Hey, Hey, It's the Monkees

My main Monkees fandom years were from 1986-1992, but I still kept tabs on the Monkees after that time, and still considered it my favorite show. I used to worry back then about what would happen if the real life Monkees ever got back together to make one of those years-later reunion movies. Many of those can ruin your memories of a favorite show by having the characters take off in new directions you couldn't imagine them in.

What a relief then was this Monkees special! It portrayed the Monkees as still all living together, still the best of friends. Anything else would have had me on the warpath--a band breakup, marriages, or what not. Also, by portraying the characters as such, it was as if the real life Monkees were acknowledging and telling the world that the characters they played were separate entities from them, despite the similarity in names. That was the main cause of my frustration during my original Monkee years--I felt no one took my beloved characters seriously as entities unto themselves.

True, the humor in the TV special was more corny than truly funny, but all faults are forgiven for it finally vindicating my points of view on the Monkees!

This was technically the first "episode" I ever saw. I was almost seventeen when this aired, and had just discovered these zany, loveable boys. So I didn't know what to expect. Now that I've seen the series, itself, I know better. It doesn't compare, but it's still entertaining.

Here's what you get: The Monkees gently poke fun at themselves, and at the series that made them international celebrities. It's cute, but I prefer the actual series. If you don't know what these guys are about, then this is not too bad of an introduction; just bear in mind that it REALLY IS a spoof of the original Sixties sitcom. It does share some things in common with the actual show, though: It's fun, it's quirky, and it naturally has fantastic music.

When the special first came out, I was disappointed. I thought it was dull and unfunny, as if the guys were so intent on proving themselves or making a point that they forgot the essence of The Monkees (essentially my reaction to Justus). But when I watch it now (it hasn't been released legally, but you can find it easily enough), I am very thankful that they made it. I'm thankful because it gave us one last glimpse of the four of them together, but I'm even more thankful for something else.

You see, the premise of the special is that the old TV show never ceased production -- it just went off the air. Episodes continued being made, but no one ever got a chance to see them. This is episode 781, and it just happened to be picked up for broadcast. According to this special, that's the case for MANY shows. And that, in terms of pure nostalgic fantasy, is awesome! Think about it: all your favorite TV shows -- The Monkees, Green Acres, Rocky and Bullwinkle, The A-Team, what have you -- they still exist! Your favorite characters are still together in some alternate universe, still experiencing new adventures. If you care enough to watch a reunion movie, how can you not love that?

The special itself has a few funny moments (particularly the references to KISS), but it isn't a laugh riot. The guys are much older now and can't bounce around like crazy. There are no romps. I still understand why I didn't like it 20 years ago, but I also understand why I didn't appreciate it. In the 1990s, the Monkees still had a future. They had reunited twice and produced 2 (and a half) new albums. There was certainly more to come. Now, Davy is gone and Mike is retired, and Micky and Peter are unlikely to do much more together. This special, the alternate universe it created, is the part that lives on. It's what we fans still have to dream about, to look forward to. 20 years ago, the guys gave us The Monkees of today and tomorrow. And for that, I am very truly thankful.

Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a new episode of The Monkees this week.

I enjoyed this very much. I thought that the guys were as funny now as they were in the television seris over 30 years ago. I always enjoyed the monkees and hope that in the coming years we hear more from them and I hope to see more shows like this one one the t.v screen.

I can't believe I missed this movie. How? Why? Where was I? Only the greatest things can withstand the time and this surely did. They created a movie in the late 90's using 60's humor and it works even now in the 2020's. Damn, thats great stuff. I know they had their differences at times, but they put everything aside to give the fans one last romp in, in, Monkee heaven. Their series ended too soon and we are blessed with this wonderful, whacky, funny, corny, did I say funny, great show.

I wonder how many new fans they created in this show with the kids back then that never got to enjoy their antics for more than one show and reruns.

The Monkees are GREAT! Forever!