"Fraggle Rock" aka "Nostalgia: The Musical"

I can't quite explain it, but my generation is obsessed with nostalgia. Even though we're really not all that old. There are no "good ol' days," just the '80s. I mean, really, people, we're not far enough removed from that decade to be bringing back the neon, are we? But Joey McIntyre and the boys are back. Because I'll pay to see him. And tapping into this strange nostalgia means big bucks for those who exploit the lovely little childhood that I'm still inexplicably attached to. So the following makes perfect sense:

The Weinstein Co. recently announced that it's adapting Fraggle Rock into a live-action musical feature. The TV show first premiered in 1983, but recently saw a serge of popularity with the DVD sales of its first three seasons. And while a younger generation may not be familiar with Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red, the Muppet legacy will draw them in nonetheless.

Musicals are hip right now (see upcoming High School Musical 3 and Mamma Mia!), and notable actors have always jumped at the opportunity to act with puppets. Michael Caine held his own in The Muppet Christmas Carol. Tim Curry was brilliant in Muppet Treasure Island. So now the question remains as to who will be singing and dancing on the big screen as the our friends from Fraggle Rock encounter "aliens" (humans).

Hmm. Time to play casting director. I nominate Christopher Walken ("dancing alien" seems quite fitting, really), Kenneth Branagh (iambic pentameter and puppets: the new frontier) and Russell Crowe (to keep the film from being a straight-up sugar-fest). Or if we're keeping with the trend of nostalgia, Kirk Cameron. And Fred Savage.

What's next? A "Jem" remake? Please make it so.

Nadine Bells
on her toes

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