My Dad the Rock Star

Last updated
My Dad the Rock Star
MyDadTheRockStar.png
The official logo for the series.
Genre Animation
Adventure
Comedy
Created by Gene Simmons
Directed byDoug Thoms
Voices of Joanne Vannicola
Lawrence Bayne
Kathy Laskey
Stephanie Anne Mills
Don Francks
Sarah Gadon
Gene Simmons
Rob Stefaniuk
Theme music composerGrayson Matthews Inc.
Composers
  • Gerard Tevlin
  • Jonathan Evans
Country of originCanada
France
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes26
Production
Executive producers
  • Paul Robertson
  • Scott Dyer
  • Emmanuelle Petry
  • Claude Carrere
  • Gene Simmons
  • Doug Murphy
ProducerMarilyn MacAuley
Running time30 minutes
Production companies Nelvana
Carrere Group
Original release
Network M6 (France)
Teletoon (Canada)
Nickelodeon (U.S.)
ReleaseSeptember 1, 2003 (2003-09-01) 
July 5, 2004 (2004-07-05)

My Dad the Rock Star is a traditionally-animated television series created by KISS bassist Gene Simmons, [1] co-produced by Nelvana and Carrere Group for France's M6 and Canada's Teletoon (now as Cartoon Network). The show aired on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons in the U.S., [2] from September 1, 2003, until July 5, 2004. Twenty-six episodes were produced.

Contents

Plot

The show focuses on Willy Zilla, a timid teenage boy just trying to be a normal person, despite being the son of a flamboyant, rich, lively celebrity rock star named Rock Zilla.

Production

Gene Simmons wanted to create a cartoon series with a loud rock star for his children. The idea of the cartoon started when Gene's son, Nick, in his kindergarten days, brought in a picture of Gene drooling blood and spitting fire for a project of what his parents do, which may have influenced the character of Willy Zilla.

Before becoming a series, it became a book called "My Dad the Rock Star: Rebel without a Nose Ring" in 2001. Because Gene loved Nelvana shows, he called them for a cartoon idea. It was initially supposed to be about the band KISS itself, but it was later changed to a family of rock-star parents, which were based on Gene's family. Rock Zilla is actually a fictionalized version of Gene Simmons himself, counting his signature "long-tongue". Gene himself chose Lawrence Bayne as the voice for the character. Willy is based on Gene's son, Nick, and Serenity was based on Gene's daughter, Sophie. Crystal was also based on Gene's wife, Shannon Tweed, who, being Canadian, helped Gene to get Nelvana to make the show. Gene served as the executive producer and creator, while the rest of the production was done in Canada.

The series went on hiatus after the episode "Blind Date", until it was announced that the show ended, despite popular ratings, possibly for Gene to continue his music career. Also, there was an unaired episode that showcases Alyssa's true rapping skills, named "Silent Springs' Most Wanted" (which is a reference to the 2003 film Malibu's Most Wanted ), but it never got the chance to air. It was never returned in time to air the third season.

Cast

Main

Supporting

Episodes

Canadian network Teletoon air dates [3] in parentheses:

Season 1

1. Welcome to Silent Springs (September 1, 2003)

Rock and his family move to Silent Springs. Willy disguises himself as "Willy Zillowsky", but he is forced by Buzz to steal Rock's gold record.

2. Zilla House of Horrors (September 8, 2003)

Willy hears Buzz claim that the house is haunted due to being built on a graveyard.

3. Mr. Zilla's Opus (September 15, 2003)

Rock reveals to everyone in school that Willy is his son when he becomes the school's new band teacher. Even though the teachers find out about Willy lied about his last name, Willy doesn't get in trouble for it. *Note*: "Mr. Zilla's Opus" is a parody of Mr. Holland's Opus.

4. High Infidelity (September 22, 2003)

Crystal opens a Psychic Wellness Centre next to Willy's school, earning Willy some ribbing over his flakey Mom. Buzz tries to become Willy's friend, only for Willy to discover Buzz is now working for two music piracy con men.

5. Angela D'Angelo (September 29, 2003)

When Willy meets a new student named Angela, she invites him to a pre-date with her parents who dislike Rock Zilla.

6. The Candidate (October 6, 2003)

Willy plans to be the candidate for class representative, but Buzz keeps stealing all of his plans and bullies everyone into voting for him. Willy eventually wins even with the chaos caused by asking his parents to act normal.

7. Willy Unplugged (October 13, 2003)

Willy is going to play his trumpet at the school talent night, but when Rock finds out, he tries to "help" by adding over-the-top theatrics to Willy's show. Alyssa and Q try to get in on Willy's act with less-than-musical results.

8. Dance Party (October 20, 2003)

Willy joins the dance committee, but the teacher, Ms. Zachwiss, doesn't want the dance to change from the boring theme it had for the past 15 years.

9. Psychic Convention (October 27, 2003)

Crystal asks Willy to come with her to the Psychic Convention to meet Madame Persenchia, but he has to study for a math test and Mosh goes missing.

10. Call of the Wild (November 3, 2003)

The Zillas go on a camping trip with Willy's friends but something goes horribly wrong.

11. Mr. Big (November 10, 2003)

When Sally Raptor, the most popular girl in school, offers Willy a coveted spot in the "in crowd", Willy gets a taste of what it's like to be extremely popular and it rocks! But complications arise when Sally tries to get Willy to abandon Alyssa and Q. Meanwhile, Serenity is terrorizing the neighborhood by practicing to get her driver's license.

12. Rebel Without A Nose Ring (November 17, 2003)

Buzz sets Willy up to experience a series of unfortunate encounters with Mr. Malfactor after which he labels Willy a Rebel and seizes the opportunity to restore order upon the student body by implementing a dress code. The episode's title is based on a book.

13. Meet the Zillas (February 2, 2004)

Rock decides that TV is boring so he starts his own reality show. But later as they prank on Willy, they change the show to "Meet Willy Zilla."

Season 2

14. Going for Broke (December 1, 2003)

When the Zilla's go broke, Q's father invites them to stay at their house.

15. Rock Is From Mars, Willy Is From Venus (February 9, 2004)

Willy and Rock try to spend some quality time together, but things don't go as Willy intended.

16. The Sound of Zilla (February 16, 2004)

Willy's school is celebrating International Students Week.

17. Home for the Holly Daze (December 22, 2003)

It's the Zilla's first Christmas in Silent Springs, and when they inadvertently cause a famous Broadway director to lose his job, misery befalls them when he tries to get even.

18. What's the Scoop? (March 15, 2004)

Scoop keeps on sneaking out on Rock; Buzz puts Willy in detention after he arrives late. So Scoop and Willy concoct a plan to prove his innocence.

19. Rock Bottom (March 22, 2004)

It's Rock's birthday, but things get chaotic when Rock gets depressed, Serenity lands herself in the slammer for having large amounts of unpaid parking tickets, and she ends up serving community service at a senior's home, with Rock as her newest patient.

20. Saving Sawchuck (May 3, 2004)

After Willy saves Buzz from drowning, he has to let Buzz save him from harm; Serenity falls in love with the Lifeguard, so she has lifeguard lessons.

21. King of the Desert (May 10, 2004)

Willy, Q, and Alyssa take on a band trip but end up in the middle of the desert: Serenity and Crystal have to hide Rock's concert t-shirt (which he refuses to wash) until he comes back.

22. Big Willy on Campus (May 17, 2004)

Rock is given an honorary doctorate by his old college, Cere Bellum University, but someone has it in for Rock.

23. Metamorphic Rock (May 24, 2004)

Willy, Q, and Alyssa are assigned a group project in Science class but with his mother is missing in action, the house gets chaotic.

24. Kant Buy Me Love (May 31, 2004)

Willy and his friends help their neighbour Mr. Kant throw a silent party.

25. Chip Off the Old Rock (June 7, 2004)

Rock's parents come to visit him, but they became mortal enemies; Serenity and her grandmother have a day off.

26. Blind Date (July 5, 2004)

Willy and Alyssa become attracted to each other after a night at the movies. When Willy realizes that he is now dating her, he becomes a wreck, as he is afraid of how Q will react, and what this will mean for the trio's friendship. Meanwhile, Rock is trying to celebrate his 20-year anniversary with Crystal, but each of his plans only seems to upset her.

Reception

Common Sense Media rated the show 4 out of 5 stars, stating, "My Dad the Rock Star actually offers positive social messages, although they're subtle and blended in with wit and irony. Willy is perfectly happy with his slightly goofy, non-rock star self, and so are his friends, a pair of cool kids who aren't bowled over by either the Zillas' fame or fortune. These friends are loyal, and so is Willy, who may not always approve of his family but never fails to back them up. At its core, My Dad the Rock Star is a simple cartoon about the difficulties of staying yourself and still fitting in. It's fun to indulge the fantasy of the childlike parent and mature child – and the lifestyle that goes with crazy money – but the series' point is always that even though Willy could have anything in the world, what he wants most is to stay put and lead a normal life with his friends." [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene Simmons</span> American rock musician

Gene Simmons is an American musician. Also known by his stage persona "The Demon", he was the bassist and co-lead singer of the hard rock band Kiss, which he co-founded with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss in the early 1970s until their retirement in 2023. Simmons was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kiss.

<i>Firefly</i> (TV series) American space Western television series

Firefly is an American space Western drama television series, created by writer and director Joss Whedon, under his Mutant Enemy Productions label. Whedon served as an executive producer, along with Tim Minear. The series is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system, and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a "Firefly-class" spaceship. The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters living aboard Serenity. Whedon pitched the show as "nine people looking into the blackness of space and seeing nine different things."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuxedo Mask</span> Character in Sailor Moon

Tuxedo Mask, also known as Mamoru Chiba, is a fictional character and one of the primary protagonists of the Sailor Moon media franchise created by Naoko Takeuchi. He disguises himself in order to support the series' central heroines, the Sailor Guardians. Wearing a mask to conceal his identity, he interferes with enemy operations, offers the Sailor Guardians advice, and sometimes physically aids them in battle. He is the guardian and protector of the earth thus making him a member of the Sailor Guardians.

<i>The Brak Show</i> American adult animated sitcom

The Brak Show is an American adult animated sitcom created by Jim Fortier, Andy Merrill, and Pete Smith for Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim. The Brak Show serves as a spin-off of the animated television series, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, for which the show's creators originally wrote, and featured recurring characters from Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Cartoon Planet. Both programs used stock footage from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Space Ghost, for which The Brak Show serves as a prequel. The protagonist is Brak, voiced by Merrill, who developed a quirky persona for the character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene Wilder</span> American actor (1933–2016)

Gene Wilder was an American actor, comedian, writer and filmmaker. He was mainly known for his comedic roles, but also for his portrayal of Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). He collaborated with Mel Brooks on the films The Producers (1967), Blazing Saddles (1974) and Young Frankenstein (1974), and with Richard Pryor in the films Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) and Another You (1991).

<i>Rolie Polie Olie</i> Animated series created by William Joyce

Rolie Polie Olie is an animated television series created by William Joyce, and is produced by Nelvana in co-production with French broadcaster La Cinquième/France 5, and was produced in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Disney Channel/Playhouse Disney in the United States. The show focuses on a little robot and his family who are composed of several spheres and other three-dimensional geometric shapes. The show was one of the earliest series that was fully animated in CGI. The series was broadcast from October 4, 1998, to April 28, 2004, and was followed with two straight-to-video films titled The Great Defender of Fun and The Baby Bot Chase, in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chilly Willy</span> Fictional character

Chilly Willy is a cartoon character, a diminutive penguin. He was created by director Paul Smith for the Walter Lantz studio in 1953, and developed further by Tex Avery in the two subsequent films following Smith's debut entry. The character soon became the second most popular Lantz/Universal character, behind Woody Woodpecker. Fifty Chilly Willy cartoons were produced between 1953 and 1972.

<i>The Buzz on Maggie</i> American animated television series

The Buzz on Maggie is an American animated television series created by Dave Polsky for Disney Channel. The series centers on an ambitious and expressive tween fly named Maggie Pesky and her family and friends. The show is set in Stickyfeet, a city for insects located in a junkyard. While conceptualizing the series, Polsky wanted it to contain a playful aspect at adolescence and director Dave Wasson formed the overall look of the characters, being heavily influenced by early Walt Disney cartoon shorts. The Buzz on Maggie was Disney's first series to be fully animated in Adobe Flash, a process done by Bardel Entertainment and Future Thought Productions. The series was produced in widescreen, but was broadcast in 4:3 aspect ratio due to Disney Channel's lack of an HD feed at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Scully</span> American writer and producer (born 1956)

Michael C. Scully is an American television writer and producer. He is known for his work as executive producer and showrunner of the animated sitcom The Simpsons from 1997 to 2001. Scully grew up in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and long had an interest in writing. He was an underachiever at school and dropped out of college, going on to work in a series of jobs. Eventually, in 1986, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a stand-up comic and wrote for Yakov Smirnoff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Hay</span> Indian-born Dutch musician (born 1948)

Barry Andrew Hay is a Dutch musician; he was the lead vocalist and frontman of Dutch rock band Golden Earring from 1967 until their disbandment in 2021. He has also released three solo albums.

<i>Saturday Supercade</i> American TV series or program

Saturday Supercade is an American animated television series produced for Saturday mornings by Ruby-Spears Productions. It ran for two seasons on CBS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Fraley</span> American voice actor and voice-over teacher

Pat Fraley is an American voice actor and voice-over teacher, known as the voice of Krang, Casey Jones, Baxter Stockman and numerous other characters in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated television series and voiced Falcon in the 2003 Stuart Little animated television series. Fraley is also a member of Voice and Speech Trainers of America.

<i>ProStars</i> American animated television series

ProStars is a cartoon television show featured on Saturday morning cartoon that aired on NBC from September 14 to December 7, 1991. Three famous and popular professional athletes from the 1990s appear in the show in live action and as fictional super hero characters: Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Bo Jackson.

<i>The New Woody Woodpecker Show</i> American animated television series

The New Woody Woodpecker Show is an American animated comedy television series based on the animated short film series created by cartoonist and animator Walter Lantz. It was co-developed by animators Bob Jaques and Kelly Armstrong, was produced by Universal Cartoon Studios and aired from May 8, 1999 to July 27, 2002 on Fox's Fox Kids programming block.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Stefaniuk</span> Canadian comedian, actor and writer

Robert Stefaniuk is a Canadian comedian, actor and writer who has worked in numerous television shows and films as both guest actor and series regular. His feature-film acting credits include the Saturday Night Live-inspired Superstar (1999) and Phil the Alien (2004).

<i>Mega Man</i> (1994 TV series) Superhero animated television series

Mega Man is a science fiction superhero animated television series co-produced by Ruby-Spears Productions and Ashi Productions, and based on the video game series of the same name by Capcom. It aired from September 11, 1994 to January 19, 1996, lasting two seasons. A spin-off based on Mega Man X was planned, but didn't go through.

Kathleen Laskey, sometimes credited as Kathy Laskey, is a Canadian actress. An alumna of The Second City's Toronto troupe, she is most commonly but not exclusively associated with comedic and voice roles. She also voiced Squeak the Mouse on the children's TV show, Peep and the Big Wide World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis</span> Soap opera character

Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis are fictional characters from the American daytime drama Days of Our Lives. They are notable for the first male-male wedding in US daytime drama history, and for being Days of Our Lives first same-sex supercouple. The couple was originally portrayed by Chandler Massey as Will and Freddie Smith as Sonny, who brought acclaimed popularity to the pairing.

References

  1. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 413–414. ISBN   978-1538103739.
  2. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 140. ISBN   9781476672939.
  3. "Television Program Logs". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. 2016-03-02.[ dead link ] Alt URL
  4. "My Dad the Rock Star - TV Review". 21 June 2006.