‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’ Interview: Same old Fraggles but on a Bigger, Brighter Rock
The Fraggles’ Mokey and Wembley give FilmSpeak some great advice on embracing the Fraggle lifestyle.
It’s a foregone conclusion that we children of the 80s grew up with the greatest children’s programming of all time. There is no argument. Don’t bother. One of the major pillars in that pantheon of kid-culture was the genius of Jim Henson. He and his company of colourful characters had something for everyone. ‘Sesame Street’ was pivotal to the learning of so many children, and remains so after more than a half century. ‘The Muppet Show’ was for both kids and their parents, and remains a perennial variety show that any generation can enjoy. Lost in that catalog as perhaps the middle child of Henson lore, was ‘Fraggle Rock’, not as edgy as the Muppets, not as educational as Sesame Street.
But the original ‘Rock’, and it’s current Apple+ reboot, ‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’ maintains the core Henson values, fun, family and growth. Their lessons are merely hidden in the Dozer-sized adventures the characters would have, rather than literally spelling them out like Sesame did. It was an apt ‘middle child’ because it was really a great transition for kids a little bit older than their younger siblings. Much like all of Henson, it also never talked down to its audience, so kids could figure out the moral of the story at their own pace.
FilmSpeak recently got the opportunity to literally talk down to two of those key Fraggles, Wembley and Mokey (literally down a Fraggle hole where they can only hear the voice of FilmSpeak’s Managing Editor, Michael Winn Johnson) The two staples of the Muppet catalog may have changed slightly on the outside (Mokey got a 21st Century ‘glow up’ with a new brightly-colored hairdo and fresh wardrobe). They may better match the technicolor update that Apple+ has given the aesthetic of the show, but they remain the same on the inside. Their core belief reflects that one specific strange creature from outer space (what all humans are known as to Fraggles), the one better known as Jim Henson.
Mokey, as the spiritual heart of the Fraggle entourage gives some sage advice to those Outer Space creatures dealing with stress in this crazy time. “You know, everyone struggles. And sometimes just even knowing that, that you're not alone in your struggle, is everything. That helps me a lot. Because sometimes when you're struggling, you can feel really lonely. So it helps to reach out to people and find out how other people struggle.”
This new generation of Fraggles comes at such a perfect time. The original 80s version reflected the subterranean setting a little more. The memories were a rosier colour than the actual set pieces and Fraggles, but this 21st century gang reminds you in blinding spectrum of hues that the world isn’t always a dark place.
Wembley, the youngling of the group has learned a lot from his older friends. He too has suggestions for how kids who embrace the Fraggle lifestyle can be happier and healthier. HE chats about sports (but not being overly competitive), art and throwing the occasional BIG party. (In a responsible socially distanced manner, of course). Speaking further about art, Wembley also says “It is a great way to get what's [inside], out there.” That includes visual arts (Mokey’s forte), or two of the Fraggle’s favorite things to do… singing and dancing. “Sometimes you gotta dance it out, right?” adds Mokey, before the two show off their sweet moves.
Anyone who watches the Fraggles dance or sing cannot help but smile (or try to keep up with their dancing, even as an outer space creature with no rhythm). That hasn’t changed in 40 years. Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock comes at a crazy but also crazy perfect time. It reminds us about the sweet things in life, the Fraggle things in life, all while putting that smile on your face.
The complete first Season of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock is now streaming on Apple+
Check out the full interview with Wembley and Mokey below:
