I agree with Karen, it is hard to believe but 20 years ago today, the very first episode of Fraggle Rock premiered on HBO on Monday January 10th at 6:30 pm central (7:30 pm eastern), a timeslot the show would hold for the next five years.
A few months before the show debuted, a teacher had given me a preview booklet all about Fraggle Rock. It was about 10 pages long but included lots of photos, episode summaries, and even a few class exercises. There were brief previews in Muppet Magazine and the Muppet Show Fan Club Newsletter before the show debuted. There was a 10-15 minute documentary introducing Fraggle Rock on HBO that aired in between programs. They showed how they tested the early shows with audiences of different aged children to see how they responded to each episodes outcome. The Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs were also introduced.
Then the big night came on Monday January 10th, 1983. Right off the bat the music was catchy and fun. Uncle Matt was inviting Gobo to "Follow Me" and take all of us with him for the ride during the next five years. The importance and beauty of Fraggle Rock can not just be seen (through the performers and writers) or heard (through the heartfelt lyrics and sounds), but rather as Jim took us on the journey from episode to episode, characters were richly developed, learning more about one another on the way. As outwardly different the Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs appeared, as the series developed the characters learned that they were much more alike than different.
Today, more than ever we can learn so much from the lessons of Fraggle Rock. As today begins the 20th anniversary of Fraggle Rock, may 2003 bring Fraggle DVD's, an anniversary CD, and possibly even a return to US television in the new year. The characters learned how much they were interdependent on one another throughout their universe. With the uncertainty throughout our world, children need the hope and humor that can only come from the heart of the Rock.
In honor of Fraggle Rock's 20th anniversary, a fun Fraggle menu designed by James Carroll is up on the front of the site. We will be announcing some other plans soon to honor Fraggle Rock during this special anniversary.