List of Rocky and Bullwinkle episodes

The following is a list of Rocky and Bullwinkle segments of the American animated television feature The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends (1959–1964). In the original broadcasts and later subsequent DVD releases, two Rocky and Bullwinkle "serial" segments were aired as part of each 23 minute program, which consisted of several supporting features (including "Dudley Do-Right of the Mounties", "Aesop and Son", "Fractured Fairy Tales", "Peabody's Improbable History", "Bullwinkle's Corner", and "Mr. Know-it All") as well as bumpers.

Overview

There is a difference of opinion regarding the titles famously used as teasers at the end of most Rocky and Bullwinkle segments to promote the next episode (e.g. "Don't miss tomorrow's exciting episode: Bullwinkle's Ride or Goodbye, Dollink"). Some sources, such as IMDb, use them as actual titles for the individual episodes. Others, however, regard them simply as each segment's final gag (most involve cultural references—sometimes rather obscure—and frequently dreadful puns) rather than as actual titles. While these titles are mentioned at the end of most episodes they never appear in or on the episodes to which they supposedly refer (NOTE: The episode titles used below are the titles used on title cards in syndicated versions. Indeed, while these titles invariably refer to the characters' predicament at the end of the segment, they often do not apply to anything that actually appears in the subsequent episode. The Rocky and Bullwinkle DVDs do not use these titles, referring to the individual segments simply by number. However, Keith Scott's The Moose That Roared, prepared in cooperation with Jay Ward's family and production company, does use them.^[1]).

The first two seasons appeared on ABC as Rocky and His Friends. The last three seasons aired on NBC as The Bullwinkle Show. Today they are known collectively as The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show or simply Rocky and Bullwinkle. For legal reasons, current DVD editions title the reassembled programs The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends.

Rocky and Bullwinkle story arcs generally end with the title characters riding off into the sunset. Rather than promoting a specific upcoming episode or story line the narrator simply exhorts viewers to "tune in next time" for the heroes' further adventures. Thus, the initial segment of each story arc is not named in the preceding episode; these episodes take their names from the story arc that they begin.

Season 1 (1959–60)

The first season contained 26 half-hour shows, each of which included 5 segments (making 130 segments in total). Production of the first season was intentionally halted after twenty-six shows, as twenty-six weekly programs would fill exactly half a year and simplify any rerun schedule.^[1]

Jet Fuel Formula

The first story in the series is also the longest (Jet Fuel Formula covers forty episodes while the average story arc includes approximately sixteen). It is also noteworthy in that it established most of the characters, themes, running gags, and other elements that would be employed in later stories and that would become so closely identified with the Rocky and Bullwinkle programs in the years since.

Bullwinkle and Rocky are introduced when their cake recipe proves to be an excellent rocket propellant, but it draws the attention of two notorious spies (Boris and Natasha) as well as two alien beings from the Moon itself. The character designs -- especially the design of Boris -- are slightly but noticeably different in the very first installment of the serial, quickly developing into their more familiar forms over subsequent installments. As well, William Conrad's later-flamboyant narration is much more subdued early on.

In spite of the title, the story actually concerns the pursuit of a formula for rocket fuel.