Getting Schooled: Fraggle Rock (1983)

 Fraggle Rock, when it debuted on HBO in 1983, was set up as an after-school treat, and, for all we know, could've aired on weekends, too.

The series was Jim Henson's 1st collaboration with HBO, and was produced in Canada for the CBC, in addition to HBO. Fraggle Rock lasted five seasons on HBO, which, I think, might've been during the first half of each calendar year (1983-7). I remember seeing promos for the show on other channels featuring Traveling Matt, an uncle to one of the lead characters, but missed out on seeing actual episodes of the series, even during the occasional free weekends, where HBO used this as an opportunity to gain added subscribers in those days.

As you'll see, there is one lone human in the cast, Doc (Gerry Parkes), who, until the very end of the series, is unaware of the Fraggles' existence, although his dog, Sprocket, is aware.

Let's go back to season 4 for "Wonder Mountain":

After the series ended its HBO run, an animated version turned up on NBC, a collaboration between Henson and Marvel Television. You could say it was an unofficial 6th season for the series. Unfortunately, the animated Fraggle was gone after 1 season.

With the series about to hit its 40th anniversary next year, a new series, Fraggle Rock: Back to The Rock, bowed on Apple+ last month after a series of shorts had aired on the streamer in 2020.

Rating: B.