Fraggle Rock: There's an Episode for That

Timehop informed me that this past week marked the 34th anniversary of the airing of the beloved children's show, Fraggle Rock.

Let's get something straight. Contrary to the belief of some people that I know and even cherish, Fraggle Rock is not some obscure show. It's a little obscure for today's kids, but when it was on the air, it was hot. It was an international program. It got critically praised. It won an Emmy. Not even the Soviet Union could resist it—Fraggle Rock was the first American program that was aired in their country. That makes it historically important.

Jim Henson must have been proud. When making Fraggle Rock, he had a lofty goal to create a television program that would promote world peace. And if every kid in the world had been able to see it, world peace might have actually happened. It's one of the only shows I've ever seen where the characters resolve their differences without changing their fundamental nature. In other words, it's more realistic than a lot of shows that involve some kind of problem-solving.

Although the aesthetic is decidedly eighties, the themes and the humor are timeless. In fact, I would say that Fraggle Rock has an episode for almost any situation in which you could find yourself. For instance:

-You're having trouble with your roommate? Watch "A Cave of One's Own."

-You feel inferior next to the people around you? Watch "I Want to Be You."

-You've been the victim of one too many practical jokes? Watch "Scared Silly."

-You're trying to choose a suitable career? Watch "The Thirty-Minute Work Week," "Gobo's Discovery," "Mokey and the Minstrels," or "All Work and All Play."

-You're materialistic? Watch "The Perfect Blue Rollie."

-You're a pushover? Watch "We Love You, Wembley."

-Your friends don't believe you when you share something important? Watch "The Terrible Tunnel," "Wembley's Wonderful Whoopie Water," or "Wembley's Flight." (Yes, all of these episodes feature Wembley. Nobody ever believes Wembley. It's interesting, because even though he always turns out to be right, they keep not believing him. The turning point is in "Wembley's Flight," when Wembley finally realizes that they're not going to change...and realizes that it doesn't matter whether he gets their validation.)

-You have a hard time getting along with your friends? Watch "I Don't Care," "The Garden Plot," or "Marooned."

-You have a hard time getting along with your parents? Watch just about any episode past the first season featuring Gobo and Traveling Matt.

-You're proud and stubborn, even when you secretly think you might be wrong? Watch "Catch a Tail by the Tiger."

-You're proud and stubborn, and you don't secretly think you might be wrong? Watch "A Friend in Need" or "Gobo's School for Explorers."

-You're a hypochondriac? Watch "Pebble Pox Blues."

-You're greedy? Watch "The Grapes of Generosity."

-You're in an unhealthy relationship? Watch "The Incredible Shrinking Mokey."

-You're a tyrannical ruler? Watch "The Gorg Who Would Be King."

-You have a split personality? Watch "Boober's Dream," "Boober's Quiet Day," or "Sidebottom Blues."

-Your friend or relative passed away? Watch "Gone But Not Forgotten."

-You're a time traveler? Watch "Mokey, Then and Now."

-You want to learn how to better feel the Holy Spirit? Watch "The Voice Inside."

-You think you might be an atheist? Watch "The Bells of Fraggle Rock."

-You want to be an amateur detective? Watch "Inspector Red."

-You're in the middle of a teen pregnancy? Watch "Wembley's Egg."

-You want to see the most perfect series finale in the history of series finales? Watch the last four episodes of the last season.

Of course, in order to appreciate the last four episodes, you'd have to watch the other 92 episodes first.

TOTALLY WORTH IT, THOUGH. Happy 34th, Fraggle Rock!