Apple TV has released the trailer for "Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift," a new musical special with Wembley in charge of festive cheer. It lands December 4.
Somewhere in your chest there is a small, furry corner that still knows every word of the Fraggle Rock theme, and Apple TV has just poked it with a trailer. Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift premieres globally on Friday, December 4, and it brings back Wembley, Gobo, Red, Mokey and Boober for a festive new adventure with fresh songs.
Wembley gets a promotion
The setup is gentle and a little bit mischievous. Wembley is named Spirit Captain, a title that comes with the job of spreading cheer through the Rock. He takes it seriously. Then the Fraggles unknowingly walk off with a cherished snow globe from Doc’s workshop, and the holiday spirit starts to fade.
Now Wembley has to find the courage to give it back. Along the way he learns what the special calls the true gifts of the holidays: kindness, giving and helping someone in need. It’s a small-scale problem with a big-hearted fix, which is exactly the size of problem a Fraggle should have.
Anyone who has ever pocketed the wrong thing by accident, or watched a group project go sideways because everyone meant well, will feel seen.
A very good guest list
Music is the engine here. Lilli Cooper, a Tony Award nominee, returns as Doc and sings an original song. Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger makes a special appearance with a musical performance of her own. Having a Tony winner turn up in a cavern full of puppets feels like a fine way to begin the season.
Harvey Mason Jr. is executive music producer, so the soundtrack has serious hands on it. John Tartaglia directs. Matt Fusfeld and Alex Cuthbertson wrote the special, and they also share executive producer credits with a long list that includes Lisa Henson, Halle Stanford, Tartaglia, Arnon Milchan and Yariv Milchan. Dave Goelz and Karen Prell, two names Henson devotees will recognise, co-executive produce. Chris Plourde produces and Tim O’Brien co-produces.
What grown-up fans can expect
This comes from the team behind the Emmy Award-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, which is a reassuring pedigree if you’ve been wary of revivals. It also follows The First Snow of Fraggle Rock, another family musical special on Apple TV, so the Rock is clearly settling into a habit of seasonal singalongs.
For adult fans, the pleasures are probably the ones you’d hope for. The five familiar Fraggles are all present and accounted for. There’s a story built around friendship and a small act of courage, with no cynicism required. And there’s a runtime that sounds ideal for a December evening when you want to feel about nine years old for a bit. Put it on while you wrap presents, or invite a child to watch and pretend that was the plan all along.
The trailer is the first proper look, and the press materials call the special joyful. That seems about right for a show whose whole reputation rests on singing, dancing and looking after each other.
How to watch
The special streams on Apple TV from December 4, in over 170 countries and regions. A subscription is $14.99 per month, and new subscribers get a seven-day free trial. Apple is also offering three months free for a limited time to customers who buy and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac. If the household has more than one viewer with strong opinions about what to watch, the Apple TV app now supports profiles on iOS, iPadOS and the web. Those let each person have their own space, and parents can manage content ratings for kids.
Mark December 4. Wembley has a snow globe to return, and he could use the company.
Via Apple TV Press