More than 3 decades since it went off the air, the vibrant world of “Fraggle Rock” is back in a full-series reboot. The reimagined world of Jim Henson’s fun-loving group of furry subterranean cave dwellers—“Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock”—is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Red, Gobo, Boober, Mokey, and Wembley in “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” premiering globally Friday, January 21, 2022, on Apple TV+.
Dance Your Cares Away with the All-New “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” on Apple TV+
Created as a 13-part episodic series that masterfully ascribes to the original series’ themes while still delivering a breath of fresh air, the “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” revival is the quintessential melange of old and new.
For those familiar with the original series, the enhanced recreation of the opening credits is a welcome treat. A joyous mix of nostalgia for the old with a bit of a new twist makes it modern enough to draw in new audiences.
Uncle Traveling Matt is back!
Gobo’s Uncle Traveling Matt sends a new artifact from his adventures in Outerspace (the world of the “Silly People”) and the artifact discovery leads Gobo and his Fraggle friends—Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red—to some sort of shenanigan. This episodic format is similar to the original but with a few little twists: like Uncle Traveling Matt shows up at Fraggle Rock! And his special request throws the Fraggles for a loop!
In maintaining the spirit of the original series, this new production sees each episode touch on important life lessons—whether it be friendship, believing in yourself and your dreams, confidence, being unique, protecting the planet, or anxiety—while still respecting an overarching theme of kindness, caring, and connectedness.
Addressing Anxiety in an Approachable Way
Even in 2022, anxiety, along with any other mental illness, is still a giant elephant in the room. One of the great aspects about the Fraggle Rock series is that even nearly 30 years ago, the even then the series was progressive yet gentle enough to talk to kids about challenging topics, just as it still is in 2022.
The mental health landscape has shifted a lot since the first series aired, but one thing that hasn’t shifted is that people (and kids) still suffer from anxiety and need coping mechanisms. Those coping mechanisms are how you help prevent anxiety and the fear it can cause from becoming debilitating.
Boober was always the Fraggle who was a bit of a cautious homebody and appeared a bit depressed, while Wembley (the youngest) was nervous and indecisive—and seemingly anxious.
Reboot Boober is more anxious and on the sensitive side—he’s aware of everything that can go wrong and wants to be prepared. He may not be the glass half empty Fraggle, he just knows it needs to be refilled. Reboot Wembley is more excitable than anxious.
“Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” gives us an episode that deals directly with the idea of anxiety tied to self-image and why you should embrace your uniqueness. When you do embrace your uniqueness, “it becomes the brightest treasure in the world.”
Red, Boober, Wembley, Mokey, and Gobo in “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” premiering globally Friday, January 21, 2022, on Apple TV+.
A Brief History of “Fraggle Rock”
If you live under a rock…er, in a cave…and are unfamiliar with Fraggles, the original “Fraggle Rock” series aired on HBO from 1983 to 1987 (in the U.S.). The 96-episode series featured live puppetry with a variety of underground dwelling creatures (Fraggles, Doozers) as well as some above-ground creatures (Gorgs, humans, Sprocket), too.
In Spring 2020, Apple TV+ did a short new take on the Fraggles with its “Fraggle Rock: Rock On” series. This was a 6-episode series, each lasting about 5 minutes, where familiar Fraggles such as Gobo and Red would videoconference via Fraggle Zoom. Not a complete revival by any stretch, but a family-friendly way to deal with the overwhelming collective sigh that was the start of the lockdown.
About “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock”
Jim Henson’s fun-loving, musical Fraggles are back! Join Gobo, Red, Wembley, Mokey, Boober, and new Fraggle friends on hilarious, epic adventures about the magic that happens when we celebrate and care for our interconnected world.
Sprocket and Doc (Lilli Cooper) in “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
New cast member Lilli Cooper is the Fraggles’ sole Silly Creature Doc. This reboot iteration of Doc is an Ocean Sciences Ph.D. candidate and her field of study is perfect for teaching the audience the value of protecting the planet and using resources wisely. She’s a busy woman though, going to school working in a restaurant, and taking care of her dog Sprocket.
Doc lives in a converted garage/workshop where the infamous Fraggle “hole” is located. The Fraggle “hole” is a hole in the wall that serves as the portal between the Silly Creature Puter Space world and Fraggle Rock. The hole is just the right size for Fraggles to pass through, but only big enough for Sprocket’s head. She has no idea what happens on the other side of the hole, despite Sprocket’s interest in it. However, she is confused by the packages that keep arriving address to one “Gobo Fraggle.”
The Music of Fraggle Rock
In addition to the core Fraggles cast, there are guest appearances on some of the episodes by a variety of talented vocalists and songwriters, so they are included in the season’s musical numbers. One such guest is Dave Grohl. Grohl’s band Foo Fighters released an inspired version of the Fraggle Rock Theme Song that is part of the season’s soundtrack.
Other guests include:
- “Shine on Us Now (Moon Come Soon)” featuring Patti LaBelle
- “Chase the Wind” featuring Cynthia Erivo
- “Go with the Flow” featuring Daveed Diggs
- “Dream a Dream and See” & ” There’s a Lot I Want to Know” featuring Ed Helms
- “Ball of Fire” featuring Kenan Thompson
Watch the Trailer
The Origins of “Fraggle Rock”
Jim Henson created the original series “Fraggle Rock” with the ambitious goal of inspiring world peace. This wonderfully inventive program was designed to entertain while encouraging an understanding and embracing of diversity. Premiering in 1983, the series starred the Fraggles, a fun-loving group of furry subterranean cave dwellers, as well as the Doozers, their diminutive industrious neighbors, and the oafish Gorgs who grow the radishes they love. The original series produced four seasons, 96 total episodes, dozens of accolades and awards, and 100 original songs that feature a unique and memorable mix of music genres, from folk, blues, and gospel to country and rock.
Through the fun adventures of the Fraggle gang—Red, Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and Uncle Travelling Matt—the iconic show has continued to capture the hearts of children and adults alike from all around the world.
RATING: TV-G
CAST: John Tartaglia, Donna Kimball, Jordan Lockhart, Frank Meschkulelt, Lilli Cooper
SPECIAL GUEST STARS: Patti LaBelle, Cynthia Erivo, Daveed Diggs, Ed Helms, Kenan Thompson, The Foo Fighters
WRITERS: Matt Fusfeld and Alex Cuthbertson
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Lisa Henson, Halle Stanford, John Tartaglia, Matt Fusfeld, Alex Cuthbertson, Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer
PRODUCER: Ritamarie Peruggi
EXECUTIVE MUSIC PRODUCER: Harvey Mason Jr.
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: The Jim Henson Company
NO. OF EPISODES: 13 x 30 minutes.
INTERVIEW: Meet Mokey and Wembley
All episodes will be available to watch globally on Apple TV+ on January 21, 2022.
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