Fraggle Rock (1983–1987) User Reviews

Dance your cares away with this timeless classic

[crow30002003 · 9/10 · 5 July 2010]

Fraggle Rock, oh yes, one of the staples of my childhood. I recently rediscovered this gem thanks to YouTube, and since then I'm now imbued in fragglemania. Having bought the complete series DVD set, I have had a major nostalgia rush, and it's just as good as I remember.

The show centers around three major species, the fun loving fraggles, the hard working doozers, and the self proclaimed king, queen, and prince of the universe, the Gorgs, but more importantly, the main 5 fraggles, that being the adventurous leader Gobo, the athletic swimmer Red, the pessimistic and laundry obsessed Boober, the indecisive and panicky Wembley, and last but not least the artistic flower child, Mokey. There's also Doc, a former inventor and his dog, Sprocket. Sprocket knows about the fraggles since there's a gaping hole on the side of Doc's lab, where Gobo will go out and retrieve postcards from his uncle Traveling Matt, however, Doc doesn't know until the last few episodes.

The show, like many other 80's kid shows, does have a moral in each episode, but unlike other kid shows from the MTV generation, Fraggle Rock does not shove the lesson down the viewers' throats. These lessons include the series' main gaol to teach about tolerance, but others include for one not to be selfish or hold people responsible for the wrong things and so on. Not to mention, the show uses music to great amounts, where every episode has about anywhere from 2-5 songs, excluding the main theme. Most of the songs are catchy and may even warrant a must have for anyone's iPod, while others are filled with emotion and may bring one to tears. In addition, though the lessons are abundant and songs plentiful, Fraggle Rock is still a joy for anyone to watch, be it a young child to an elderly man.

The cast includes the likes of Karen Prell, David Goels, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Steve Whitmire, and even Jim Henson himself, all of whom do an excellent job both doing the voices of their respective characters, but also the puppetry. The music, though sometimes a bit dated, does match each scene and we're provided with some toe-tapping tunes once in a while. The special effects, though again dated, are pretty good, but sometimes they aren't the most earth-shattering.

All in all, Fraggle Rock is an exceptional show for any fan of the Muppets or Jim Henson in general. The charming characters, catchy music, and non anvilicious morals make this a must watch for anyone, and with the DVD set available, it's a definite buy.

After the Muppets, Fraggle Rock went international

[SimonJack · 8/10 · 28 November 2020]

"Fraggle Rock" is a very funny and entertaining puppet TV series that ran from 1983 to 1987 in Canada. Adults as well as children could really enjoy this show. As with the Muppets, the show and characters were created by Jim Henson. It was produced in Canada, with an international design that provided for modifications in story and settings with the same characters in various market languages. It aired regularly in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. England and several other countries had modified settings. It had German and Spanish language versions.

The DVD I watched recently has three of the original segments, and more than four hours of shows. It's called "Fraggle Rock - Beginnings: Where it All Began." I had seen segments of the show in the past on TV.

The series is a lot of fun to watch. The fantasy land of Fraggle is a rock island somewhere in the oceans. Numerous performers voice the various characters. Doc, Sprocket, Boober, Gobo, Red, Mokey and all their many companions are delightful. Kids from four to 94 have enjoyed this series around the world.

Why, oh why, isn't this series available on home video/DVD?

[GWMJedi · 9/10 · 6 February 2001]

To folks at companies like [Lucasfilm and] Henson Productions: WE WANT THE LEGACY OF JIM HENSON on CD and DVD in our home stereos! Think of the money that Henson Productions is not making, by not releasing all of their back catalog on DVD and the soundtracks on CD! Oh but right, I'm supposed to be reviewing the product, not slamming the marketing idiocy of the company that owns it. What to say about Fraggle Rock... It's a good show, and it's the type of material that I would want my children to watch -- when I have kids, that is. Power Rangers just doesn't cut it. Fraggles are COOL. Period. And Doozers too! And we all know that Gorgs wouldn't *really* kill a Fraggle. Many muppet fans lambast this show because "it's just not as good as the Muppet Show or Sesame Street." Ok, fine. But it's a totally different show and is worthy of note. It was fun, and it featured a theme song that still pops into my head 18 years later. The show could have some educational value; of course, everything Jim Henson ever did could have educational value if parents would sit together with their kids and talk about what they're seeing when they watch TV. I guess the best way to summarize how I feel about this show is to state that I was 12 years old when it came out, and it provided a beautiful safe "kiddie" retreat from an otherwise bleak time in my life. There was always something about this show... the idea that just beneath your feet there might be a beautiful world with amazing creatures in it, who all learned somehow magically to JUST BE NICE TO EACH OTHER -- and who also learned some wisdom from listening to a heap of trash. "Metaphysics 101 For Kids"? If only the real world were as safe as Jim Henson's visions... but then again, that always *was* his magic -- expanding your mind, letting you have fun, but keeping you basically safe. We should all be so lucky. It's one of my greatest regrets that according to Henson Productions statements, my children will probably never have the joy of watching this show. If the misguided marketers at Henson Productions ever read any reviews such as this one, then know this: you have let your fans down, and tainted the memory of Jim Henson. Your marketing decisions have denied Mr Henson's legacy from an entire generation of fans -- and their children. All that money, which we will spend on other companies, whose products are undoubtedly inferior... such a shame. RELEASE THE BACK CATALOG ON DVD.

Arguably the best children's series of all time.

[La Gremlin · 17 March 2001]

Here we have a children's series that creates a world with a totally believable and frighteningly delicate ecology of creatures who really want nothing to do with each other (though they never really say so) but are completely dependent on one another. A series for children that's unafraid to tackle issues such as death, war, religion, self-sacrifice, self-actualization, and interdependency, all without resorting to "preachification" (a term from the series). The fact that "Fraggle Rock" achieved all this *and* kept the tone light and the attitude playful is nothing short of a true miracle.

"Fraggle Rock" has to be my all time favorite series as a kid, and looking back as an adult, I realize how ambitious it was. Leave it to Jim Henson to build an entire world that was so believable, you wanted to visit it. I am certain that this was a once in a lifetime thing. There will *never* be another series with this much imagination or dedication to its young audience. Too bad, as today we need this series' gentle messages more so than ever.

Recently, a few episode of "Fraggle Rock" were released on video. For many of us, these are the only ones we have access to, and I believe that a *real* "Fraggle Rock" fan should have been put in charge of which episodes were preserved. Instead, while volume three (entitled "the Fraggles Search and Find") has the two greatest episodes of all time in my opinion, the remaining tapes' episodes appear to have been chosen at random. Get tape three if you can!

wonderful many years down the line; kids of today might want to take a look

[Quinoa1984 · 10/10 · 31 October 2005]

Shows like Fraggle Rock don't get the chance to grace the TV screens anymore. Indeed, back in the 80's and early 90's when the show was most popular among kids and (some) of their parents, there was almost nothing else like it on TV. While it shared its connection to the other Jim Henson driven show, Sesame Street, it wasn't restricted to all of the same conventions. I remember the show as a kid bringing some memorable songs, lovable characters, and some morals that rivaled most of the animated cartoons. It was also at times, along with the tradition of the muppets, very funny. The dynamics of the world of the Fraggles, of their middle-world between the world of humans and the flip-side to the Gorgs, is something of fantasy fascination even as I'm now an adult.

Once the basic premise is set-up from episode 1- Uncle "Travelly" Matt goes off into the real world to explore leaving his nephew Gobo and his pals (Mokey, Boober, Red, and Wembly) to have to retrieve a postcard each episode. In each episode, however, the Fraggles- along with their little friends the dozers, and the ominous Gorgs who think of themselves as the "rulers of the universe"- learn some new lessons, and sing some catchy songs. The whole concept of the show is practically never cynical, and like the best animated kids shows they give a variety of characters for kids to identify with and simple adventures for them to go through. There's also the wonderful touch of Doc and his dog Sprocket, who sort of keep a parallel to what the Fraggles learn.

Was this as groundbreaking as the Muppet Show or Sesame Street? Yes and no; the humor and general storytelling is definitely at times more geared to kids, and for some adults it could be a little boring. But on a technical level it's still a marvel- the little dozers especially seem hard to control, which goes to show how much ahead of the game Henson was with his creations (and the mechanics of them). The sad thing is, those who are kids right now have an idea and have seen many of the Muppet stuff- the movies, the show maybe, the cartoons- as Fraggle Rock lays dormant. Luckily there is the new DVD of the first season out, which can provide a glimpse into what made it such a cult favorite in the 80's. I still like watching an episode every so often, and like with the other Muppet films and such, it brings a smile to my face, and not very cheaply either.

One of my all-time favorite shows... "Fraggle Rock" rocks!

[dee.reid · 10/10 · 24 September 2011]

Jim Henson's "Fraggle Rock" was one of my all-time favorite shows when I was a kid, and it still is one of my all-time favorite shows now that I'm an adult (at 26 years of age, as of this writing). "Fraggle Rock" was about an underground civilization of subterranean creatures and their daily trials & tribulations. They also must contend with the elderly man who lives in the house above where their civilization is located. As many people here and abroad have commented, "Fraggle Rock" tackles a number of important real-world issues but is able to deal with such issues in a way that it doesn't pander to its young audience. That is a rare feat in children's shows these days, and is in fact something that always has long been a problem with children's entertainment. It was also able to do all this and still not lose its appeal as a show for young people. I'm also proud to say that I recently purchased "Fraggle Rock" when it was first released on DVD a few years back and fell in love with one of the most important shows from my childhood all over again.

Long live "Fraggle Rock."

10/10

Amazingly good and timeless

[sherryhowell50 · 10/10 · 14 January 2019]

It's funny. Unlike most of the reviews here, this was not my favorite when I was a child. In fact I remember seeing "Fraggle rock, coming up next" and changing the channel. Funny. I never saw this until I was in my 40s. But I wish I had. Now I'm in my mid 50s and I still think it's the best kids show ever. In fact, it's great for adults too.

I picked up the blueray prints and I'm enjoying my way through Fraggle rock for probably the 4th time. I enjoy the fact that the messages are all there no matter what your age, and they are enjoyable whatever your age. It's simple enough for a child but there's enough substance for an adult too. And what music! Even my 18 year old daughter watches it with me and she's at that age where nothing is good.

My advice? Pick out a couple of the higher rated ones and watch them. You'll soon be hooked and watching them all.

"I want to make a show that will bring world peace"

[dancing_warrior_prophet · 10/10 · 15 June 2022]

Jim Henson had a lofty goal with this series and while I doubt it will ever be achieved this hopefully may help kids start thinking about their relationships with other people and other parts of the world and how their actions may affect others, hopefully. This show tries to do that by showing how interconnected the 3 main species of fraggle rock are, and even some unwitting connection to humans as well (who live in outer space as they see it) as well as how differently they see and value the world they live in.

In the meantime this series has the absolute best music of any children's show out there, I put it on for my nieces and nephews and they will just start dancing to it, even the opening theme is wonderful and full of personality.

The characters each have their own voice and produce what is for kids (and even adults) pretty entertaining, if rather simple, drama. I wish more series were this upbeat and enthusiastic, I'll trade all the gritty reboots of the last 50 years for another happy gem of a show as this one. I recommend this to both adults and kids, at least listen to the music, it's fun.

"Let Me Be Your Song"

[bblack1-699-968577 · 7/10 · 4 June 2013]

To be totally honest, I haven't seen too many things from "Fraggle Rock." I've seen clips on YouTube and an episode or two of the show, but I never watched this show like I watched other Muppet projects.

From what I did see, however, I like what I saw. Jim Henson and his team really outdid themselves with the advanced puppets in this show. As I mentioned in my review of "The Muppet Show," there's an episode of "The Jim Henson Hour" that talked about the secret of the Muppets. He explains how some of the characters work, like the Doozers and the Gorgs. They're not your average Kermit the Frog-operated puppets; these are robotic, electronic styled Muppets! They're very impressive! Not only are the Muppets impressive, but the songs are really good, too! These songs are great! They can sing any style of music, and these songs will stay with you forever! Two of my favorite songs, from what I heard, are "Ragtime Queen" and "Let Me Be Your Song," the song Cantus and the minstrels sing. The other element I love about this show is the set and the beauty of it. A great example of this is the song "Let Me Be Your Song" that Cantus and the minstrels sing. As they're playing, look at the nature around them. It's beautiful. It's very nice!

I'm really upset that I never saw this show as a kid! Whenever we put in a video of one of the Muppet movies, a preview advertising this show on video cassette would play. That was my only exposure to this show as a kid. We never got the videos, the show didn't play on TV (or if it did, it didn't play where we could see it), and there was no YouTube for me to look up the show. It played on the Hub network a little while ago, so I decided to sit down and watch a couple of episodes. Sadly, I wasn't hooked on it. It looks really good and really creative, but I think that since it's a show for kids I would love it a lot more if I had seen it as a kid. One of the reasons I love "Sesame Street" now is because I saw it as a kid. I love the Muppets from "The Muppet Show" because, not only do they appeal to adults as well as kids, but I always saw them as a kid. When you see something great and wonderful during your childhood that appeals to your childhood, it will never leave you. For as great as this show is, though, I can't get invested in the characters or their situations now as an adult because this show isn't for me.

That's not to say the show isn't good, though. It's very good, as you'd expect it to be! If you want to watch it just to say you've seen all of Jim Henson's projects and all the Muppet projects, I guess I'd recommend this to you. If you want to watch it to see all the advanced puppets, hear the great songs, or see the nice visuals, I'd recommend this to you. But if you didn't see this show as a child, I'd warn you that you might not get as invested as you'd hope you would. BOOYIKA!

You rock

[rbn_lrk-1 · 10/10 · 7 July 2019]

Classic show, but where are the movie? Fraggle Rock was introduced in Denmark in the TV music show Eldorado back then.

vhs

[thisisit-29038 · 7/10 · 2 June 2020]

My neighbor has this on a bunch of vhses and it is so weird and creepfest. But the song is so good too.

Let's Go Down to Fraggle Rock!

[Scapegoat_Y · 10/10 · 23 March 2008]

Everything was better in past days. Even children's television. And Fraggle Rock proves my point quite easily. At the time of writing this comment I am fourteen years old but even in my teen years I can't resist the charm of Fraggle Rock. For those of you that have indeed been living under a rock (haha!), Fraggle Rock is about a horde of playful and goofy creatures called Fraggles who live-amazingly-in a rock. But they're not the only creatures. The rock is inhabited with many other species like the hardworking Doozers and countless living plants. Outside the rock on one side live inventor-scientist Doc and his dog Sprocket (who later befriends Gobo Fraggle), on the other side a family of Gorgs-supposed rulers of the Universe. The five main Fraggles Gobo (fearless leader), Mokey (arty and peaceful), Wembley (indecisive and a friend to Gobo), Boober (a pessimistic domestic god) and Red (loves anything to do with sport and general feistyness)get caught up in some strange situations each episode while at the same time sing and dance their cares away.

Fraggle Rock is definitely a family show-the plots may have intricate details that infants may not follow well, but the song-and-dance routines will hold their attention. The characters are strong and likable, their conflicts believable and their adventures thrilling. The Gorgs are frightening, Doc and Sprocket enlightening, Uncle Travelling Matt hilarious (the postcard segments are very 80s!) and the final episode, Change of Address, genuinely touching. Let's go down to Fraggle Rock again!

Fraggle Rock: A Whimsical and Heartwarming Journey of Friendship, Cooperation, and Acceptance

[hdoerr-02108 · 7/10 · 7 January 2024]

I recently watched Fraggle Rock, and overall, it was a pretty enjoyable show! The characters were unique and likable, and their world was a whole of whimsy and wonder. The music was catchy and fun, and the show's messages about friendship, cooperation, and acceptance were heartwarming and timeless.

Some episodes felt repetitive or dragged on too long, so I'm giving it a 7 out of 10 stars. However, these were few and far between and only detract a little from my overall enjoyment of the show.

If you're looking for a fun, lighthearted show with a positive message, I recommend trying Fraggle Rock!

A Great Show Lives on in the Next Generation

[littlemanlogan · 7 February 2003]

I remember watching this as a kid with my family. I loved it. It showed so many different types of creatures (Fraggles, Doozers, the Trash Heap...etc) that all made up one world. Everyone lived in relative peace with one another (with a few exceptions.) It showed our world from a different perspective and taught me (remember I was watching this at a young age) different things about the world that I may not have noticed.

Leave it to Jim Henson and crew to come up with this. It seems that everything that he touches is great. Now, I have a young son, and thanks to an old video store that I found tapes of the series that I have bought for him. He loves to watch these shows as much as I did, and I hope that he learns as much from them as I did.

Great Movie For Everyone

[DVDsmoker · 10/10 · 16 May 2006]

Fragglerock is excellent in the way that Schindler's List was excellent. A Great watch for children and adults of all genders. Big noses can be seen as hinting towards phallic symbols, in the same way that H.R. Puff N Stuff had hinted towards marijuana smoking. Your kids will love this movie. I enjoyed it very much as a child. My father showed me this movie as a child. He enjoyed it as well and pointed out that the exaggerated noses were phallic symbols. Although at the time I had no clue about what those were. The movie is comedy and adventure. The storyline is wacky and cheerful. I and you shall enjoy this together.

Lots of fun

[safenoe · 10/10 · 5 April 2024]

I have fond memories of watching Fraggle Rock back in the 1980s, especially being a fan of The Muppets (although I'm sure Seinfeld would have posed, Do we say the 'The Muppets' or 'the The Muppets') but anyway, I must admit when I saw Fraggle Rock, I thought some of the Muppets like Kermit and Miss Piggy, etc, would make guest appearances to reinforce the Jim Henson link, but I guess they were busy and all init. Anyway, the Fraggle Rock theme song is infectious and I'm pleased that it got a well-deserved reboot. Anyway, do yourself a favor and watch Fraggle Rock for its charm, humor and connection.

Fraggle Rock!

[undrtakr22 · 10/10 · 8 November 2021]

I remember when I was a child, back in the early 80's, when my dad first got HBO. And, this first came on. And, I fell in-love with it back then, just as much as I love it to this day! I always loved Jim Henson's work. It's still not bad, since his son sold the Henson company to Disney. But, it definitely never got any better, especially as it went "Politically Correct", changing many of the old school character's on Sesame Street, along with other show's, that even got Fraggle Rock cancelled, even though it was a hugely thriving kid's show, at the time. It was so helpful for me, as I was still learning so much. And, Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street, as well as many of the Henson movie's inspired me to learn so much more, than any political figure ever did! There was such great imagination and ingenuity involved with Fraggle Rock and the rest of Jim Henson's work's!

Lord how I miss this show!

[Angel_Meiru · 17 February 2004]

I cannot believe that the Henson studios are not selling a DVD box collection of the Fraggles. This series was simply the most beautiful, artistic, and imaginative children's series of the '80's. Children's programming has suffered a serious setback ever since Jim Henson passed away.

Nowadays, instead of such films as Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal and television programs like Fraggle Rock, kids are forced to rely on the unimaginative blatherings and the artistic joke known as the Disney Corporation and Barney.

Where has the magic and art gone??? And since the magic and the splendor has receded into the mists, why can't they provide us the DVDs required to bring it back, even in just our own homes??

I just hope that this dream just comes true.

A show of my generation (those born 1973-79)

[tizzi22 · 13 March 2001]

I grew up on Muppets...I watched Sesame Street since before I can remember, my worst punishment and the only one that stands out in my mind is when my mother made me go to bed without watching the Muppet Show, and then, when I was four, Fraggle Rock came out. This of the three shows is the one that stands out in my mind. Right now the theme song is going through my head with the rocking guitar. We have Fraggle Rock marathons (thanks to the episodes being released on video). We used to play with the little Happy Meals toys of them and still have them. What a great show for my generation.

Probably Jim Henson's best work for children.

[dootuss · 30 January 2002]

This show ruled!! I watched when I was a little kid when it used to air on HBO, then I watched the reruns of the show when it aired on the Disney channel a few years back. This show was really cool since it had an assortment of strange characters like the Fraggles, the Doozers, and the Fraggle capturing Gorgs. It was also good for it's morals as well. Fraggle Rock like many classic children's shows of its time did not talk down to kids nor underestimate their intelligence for that matter. I my honest opinion, they should bring this back to T.V.

By the way, Wembley, and Boober Fraggle Rule!

Fraggle Rock!

[Movie Nuttball · 14 June 2005]

Fraggle Rock was a good program. It was a unique program that featured so many of the wonderful Muppets! The show had a whole bunch of stuff and segments such as actors and other celebrities! The show was funny and exciting for what kind of program it was. In My opinion Fraggle Rock was really a head of its time and The show was perfect for the 1980s. I think the show was for both kids and the adults. I think it was a smart show. The main title of the show and the music was good. I don't know if this show is still on TV today but if it is watch this show because it was truly a special one so if you liked the classic Muppet Show, The Muppet Movie, any Muppet movie, and/or the classic Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird then check out Fraggle Rock today!

A magical world of the Fraggles captivates many

[Kron-3 · 15 May 2000]

I watched Fraggle Rock when I was a kid, I thought it to be a magical world and actually believed in a place called Fraggle Rock when I was 4. Recently when it was aired it brought back old memories. The fraggles with their all play and no work was something that I enjoyed as a kid. However I didn't like the Gorgs and I also hoped that humans would one day interact with Fraggles. There are four different creatures: Man- Doc and his dog Sprocket, Fraggles, Douzers and Gorgs. Doc does not know the existence of the Fraggles, Gorgs want to capture the Fraggles and Douzers are the uncomplaining, untiring workers. The Fraggles are mainly Gobo the hero, Wembley, Mookey, Red & Boober.

Great for young kids.

Simply the Best

[Toddaroo · 17 September 2001]

I watched this show with my family when it used to be on HBO, and I just remember how much I loved the adventures and new characters. I found an old tape of them last month and watched them again...and man, they were just as much for adults as they were for kids. It was a really escapist, communist-themed show. All the characters represented something different, some element of a "perfect"community. It was crazy to watch it again and see it in a totally different light. It was then and still is one of the best television shows ever made, period. Even though Convincing John and the gypsy music group scared the hell out of me as a kid (I don't know why!), I loved it then and I love it now. LONG LIVE THE FRAGGLES!!!

Strange creatures inside a hill

[the_oak · 7 October 2008]

This was aired on norwegian TV in my childhood years. I still remember the catching intro, with one of the fraggles nearly getting caught by the troll. I think this was a very good show, so I re-watched a couple of episodes on youtube the other day. And then I realised that the dozers who build all the strange edible structures inside the hill, are doing it because they want the fraggles to eat the structures. I always thought the fraggles were just destroying everything, being devoid of empaty with the labouring dozers. So that was interesting. The best part of the show I think is the post card from Uncle travelling Matt. He always observes the humans from an angle, and sends home very philosophical post cards. At one time he was down at the bay, and fell into a fishing boat, where he saw some fishermen mending a fishing net. He found it very strange that they spent their time making holes, and then went out to sea to throw the holes into the ocean. He concluded it had to be some kind of ritual that his mind could not comprehend. This is children's TV as it should be.

This show scared me when I was a kid...

[laterose_nnvale01 · 11 February 2001]

Don't get me wrong, it was a great show, but it scared me! From the eerie-sounding theme song, to the scary looking muppet things, this show made me have nightmares till I was 12!!! I still today can't get myself to watch it! Although I did when my friend found an old Fraggle tape and made me watch it. It's really entertaining but it scared me as a kid, as well as "Eureka's Castle". I think it's a puppet thing...