In ‘The First Snow of Fraggle Rock,’ the Fraggles take a big leap outside their world

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The holidays can be a stressful time — even for a Fraggle.

A new holiday special called “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock” is coming to Apple TV on December 5th. The story follows Gobo (voiced and puppeteered by John Tartaglia) as he tries to write a great holiday song, but he’s stuck with writer’s block – especially when only one snowflake falls! He feels pressure to top his previous song and deliver something truly special. Tartaglia calls the special a heartfelt tribute to the show’s fans.

As a longtime fan, I have to say the latest from Jim Henson, “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock,” really delivers. It’s special to see the Fraggles back – especially considering the original series debuted way back in 1983, and now Apple TV has brought them back with “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” in 2022. This new installment feels like a genuine evolution, offering moments that feel fresh even for those of us who grew up with the original.

Tartaglia, also an executive producer, explains that the team wanted to create a holiday special that would still resonate with viewers for years to come. This year’s special features more music, enhanced visual effects, a more intricate plot, and a generally more ambitious scope than a typical episode. They really pushed themselves creatively to make it something truly special.

Television

Jim Henson’s beloved characters are back on television after more than three decades, now in a visually stunning series that uses a story about the environment to honor the original show.

This is the first time Gobo has ventured into “Outer Space,” which is the Fraggles’ name for our world. Lisa Henson, daughter of Jim Henson and CEO of the Jim Henson Company, explains they’ve been discussing the idea of bringing Fraggles into the real world for some time, thinking it would be a lot of fun.

The creators felt a major plot twist was fitting for this episode. As Tartaglia explains, it’s an opportunity to do something different with the show and really move the story forward.

The appearance of Gobo in the real world is now officially part of the show’s history, and the creators are hoping to explore this idea further in future projects. According to executive producer Alex Cuthbertson, who wrote the special alongside Matt Fusfeld, bringing Gobo into the human world was a way to see if they could successfully bring other Fraggles into our world as well.

The second “Back to the Rock” holiday special, “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock,” includes several familiar scenes for dedicated fans. The show is filmed in Alberta, Canada, and the town of Canmore served as the location for Gobo’s first glimpse of Outer Space. According to producer Fusfeld, it’s a nice touch that Gobo experiences the human world in a place the crew often visits during their time off from filming in Calgary.

While exploring Outer Space, Gobo unexpectedly runs into Lele Pons, the popular singer and YouTuber, who is struggling to find inspiration for a new song. Interestingly, Lele was pregnant while filming, and that experience is reflected in her character. She shares with Gobo that she’s trying to write a song about a completely new experience – becoming a mother. Together, they perform a fresh take on “Our Melody,” a fan-favorite song from the original series.

Cuthbertson describes the connection as a fortunate coincidence. She explains that the actress was already considering the pressures of expectation and how things might unfold, which gave her a unique perspective on understanding Gobo’s experiences.

Tartaglia briefly appears in the special, marking his first meeting with Gobo. According to Cuthbertson, this moment is a treat for longtime fans. The show emphasizes love and acceptance, and including this fan-requested scene is a way of showing appreciation.

When Tartaglia read the script and saw he’d be interacting with a character portraying himself, he initially thought it was a playful joke meant for his amusement. He didn’t believe the creators were being serious. “It felt too obvious,” he explains. “But now, watching it, I really enjoy it. I absolutely love playing Gobo – he’s the most enjoyable character I’ve ever portrayed. He embodies such pure joy, it feels like I’m connecting with my own inner self in those scenes.”

The special, “First Snow,” introduces the new baby Gorg to the family. At the end of the second season, Ma Gorg revealed she was pregnant. Now, in this holiday episode, Junior Gorg is adjusting to having a new little sister – a situation many older siblings understand.

According to Henson, the storyline involving Gorg is particularly strong because he’s grown up as an only child. This has made him quite spoiled, so the arrival of a baby Gorg creates a lot of interesting conflict. Initially, he’s thrilled, but then becomes frightened when the baby actually hatches. Ultimately, though, he accepts and loves the baby more than he ever imagined, making it a satisfying story arc for the character.

The show remains popular because it’s consistently upbeat and doesn’t feel dated. According to Fusfeld, the characters’ conflicts always center around expressing affection – a simple ‘I love you more’ – and they’re never unkind to each other. Importantly, the show avoids references to current trends, creating its own self-contained world and culture.

Everyone at the company considers John Tartaglia the ultimate authority on “Fraggle Rock.” According to Jim Henson, John has an incredible knowledge of every single episode. He’s able to recall details like songs from past episodes that could be used again, or characters they might revisit. Henson believes having one dedicated superfan like John is more valuable than having many casual fans, and that John passionately champions the show’s legacy and future.

Tartaglia, a longtime fan of the show since childhood, was surprised his passion for it led to this opportunity. He remembers being seven years old and knowing he wanted to work with Jim Henson as a puppeteer. He considers ‘Fraggle Rock’ the perfect example of quality family television.

Ultimately, Gobo and the Fraggles learn that holidays – and songs – don’t need to be flawless. Just like every snowflake is different, they understand that each moment and celebration is special in its own way.

According to Cuthbertson, the holidays don’t have to look like they did last year, or like anyone else’s celebrations. They don’t need to be expensive or focused on buying things. What truly matters is creating a special feeling – something spontaneous, beautiful, and personal. She believes this idea is perfectly captured by the image of a snowflake, representing the unique potential of the holiday season.

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2025-11-20 14:33