Hi Reddit! I'm Carlos Alazraqui, the Voice of Rocko from Rocko's Modern Life, Voice of the Taco Bell Dog, and also Deputy Garcia on RENO 911! Ask me Anything!

When I asked my husband if he knew Deputy Garcia was the same actor as Rocko, he said he doesn't know what Rocko's Modern Life is. Should I divorce him?

Let's just start with a having him sleep on the couch. If this continues, consider counseling. #SavedByReno

This is amazing. I grew up with your voice and now my kids can't stop laughing anytime Rocko says "Spunky" They have a photo framed in their room with Rocko. They have a stuffed Rocko that they make me try to talk with an Australian accent.

Well, I guess I should ask a question.

Have you ever tried Gumbo?

Edit: Proof!

Proof! https://imgur.com/gallery/3q7DjHJ

That's so cool. Now, if I could only get my girls to watch it. :/ Yea. Love gumbo! It's like New Orleans paella!

Thanks! That Plushie is my prized possesion, I won it out of a claw machine. I'd love to ask permission for your John Hancock on it if you have any type of fan clubs that do that kind of stuff!

So cool! That's wonderful.

Will the new Rocko's Modern Life be as dark/real as the '90s or did they get soft?

Yes. It is dark and it's real, and it's woke.

RENO 911! has been one of my favorite shows for a while now. who would you say is the funniest cast member?

(my money’s on Thomas Lennon)

Mine too! It's hard to judge who the funniest is, because all of them made me laugh. But, it was hardest to keep a straight face with Cedric Yarbrough, David Koechner, and Niecy Nash as "TT." All just brilliantly funny!!

You're scheduled to do a Comic Con in Detroit in August. I'm planning on attending. Can I bring you anything?

Tea. Green tea.

What is your favorite 90s cartoon to watch?

Rocko's Modern Life! (and Ren and Stimpy)

How did Rocko's Modern Life get away with so much of its content? Is there anything you can remember that Joe and the writers tried to include but didn't make it in an episode at all because Nickelodeon refused it?

I think the for the word "Hell" we had to say "H-E-double hockey sticks." At a certain point, all Nick shows couldn't use the word "stupid." But definitely Seasons 1 and 2 we got away with a lot, including "Chokey Chicken" the "phone sex operator" scene, and Heffer being hooked up to a milking machine. I'm pleased to say that the special hearkens back to those first two seasons.

OMG You are the absolute best. I wish I had a question prepared...what's your favorite "bust" of all time from Reno! 911?

Thank you! Favorite bust on RENO! Gosh....I would have to say... hmm.... When we finally caught Ben Grant who played the naked bird-house rapist! lol.

How do you become a voice actor?

There's many different paths. You can get noticed from stand up comedy like I did. You can make your own animated project on Youtube, take Voiceover classes, meet casting directors, but the real training is with taking improv classes and acting classes. Dee Bradley Baker is a really good source for answering that question. He's even created a website with everything you need: iwanttobeavoiceactor.com

Any plans for a Reno reunion or reboot?

A few of us in the cast just recently reunited to do a RENO 911! New Year's Eve special. We certainly would want it to happen. If we can get all the schedules aligned it's a strong possibility!

Hey Carlos! Did Tom Kenny do all of Rocko's screams throughout the series? Some of them are very Tom Kenny-esque. Also what's your favorite band/artist?

No! I did all the Rocko screams! We each did the screams for each of our characters. My favorite band of all time is Pink Floyd, because Dark Side of the Moon still resonates with me whenever I play it. Most recently in my car, I really like listening to The Kooks and The Fratellis.

Does the future of Rocko ride on the success of the special, and is there any chance of the movie coming to DVD?

I'm not sure that the future of Rocko is a guaranteed thing regardless of how well the Static Cling special is received. It surely would be a dream if it is widely watched - that Nickelodeon would reconsider rebooting the series. I suppose it will come to DVD, but not sure!

OMG.

Is being a voice actor as awesome as it seems?

You've voiced so many characters from so many shows I love. You're fantastic.

Yeah! It's really cool! I distinctly remember watching in awe my fellow cast mates on The Fairly Oddparents when Crocker didn't have any lines -- and also getting to record with Doug, Charlie, and Tom all in the same room again for the Rocko's Modern Life special was INSANE.

Is the cheese better than both the salami and the bologna combined?

Ah. I still say Betty Bologna is the star of Wacky Deli and NOT Filburt's cheese. How DARE YOU!

Im mexican, so most of the time I heard Carlos Iñigo's as Rocko in that show.I would like to ask you if you heard any dubbing from any other country and if you liked the voice/job. No problem if you havent, but Im curious about. Also thanks for awesome memories and for this AmA. Sorry for the english cause Im not that good.

Also last question: Your favorite all time cartoon?

Muchas gracias por su participacion me haces feliz, y mi caricatura favorito es Rocko. I've heard Crocker for Argentina, and it was very close. Sorry for the bad Spanish!!

how did Nickelodeon get away with Rocko working at an adult hotline?

Basically - I think it's because Rocko was so sweet. And we drugged them -- haha jk.

What is one line from Rocko’s Modern Life that was heartwarming to you? Also not really a question but keep doing what you do best and never let anyone drag you down, you’re an amazing person!

When Rocko picks up his favorite childhood toy in the garage, and says, "I love you Mr. Onionhead.." Thanks for the encouraging words!

Carlos, you told me how much you love your Tesla Model 3.

What improvements do you want to see in Tesla?

Yes! Hopefully, the climate app can be a little bit more efficient. I would love to see them apply a vinyl coating to their door handles, because they get scorching hot. Right now it's an after-market expense. Other than that love the car!

How much did all of your screaming bits as Rocko strain your voice?

Quite a bit. Because I was young and green, and didn't know how to protect my voice as much as I do now!

Hi Carlos, I grew up with you voicing Rocko and Crocker and have always loved your work! Thanks for doing this AMA!

Is there an official reason why the Static Cling movie was delayed for so long and ultimately sent to Netflix rather than airing on Nick? Did it have to do with the ratings for the Legends of the Hidden Temple and Hey Arnold the Jungle Movie not being what Nick wanted? Can't wait to finally watch Static Cling after three years of waiting!

Hey there! Thanks for watching! I couldn't really speculate or know for sure -- But it might be that Nickelodeon really wanted to get the most views with BOTH Rocko AND Invader Zim and perhaps found that Hey Arnold! could have gotten more in this fashion.

Is there any chance Taco Bell brings back the Yo Quiero Taco Bell dog?

No... especially given the current climate where we are socially. It would be pretty difficult.

Hey Carlos, remember me? I'm Tyler Spicknell, the aspiring voice actor you met at Indiana Comic-Con 2018.

You'll be happy to know that I've already made my VO demo tapes and all I need is to try and apply to a local talent agency to start off on my career.

Hey Tyler! That's awesome. Submit away, and good luck! If you have a link, DM me on Twitter! I'll take a listen.

Could you follow me so I can direct message you?

Done!

Hi Carlos! I'm a huge fan of Rocko's Modern Life. I can't wait to watch Static Cling!

What was your favorite episode to record? Have you met a real life wallaby?

My favorite episode to record was "You Can't Squeeze Cheese From a Cheese Log." I loved it because it was so sweet and Rocko embodied what it is to have the true Christmas spirit. I've never met a wallaby. I've met a kangaroo and a koala bear, although I've SEEN a wallaby from a distance!

Will Witness Infection be similar to the Scary Movie franchise or it more in the line of a traditional horror movie but with comedy?

That's a great question! While the title sounds like it might be a parody film like the Scary Movie franchises, it's more along the lines of "Shaun of the Dead," with the Italian mob family as a backdrop, and infected sausages. There is a story that follows three characters... much like watching Harry, Ron Weasley & Hermione going on a journey -- only they're a little bit older. ;) Stay tuned!

Do you have a particular favorite character that you've voiced? How do you come up with the voice for each?

Rocko is still my all-time favorite. He's just he first one, nearest and dearest, and sweetest. Sometimes coming up with the voice is just a lucky guess based upon the physical appearance of the character. But, for example, with Mr. Crocker I collaborated with director Butch Hartman and pitched the idea of a voice that was a mix between Gene Wilder, Montgomery Burns and Richard Dreyfuss. He just helped me to refine it and add more crazy.

Oh my god, you are a legend!!!! I love all of those things lol. What are you up to now?

Thank you thank you thank you! Working on a couple of new series' for Netflix coming out soon. And also in post on my movie WITNESS INFECTION, which you can check out details of here, and of course working as Carlos and Sergio on The Casagrandes for Nickelodeon. I'll be busy in August with some cons and other than that -- being a dad, swimming my laps, playing tennis, and drinking whiskey.

I adored Rocko's Modern Life!!! It was truly brilliant writing ahead of its time. What was your favorite episode, and did you improvise any lines or take part in any of the writing?

My favorite episode as mentioned elsewhere was the Christmas one, "You Can't Squeeze Cheer From a Cheese Log."

I wrote the premise for the the bowling episode when one of the pins was shaped like the Norwegian Edvard Munch painting "The Scream."

Hello!! Can you please confirm that rocko worked in a hotline? And also, can you say to my brother Raymundo to go fuck himself? Thanks!

I can confirm that Rocko worked on a hotline. I can say for Raymundo to "go stuff yourself." Will that work?

Been a big fan of Rockos Modern Life, Camp Lazlo, and a bunch of your other roles, but what was your favorite least known project that you worked on?

Ohhh...gosh. I would have to say Mucha Lucha, just because it was short lived, and WB didn't promote it as much. Also working on El Tigre with Jorge Gutierrez was amazing.

Who has been your favorite voice actor to work with?

Oh gosh. That's a tough one. I love the whole cast of Rocko -- the whole cast of Fairly Oddparents. I have to say it was really fun to work with Candi Milo and Kimberly Brooks on Mucha Lucha. The three of us had a blast!

Do you have a faovrite memory of recording voice lines for Rocko's Modern Life?

Well, I think it was recording the original pilot at Poolside Studios in 1991, which was located on Lombard and Steiner behind a Mel's Diner in San Francisco. I recorded the whole pilot by myself and it was really my christening into the voiceover world.

what is your favorite nicktoon besides rocko's modern life?

Ren and Stimpy!

Carlos, is it true that you proposed to your then girlfriend in Rocko’s voice or I’m just making that up?

Lazlo’s or Clam’s voice would also be accepted.

You're making that up. But not a bad idea, if I want to re-propose to my wife!

What’s your favorite color?

Blue.

Carlos, how’s Blue? Is she still around?

Blue! She is alive and feisty as ever. I have the scars on my arms and ankles to prove it!

What are you looking forward to with Rocko returning to the screen and getting to work with old friends?

Well, since we already recorded it, I get to look back on how much fun we had recording it! What I'm looking forward to is how the old fans react as well as how new fans who've never seen it react, including my two daughters.

Definitely a fan!

Were there any characters you were turned down for?

Oh sure. Probably too many to count. I remember auditioning for Spongebob for all the male characters and not getting those. So, yeah there have plenty I've been turned down for, and there will be plenty more to come. Voice Acting is really like fishing. Every once in a while, you could get a bite and it could be a big one!

What’s the most fun you’ve had during a recording session?

I think I would have to say recording with Tom, Doug, and Charlie again doing Static Cling because it was rare when we originally did it that we were all in the same booth.

Hi Carlos! I have plenty of questions for you as an aspiring voice actor but for now i'm sticking With one: Do you believe voice acting talent is innate (something you're born with) or something that you can develop over time?

I think it's both. I think there are the people that don't realize that they are able to manipulate sounds and their voice, and others just come by it naturally. In both cases, you have to work on acting, and work to get better at it all the time.

Do you enjoy eating taco bell?

On rare occasions, yes. Four tacos with hot sauce.

I'm actually curious about JJ Hightail. Did you create that character for Direct Auto? If so, do you get any kind of royalty payments even though there's a poser in their TV ads now?

JJ Hightail! No -- Direct Auto came up with the character. I was lucky enough to play him for 4+ years, and my contract was pretty good for those 4 years. But no - not collecting residuals.

I started watching Rocko's Modern Life and I'm loving it! What made you get into Voice Acting?

It happened quite happily by accident from my standup comedy career. I just got an opportunity to audition for this project called Rocko's Modern Life. I showed up, and I had the right voice at the right time and the rest is history.

Rocko seems like a guy with good hygiene and is often neat and self-conscious. Why does he often keep his house such an awful mess?

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Also, which state is O-Town in?

I would guess it's a mid-western state somewhere, it seems like such a friendly place.

I think you can blame the messiness of Rocko's house on Spunky, Heffer, and Filburt because they are not want to clean up after themselves!

Voice Acting is such a rough gig to get into, how did you start and do you have any beginner tips for an up and coming voice actor?

I started out of standup comedy and was lucky enough to have the right voice at the right time. I got better working with guys like Charlie Adler and Billy West. I would say for a beginning voice actor, watch "I Know That Voice" the documentary by John DiMaggio and go to Dee Bradley Baker's website, iwanttobeavoiceactor.com, and study voice actor interviews.

I just want to say that I am a huge fan of your work. Deputy Garcia was played perfectly. Who was the actor that played the German acrobat with the huge nose in Reno 911?

Thank you! Oh!! I can't remember. If I do, I'll come back and do an edit.

I believe that was Matt Winston.

You are correct!

Any hard feelings on how your time on Reno ended? I quit watching when you and Wendi left because it just wasn’t fun anymore.

At first it was really hard to depart in the manner we did, but since then, I've done more than a few live events with Ben, Tom, and Kerri and some of the other cast. To me it's water under the bridge. I hopefully look forward to some new possibilities with this new crew.

Good to hear! I met you at a club in Georgia about 12 years ago, and you were lovely!

Ah Thanks! Probably out for ATL Comic con! We had a great time.

How did it feel to be apart of Batman vs the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

It was really cool. Always honored to be part of any Batman franchise, especially getting to do the voice of Bane!

Can you still do "SPUNKY!!!" and does it sound the same as it did?

I can still do "SPUNKKYYYY!!!" It hurts just as much, and I would say it's a little bit more weathered. It's almost harder than Crocker's "FAIRY GODPARENTS!!"

Lemme start off by saying that you're one of my favorite VA's of all time and that your performances in Camp Lazlo as Lazlo, Clam and many others, are among my favorites!

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That being said, do you have a favorite/memorable line in particular that you can recall from any of the characters you've voiced from Camp Lazlo?

"Clam!! Come back!" (Lazlo)

What kind of watch are you wearing?

Tag Heuer!

Hello Mr. Alazraqui! I grew up watching cartoons you were in (and developed crushes on some of your characters) and you are one of my favorite voice actors!

I wonder, do your kids ever watch the cartoons you're in? Have you ever used different voices when reading books or playing with them?

My kids have seen Elena of Avalor for sure. My youngest daughter spotted me as a pirate on Teen Titans Go! and at Nickelodeon they got to see a screening of an old Rocko episode. They were slightly impressed. ;) They're more impressed that I know Tara Strong, Khary Payton, and Scott Menville from Teen Titans.

YES! I read to my oldest daughter the Harry Potter books. I create all the character voices. Hagrid is my favorite!

You are fantastic as Rocko, he’s been one of my favorite childhood ever since. ^{^} I wanted to ask will you be attending at Los Angeles Comic Con this year? =)

As of now, I am not slated to attend LACC, however that can change. The cons I WILL be attending so far are: Tampa Bay Comic Con Aug 2-4, Michigan Comic Convention in Detroit, MI Aug 16-18, and FanExpo Canada Aug 23-25. Hope to see some of you there!

Can you remember all the words to the recycle song?

Wait, Rocko never made it to rehearsal

That's true. @ChickenFingerBasket I remember MOST of the words to the RECYCLE song, and occasionally, I run into Swampy Marsh, and we are compelled to sing it!

You going to the taco Bell hotel?

I think I'll pass on that one. My affiliation is long since gone... :)

Hello, sir. It is an honor to meet you. A few questions.

1. What is your favorite comic?
2. What do you think makes The Loud House so appealing.
3. What do you say to those who doubt the success of The Casagrandes?
4. Which state is Great Lakes City located in?
5. What are your thoughts on Ronnie Anne×Lincoln? Ronnie Anne×Sid?

1. Really the only graphic novel I remember reading is "The Watchmen," because the characters are vulnerable and more human than super hero.
2. I think The Loud House is so appealing because it feels like it's a real family. They don't try to get too clever with the dialogue and let the characters (and actors) bring the funny.
3. I say I think they're going to be pleasantly surprised about how good it is, and what a great companion series it is to The Loud House.
4. I'm not sure. My guess would be upstate New York. (I think they make a great couple.)

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I hope so!! That, of course, would be determined, by ... I guess Nickelodeon, Netflix, and Joe Murray? Hopefully, the more fans that watch means the more chance of that happening? Fingers crossed!