It never released on home video, but for 80s kids, the TV special John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together was a Christmas tradition, thanks to the classic companion album. It is way overdue for a restoration and re-release. Maybe next year. Regardless, Jim Henson’s creations and the holiday season go together like mistletoe and holly. The Fraggles do not exactly celebrate Christmas, but they have their own seasonal festivities. Unfortunately, Gobo Fraggle is supposed to perform a new song for their annual winter frolic, but he has a persistent case of writer’s block in the new special, The First Snow of Fraggle Rock, which premieres Friday on Apple TV+.
Some might try to blame “climate change,” but the new Doc’s experiments are probably more at fault. Her lovable dog Sprocket isn’t too thrilled about them either. Regardless, the lack of snow at Fraggle Rock is a blessing for Gobo, because he has nothing to perform. Eventually, the snow must come, so he ventures into Doc’s house, in search of his Uncle Traveling Matt’s latest postcard, hoping it will provide inspiration.
Instead, Uncle Traveling Matt (that is his full name, you know) sends magical instructions that allow Gobo to join him in the Human World. Frankly, Gobo might be better suited to our world, because he eventually crashes a recording session for vocalist Lele Pons, who improvises a duet with the Fraggle.
Frankly, Apple has been out to lunch when it comes to promoting the original songs commissioned for their programs at the Emmy’s. Honestly, Ben Folds’ “It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown” and Mick Jagger’s “Strange Game” for Slow Horses are both award-worthy tracks. First Snow features two quality originals that maybe aren’t quite as impressive, but they are highly catchy and thematically appropriate: “Can You Feel It” by Harvey Mason Jr., Andrew Hey, and Sam Ramirez, along with “Our Melody” by Philip Balsam and Dennis Lee.
The new Fraggle “seasonal” special is all very pleasant, but it cannot approach the greatness of past Muppet Christmas specials. Still, it is nice to see Apple TV+ reviving the tradition of Christmas specials, even if they aren’t Christmas—and in this case really just represents a bonus episode of the ongoing Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. (Seriously, if Johnny Hart’s B.C., which was literally B.C., could adapt itself into a real Christmas special, surely the Fraggles can too.) Regardless, The First Snow of Fraggle Rock delivers good, clean family entertainment, when it starts streaming Friday (12/5) on Apple TV+.
