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{{short description|Animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera}}
{{about|the television series|the characters in Tove Jansson's ''Moomin'' media|Moomin}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Snorks.png
| caption              = Title card
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
* [[Comedy]]
* [[Adventure (genre)|Adventure]]
* [[Fantasy (genre)|Fantasy]]
}}
| creator              = Nic Broca
| director             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Carl Urbano]] {{small|(season 1)}}
* [[Rudy Zamora]] {{small|(season 2)}}
* [[Alan Zaslove]] {{small|(season 2)}}
* Oscar Dufau {{small|(seasons 2–3)}}
* [[Don Lusk]] {{small|(seasons 2–4)}}
* [[Arthur Davis (animator)|Art Davis]] {{small|(season 3)}}
* Charlie Downs {{small|(season 3)}}
* John Kimball {{small|(season 3)}}
* Bob Goe {{small|(seasons 3–4)}}
* Paul Sommer {{small|(seasons 3–4)}}
}}
| voices               = {{Plainlist|
* [[Michael Bell (actor)|Michael Bell]]
* [[Brian Cummings]]
* [[B. J. Ward (actress)|B.J. Ward]]
* [[Nancy Cartwright]]
* [[Barry Gordon]]
* [[Frank Welker]]
* [[Rob Paulsen]]
}}
| narrated             =
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|
* Ferry Wienneke {{small|(season 1, worldwide version)}}
* [[Hoyt Curtin]] {{small|(seasons 1–2, U.S. version)}}
* Chase/[[Stephen Rucker|Rucker]] Productions {{small|(seasons 3–4, U.S./worldwide versions)}}
}}
| opentheme            = {{Plainlist|
* "Snorks" {{small|(season 1, worldwide)}}
* "Let's Snork a Happy Song" {{small|(seasons 1, U.S.)}}
* "We're the Snorks" {{small|(season 2, U.S.)}}
* "Take a Diving Snork Along" {{small|(season 1-2, U.K.)}}
* "Come Along with the Snorks" {{small|(seasons 3–4, worldwide)}}
}}
| endtheme             = {{Plainlist|
* "Snorks" {{small|(instrumental)}}
* "Let's Snork a Happy Song" {{small|(instrumental)}}
* "We're the Snorks" {{small|(instrumental)}}
* "Take a Diving Snork Along" {{small|(instrumental)}}
* "Come Along with the Snorks" {{small|(instrumental)}}
}}
| composer             = Hoyt Curtin
| country              = {{Plainlist|
* United States
* Belgium
}}
| language             = English
| network              = {{Plainlist|
* [[NBC]] {{small|(seasons 1–2)}}
* [[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]] {{small|(seasons 3–4)}}
}}
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
* [[William Hanna]]
* [[Joseph Barbera]]
* [[Freddy Monnickendam]]
}}
| producer             = {{Plainlist|
* Gerard Baldwin {{small|(season 1)}}
* [[Berny Wolf]] {{small|(seasons 2–3)}}
* Kay Wright {{small|(season 4)}}
}}
| editor               = {{Plainlist|
* Gil Iverson
* Robert Ciaglia {{small|(season 3)}}
}}
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]]
* [[Freddy Monnickendam|SEPP International S.A.]]
}}
| num_seasons          = 4
| num_episodes         = 65 (108 segments + pilot episode)
| list_episodes        = List of Snorks episodes
| runtime              = {{Plainlist|
* 12 minutes
* 24 minutes {{small|(later episodes)}}
}}
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1984|9|15}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1989|3|15}}
}}

'''''Snorks''''' is an animated [[fantasy]] children's TV series created by Nic Broca and produced by [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]] along [[Freddy Monnickendam|SEPP International S.A.]] in collaboration with [[3M|3M France]]. It ran for a total of four seasons, consisting of a pilot episode and 65 episodes (108 segments), on [[NBC]] in the U.S. from September 15, 1984, to March 15, 1989. The program continued to be available in [[broadcast syndication|syndication]] from 1987 to 1989 as part of ''[[The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera]]''{{'}}s third season.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=756–757}}</ref>

==Origins==
===Early years (1977–1981)===
In 1977, [[Freddy Monnickendam]], a Belgian businessman and artist, first made contact with the comics industry when he negotiated the rights for the [[The Smurfs (comics)|Smurfs comics]] to [[Pierre Kartner|Father Abraham]]. He later became the head of [[Freddy Monnickendam |SEPP]], a branch of [[Dupuis]], as an editor responsible for the merchandising of the Smurfs' comic series. Then he negotiated the contract between [[Peyo]], [[NBC]] and [[Hanna-Barbera]] for the creation of a new [[The Smurfs (1981 TV series)|''Smurfs'' cartoon]] series; Peyo wanted the show to be as faithful as possible to his original comics, but Monnickendam wanted it to be more mainstream and accessible. These negotiations would later result in a legal dispute between two people due to the division of the rights and the money involved. As a final result, Monnickendam decided to compete with the Smurfs' success, starting a new series of cartoons.

===Development, concept and first comic book (1981–1984)===
In June 1981, [[:fr:Nic_(dessinateur)|Nic Broca]] created the earlier character designs that were made for "Diskies", a very early iteration, made for the comic series ''[[Spirou & Fantasio]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lambiek.net/artists/b/broca.htm|title=Nic Broca &#124; Lambiek Comiclopedia|website=Lambiek.net|access-date=2016-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://spirou.perso.free.fr/Spirou_chronologie.html|title=Chronologie des Aventures de Spirou & Fantasio|website=Spirou.perso.free.fr|access-date=2016-03-28}}</ref> While initially created as robot characters, they were developed into minute sea animals, and with funding from [[Persil]]'s Belgian branch, the very first ''Snorks'' comic book was published in January 1982 by Broca himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bedetheque.com/album-38960-BD-Snorkels.html|title=Les snorky -pub- Snorkels|website=Bedetheque.com|date=2014-09-21|access-date=2016-03-28}}</ref> Freddy Monnickendam, after battling with fellow Belgian cartoonist Peyo in court, searched for a series that could battle the success of ''The Smurfs'', as he tried and failed to buy its rights since 1977. He acquired the Snorks' rights from Nic Broca, and both began a partnership with Hanna-Barbera for the production of this new animated series. After that, a three-minute Snorks pilot episode was then made for the TV network NBC, although it has not been seen by the public.

===Premiere as animated TV series (1984–1989)===
''Snorks'' premiered on September 15, 1984, and ended on May 13, 1989. It aired for five years. Unlike Freddy Monnickendam had hoped, he was unable to take the Snorks' success to the same heights as ''The Smurfs'', which resulted on the end of his partnership with Broca, and finally, the disbanding of SEPP. Although the Snorks' success was limited, the animated TV show gained fans worldwide, making appearances in popular culture and gaining several product lines.<ref>{{cite news|title= Snorks and popples|work=The New York Times|date=May 1, 1988|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/01/books/snorks-and-popples.html?scp=2&sq=snorks&st=cse|access-date=2010-10-20|first=Elizabeth|last=Bailey}}</ref>

==Synopsis==
The Snorks are a tribe of small, colorful anthropomorphic sea creatures that live in the fictional Mediterranean undersea realm of Snorkland. They have [[Snorkeling|snorkel]]s on their heads, which are used to propel them quickly through the water.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sennett |first1=Ted |title=The Art of Hanna-Barbera: Fifty Years of Creativity |date=1989 |publisher=Studio |isbn=978-0670829781 |url=https://archive.org/details/artofhannabarber00teds/page/236/mode/2up |access-date=2 June 2020 |page=237}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=riYXAwAAQBAJ&q=snorks&pg=PA182 |title=America Toons In: A History of Television Animation |author=David Perlmutter |page=182 |date=2014-03-18 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780786476503 |access-date=2016-03-28}}</ref>

==Voice cast==
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}

===Main===
* [[Michael Bell (actor)|Michael Bell]] - Allstar Seaworthy, Bigweed, Council of Elders
* [[Nancy Cartwright]] - Daffney Gillfin
* [[Brian Cummings]] - Dimitris "Dimmy" Finster
* [[Barry Gordon]] - Wellington Wetworth, Jr. "Junior"
* [[Rob Paulsen]] - Corky
* [[Betty Jean Ward|B.J. Ward]] - Casey Kelp, Lil' Seaweed
* [[Frank Welker]] - Tooter Shelby, Occy, Grandpa Wetworth, Finneus, The Great Snork Nork

===Recurring===
* [[René Auberjonois]] - Dr. Strangesnork
* [[Peter Cullen]] - Council of Elders
* Roger DeWitt - JoJo
* [[Joan Gardner (voice actress)|Joan Gardner]] - Mrs. Wetworth
* [[Joan Gerber]] - Mrs. Kelp
* [[Bob Holt (actor)|Bob Holt]] - Mr. Seaworthy (Seasons 1-2)
* [[Gail Matthius]] - Smallstar Seaworthy
* [[Mitzi McCall]] - Auntie Marina, Matilda
* [[Edie McClurg]] - Mrs. Seaworthy, Ms. Seabottom
* [[Frank Nelson (actor)|Frank Nelson]] - Governor Wellington Wetworth (Seasons 1-2)
* [[Alan Oppenheimer]] - Governor Wellington Wetworth (Seasons 3-4), Mr. Seaworthy (Seasons 3-4)
* [[Clive Revill]] - Dr. Galeo Seaworthy
* [[Robert Ridgely]] - Mr. Kelp
* Fredricka Weber - Willie Wetworth

===Additional voices===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Patricia Alice Albrecht]] (Season 3)
* [[Jack Angel]] (Season 2)
* Chub Bailly (Season 3)
* [[Roger C. Carmel]] (Season 2)
* Maryann Chinn (Season 2)
* [[Cam Clarke]] (Seasons 2-3)
* Selette Cole (Season 2)
* [[Townsend Coleman]] (Season 2)
* [[Jim Cummings]] (Season 3)
* [[Jennifer Darling]] (Season 2)
* [[Jerry Dexter]] (Season 3)
* [[Jeff Doucette]] (Season 3)
* [[Marshall Efron]] (Season 3)
* [[Richard Erdman]] (Seasons 2-3)
* Laurie Faso (Season 3)
* [[Miriam Flynn]] (Season 2)
* [[Kathleen Freeman]] (Season 2)
* [[Pamela Hayden|Pam Hayden]] (Season 2)
* [[Arte Johnson]] (Season 3)
* [[G. Stanley Jones|Stan Jones]] (Season 2)
* Zale Kessler (Seasons 2-4)
* Paul Kirby (Season 1)
* [[Marilyn Lightstone]] (Season 2)
* Shane McCabe (Season 2)
* [[Chuck McCann]] (Season 2)
* [[Diane Michelle]] (Season 2)
* [[Howard Morris]] (Season 2)
* Laurel Page (Season 3)
* [[Hal Rayle]] (Season 2)
* [[Peter Renaday]] (Season 2)
* [[Roger Rose]] (Season 2)
* [[Joseph Ruskin|Joe Ruskin]] (Season 3)
* [[Michael Rye]] (Season 2)
* [[Ken Sansom]] (Season 2)
* [[Ronnie Schell]] (Season 2)
* Howard Stevens (Season 2)
* [[Rip Taylor]] (Season 3)
* [[Jean Vander Pyl]] (Season 2)
{{div col end}}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Snorks episodes}}
{{:List of Snorks episodes}}

==Broadcast and home media==
''Snorks'' ran for a total of four seasons, consisting of a pilot episode and 65 episodes (108 segments), on [[NBC]] in the U.S. from September 15, 1984, to March 15, 1989. The program continued to be available in [[broadcast syndication|syndication]] from 1987 to 1989 as part of ''[[The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera]]''{{'}}s third season.<ref name=":0" />

In the 1990s, it aired on both USA Network and Cartoon Network in the U.S. 

From 2001 until 2014, it also aired on CN's spin-off channel Boomerang.

In some other country around Europe, it aired on ITV, RTL, MTV3, TF1, Italia 1, VARA, and Cartoon Network Scandinavia.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's vintage DVD video line [[Warner Archive Collection|Warner Archive]] released ''Snorks: The Complete First Season'' on DVD in Region 1 on September 25, 2012 as part of their [[List of works produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions#Hanna-Barbera Classic Collection|Hanna-Barbera Classic Collection]] label. The release is available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Snorks-Season-1/17531 |title=The Snorks DVD news: Announcement for The Snorks - The Complete 1st Season |website=TVShowsOnDVD.com |date=2012-09-25 |access-date=2016-03-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060515/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Snorks-Season-1/17531 |archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref> In addition, 39 episodes have been released on [[Hulu]] per a distribution agreement with [[Fireworks Entertainment|Content Media Corporation]]. Warner Archive released ''Snorks: The Complete Second Season'' on DVD in region 1 on July 7, 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Snorks-Season-2/21262 |title=The Snorks DVD news: Release Date for Snorks - The Complete 2nd Season |website=TVShowsOnDVD.com |date=2015-06-30 |access-date=2016-03-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915195750/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Snorks-Season-2/21262 |archive-date=2015-09-15}}</ref> and later ''Snorks: The Complete Third and Fourth Seasons'' on December 6, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Snorks-Complete-Third-Fourth-Seasons/dp/B01LTHYWM4/ref=sr_1_4?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1480011269&sr=1-4&keywords=snorks |title=Snorks: The Complete Third and Fourth Seasons |website=Amazon.com |date=6 December 2016}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!DVD name
!Ep #
!Release date
|-
| The Complete First Season
| style="text-align:center;"|13
| September 25, 2012
|-
| The Complete Second Season
| style="text-align:center;"|10
| July 7, 2015
|-
| The Complete Third and Fourth Seasons
| style="text-align:center;"|42
| December 6, 2016
|}
As of 2025, it never streamed on [[HBO Max]] because of lawsuits and trademark.

==See also==
* [[List of works produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions]]
* [[List of Hanna-Barbera characters]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Cartoon}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0086802|title=Snorks}}
* [http://toonopedia.com/snorks.htm ''Snorks''] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240528052611/https://www.webcitation.org/6sBPRz05T?url=http://toonopedia.com/snorks.htm Archived] from the original on July 23, 2017.

{{Hanna-Barbera}}
{{The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera}}
{{Children's programming on NBC in the 1980s}}

[[Category:1980s American animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:1980s American children's comedy television series]]
[[Category:1980s American high school television series]]
[[Category:1984 American animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:1989 American television series endings]]
[[Category:American children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated fantasy television series]]
[[Category:Belgian children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:Belgian children's animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:Belgian children's animated fantasy television series]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into animated series]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Nautical comics]]
[[Category:Fictional humanoids]]
[[Category:Star Comics titles]]
[[Category:Television series based on Belgian comics]]
[[Category:Television series by Hanna-Barbera]]
[[Category:The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera]]
[[Category:Underwater civilizations in fiction]]
[[Category:Channel 4 animated television series]]
[[Category:American teen animated television series]]
[[Category:ITV children's television shows]]
[[Category:NBC animated television series]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated animated television series]]