Let’s all put on our radish hats and dance the cares away, as Jim Henson’s fun-loving, musical Fraggles are back! Join Gobo, Red, Wembley, Mokey, Boober, and new Fraggle friends on hilarious, epic adventures about the magic that happens when we celebrate and care for our interconnected world.
The highly-anticipated reboot of the beloved classic series reunites these characters and unearths them on Apple TV+ Friday, January 21st, 2022. The new series from The Jim Henson Company consists of 13 incredible and entertaining episodes that are Fun and Educational for the whole family alike, as each episode features an important lesson that the Fraggle Five learn and ultimately accept. Important topics covered in these episodes are, for example, being able to see the fun in things, making the right choice, embracing your uniqueness, and showing that there is nothing wrong with who you are.
Apple TV+
Of course, all of this is combined with catchy music and dance numbers, as singing and dancing are what a Fraggle does best. Fraggles explore their feelings, work through problems, and grow their minds and bodies through music so when a song comes on they celebrate. Parents will be able to show their kids how to clap, walk and move to the beat and ultimately learn the rhythm.
The show, which had originally run in the 1980s perfectly captures the nostalgia that the original series had. We travel through Fraggle Rock and venture into Doozer headquarters, Royal Radish Garden, many, many caves, and outer space as Uncle Traveling Matt would call it. This epic journey shows our favourite characters interacting and trying to co-exist with the Gorgs, Doozers, and Kraggles.
Gobo Fraggle (John Tartaglia) is one of the five main Fraggles in Fraggle Rock. He is an explorer, just like his Uncle Traveling Matt. Whereas Matt explores our world aka “Outer Space”, Gobo devotes himself to the exploration of Fraggle Rock’s many caverns and uncharted regions. Gobo is also the only Fraggle who is brave enough to go into Doc’s (Lilli Cooper) makeshift laboratory to pick up his uncle’s postcards and artefacts whilst evading Doc’s dog Sprocket. Whenever his friends are in trouble, Gobo finds inspiration in these postcards.
Apple TV+
Red Fraggle (Karen Prell) is athletic and energetic. She likes to think of herself as the fastest and strongest Fraggle in the rock. She is highly competitive with her friends as during the series can cause extreme interpersonal problems. Many of the characters in Fraggle Rock have a share of insecurities, Red especially hates to admit her mistakes. She absolutely loves sports, especially diving and swimming.
Apple TV+
In this revival series, Mokey (Donna Kimball) is given a makeover. Her hair becomes a vibrant cerulean and is pulled into a bushy ponytail. She wears a necklace with multiple trinkets, her eyes are more fully open which allows her to blink, thanks to the eyelid mechanism, and her grey sweater is replaced with a green blouse. She is a dreamer and is in touch with her creative side as she loves painting, writing, poems, and meditating. She is very emotionally connected with others and is always ready to help a friend in need.
Apple TV+
Wembley (Jordan Lockheart) is the youngest Fraggle of the group. He is cheerful and energetic, but also very insecure. He usually agrees with everybody at the same time, because he hates to argue. Wembley also never seems to make up his mind, he even has trouble deciding what shirt to wear, although he owns only two, which are identical.
Boober (Voiced by Dave Goelz-puppetry by Frank Meschkuleit) tends to not like fun and games too much, and when he’s not worried about himself, he’s busy warning others. He is easily frightened and suffers from a variety of phobias, but because of his fears, he is very knowledgeable about health and superstition. Aside from his friends, there are two things in life that Boober is very fond of: laundry and cooking. Boober is very much a Cave Fraggle as he lives in his own little hole. I resonate and relate to Boober!!.
Apple TV+
During each of the 13 episodes, we are treated to segments of Uncle Traveling Matt’s journey as he ventured out of the Rock to explore the Human world of Outer Space. To document his exploits, Matt sends Gobo a series of postcards and artefacts recounting his experiences with the silly creatures and their culture particularly from the Fraggle point of view. The use of Fraggle Vocabulary is fantastic and hilarious throughout the series as Uncle Traveling Matt comes up with these wacky and unique names for ordinary objects that we use in our day-to-day life. Uncle Matt prides himself on his bravery and resourcefulness, but also tends towards clumsiness, frequently falling backward or tripping during his travels.
Apple TV+
Living amongst the Fraggles inside Fraggle Rock is the Doozers. They’re tiny green creatures who usually sport construction helmets, boots, and tool belts. Doozers stand approximately knee-high to a Fraggle. Unlike the Fraggles, Doozers love to work all day long, and they hate playing games. They are by far the most technologically advanced race within the Rock as they use machinery to build. Most Doozers are construction workers, while others are architects and miners. They build these elaborate contraptions that tower over Fraggle Rock.
Apple TV+
Their building materials, Doozer sticks, are made of Radish dust and are the Fraggles’ favourite snack, as they love to eat the buildings that the Doozers build. Cotterpin is one of the few Doozers who likes to communicate with her neighbours.
Apple TV+
Living above Fraggle Rock is a family of Gorgs, who are giant creatures that live in a rundown castle. Junior Gorg (Voice and face by Dan Garza- body by Ben Durocher) is the son of Pa and Ma Gorg, the self-acclaimed king, and queen of the universe. Junior is given a number of chores to do around the house and garden, he’s also trying his best to keep a watchful eye out for those Fraggles. Junior is proud of his Gorg heritage as he’s always eager to please his parents. Even when he doesn’t understand the orders they give him.
Apple TV+
Throughout the world of Fraggle Rock and the characters who inhabit the lands, ultimately Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock tells viewers that no two paths are the same, that we are not defined by our mistakes, and if we work all together, no matter our differences we can change the world.
Jim Henson’s spirit and what he stood for truly shines throughout each of the thirteen episodes. Fraggle Rock wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the amazing puppeteers who I can tell have poured their heart and soul into creating this loveable series that will ultimately create a path for a new generation of dreamers.
The reboot will also feature a number of new Fraggles and Doozers voiced by special guests.
“Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” is executive produced by The Jim Henson Company’s Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford, and longtime Henson collaborator John Tartaglia. Matt Fusfeld and Alex Cuthbertson, who serve as showrunners, also executive produce, alongside New Regency’s Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer. Co-executive producers are Dave Goelz and Karen Prell, and executive music producer is Harvey Mason Jr. The series is produced by Ritamarie Peruggi.
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock premieres on Apple TV+ on January 21st.
When Apollo Kagwa’s father disappeared, he left his son a box of books and strange recurring dreams. Now Apollo is a father himself–and as he and his wife, Emma, settle into their new lives as parents, exhaustion and anxiety start to take their toll. Apollo’s old dreams return and Emma begins acting odd. At first Emma seems to be exhibiting signs of postpartum depression. But before Apollo can do anything to help, Emma commits a horrific act and vanishes. Thus begins Apollo’s quest to find a wife and child who are nothing like he’d imagined. His odyssey takes him to a forgotten island, a graveyard full of secrets, a forest where immigrant legends still live, and finally back to a place he thought he had lost forever.
When Apollo Kagwa’s father disappeared, he left his son a box of books and strange recurring dreams. Now Apollo is a father himself–and as he and his wife, Emma, settle into their new lives as parents, exhaustion and anxiety start to take their toll. Apollo’s old dreams return and Emma begins acting odd. At first Emma seems to be exhibiting signs of postpartum depression. But before Apollo can do anything to help, Emma commits a horrific act and vanishes. Thus begins Apollo’s quest to find a wife and child who are nothing like he’d imagined. His odyssey takes him to a forgotten island, a graveyard full of secrets, a forest where immigrant legends still live, and finally back to a place he thought he had lost forever.
The Crowded Room, Apple TV series has notoriously been trending on socials for multiple reasons whether it is divided opinions between the critics and the fandom, Tom Holland’s resilience promoting the show and finally, the most recent viral scene that was trending.
Did you know that James Cameron, the mastermind behind Avatar, was originally set to write and direct The Crowded Room? However, it turns out that the screenplay was actually written by Todd Graff (The Abyss). You can easily find the script online, as it’s been plastered all over the internet. Cameron actually acquired the rights to adapt The Minds of Billy Milligan written by Daniel Keyes. The initial story revolves around a serial rapist who has an extreme case of multiple personality disorder, set in the 1970s. Cameron even met with Billy Milligan himself and the two became friends. The talented John Cusack (Say Anything) was set to play the lead role, but unfortunately, the project fell through when Milligan filed a lawsuit and tried to change the storyline. Since then, many people have tried to revive the project, including David Fincher with Leonardo DiCaprio as the main lead.
The Crowded Room [credit: Apple TV+]
In April 2021, Akiva Goldsman, who won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for A Beautiful Mind, announced that he will adapt The Crowded Room as a TV series instead of a film. The show will focus on the complex issue of mental health and how it affects young men who have experienced trauma. Goldsman was drawn to this theme and hopes to explore the impact of trauma on the brain of an adolescent. This was reported in an article by the Hollywood Reporter.
The Apple TV series revolves around Danny Sullivan (Tom Holland) who gets arrested due to his participation in a shooting incident that took place in New York City in 1979. In the series, curious psychologist Rya Goodwin (Amanda Seyfriend) conducts a series of interviews with Danny, which reveal his mysterious past that influenced him and led him to a life-changing realisation.
The Crowded Room’s opening credits are a work of art, with mesmerising colours and drawings that become a part of the story. The cinematography of the first episode is also outstanding. The lighting and set locations are spectacular and leave you in awe. One set location, a barn filled with broken scaffolding, is particularly impressive. The camera work allows the audience to see from a subjective point of view.
Critics and audiences have questioned the pacing of the show, wondering if it should have had fewer episodes or if it dragged on for too long. Some have also discussed whether the storyline should have grabbed the audience’s attention sooner. However, the slow pacing at the start allows viewers to take the time to understand each character presented on screen, which is similar to a great TV series. Although it may seem slow at first, it may ultimately enhance the viewing experience.
Previously, Goldman wrote for the film, which has a different structure compared to TV series. This particular show requires patience from the audience, as they need to pay attention to the timeline of Rya and Danny’s interview. That’s why weekly episodes give the audience time to process and enjoy each episode. Otherwise, watching the entire series in one sitting could be mentally taxing.
The Crowded Room [credit: Apple TV+]
The talented Tom Holland not only played the lead role in the show but also served as an executive producer. He displayed his impressive acting skills by utilising his dialect, body language, and delivery to convey every emotion experienced by his character, Danny. The final episode, which includes the challenging courtroom scene, has now been released. According to Holland, this was the most difficult scene he has ever filmed in his career. In a previous interview, he mentioned that he listened to his friend Stormzy’s song “Mel Made Me Do It” to help him get into character and stay focused mentally.
It is important to recognise not only Holland’s acting skills but also Amanda Seyfried’s notable performance. During that time, women in psychology were often dismissed, but Seyfried’s portrayal of a caring and compassionate psychologist truly embodies the essence of the profession – to genuinely care for others.
The series displays a deep understanding of the complexity of each mental health illness, and this is not solely due to the excellent acting performances, but also the editing work of the crew. The transitions of the stunt work and the emotional aspects of the plot provide a layer of empathy that Goldman aimed to achieve.
For those who have not started the series, there may be confusion about whether to bother. The final episodes of The Crowded Room have left the audience, including myself, emotionally enthralled, staring into the abyss each time. With the series coming to an end, Holland’s best performance to date stands out, given the toughest script that physically and mentally drained the actor.
The entire cast and crew deserve appreciation for coming together to bring forth this storytelling with compassion and empathy. The show does an excellent job of focusing not only on one character’s mental health but also on multiple characters and how they handle their mental health.
Have you checked out The Crowded Room? If so leave a comment below on what you thought about the series!
Tetris | Official Trailer | Starring: Taron Egerton
An American and Russian computer geek form an unlikely friendship as they try to evade the KGB and smuggle the world’s most famous video game out of the Soviet Union.
An American and Russian computer geek form an unlikely friendship as they try to evade the KGB and smuggle the world’s most famous video game out of the Soviet Union.
Kermit the Frog and his nephew Robin (from Disney’s The Muppets) returns into Fraggle Rock where they meet the Fraggles again?!