Synopsis: The Fraggles get sprayed with “Boredom Juice” and get real boring.
Original air date: April 29, 1985
In “Bugs Bunny and the Three Bears” (dir. Chuck Jones, 1944), Bugs Bunny meets the classic fairy tale family. Jones loved this version of the Three Bears so much that he brought them back without Bugs Bunny. They starred in four cartoons on their own between 1948 and 1951.
On the surface, it always feels strange to see these characters as the stars. The Bear family were clearly designed to be supporting players, antagonists for our hero Bugs Bunny. But here’s the thing: all three of them – the short and angry father, the giant dim-witted son, and the overwhelmed mother – are extremely funny. So the cartoons ended up being pretty terrific, especially the last one (1951’s Father’s Day-themed “A Bear for Punishment”).
Now, I’m thinking about classic Looney Tunes partially because I recently had the good fortune to appear on our own JD Hansel’s new podcast Stick to Shorts. But mostly I’m thinking about them because this episode made me realize that the Gorgs replicate the Three Bears dynamic almost exactly. They get a large role here, but they’re still playing second fiddle to our main Fraggles. And frankly, “Bored Stiff” makes me wish for a show truly about the Gorgs.
The main plot of the episode is as follows: Pa Gorg wants to get rid of all the Fraggles infesting Kissing Rock. He decides to spray them with Boredom Juice, which will make them bored stiff. After Gobo’s friends get struck by the juice, he sets out to save them. Eventually, he realizes that he has to team up with Junior, who has the antidote. Together they sing a song and do a dance, which makes everyone unfreeze. Yay! Once again, the day is saved in Fraggle Rock!
It really is a delightful episode – catchy songs, funny dialogue, and an important step forward in the relationship between Fraggles and Gorgs. Gobo and Junior team up, and they really do save the day together. When the Fraggles unfreeze, they eagerly join in the final chorus of “Whoops! Feeling Better!” Even Ma and Pa Gorg are thrilled about it. Ma joyfully declares, “The dear little Fraggles saved our boy!”
But the best parts of the episode are about how the Gorgs relate to each other. We get a nice peek into the playful side of Ma and Pa Gorg’s relationship. While standing guard in the garden, they serenade each other with a ballad called “The Ways I Love You,” and it’s so clear that they’re still completely in love after all these years. Junior keeps trying to interrupt, and they just keep shooing him away. They might be pretty terrible parents, but it’s kind of sweet that they only have eyes for each other.
And at the end of the day, that’s the reason the Gorgs are so fascinating to me. They were introduced as the villains of Fraggle Rock. Well into the third season, they still basically are. After Junior says that he’d be sad without the Fraggles, he clarifies that he wants them around only for thumping purposes. They might have worked together this one time, but they’re still a pretty long way from being friends.
It’s such a thrill to know that it’s going to happen.
Strongest Moment: Mokey suggests that they should go out and talk to the Gorgs, because “I think that big hairy one kind of likes us.” The Fraggles and Junior will grow closer over the rest of the series.
Weakest Moment: Gobo says he’s going to talk to Junior, but then he insults him instead. Bad call, Gobo!
MVF (Most Valuable Fraggle): Boober takes off to do laundry before the others get sprayed, so he never suffers the effects of Boredom Juice. Good call, Boober! I’m gonna give you this made-up prize!
First Appearance Of…: Boredom Juice, which Junior finds in the Plot Convenience Tree.
Most Classic Moment: Junior’s over-the-top performance of “The Fraggles Are Gone. There’s Nothing Left For Me to Do Except . . . Pewish!”
Musical Highlight: We get to hear both Richard Hunt (as Junior) and Jerry Nelson (as Gobo) do very different versions of “Whoops! Feeling Better!” which is an absolute treat.
Coolest Puppetry Effect: When they’re struck by the Boredom Juice, Wembley, Red, and Mokey all do a synchronized freezing movement – choking, head up and down twice, whistling, boinging sound, mouth open, fall backwards against the cave wall. It’s simple, but they do it so well!
Darkest Moment: Doc wants to murder some rats, and Sprocket is *not* into it.
Fraggle Lore: “Kissing Rock” is where Ma and Pa Gorg first, uh, you’ll understand when you’re older.
One More Thing…: No really, Pa Gorg chasing Ma around the garden while they flirt with each other is 100% adorable. You gotta believe me!
Click here to visit the not-at-all boring ToughPigs Discord!
by Anthony Strand
