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Fraggle Rock
A Fraggle Rock co-production
Country UK
First aired January 7, 1984
Last aired August 22, 1990
Network ITV
Seasons 7
Doc UK1

The Captain building a model in 'The Garden Plot'

Fraggle_Rock_UK_open

Fraggle Rock UK open

UK opening sequence for Seasons 2-3

Fraggle Rock’s first international co-production was the English UK version, though the French and German versions began airing sooner. The segments within the Muppet world of Fraggle Rock are identical to the American version, however the segments from outer space (i.e. the Doc & Sprocket and Traveling Matt segments) were changed to fit the UK audience.

Fraggle Rock was located on a rock headland or island somewhere off the South Coast of England (actually called Fraggle Rock in the show). There is a lighthouse on the island. The lighthouse was the home of the Captain, a retired sailor and the UK version of the Doc character, played by Fulton MacKay. Sprocket was still his companion, however.

Due to MacKay's death in 1987, the Captain was replaced in the fourth UK season by a younger character known as P.K. (Principal Keeper, the Captain's nephew), played by John Gordon Sinclair. In the sixth UK season, P.K. was replaced by B.J. (Bertwhistle Jr.), played by Simon O'Brien.

The episode order and story-lines were different than the original North American version. The UK version split the first two seasons across three smaller seasons, while seasons 3, 4 and 5 were split across four seasons, resulting in seven seasons compared to the five shown in North America. The characterization of the Captain and Sprocket is also different. One particular difference is that the Captain is slightly more harsh towards Sprocket than Doc is.

The UK co-production was the only one to take the series through to the end. The French and German versions ended before episode 96.

A selection of surviving episodes was released on VHS in April 2004. A petition to have Fraggle Rock released on DVD was run on the web for many years until a DVD was released alongside the VHS. This was the only major DVD release of the UK version to date; a "best of" collection of 12 episodes in a grainy transfer from the VHS release. TVS, the original broadcasters, have passed through several owners since 1992 and of the 96 episodes, only 12 master copies were known to have survived. HIT Entertainment has tried unsuccessfully to locate the missing episodes, including extensive inquiries with The Jim Henson Company both in the UK and the US. In addition, many of the original production and sales documents concerning the TVS archive have also gone missing, rendering any commercial exploitation impossible. (For a detailed list of UK video and DVD releases, see Fraggle Rock UK Videography.)

By 2017, an effort by fan Alex Taylor to track down the episodes in any available format confirmed that at least 29 episodes exist in broadcast quality, with 87 episodes existing in some form. The remaining nine episodes were unaccounted for in any format until December 2020 when the Missing Believed Wiped group announced that all TVS inserts had been found in some form.[1]

When UK television channels wish to broadcast the show, they are forced to rely on on the original North American versions; such was the case with Nickelodeon in the 1990s and Cartoon Network in 2007.

During March 1985, Uncle Traveling Matt did a month of live presentation for Children's ITV, the afternoon programming block for younger viewers on ITV. A Live-hand Muppet version of Matt, performed by Dave Goelz, was used for these appearances, which were broadcast from Central House, the home of Central Independent Television, the successor to ATV, in Birmingham. Matt would announce all the children's programming, except Fraggle Rock itself. Each Wednesday afternoon, just before an episode of the second season was broadcast, Matt would somehow be distracted and remain unaware that his fellow Fraggles were on TV.

Cast[]

Assistant: Mike Quinn (season 1-4), Geoff Felix (season 4-5)

Episode Guide[]

Picture Episode Summary
Beginnings

101UK

UKMattCard01
Episode 101: Beginnings Unlike the other international versions of this episode, the plot doesn't involve the Captain and Sprocket moving into the lighthouse, as it takes place sometime after they moved in. Instead, it's spring cleaning day, as the Captain moves a statue, revealing the Fraggle hole and Sprocket discovers the Fraggles for the first time. Uncle Matt's first adventure involves him getting startled by a two-way radio contacting The Captain. After being confronted by Sprocket, he ventures outside where he recognizes the rocks by the sea as the same materials to make the inside of Fraggle Rock. Matt is also "greeted" by "white flying things" (seagulls) and attempts to communicate with them. He then gets a full view of the lighthouse, mistaking it for a large white giant with one eye, and flees in panic. A clip from this episode is shown on the "Down at Fraggle Rock" documentary.
Fraggle104UK
Episode 104: Let the Water Run The Captain notices that the water pipes in the Lighthouse have frozen over so immediately sets to fix them, although he is interrupted a number of times by Gobo's interference in trying to get Uncle Matt's postcard, and later the Captain's umbrella. Uncle Matt's postcard is also the same as the U.S. version.
YouCan'tDoThatWithoutAHat
Episode 105: You Can't Do That Without A Hat The Captain and Sprocket have lost the key part of the lighthouse's foghorn.
Fraggle Rock
Episode 107: The Preachification Of Convincing John The Captain puts Sprocket on a diet. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as the U.S. version.
TheTerribleTunnel
Episode 109: The Terrible Tunnel Sprocket returns from the beach with a horseshoe, which the Captain assumes will bring good luck. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as in the U.S. version.
DontCryOverSpiltMilk

MilkUKpostcard
Episode 110: Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk Like the U.S. version, Gobo is accidentally trapped in Outer Space when the Captain decides to board up the Fraggle hole. Meanwhile, Uncle Matt comes across a big red postbox, which he assumes to be a "paper-eater". He then proceeds to "feed" it with his postcard to Gobo.
WeLoveYouWembleyUK

MattUK4
Episode 113: We Love You, Wembley The Captain worries that Mrs. Wiggit is going to propose to him. Meanwhile, Matt visits Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London.
TheChallengeUK
Episode 114: The Challenge The Captain becomes anxious when he learns that an escaped prisoner has been spotted nearby. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as the U.S. version.
IDon'tCareUK
Episode 115: I Don't Care The Captain has a new technological device. However, he believes he doesn't really need it. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as the U.S. version.
TheBellsOfFraggleRock
The Bells of Fraggle Rock (Christmas special) Sprocket and the Captain anxiously wait for the arrival of their special Christmas dinner during a storm on Christmas Eve.
CaptureTheMoon

Postcards.i12
Episode 201: Capture the Moon Sprocket has insomnia and cannot stop howling at the full moon. Meanwhile, Matt thinks tea drinking is the Silly Creatures' way of bathing their upper-lips.
Marooned

MattUK6
Episode 202: Marooned The Captain and Sprocket are snowed in, and Sprocket refuses to let Fluffinella into the lighthouse for shelter. Meanwhile, Uncle Matt encounters the "lair of the long red giants" (double-decker buses).
TheMinstrels

Postcards.i07
Episode 203: The Minstrels Sprocket thinks he has musical talent, but the Captain begs to differ. Uncle Traveling Matt is horrified at the sight of a Scotsman playing a bagpipe, thinking the bagpipe is a monster which the Silly Creature is strangling. The Captain is the one to read out Uncle Traveling Matt's postcard.
TheGreatRadishFamine
Episode 204: The Great Radish Famine Sprocket has fleas, and the Captain gets rid of them using a concoction of stale radishes and kipper oil.
GardenPlotUK

SprocketWithHammer

GardenPlotUK2
Episode 205: The Garden Plot Fraggle Rock is in danger as Junior Gorg tries to make his way in. Sprocket also tries to do this by hammering his way in. While Sprocket does this, the Captain is building a model lighthouse which Sprocket keeps breaking, sending the Captain into a fury. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as the U.S. version.
NewTrashHeapInTownUK
Episode 206: New Trash Heap In Town Sprocket has a nightmare about Gobo while The Captain is on a keep fit drive.
GobosDiscovery
Episode 207: Gobo's Discovery Gobo is scared by the lighthouse cannon and decides to give up exploring. The Captain also contemplates buying a dinghy, describing how it moves up and down, which makes Sprocket feel sick. The Captain then cheers for a fellow voyager returning from his journey on the sea. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as in the U.S. version.
MokeysFuneral

Matt radishes
Episode 208: Mokey's Funeral Sprocket is upset when the Captain accuses him of eating the bread that he left out for the seagulls. The dog decides to run away at first, until the Captain realizes he forgot to put the bread out and apologizes. Uncle Matt "gathers" radishes from a produce stand, and is pursued by "Gorgs" (angry Silly Creatures, actually).
TheBeastOfBluerock
Episode 209: The Beast of Blue Rock Sprocket is afraid to see the vet when he gets sick.
WembleysEgg
Episode 210: Wembley's Egg The Captain brings home a pet bird in a cage. After some consideration, he takes it to the top of the Lighthouse and sets it free.
Booberock
Episode 211: Booberock Like Doc in the US version, the Captain puts out his washing to dry, but gets frustrated as Sprocket keeps getting in his way. He notices that Sprocket has chewed up his favorite book, which infuriates him. The Captain divides the lighthouse in two, and stops Sprocket from crossing onto his side. However, it begins raining, and the Captain can't reach the washing outside, because the door is on Sprocket's side of the lighthouse. The Captain decides to take down the boundary line, as he realizes it wasn't such a good idea. Uncle Matt witnesses traffic wardens delivering "love letters" (tickets) and "yellow shoes" (wheel clamps) to the "shiny creatures" (cars), as well as seeing how emotional the Silly Creatures get when they find them.
AllWorkAndAllPlayUK

AllWorkAndAllPlayUK2
Episode 212: All Work And All Play The Captain decides that there's more to life than just lighthouse keeping so he takes up sculpturing. His first sculpture: Sprocket.
Red'sSeaMonsterUK
Episode 213: Red's Sea Monster The Captain decides to cook up some seaweed, assuring Sprocket that it will taste good. Uncle Matt also goes to an auction.
UncleMattComesHomeUK
Episode 214: Uncle Matt Comes Home The Captain and Sprocket set a trap for an escaped monkey just as Uncle Matt comes home from Outer Space to visit his nephew Gobo.
BoobersDream
Episode 215: Boober's Dream The Captain has a dream about Mr. Bertwhistle and small furry creatures, which Sprocket thinks is the Fraggles. The Captain later receives a letter from Mr. Bertwhistle asking him to look after his pet gerbils, which makes The Captain realize that was what he was dreaming about. Uncle Traveling Matt goes to sleep in a ghost-train carriage and has a nightmare.
207
Episode 216: Mokey and the Minstrels The Captain receives some belongings from his late uncle, which is a Scottish Highland dress and bagpipes. Sprocket gets scared at the sight of the bagpipes and dislikes the sound they make when The Captain plays them.
TheTrashHeapDoesn'tLiveHereAnymoreUK
Episode 217: The Trash Heap Doesn't Live Here Anymore The Captain captures a crab and decides to keep it as a pet, much to Sprocket's dislike as it pinched his nose. After some thought, The Captain frees the crab. The Gorgs also move The Trash Heap to a different part of the garden.
SirHubrisAndTheGorgsUK
Episode 218: Sir Hubris And The Gorgs There's a really bad storm at Fraggle Rock which scares Sprocket. To make things worse, a boat seems to be heading straight for the rocks. The Captain worries about this and ponders that it could be the mythical ghost ship of Fraggle Rock, scaring Sprocket even more.
AFriendInNeed

Captain

Matt sale
Episode 219: A Friend in Need Like the U.S. version, Sprocket gets stuck in the Fraggle hole and Gobo tries to help free him, while the Captain tries to remove a tight ring from his finger. Meanwhile, Uncle Matt visits a great race (actually a Selfridges department store sale).
TheWizardOfFraggleRockUK
Episode 220: The Wizard Of Fraggle Rock The Captain receives a book about how to perform magic tricks and he wants to practice on Sprocket.
TheDoozerContest
Episode 221: The Doozer Contest Sprocket becomes jealous when the Captain decides to start beekeeping.
RedsClub
Episode 222: Red's Club The Captain tries to form a birdwatchers' club, but only Sprocket will join. Uncle Traveling Matt discovers a way to control a species of big yellow creatures: just scream or shout "Taxi!" and they'll stop.
TheSecretOfConvincingJohn
Episode 223: The Secret of Convincing John The Captain has no water coming through his taps. After talking about not relying on anyone else to do what he can do, he decides to fix it himself. After he takes up the floorboards and removes some pipes, the water board tells him they turned it off for repairs. The Captain becomes frustrated with them and hangs up the phone, but not before hearing that they're going to turn it back on...
JuniorSellsTheFarmUK
Episode 301: Junior Sells The Farm The Captain is busy cleaning all of the Lighthouse's windows and tells Sprocket that it takes too long for him to do. He then finds a can of Window Cleaner spray that he got a while ago and never used. He tests it on his mirror and declares that he'll use it on his windows. What he and Sprocket didn't see was it caused his mirror to crack...
FraggleWarsUK
Episode 302: Fraggle Wars Young campers smash one of The Captain's windows and he declares war on them.
TheDayTheMusicDiedUK
Episode 303: The Day The Music Died The Captain tries many different ways to try to communicate with Sprocket including: barking and hand signals. However, each attempt ends up with Sprocket asking for food. In the end, The Captain realizes that they can communicate well enough already. Uncle Matt goes to an Arsenal FC football match.
TheDoomsdaySoupUK
Episode 304: The Doomsday Soup Sprocket has the hiccups and can't get rid of them. The Captain phones Mrs. Wiggit and asks for her soup that she claims can cure the hiccups. But when The Captain tries the soup later, he gets the hiccups and Sprocket doesn't have his anymore. Uncle Traveling Matt accidentally mistakes someone's hair for cotton candy, a Silly Creature delicacy, and is sent flying.
ACaveOfOne'sOwnUK
Episode 305: A Cave of One's Own Mr. Bertwhistle has decided to set up a caravan site close to the Lighthouse, infuriating The Captain. This is until he meets the lady foreman... Uncle Matt discovers a photo booth and takes pictures with two silly creatures.
WembleyAndTheGreatRaceUK
Episode 306: Wembley And The Great Race The Captain attempts to enter Sprocket into a dog show, whether he likes it or not.
DoozerIsAsDoozerDoesUK
Episode 307: Doozer Is As Doozer Does The Captain gets the sack and is told to move out of the Lighthouse. The Captain and Sprocket reminisce on their time living there when the Captain gets a phone call from Mr. Bertwhistle saying that he won't be getting rid of him anymore.
Boober'sQuietDayUK
Episode 308: Boober's Quiet Day The Captain has to face living a day without Sprocket as he has fallen ill while at the vet. The Captain later gets a phone call from the vets saying that Sprocket has gone missing, making him very worried. However, this worry is brief as Sprocket had found his way back to the Lighthouse on his own. Uncle Matt visits a library and is disappointed when the patrons tell him to be quiet. He tries performing his Happy Radish Dance, and gets sent out.
InvasionOfTheToeTicklersUK
Episode 309: Invasion Of The Toe-Ticklers The Captain finds some rocks covered in oil and blames it on a nearby oil tanker. He then finds out it's not their fault and it's actually his oil tank, for the lighthouse's central heating, that's leaking. This is the final appearance of The Captain.

Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as in the U.S. version.

BornToWander
Episode 401: Born to Wander Sprocket meets his new owner, P.K., the Captain's nephew, but the two don't seem to get along.
BooberAndTheGlobUK-0
Episode 402: Boober And The Glob It's a joke day beneath Fraggle Rock. But, in the Lighthouse, P.K. tells Sprocket it's about time he did his fair share of the chores.
ABrushWithJealousyUK
Episode 403: A Brush With Jealousy P.K. searches frantically for Sprocket, who is lost.
BelieveItOrNotUK
Episode 404: Believe It Or Not To Sprocket's horror, P.K. is determined to seal up the Fraggle hole.
DarkAndStormyNightUK

PK Reading
Episode 405: A Dark And Stormy Night When P.K. and Sprocket read a scary book, P.K. drags Sprocket along to explore a nearby castle at night.
TheBeanbarrowTheBurdenAndTheBrightBouquetUK
Episode 406: The Beanbarrow, The Burden And The Bright Bouquet It's Valentine's Day and in the lighthouse, P.K. and Sprocket are love sick.
TheSecretSocietyOfPoohbahsUK
Episode 407: The Secret Society Of Poohbahs P.K. drills his sea scouts for the admiral's visit - but Sprocket has swallowed P.K.'s whistle.
BattleOfLeakingRoofUK
Episode 408: The Battle Of Leaking Roof P.K. wins a surprise gift in the butcher's raffle.
RedHandedAndTheInvisibleThiefUK
Episode 409: Red Handed And The Invisible Thief P.K. warns Sprocket to behave himself when they go shopping in the village.
TheIncredibleShrinkingMokeyUK
Episode 410 : The Incredible Shrinking Mokey Mokey and her friends put on a puppet show. In the Lighthouse, Sprocket reaches his desperation point when P.K. agrees to look after everyone's indoor-plants.
PebblePoxBlues
Episode 411: Pebble Pox Blues P.K. makes fun of Sprocket for catching a cold, boasting that his exercising prevents him from getting sick. In the end, Sprocket recovers, but P.K. ends up with the flu. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as in the U.S. version.
ScaredSillyUK
Episode 412: Scared Silly P.K. is playing on his portable piano while Sprocket is busy being scared.
Wembley'sWonderfulWhoopieWaterUK
Episode 413: Wembley's Wonderful Whoopie Water It's Easter at Fraggle Rock and P.K. has brought Sprocket some special presents.
TheGreatRadishCaperUK
Episode 501: The Great Radish Caper P.K. wants to give Sprocket a bath, but Sprocket will do anything to avoid having one.
HomeIsWhereTheTrashIsUK
Episode 502: Home Is Where The Trash Is P.K. organizes a pop festival.
SidebottomBluesUK
Episode 503: Sidebottom Blues It's P.K.'s birthday. However, Sprocket ends up eating most of the cake.
Noimage
Episode 504: Gobo's School For Explorers P.K. panics when he discovers a boat is heading straight for the rocks.
TheGrapesOfGenerosityUK
Episode 505: The Grapes Of Generosity Mrs. Wiggit cooks Sprocket a meat pie, but Sprocket doesn't want to share it with P.K.
TheCavernOfLostDreamsUK
Episode 506: The Cavern Of Lost Dreams P.K. and Sprocket go sea fishing. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as in the U.S. version.
BoredStiffUK
Episode 507: Bored Stiff P.K. is bored and decides to go snorkeling and discovers danger on the rocks outside.
PlayingTilItHurtsUK
Episode 508: Playing 'Til It Hurts Sprocket is an unwilling passenger in P.K.'s motorcycle sidecar.
BlanketOfSnowBlanketOfWoeUK
Episode 509: Blanket Of Snow, Blanket Of Woe Sprocket has oil on his paws which P.K. blames it on an off-shore oil tanker.
GungeTheGreatAndGloriousUK
Episode 510: Gunge The Great And Glorious P.K. is broke and his only hope is to enter Sprocket into the Village Pet Show. But before he can do so he needs to give Sprocket a bath, which is bad news for Sprocket.
WembleyAndTheMeanGenie
Episode 511: Wembley and the Mean Genie P.K. practices magic tricks with Sprocket for a Christmas party. Uncle Matt's postcard is the same as in the U.S. version.
GoneButNotForgotten
Episode 601: Gone But Not Forgotten Sprocket has a hard time adjusting to change when his new owner, B.J., arrives at the lighthouse.
MokeyThenAndNowUK
Episode 602: Mokey Then And Now The Fraggles go back in time, but in the Lighthouse is there a canine ghost... ?
JuniorFacesTheMusicUK
Episode 603: Junior Faces The Music Sprocket discovers that B.J. may not be all he claims to be.
BeyondThePondUK
Episode 604: Beyond The Pond In the Fraggle world and in the Lighthouse, everyone learns that a tree is something to love, cherish and admire.
SprocketsBigAdventureUK

SprocketsBigAdventureUK2

SprocketsBigAdventureUK3
Episode 701: Sprocket's Big Adventure B.J. is making some plumbing repairs on the lighthouse, which requires him to remove some of the floor. When B.J. isn't paying attention, Sprocket sees his chance and goes through the hole in the floor and manages to get into Fraggle Rock. After his adventure in Fraggle Rock he returns back to the lighthouse, surprising B.J. when he comes out of the hole. B.J. then accidentally causes a big water leak.
UncleMatt'sDiscoveryUK
Episode 702: Uncle Matt's Discovery B.J. offers to restore Mrs Wiggit's gnomes. Uncle Matt and Gobo visit the Lighthouse and other places in outer space.
Red'sBlueDragonUK
Episode 703: Red's Blue Dragon B.J. and Sprocket go to a local football match - B.J. is the goalie.
InspectorRedUK
Episode 705: Inspector Red B.J. and Sprocket both agree that they need to keep healthy.
ThePerfectBlueRollieUK
Episode 707: The Perfect Blue Rollie Sprocket and B.J. prepare for a visit from Mr Bertwhistle, B.J.'s dad.
TheGorgWhoWouldBeKingUK
Episode 709: The Gorg Who Would Be King During a thunderstorm, B.J. informs Sprocket that the lighthouse will soon become automated by electronic machines (which means that there is no longer a need for a keeper) and that they will have to move out. Later on, they go for a walk and discover Junior's crown that he threw away. B.J. sees this as an omen, reassuring him that even though they'll be leaving the lighthouse, he and Sprocket will have the entire world to explore.
TheRiverOfLifeUK
Episode 710: The River Of Life B.J. is deeply concerned when Sprocket accidentally drinks water which has poison in it. The same water is what also pollutes the Fraggles' water supply and the Gorgs' stream too.
HonkOfHonksUK

HonkOfHonksUK2

BJ Meets Gobo

HonkOfHonksUK3
Episode 711: The Honk Of Honks B.J. starts feeling downhearted about leaving the lighthouse, as he and Sprocket begin packing. When Gobo emerges to see what's going on, Sprocket tries to make B.J. notice the Fraggle. However, B.J. thinks Sprocket is being silly and it's revealed that B.J. can't actually see or hear Gobo at all. When Gobo comes out again, he finds B.J. sadly playing the Fraggles' theme song on his guitar and wondering where Sprocket will end up without the both of them having a place to live. Knowing how it feels to lose a friend, Gobo feels sorry for B.J. and touches him. This makes B.J. able to see him and, while shocked at first, becomes excited that Fraggles do exist. Then B.J. gives a party blower to Gobo, who finally understands Cantus's message. After Gobo leaves to finish the honk, B.J. and Sprocket are sitting near the Fraggle hole when they hear "The Honk Of Honks".
Vlcsnap-82738

Vlcsnap-85433

Vlcsnap-92094

Vlcsnap-86469
Episode 712: Change of Address The plot is nearly the same as the original U.S. version, except that after B.J. and Sprocket leave, Gobo leads his friends to the lighthouse. After Wembley and Mokey unsuccessfully try to communicate with the new machines, Gobo then finds a goodbye note from B.J., claiming they've left for good. Meanwhile, B.J., having taken up a job as caretaker at a castle, sends Sprocket to live with Mrs. Wiggit, but then changes his mind and comes back for him. After decorating the castle for Christmas, B.J. realizes there's magic wherever they go, and convinces Sprocket to wish for a Fraggle hole to appear. Sure enough, the second hole is revealed from behind a Christmas present, where Gobo comes out and reunites with the duo.

Openings[]

Unlike the French and German co-productions, this international co-production of Fraggle Rock has a longer opening, mostly involving the shot of the lighthouse. Because of the change in actor, there were three different opening titles produced. The first three seasons had two different openings with the Captain, while the rest of the show's run had one opening per keeper. There were also two alternate openings, including one with Sprocket alone in the lighthouse, as seen in "Born to Wander". In addition, the theme tune was also edited with additional sound effects. The first half of the opening from the second and third series (ending after the Fraggles' first verse) was included at the end of the Fraggle Rock Season Two DVD Interviews segment titled "Docs And Sprockets".

Credits[]

IMG 4441

Fraggle Rock UK Crew Shirt

UK airdates[]

Captain2

The Doozer ring from 'A Friend In Need'

Season 1[]

Christmas Special[]

Season 2[]

Season 3[]

Season 4[]

Season 5[]

Season 6[]

Season 7[]

Sources[]

External links[]

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