Your favorite puppets are back and better than ever! Reboots of shows have been all the rage these past few years, and now Fraggle Rock is back on the scene. Excited to see your favorite characters? Here’s the inside scoop for what to expect from the new release.
All the Details
Fraggle Rock is a rambunctious children’s show filled with goofy puppet characters. Originally airing on HBO for 5 seasons, from 1983 to 1987, the show garnered a ton of support early on. It was ahead of its time, tackling issues, like prejudice, with ease in a way that resonates with kids. It inspired a ton of puppet makers, like myself, and has become a staple show for 80s and 90s kids.
Now, Fraggle Rock is back in this new series, titled Fraggle Rock: Back to The Rock. The new series is produced by the Jim Henson Company in coordination with Apple TV+. The puppets make their return on January 21, 2022 and includes 13 silly, fun episodes for viewing.
The Beginning of the Resurgence
If you’re a big Fraggle Rock fan, you may have already heard about the digital shorts released last year. Every Tuesday from April 21, 2020, to May 26, 2020, Apple TV+ released a new digital short in the Fraggle Rock: Rock On! Series. This short show was produced by the Jim Henson Company and served as an introduction back to Fraggle Rock for devoted audiences.
The digital shorts show was produced amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the series being created from the performer’s homes. The new Fraggle Rock show is expected to be filmed in person with a much larger production team. This means new set designs and full production teams dedicated to re-creating the magic of Fraggle Rock. These digital shorts were an introduction to the reboot release, which was announced on the finale of the short’s series.
The series was filmed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and began pre-production in the fall of 2020. The show has long been in the works, finishing filming on January 25, 2021 and wrapping this past June. Now its time to cozy up in front of your tv and tune in to the magic of Fraggle Rock: Back to The Rock.
What Characters Are Returning?
A teaser for the show came out on November 15th, which featured the classic theme song audiences know and love. We are met with a few familiar faces from the series. First, we see Gobo running through the caves of Fraggle Rock to find his friends. We are then met with a large cast of Fraggle Rock characters, singing the Chorus of the song.
We see old cast members, like Boober, engaging in new activities. In the teaser, Boober has ditched the flowers and is seen ironing. Still, in the grand finale he closes out the song with a final “Down in Fraggle Rock” crescendo.
We also see Red sing a solo version of “Dance your Cares Away” in the teaser, which means much of the original cast will be coming back. We see the five main characters of the gang in this intro, so it’s safe to say that not much has changed.
What has Changed?
What has changed is the quality of the show. It’s been over 30 years since the show initially came out and, in that time, filming equipment has evolved. Clearer images and extra dazzling set pieces are seen in the teaser. For instance, the transportation system the Doozers made has all the same charm, but has definitely benefited by modern technology’s touch.
A Show the Family Will Love
Many millennials that loved this show as a child now have children that can experience the magic of Fraggle Rock as well. This makes it the perfect family show. Older viewers can get a bit of nostalgia from watching the series and introduce their young ones to the magical world they fell in love with long ago. Are you ready to go back to the Rock?
