Utahpolis

Fraggle Rock, as most of you know, was a Jim Henson creation that aired on H.B.O. in the U.S. from 1983 until 1987. I’ve always wondered why the poor Fraggles seem to have disappeared from the public consciousness. Perhaps the hippies (Fraggles) versus straights (Doozers) conflicted yet symbiotic relationship was too out-there for some folks. Perhaps the lessons of spirituality, prejudice, personal identity and even ecology were too heavy-handed for the Reagan years. Perhaps not enough people had or could afford H.B.O.! Why could this not have been a Saturday morning show on A.B.C.?

Theme from Fraggle Rock

I stumbled across this track a year or two ago and my mind was immediately full of forgotten memories. Almost as striking, though, is the realization that the theme from Fraggle Rock has a pretty good dance groove going on. Who knew? Well, apparently people in Britain knew. This track went into the top-40 over there back in the day. Attention remixers out there…..this track is primed for a revival!

Speaking of revivals, there are plans to release a Fraggle Rock movie in 2009. While this may seem a horrifying thought at first, it would appear that this may actually turn out well. Ahmet Zappa, for reasons unknown to me, has been asked to write a treatment for the film. In an interview conducted last year, Ahmet expressed his resolve to keep the spirit of the Fraggles intact. They’ll remain muppets; No C.G.I., thank god. Best, or worst, of all, Ahmet plans to make it a musical using many unnamed, yet popular, bands. Man Man should totally call Pukka, Pukka, Pukka Squeetily Boink. Of Montreal, I hear a theme song in your future!

Click here to purchase the first season of Fraggle Rock on DVD.