The show follows the antics of Rocko the Dog, Cuddles the Comfort Doll, Buttons the Bear, and Bill the Ventriloquist Dummy, four puppets with anthropomorphic qualities including individual histories of delinquency and recidivism.

PWK initially began as a one-man live theatre show written and performed by comedian/puppeteer John Pattison at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 1995.

Rocko (performed by Bruce Hunter), is a foul-mouthed, chain-smoking Miniature Schnauzer who formerly worked on a children's television program.

He once had a lucrative corporate sponsorship deal with the Happy Elf Peanut Butter Company, but the sponsor exercised the "moral turpitude" clause in his contract once details of his promiscuous behavior leaked to the press.

Although he genuinely cares about his charges, Dan's primary concern is keeping the halfway house open thus preserving his job.

It showcases Canadian talent, using several guest actors per episode, many of them well-known in Canada, playing an array of idiosyncratic characters.

Newsreader Bill Cameron regularly appeared as himself, often foreshadowing the show's plot by reporting on bizarre crimes that could only have been committed by Dan's charges.

Among the many actors who have appeared in the series are Gordon Pinsent, Kristin Lehman, Emily Hampshire, Peter Outerbridge, Anna Silk and Helene Joy.

Seasons 3 and 4 appeared in a 'Best of' collection in 2010 with audio commentaries by key cast and crew, and contains some of the show's greatest hits including such popular episodes as "The Joyride" and "The Rival House".

PWK went on to receive a total of 15 Gemini nominations in various categories, from writing, directing, and acting to sound design and photography.