Fraggle Rock

                                                                            

 

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Fraggle Rock is a children's television series with a total of 4 seasons and 96 episodes. The series originally ran from January 10, 1983 to March 30, 1987 on HBO in the United States, CBC Television in Canada, TV2 in New Zealand and TVS in the UK. Later Boomerang and Cartoonito broadcast it in the UK. In 2008, Fraggle Rock is showing in the UK on POP! and Tiny Pop, in Australia on Boomerang and in Canada on Teletoon Retro. The series was created by Jim Henson, primarily featuring a cast of "Muppet" creatures called Fraggles, with music by Philip Balsam and Dennis Lee. It was one of the first shows to be co-produced by HIT Entertainment since its foundation in 1989 when it was called Henson International Television, the international arm of Jim Henson Productions.

Jim Henson articulated a vision of Fraggle Rock as depicting a colourful and fun world; "It is a high-energy, raucous musical romp. It's a lot of silliness. It's wonderful." The setting depicts a world with a relatively complex system of symbiotic relationships between different "races" of creatures, an allegory to the human world, where each group was somewhat unaware of how interconnected and important they were to one another. Creating this allegorical world allowed the program to entertain and amuse while seriously exploring complex issues of prejudice, spirituality, personal identity, environment, and social conflict. Fraggle Rock generally refused to over-simplify any individual issue, instead simply illustrating the consequences and inherent difficulties of different actions and relationships.

The inhabitants of Fraggle Rock

Fraggles

Fraggles, tiny humanoid creatures about 18 inches tall, come in a wide variety of colors and have tails that bear a tuft of fur on the end. They live in a system of caves called Fraggle Rock that are filled with all manner of creatures and features, and which seem to connect to at least two different worlds that exist in different dimensions of time and space. Fraggles live a very carefree life, spending most of their time playing, exploring, and generally enjoying themselves. However, they are by no means irresponsible or simple, and manage to maintain a fairly complex culture and society, with each Fraggle having a particular responsibility to uphold. Fraggles are shown to be curious, clever, and brave and are quick to act in an emergency. They are fairly skilled with tools and even crude machinery, and even the concept of war is familiar enough to them (although wars between Fraggles are very rare). Fraggles live on a diet of vegetables, especially radishes and "doozer sticks" (see below). Fraggles have the ability to "share dreams"; if they touch their heads together before falling asleep, one can enter the dream of the other Fraggle. More than one Fraggle at a time can enter a single Fraggle's dream, provided all the participants' heads are touching. Deep in the caves of Fraggle Rock lives another group of Fraggles that are known to other Fraggles as Enemy Fraggles (as shown in the episode "Fraggle Wars"). Enemy Fraggles live in a place they call Fraggle Cave. The Enemy Fraggles are dull and seem to be a lot like Doozers in a way in that both dislike Fraggles and neither have a lot of fun.

The series focused on one group of Fraggles in particular: Gobo (Jerry Nelson), Mokey (Kathryn Mullen), Red (Karen Prell), Wembley (Steve Whitmire), and Boober (Dave Goelz). They form a tight-knit group of friends, and each has a distinct personality.

Primary Fraggles

Secondary Fraggles

Doozers

Within Fraggle Rock lives a second species of small humanoid creatures, the pudgy, green, ant-like Doozers. Standing only 6 inches (150 mm) tall (knee-high to a Fraggle), Doozers in a sense represent anti-Fraggles; their lives are dedicated to work and industry. Doozers spend much of their time busily constructing all manner of scaffolding throughout Fraggle Rock using miniature construction equipment and wearing hard-hats and work boots. No one but the Doozers themselves seem to understand the actual purpose of their intricate and beautiful constructions.

Often they accompany their building with marching songs and various doozer chants. To ensure that they always have a steady stream of work to do, Doozers build their constructions out of an edible candy-like substance (manufactured from radishes) which is greatly enjoyed by Fraggles. They actually want the Fraggles to eat their constructions because "architecture's supposed to be enjoyed" and also so they can go on to build again. This is essentially the only interaction between Doozers and Fraggles; Doozers spend most of their time building, and Fraggles spend much of their time eating Doozer buildings.

This symbiosis becomes integral to an episode where Mokey calls upon the Fraggles to stop eating the Doozers' constructions - because they spend so much time making them. Fraggle Rock quickly fills with constructions and the Doozers have no space left in which to build. After running out of space, the Doozers finally decide that it is time to move on to a new area because the Fraggles won't eat their construction, and there is even a tragic scene with a mother explaining to her daughter about how things don't always work out but that they will find a new place to live where their construction will get eaten. Overhearing this, Mokey realises that she has inadvertently disrupted a vital symbiotic relationship through ignorant good intentions. As a result, Mokey frantically rescinds her prohibition and encourages the Fraggles to gorge on the structures — just in time to persuade the Doozers to stay.

At one point a series of Fraggle Rock books appeared, one entitled "The Legend of the Doozer Who Didn't." This book details the story of a Doozer who went against Doozer tradition when he stopped working and going to school. According to this book, a Doozer who doesn't becomes a Fraggle.

The series had several episodes that featured a Doozer as a main character, a young female named Cotterpin. She was performed by Kathryn Mullen.

Known Doozers

The Silly Creatures of Outer Space

Gobo's uncle Matt, known as Traveling Matt, has gone into "Outer Space" (as Fraggles call the human world) to explore, and he regularly sends postcards back to Gobo. The name "Traveling Matt" puns on the special-effects technique for combining objects (such as spaceships and starry background): known as a traveling matte. Humans are known to Fraggles by the name "Silly Creatures", bestowed by Matt after observing and interacting with them in his travels. His letters to Gobo describe his interactions with "the silly creatures", often showing an extreme lack of knowledge of the subject at hand; for example, one episode has him watching two teenage girls chewing bubble gum, and upon seeing them blow bubbles, believes that the gum (which he thinks of as food) has caused their tongues to inflate and explode.

The North American version shows the connection between Fraggle Rock and Outer Space as a small hole in the wall of the workshop of an eccentric inventor called "Doc", and Gobo must go out into Doc's workshop to retrieve the postcards from the wastebasket where Doc throws them. Doc remains unaware of the Fraggles' existence, but his dog Sprocket has seen them and attempts in vain to prove their existence to his master. Before becoming an inventor, Doc made his living as a barber.

The last episode reveals Doc's true name: Jerome Christian (or Crystal, according to the official Encyclopedia Fragglia). In the second-to-last episode, he finally learns that the Fraggles exist and befriends them. Matt also returns home to Fraggle Rock.

Doc has a friend, Ned Shimmelfinnie. At first Sprocket hates Shimmelfinnie, who has a cat, Fluffanella. Sprocket makes a face and choking gestures every time Shimmelfinnie's name is mentioned. He stops doing this after Doc and Shimmelfinnie have a fight in episode 19 of Season One.

Doc also helps out Ms. Betty Ardath, who moves into his neighborhood in episode 44. She runs a bed-and-breakfast called "The Captain's Inn". Sprocket has a crush on her pet Airedale, Marigold, just as Doc has a crush on Betty.

Gorgs

On the outside of another exit from Fraggle Rock — through a well — live a small family of Gorgs, giant furry humanoids standing 22 feet (6.7 m) tall. The husband and wife of the family consider themselves the King (Gordon Robertson and Jerry Nelson) and Queen (Trish Leeper and Myra Fried) of the Universe, with their son Junior (Richard Hunt and Rob Mills) as its prince and heir, but to all appearances they are really simple farmers with a rustic house and garden patch. The second episode of the first season reveals that the Gorgs have never actually met anyone besides themselves in years ("I've never met a real subject before!"), suggesting that King and Queen of the Universe are self-bestowed titles. The Gorgs regard Fraggles as pests, as they steal radishes. In one episode it is revealed that the Gorgs use radishes to make "anti-vanishing cream" that prevents them from becoming invisible. Thus, the three main races of the Fraggle Rock universe — Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs — are all dependent on the radishes for different reasons. While the King and Queen consider the Fraggles disgusting vermin, Junior enjoys chasing, catching and keeping them like pets, much like a boy would lizards and bugs ("Look, Maw! I caught a Fwaggle!"). Junior is clearly lacking in friends, so it is arguable that he pursues the Fraggles just so he has someone to talk to. The Gorgs were developed by art director Douglas Cook in the Isle of Wight.

As the series progresses, we learn that at the beginning of time a God-like character placed the Gorgs to rule over the universe until he returned. We also get a few various visitors from the rest of the Gorgs' world. In one episode, a frog-like con-man (Wander McMooch) temporarily tricks the Gorgs out of their castle so he can raze the forest to build a village. This implies that other people (and indeed, other Gorgs) live in that world: at least enough to fill a village. This conflict is resolved when the con-man finds out there are hundreds and thousands of Fraggles living around the Gorg's castle. He seems to view Fraggles to be pests, like rodents, and gives back the castle. Significantly, this implies that Fraggles live scattered all over the Gorgs' world, are generally considered to be pests by everyone (not just Ma and Pa Gorg) and most of all, it is rare to find such a large collection of Fraggles in one place.

Marjory the Trash Heap

The Trash Heap, a wise being (referred to as an "oracle"), serves as the garbage dump of the Gorgs. She and her heckling heralds live near the Gorg's garden, and she gives the Fraggles guidance and advice, which the Fraggles regard with reverence, although they do not worship her. She also appears to have some magical abilities (specifically telepathy and the ability to teleport items or Fraggles), although she does not often use them. Sometimes she knits to pass the time. Jerry Nelson voiced Marjory the Trash Heap.

Philo and Gunge

The heralds of the Trash Heap, they often introduce her as the "all-knowing, all-seeing Trash Heap!" They supply humor, bad jokes, and puns. Although Gunge portrays himself as the brains of the pair, neither ever really prove to be a great help. They watch over the Trash Heap; if they were to leave for a long time, she would begin to die out. When she finishes speaking, they announce, "The Trash Heap has spoken! Nyeah!" Philo and Gunge had two episodes of the series devoted to them: "Home Is Where the Trash Is" and "Gunge the Great & Glorious". After Fraggle Rock ended, Philo went into retirement, but Gunge appeared on Dinosaurs and Mopatop's Shop. Philo was played by Dave Goelz and Gunge was played by Richard Hunt.

Other characters and creatures

 

Season 1: 1983

Episode

Title

Original airdate

1

"Beginnings"

January 10, 1983 (1983-01-10)

2

"Wembley and the Gorgs"

January 17, 1983 (1983-01-17)

3

"Let the Water Run"

January 24, 1983 (1983-01-24)

4

"You Can't Do That Without a Hat"

January 31, 1983 (1983-01-31)

5

"The Thirty-Minute Work Week"

February 7, 1983 (1983-02-07)

6

"The Preachification of Convincing John"

February 14, 1983 (1983-02-14)

7

"I Want to Be You"

February 21, 1983 (1983-02-21)

8

"The Terrible Tunnel"

February 28, 1983 (1983-02-28)

9

"The Lost Treasure of the Fraggles"

March 7, 1983 (1983-03-07)

10

"Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk"

March 14, 1983 (1983-03-14)

11

"Catch the Tail by the Tiger"

March 21, 1983 (1983-03-21)

12

"The Finger of Light"

March 28, 1983 (1983-03-28)

13

"We Love You, Wembley"

April 4, 1983 (1983-04-04)

14

"The Challenge"

April 11, 1983 (1983-04-11)

15

"I Don't Care"

April 18, 1983 (1983-04-18)

16

"Capture the Moon"

April 25, 1983 (1983-04-25)

17

"Marooned"

May 2, 1983 (1983-05-02)

18

"The Minstrels"

May 9, 1983 (1983-05-09)

19

"The Great Radish Famine"

May 16, 1983 (1983-05-16)

20

"The Garden Plot"

May 23, 1983 (1983-05-23)

21

"Gobo's Discovery"

May 30, 1983 (1983-05-30)

22

"Mokey's Funeral"

June 6, 1983 (1983-06-06)

23

"The Beast of Blue Rock"

June 13, 1983 (1983-06-13)

24

"New Trash Heap in Town"

July 4, 1983 (1983-07-04)

Season 2: 1984

Episode

Title

Original airdate

1

"Wembley's Egg"

January 2, 1984 (1984-01-02)

2

"Boober Rock"

January 9, 1984 (1984-01-09)

3

"The Trash Heap Doesn't Live Here Anymore"

January 16, 1984 (1984-01-16)

4

"Red's Sea Monster"

January 23, 1984 (1984-01-23)

5

"Uncle Matt Comes Home"

January 30, 1984 (1984-01-30)

6

"Boober's Dream"

February 6, 1984 (1984-02-06)

7

"Mokey and the Minstrels"

February 13, 1984 (1984-02-13)

8

"All Work and All Play"

February 20, 1984 (1984-02-20)

9

"Sir Hubris and the Gorgs"

February 27, 1984 (1984-02-27)

10

"A Friend in Need"

March 5, 1984 (1984-03-05)

11

"The Wizard of Fraggle Rock"

March 12, 1984 (1984-03-12)

12

"The Doozer Contest"

March 19, 1984 (1984-03-19)

13

"Red's Club"

March 26, 1984 (1984-03-26)

14

"The Secret of Convincing John"

April 2, 1984 (1984-04-02)

15

"Manny's Land of Carpets"

April 9, 1984 (1984-04-09)

16

"Junior Sells the Farm"

April 16, 1984 (1984-04-16)

17

"Fraggle Wars"

April 23, 1984 (1984-04-23)

18

"The Day the Music Died"

April 30, 1984 (1984-04-30)

19

"Doomsday Soup"

May 7, 1984 (1984-05-07)

20

"A Cave of One's Own"

May 14, 1984 (1984-05-14)

21

"Wembley and the Great Race"

May 21, 1984 (1984-05-21)

22

"Doozer Is As Doozer Does"

May 28, 1984 (1984-05-28)

23

"Boober's Quiet Day"

June 4, 1984 (1984-06-04)

24

"The Invasion of the Toe Ticklers"

June 11, 1984 (1984-06-11)

Season 3: 1984-1985

Episode

Title

Original airdate

1

"The Bells of Fraggle Rock"

December 24, 1984 (1984-12-24)

2

"Red-Handed and the Invisible Thief"

January 7, 1985 (1985-01-07)

3

"Boober and the Glob"

January 14, 1985 (1985-01-14)

4

"The Grapes of Generosity"

January 21, 1985 (1985-01-21)

5

"Blanket of Snow, Blanket of Woe"

January 28, 1985 (1985-01-28)

6

"Pebble Pox Blues"

February 4, 1985 (1985-02-04)

7

"Home Is Where the Trash Is"

February 11, 1985 (1985-02-11)

8

"Believe It or Not"

February 18, 1985 (1985-02-18)

9

"Wembley and the Mean Genie"

February 25, 1985 (1985-02-25)

10

"The Secret Society of Poobahs"

March 4, 1985 (1985-03-04)

11

"The Beanbarrow, the Burden and the Bright Bouquet"

March 11, 1985 (1985-03-11)

12

"Gobo's School for Explorers"

March 18, 1985 (1985-03-18)

13

"Scared Silly"

March 25, 1985 (1985-03-25)

14

"The Great Radish Caper"

April 1, 1985 (1985-04-01)

15

"Born to Wander"

April 8, 1985 (1985-04-08)

16

"The Battle of Leaking Roof"

April 15, 1985 (1985-04-15)

17

"Playing Till It Hurts"

April 22, 1985 (1985-04-22)

18

"Bored Stiff"

April 29, 1985 (1985-04-29)

19

"The Cavern of Lost Dreams"

May 6, 1985 (1985-05-06)

20

"The Incredible Shrinking Mokey"

May 13, 1985 (1985-05-13)

21

"A Dark and Stormy Night"

May 20, 1985 (1985-05-20)

22

"Gunge the Great and Glorious"

May 27, 1985 (1985-05-27)

Season 4: 1986

Episode

Title

Original airdate

1

"Sprocket's Big Adventure"

January 6, 1986 (1986-01-06)

2

"Wembley's Wonderful Whoopie Water"

January 13, 1986 (1986-01-13)

3

"Sidebottom Blues"

January 20, 1986 (1986-01-20)

4

"Uncle Matt's Discovery"

January 27, 1986 (1986-01-27)

5

"Junior Faces the Music"

February 3, 1986 (1986-02-03)

6

"A Tune for Two"

February 10, 1986 (1986-02-10)

7

"The Perfect Blue Rollie"

February 17, 1986 (1986-02-17)

8

"A Brush with Jealousy"

February 24, 1986 (1986-02-24)

9

"Wembley's Flight"

March 3, 1986 (1986-03-03)

10

"Red's Blue Dragon"

March 10, 1986 (1986-03-10)

11

"Wonder Mountain"

March 17, 1986 (1986-03-17)

12

"Space Frog Follies"

March 24, 1986 (1986-03-24)

13

"Boober Gorg"

March 31, 1986 (1986-03-31)

Season 5: 1987

Episode

Title

Original airdate

1

"Mirror, Mirror"

January 5, 1987 (1987-01-05)

2

"The Riddle of Rhyming Rock"

January 12, 1987 (1987-01-12)

3

"The Voice Inside"

January 19, 1987 (1987-01-19)

4

"The Trial of Cotterpin Doozer"

January 26, 1987 (1987-01-26)

5

"The River of Life"

February 2, 1987 (1987-02-02)

6

"Beyond the Pond"

February 9, 1987 (1987-02-09)

7

"Gone But Not Forgotten"

February 16, 1987 (1987-02-16)

8

"Mokey, Then and Now"

February 23, 1987 (1987-02-23)

9

"Ring Around the Rock"

March 2, 1987 (1987-03-02)

10

"Inspector Red"

March 9, 1987 (1987-03-09)

11

"The Gorg Who Would Be King"

March 16, 1987 (1987-03-16)

12

"The Honk of Honks"

March 23, 1987 (1987-03-23)

13

"Change of Address"

March 30, 1987 (1987-03-30)

 

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Genre Adventure  Comedy Family  Fantasy
Created by Jim Henson
Voices of Gerard Parkes  Steve Whitmire  Dave Goelz  Terry Angus
Narrated by  
Counrty of origin Canada
No. of episodes 96
Running Time 25 minutes per episode
Original Run January 10, 1983March 30, 1987
Language English

 

 

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