Dumbells is episode 10a of Season 4 of Rocko's Modern Life.
Rocko gets arrested after a game of Ding Dong Ditch gets out of hand.
Plot[]
Heffer and Filburt are playing a game of Ding Dong Ditch when they get caught by Rocko. In order to demonstrate the prank, they bring Rocko to the O-Town Deluxe Apartments building and have him do the prank himself. However, Rocko is eventually caught and Heffer and Filburt flees. The person who answers the door is Gladys Hippo and Rocko explains to her the game he was playing with his friends. Gladys laughs at this and Rocko walks away humiliated.
As Rocko returns home, Gladys rings his doorbell and runs around the yard. Rocko reminds her that she has to hide discreetly to play the game. So he has Gladys inside the house as he rings the doorbell. Rocko hides inside his mailbox. But when Gladys doesn't answer the door, Rocko walks inside his house and finds Gladys hiding behind his chair. As a result, Rocko decides to demonstrate the game by ringing the doorbell of the Bigheads' house and hiding in his bushes as Ed answers the door to find no one there.
Soon, he and Gladys play Ding Dong Ditch at every house of O-Town and the news of the prank is being reported. When Rocko returns home, he finds Heffer and Filburt, who tells him that they are hiding due to the prank going out of hand. They put on a disguise and go on the lam as they leave. Rocko feels tired and eventually falls asleep.
The next day, Rocko wakes up to listen to his doorbell ring. He finds that the S.W.A.T. team is outside and they arrest him, along with Gladys as they are taken to court via van. When Heffer and Filburt find that Rocko is taking the blame for their prank, they arrive at the court room and confess. After this, Rocko and Gladys are exonerated and he returns home to hear his phone ringing. He answers it and little does he know, Heffer, Filburt, and the judge are crank calling him, only for the judge to get the crank call wrong. The episode ends with Rocko asking who is calling him.
Characters Featured[]
- Rocko
- Heffer
- Filburt
- Spunky
- Ed Bighead
- Gladys Hippo
- The Chameleon Brothers (cameo)
- Fran the Newscaster
Trivia[]
- The title card of this episode is a parody of The Three Stooges with Heffer as Curly, Rocko as Larry, and Filburt as Moe.
- At the end, the one who Rocko asks who is calling him is Joe (Murray).
- First and only episode where the Hippo Lady plays a major role, and the first episode where her name, Gladys, is revealed.
- It is revealed the Chameleon Brothers live next door to the Bigheads.
- A one-off gag during a vox pop involves a dog closely resembling Spunky asking "You're asking me?" A close reveal at the dog's water bowl reveals his name is "Spuinky".
- Heffer and Filburt showing up to plead guilty at the last minute could be compared to Sid and Harold doing the same thing in the "Full Moon" episode of Hey Arnold!.
- The last time this episode (along with "Rug Birds") aired on Nicktoons is August 23, 2011.
Goofs[]
- When the disguised Heff and Filb depart Rocko's house, Heff calls Filb "François" and Filb calls Heff "Carlos". However, during their interview, Heff says, "Me llamo François", which is Spanish for "My name is François", but he is supposed to be "Carlos".
Quotes[]
- Gladys: Well, fe fi fo fum! I coulda sworn someone was at my door.
- Newscaster: The hunt continues for the ding-dong-door-ditcher. And now, a doorbell.
- S.W.A.T. team member: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to order whatever you'd like on the lunch menu.
- Gladys: Some fancy frolic this turned out to be, huh?
- Newscaster: We take you live now to the O-Town Courthouse. Fran? (suddenly in front of the courthouse) Thanks, Fran. Behind me, the trial of the century's about to begin and the whole world wants to know: What the heck is Rocko? Is he some kind of poodle or schnauzer, wha?
- Australian kangaroo: Ah say 'e's a rabbit.
- French frog: A rabbit.
- Spuinky: (a Spunky-esque dog) You're asking me?
- Judge: Gladys the hippo lady and Rocko the, er... dancing bear, I know pronounce you husband and wife!
- Audience: Hooray!
- Judge: No, that's not right!
- Audience: Hooray!
- Judge: Order! Order!
- Heffer: I was raised by wolves!
- Judge: Let's break for lunch and then reconvene at 4:00 to discuss the movie deal.