Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (2022– ) User Reviews

Back to Fraggle Rock

[tayboboogy-1 · 7/10 · 24 January 2022]

I grew up watching Fraggle Rock- it gave my childhood that spark of magic!

When I heard about the new series, I nearly cried tears of joy.

The return of Karen Prell (Red) and David Goelz (Boober and Traveling Matt) is greatly appreciated! The Doozers are still clever, hardworking creatures. The Gorgs are as goofy and bumbling as ever! The new Doc is cool- I honestly wouldn't want to see a Gerard Parkes imitation as it would only be disrespectful to him. I would like to see a bit more from her scenes with our beloved Sprocket- who my sister had once convinced me was a real dog. The music is just as wonderful as I remember with some classics from the original thrown in!

My biggest complaint, however, is the physical and personality change in Mokey. It's distracting, irritating and totally unnecessary.

Overall, this team has done a great job in capturing the magic of Jim Henson's vision while implementing modern capabilities.

Such a lovely reboot

[MsDJH · 9/10 · 19 February 2022]

After so many failed reboots, remakes and re-imaginations of numerous programs in the past few years, I was so very skeptical about the new Fraggles, but there was no need. They are absolutely fabulous! The new Doc was wonderfully picked, the topics are hopeful and the music is catchy. The only thing I didn't like was the venture into real life rock music, which (to my ears) didn't quite fit. But that's one moment out of 12 or so episodes. The rest really enchanted me the way the original show did when I was a kid.

Very good, pretty faithful reboot

[solid-rock800 · 8/10 · 12 March 2022]

I grew up watching the original Fraggle Rock, and it's got a bit of a special place in my heart. I have the first 2 seasons on DVD and watch them sometimes as well. So when I heard they were rebooting it, I had mixed feelings - I was happy to think of seeing more Fraggles, but then again, there have been so many bad reboots lately! But it was well worth giving it a go. I still like the original better - the original is more episodic in nature (my preference) while the reboot had more of an overarching story, and I thought some of the messages were a bit on-the-nose for my tastes, lol. But they did a really great job with the reboot. The sets were lovely, the chara years were pretty faithful with some minor tweaks that I mostly liked, and I enjoyed seeing the new Doozer stuff. Junior and Sprocket were.adorable in this one as well, and the new Doc was pretty likeable. A good job all around.

A revival of the timeless classic!

[kristynbothwell · 10/10 · 23 January 2022]

Just watched the first episode and I've got happy tears. It's so good. They didn't reinvent the series, they revived it. The classic songs are back. Two of the original performers (Dave Goelz-Boober and Uncle Matt, and Karen Prell-Red) most of the same puppet designs (with a couple of exceptions). I'm so happy!

A Stunning Reboot of the '80s Classic That Keeps Everything That Worked and Even Manages to Improve Upon the Few Things That Didn't.

[The_Coffee_Frog · 10/10 · 2 July 2022]

I love the original 'Fraggle Rock', despite not growing up with it, I discovered it not too long ago, and fell in love with it, it managed to not only be a great kids' show, but also just a great show in general, filled with great messages and colourful characters for children and thoughtful humour and well developed characters for older viewers: it truly could please everyone, in a way that only Jim Henson's other puppets, 'The Muppets' and 'Sesame Street' could, although since its ending in the late '80s, 'Fraggle Rock' never got revived, in any format like 'The Muppets' or 'Sesame Street'. However, in 2020, Apple revived the Fraggles for a series of short episodes, which proved successful enough to warrant a full-on revival commissioned by Apple.

Premiering in 2022, 'Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock' had me both excited and worried, could this reboot capture the humour and spark of the original? Or would end up feeling a bit off like many recent 'Muppets' projects, and, after watching the first season in its entirety I can say the former is true, and it does something I could never expect: improve upon the original.

'Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock' takes the same premise as the original, of taking a society built upon four main societies, the 'Silly Creatures' (human beings}, the Doozers, the Fraggles and the Gorgs, the Doozers, Fraggles all live with each other, albeit fractured, and are aware of each other's existence, unlike the Silly Creatures, who don't know of the Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs, the human world remains unexplored by humankind, until Gobo's uncle Travelling Matt, decides to leave the rock when a hole to 'outer space' opens up, when a woman named Doc and her dog Sprocket move in.

Across its first season, 'Back to the Rock' manages to expand and recapture the fantastical setting of the original, while creating a fun serialized story that flows along side the entire series with out intruding on each episode's individual story. I have already mentioned that the reboot does everything as well as the original, especially the messages, which are very important for children (and adults too), which are always sweet and never corny, but it also does a few things better: for one, the new Doc is much better than the original in my opinion, Lilli Cooper is great in her role, Mokey and Gobo, two of the least interesting Fraggles are developed much more, the jokes are faster and more frequent, but not in an obnoxious, also, the Doozers are given more screen time, which is great. The new performers are phenomenal, as are the set designers, creating a truly gorgeous world for these characters to inhabit. At the end of the day, my only real complaint was that the Gorgs could have been given slightly more attention, but everything else is so amazing, that it already even matters, and with so much else going on more of the Gorgs could have felt tacked on.

Overall, everyone should watch 'Back to the Rock', especially if you like the original, or if you like 'The Muppets' but thought 'Fraggle Rock' was 'just for kids', 'Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock' is a warm and funny show that anyone of any age should watch. Why not dance your cares away down in Fraggle Rock?

A delightful return to Fraggle Rock!

[robertleeanderson · 10/10 · 23 January 2022]

My boys (7 and 4) and I are loving this so far (halfway through the new season). This is everything I loved a about Fraggle Rock as a kid, refreshed, brightened, and cheered up a bit (the boring and scary bits from the original seem lightened a bit). Great writing, sets, and acting.

A Great Reboot

[jeremycrimsonfox · 9/10 · 25 February 2022]

Fraggle Rock is a show kids who grew up in the 1980's remember, and Apple TV has rebooted it for them to show their kids.

In this reboot, Uncle Traveling Matt going back to explore the human world (or outer space, as he calls it), as he has found a new hole (or portal), which leads into the house of a woman named Doc and her dog, Sprocket, as they move in so Doc can work for a doctrine of marine ecosystems.

I don't see what all the hate is, seeing this, I feel despite being a reboot, the people making it has kept the spirit of the original series. Most of the actors who voiced the characters return (Dave Golez returns to voice Traveling Matt, despite being replaced by Frank Meschkuleit and Kevin Clash in puppeteer duties), and some of the puppets are even given done using some new tech (like the Doozers, which utilize. The new Doc I enjoyed, as the actress does a good job doing her own Doc and not imitating the Doc from the original series.

The episodes are all done with a moral in mind, and the stories are well written and the puppeteers all do a good job.

Not just nostalgia talking

[neko-kaolla · 10/10 · 23 January 2022]

This new, updated series is a love letter to the original. The return of Karen Prell and Dave Goelz (understandably in voice alone) feels like home and the new cast breathes new, yet familiar, life into the characters. Some characters had some design changes (the Doozers, mainly Wrench and Cotterpin, are now technologically advanced; Junior has a new, more expressive, face mechanism), while Mokey has been updated from more of a hippy-spiritual Fraggle to more of a new-age-spiritual and younger Fraggle (which makes more sense). Old supporting characters make appearances, including Merples, Large Marvin, and The World's Oldest Fraggle. Also saw the puppets for Begooney and an Ink Spot. Doc is now a Marine Biology student and she has the same sweet, curious, welcoming demeanor as the late Gerry Parkes's Doc (and is still at odds with Shimmelfinney, now a off-screen vocal Mrs. Shimmelfinney).

Overall, a faithful continuation of the series and teaches the same messages as the original, just made for a modern audience. My daughter has seen all of the original and the Rock On series, and she loves this, too. And I love watching with her.

I love this!

[www-imdb-com-19 · 9/10 · 15 February 2022]

I love this show so much! I'm 40+ years old and watch an episode each night before bed - I fall a sleep happy and singing! :-) The characters are so funny, and the show teaches modern way of thinking. Love they way they dance.

Interesting

[ravenwind-05127 · 7/10 · 27 February 2022]

Grew up watching the originals and rewatched them before watching the new one. I was expecting a continuation rather than a reboot. Things are definitely different. It's definitely brighter and the use of lighting is interesting. Dozers definitely be living futuristic in this now. Kinda reminds me when cotter-pin wanted to change construction episode in the originals. Mokey seems to be extra metaphysical and wenbley is extra indecisive with way more anxiety than original. Not sure why they chose to enhance those traits. Definitely hits on topics this generation has been talking about. There's some improvements I like and some I don't. Originals will always hold a special place. I like it but definitely has some ok? Moments.

Those complaining about it being on apple and having multiple streaming services obviously forgot how expensive cable was. You had base cable and then subscribed to individual services like HBO, Disney, Showtime, Cinemax etc. Bill could get horrendous! And to put out another reminder, Fraggle Rock was originally on HBO, a subscription was needed to watch it even then.

Happy to be back but...

[cablebrandon · 9/10 · 4 February 2022]

So great to get back down to Fraggle Rock and my kids absolutely adore it like I did with the original. Music is fun and catchy, the sets are colourful and expanded and the majority of updates are good.

My only gripe with this new & updated version, what the heck did they do to Mokey???

They totally updated her look and then even her personality, which they made her an almost Phoebe Buffay (Friends) rip-off. But why? Mokey was already perfect as she was. Not sure why they had to change anything about the 5 core Fraggles, if it ain't broke....

Great to see it back

[educatexan · 10/10 · 20 August 2022]

I have to admit that I nearly turned it off when the "theme music" on the first episode started. Ugh. But the rest turned out great. The new colorful sets and Doozer constructions look fantastic. Mokey's change doesn't bother me, since I was never that invested in her character. I love Wembley! Sprocket is great, too. Doc seems to be developing her own characteristics, so she's more of a successor than a replacement.

Unfortunately not like the original

[stevenpolidano · 1/10 · 16 April 2022]

I really wanted to like this but again the woke culture has ruined another classic. I grew up watching this in the 80s why do you have to make everything so woke cmon absolutely disappointed in this.

Fraggle Rock fever dream.

[squall41269-550-364332 · 1/10 · 30 January 2022]

This literally looks like something out of one of the many dreams I've had about Fraggle Rock over the years. The brain tries to come up with something new and it just runs with it. The voices are all off, EXCEPT Boober , Red and Uncle Matt. They could have CONTINUED the series without rebooting it. Can we talk about Pa Gorg for a second? He's just downright mean. He was NEVER that mean in the original.

I wanted to love this...

[greenhavenall · 1/10 · 22 January 2022]

But I DON'T. The New Doc is great, like her a lot. The updated Doozer constructions are amazing. The New sets for The Rock are expansive, more colorful and more intricate than the original. The new version of the Gorg 'castle' is something I'd like to live in. They updated, but kept the classic intro. They have strived for more themes of inclusion and interconnectivity. Based on those factors, I could easily give this show a 10+ rating. So what is the problem? Mokey is. Sprocket, the Gorgs, the Doozers, and mostly the Fraggles all look like they dusted off the old pieces, maybe spruced them up a little and put them back in service. And That would be wonderful as each was a perfect representation of the character And their personality. So, all of them are virtually the same. All of them. EXCEPT Mokey. Mokey they have given a Complete makeover. New hair. New clothes. New Personality. Mokey used to be a little bit New Age, but she also came across as more Mature and Responsible than the others. This new version has been Intentionally made into a Horrible air headed fluffy-bunny new Age Stereotype. And it is OFFENSIVE in the extreme. It is an Unforgivable Insult and Slur against REAL People of particular beliefs. If they did the same with a Jewish character they would be panned by the critics and viewers a like. They Should be ASHAMED of this as should Anyone that tolerates that sort of blatant Bigotry. Sorry, but it completely RUINS the entire thing.

better than expected

[dancing_warrior_prophet · 8/10 · 15 June 2022]

I love the original fragggle rock and, while this new one feels a little less magical(the soundscapes just feel too bland and unmusical), and the characters a little less balanced (mokey as the older sister character really helped balance the group, the new version will have to prove herself worth the revision), this stays truer to the original than I ever would have expected, I do wish there was more singing with catchy music though.

Rather than a reboot this feels more like a refresh, the new art styles and bigger cavern is mostly an improvement, the new Doozer design feels a lot more believable and the Gorg "castle" feels a lot less like it is on a tiny sound stage. The new doc character only feels off if you had no awareness that doc was a completely different character in different parts of the world and had your mind set in stone that it must be an old white man inventor, this is just another iteration of the world bridging character and I'm sure she'll do a fine job. I can't say I'll be watching the series closely but I hope they continue to make quality episodes for the kids of today who can't get enough of fraggles from the originals.