Well it turns out Letterboxd does not have a page for this show (it mainly deals with movies), so I am posting my review here! #fragglerock #fragglerockbacktotherock
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Fraggle Rock: Back To The Rock
After an announcement that a Fraggle Rock movie would be made, only for it to wind up in development purgatory, we instead have a revival/reboot series of the 1983 Jim Henson television series produced exclusively for Apple's streaming service AppleTV. And don't worry, ... it's pretty dang good. VERY good even. The new team headed by creative chairman John Tartaglia (also the voice and performer of Gobo Fraggle and others) clearly did their homework, as everything from the writing, songs, development, Creature Shop's rebuilt puppets and props and sets, directing, acting, themes, messages, and even lore, are all a splitting image of the old show! To the point where I felt like Jim Henson miraculously came back to life to consult everyone while it was made- this show would basically make him weep, it's so amazing it captures the spirit of the show so well! I spent time rewatching some episodes of Fraggle Rock after finishing this one, and I noticed they even brought back some obscure characters that I didn't even know WERE in the old show! Those are some deep cuts!
Dave Goelz (Boober Fraggle, Uncle Traveling Matt, World's Oldest Fraggle) and Karen Prell (Red Fraggle) are the only original Muppeteers to reprise their roles. This time Goelz isn't even puppeting the puppets, as his old age and heightened fear of COVID has resulted in him recording his dialogue remotely, while others take over his puppets on the set for him. Goelz and Prell are credited as creative consultants and producers, and I think I saw original-Elmo Kevin Clash as one of the performer extras.
There are differences, as some things have to be updated in order for it to succeed in a new age. Doc is now a totally different character, who lives in a different place, and is now a cheerful, energetic, African-American 20-something university student played by Lilli Cooper. She is working on her masters in science, which goes along with the theme of connections, ecosystems, balance, and community (although Sprocket the Dog is the same as he always is). Mokey Fraggle's been given a kind of personality shift to make her a less loopy and more level-headed, later on forming a sarcastic streak. There's a slew of brand new characters, some voiced by celebrity guest-stars like Ed Helms, Daveed Diggs, Patti LaBelle, Kenan Thompson and more, who are just as colorful and enjoyable to watch and fit the tone of the world here. The show tackles new themes that match current trends which have formed in the decades since the 80's, such as respect to those different from you (a new character, the ditzy Pogey Fraggle, is non-binary and becomes a kind of Sixth Ranger to the core five), LGBTQ identity (Adam Lambert guest-stars as a furry monster who can magically transform their look at will and who acts as a mentor figure to Wembley and Pogey at one point), artificial plant growith (Cotterpin the Doozer "invents" lab-grown plants that can grow without the need for soil), and the importance of clean air (the climax involves Doc and the Fraggles coincidentially both trying to build a wind turbine to save a garden). Speaking of, one thing this show improves on is the addition of a continuous storyline through both its two seasons, resulting in a satisfying conclusion and well-written development for specific characters.
I have very few hang-ups here, and thankfully they do not at all ruin the show. The rest of the cast is brand new, and their job of mimicking the voices of the old cast range from almost perfect to alarmingly off. The new updated themes make it VERY weird to watch in a political climate where we have a new administration that has outwardly hated wind turbines, thinks climate change is a hoax, and thinks LGBTQ identity is a mental illness, and that did prevent me from being as happy as I wished I was. I was really looking forward to seeing Convincing John again, originally performed by Henson, but alas he is not in this iteration, even though we have a few new characters who are similar.
This is perfect to show your kids, and there is even a lot of ideas and character moments that families and parents will appreciate too. The lessons in all these episodes are very important for them to learn! The show is in 4K widescreen with crisper definition than the old show, so everything is clearer to understand. And of course they kept one of the best opening theme songs ever written for a children's show! (excuse me I'm gonna replay it for the fiftieth time...)
Fraggle Rock: Back To The Rock gets a 4.5/5!