Fraggle Rock

Dear Reader,

Bouncing around the rather disordered universe that is my brain, for some reason, F is for Fraggles. For those who don't know, Fraggles come from Fraggle Rock, another wonderful TV program from the mind of Jim Henson, who of course brought us the Muppets, for which the entire planet Earth is eternally grateful.

Fraggle Rock caught my eye firstly because it has possibly the most uplifting theme tune ever. If you have any doubt about this listen again (or for the first time).

Having begun this thinking the Fraggles would just be one of many childhood programs I would talk about I then read some of the very detailed Wikipedia entry. A snippet needs digesting...

Fraggles are humanoid creatures, about 18 inches tall, with fur in a wide variety of colors and a tail like a lion’s, with a tuft of fur on the end. They live in a network of caves called Fraggle Rock, populated by a variety of creatures, and seeming to connect to at least two different worlds in separate dimensions of time and space. Fraggles spend much of their carefree lives in play, exploring their worlds, and generally enjoying themselves. However, at the same time they maintain a complex culture and society, with each individual having rights and responsibilities. They have basic skill with tools and with crude machinery, and the concept of war is known to them (although wars between Fraggles are very rare). Fraggles live on a diet of vegetables, especially radishes. If individuals touch their heads together before falling asleep they can “share dreams.”

So, Fraggles are humanoid creatures. Really? Where did we discover those 18 inch tall humanoids covered in fur in a wide variety of colours with tails, like a lion's? Surely Wiki is a little confused here. Maybe, it was down at Fraggle Rock, down at Fraggle Rock. Oops, sorry Dear Reader, I was being sucked into the theme tune, which is dangerously hypnotic.

Back to the facts; Fraggles live in a network of caves which connect to at least two different worlds in separate dimensions of time and space. Surprisingly, unlike the humanoid bit, this is actually true. If you have never watched Fraggle Rock Dear Reader, you must be intrigued by now.

Finally, they live on radishes and if they touch their heads together they can "share dreams." I like the fact that Wiki only puts "" around the share dreams bit, because all of the rest is perfectly normal and acceptable.

This is only paragraph one of a highly detailed post about Fraggle Rock. I suspect more words have been published on Wiki about Fraggle Rock than Shakespeare. I say this because it is true, subject to me checking.

So on to the 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.

So, the Doozers are 6 inch tall pudgy green ant-like humanoids. They build stuff, it is what they do. The stuff they build looks like scaffolding, of the transparent plastic variety. Oh, and it tastes of radish, otherwise Fraggles wouldn't eat it. Those reading this who haven't seen Fraggle Rock, I hope you are keeping up.

Now the Gorgs...

On the outside of another exit from Fraggle Rock, through a well, live a family of Gorgs, giant furry humanoids standing 22 feet (6.7 m) tall. The husband and wife of the family call themselves the King and Queen of the Universe, with their son Junior, as its Prince and their heir, but to all appearances working as simple farmers with a hut and garden patch. The three main races of the Fraggle Rock universe — Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs — are all dependent on radishes for different reasons. 

There we are, 22 foot tall furry humanoids. I thought it only fair that I reveal myself why Gorgs are dependant on radishes. Anti-wrinkle cream! So they won't disappear! Everyone still on-board? It's quite straight-forward.

And finally 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. She has an uncle named Maximillian, whom she refers to as "Uncle Max"

How can you not like an oracle called Marjory who knits to pass the time? All of a sudden the whole program comes together in a wave of complete normalness, NOT! If, like me, you watched this as a child you probably find the world as we know it rather mundane and dull. I know I do.

If you find the world around you weird, surreal and confusing then you obviously haven't seen Fraggle Rock. I suggest you do so now. The leading Fraggles will always be there to guide you through their slightly odd world. I give to you the leading group...

Gobo, a fine humanoid!

Mokey, just one moke too many?

Red, who is in fact a friend of mine. If she ever reads this she will kill me.

Wikipedia seems a little over-indulgent about Fraggle Rock, the post comes with a caveat...

Some caveats. Click to enlarge.

Awww crap! Was the whole thing made up? No. Jim Henson and his buddies really came up with this and thought people would like it. You know what? They did. They still do. If you have not seen it before dear reader, I am hoping you will like it too.

More tomorrow, grappling with G.

xx