corporation

Broadcast

Snorks was originally broadcast in the United States on NBC from 1984 to 1991. The series was in syndication from 1986 through 2002. The series has been broadcast on a number of other American networks, including on USA Network (1990–1992), TBS (1991–2003), Cartoon Network (1992–2007, 2010–2012) and Boomerang (2000–present). The series is also broadcast internationally.

References

External links