A TV show with one of the catchiest theme songs of all-time is making a return! After already been given a new life on Apple TV+, with their produced-in-quarantine series of shorts titled Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, the service is now going all-in on a full-length, rebooted series.
Apple didn't give away any plot or episode specifics about the reboot but they promised “new songs and adventures, with the same spirit as the classic.” The original series, airing from 1983-1987, featured a cavalcade of Jim Henson’s trademark characters including Gobo, Red, Boober, Mokey, Wembley, and Uncle Travelling Matt. According to Apple, all of them will be back in the reboot, including original performers Dave Goelz (Boober, Uncle Travelling Matt) and Karen Prell (Red).
The idea is that the reboot will have the spirit of the original series while also showcasing some of the rejuvenated energy of the Rock On! shorts that have debuted on Apple TV+. The original show was a little zany and insane but the new shorts have added a bit of sweetness to make it, even more, family-friendly during a time when families are sheltered at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. The shorts follow the Fraggles living in separate caves during a period of social distancing and interacting with each other using a video chat that was installed by the Doozers. The Rock On! shorts have also been a showcase of special guest appearances including Tiffany Haddish, Common, Neil Patrick Harris, and Ziggy Marley.
I'll definitely check out a rebooted series because even though I didn't watch Fraggle Rock until after its original run as a child, the series was much a part of my childhood in the same way as The Muppets or Sesame Street. I think a fresh take could really work right now for the nostalgic child in all of us and a new generation of kids.
Are YOU interested in the Fraggle Rock reboot?