The Monkees Revisited
Original Airdates: Nov. 3-6, 2023
TVC 626.1: Music and television historian Chuck Harter joins Ed for an in-depth look at The Monkees television series (NBC, 1966-1968) and why it still holds up today. Chuck interviewed Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and many other key Monkees personnel for Hey, Hey, We’re The Monkees, the excellent Disney Channel documentary, written by Chuck, which explores the history of The Monkees and the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon.
The Three Phases of The Monkees
Original Airdates: Nov. 3-6, 2023
TVC 626.2: Chuck Harter, music historian and writer of the acclaimed documentary Hey, Hey, We’re The Monkees, talks to Ed about the three phases of The Monkees in 1967: television series, recording unit, and live performing ensemble.
James Frawley’s Influence on The Monkees
Original Airdates: Dec. 8-11, 2023
TVC 631.5a: Part 2 of our conversation with music and television historian Chuck Harter about The Monkees television series (NBC, 1966-1968) and why it still holds up today. Chuck interviewed Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and many other key Monkees personnel for Hey, Hey, We’re The Monkees, the excellent Disney Channel documentary, written by Chuck, that explores the history of The Monkees, both the group and the series, and the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon. In this segment, Chuck and Ed discuss the enormous influence that director James Frawley had on the success of The Monkees (particularly, the first season, when the show won the Emmy for Best Comedy Series), and why two out of three Monkees fans today seem to prefer the second season over the first.
The Monkees: A Tale of Two Series
Original Airdates: Dec. 8-11, 2023
TVC 631.6: Music and television historian Chuck Harter talks to Ed about some of the ways in which the second season of The Monkees (NBC, 1966-1968) differs from the first (to the point where the second season is almost an entirely different series), and how the success of the Monkees tour in 1967 changed the group’s attitude about doing the show. Chuck wrote Hey, Hey, We’re The Monkees, the excellent Disney Channel documentary that explores the history of The Monkees, both the group and the series, and the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon.
The Second Season of The Monkees
Original Airdates: Dec. 15-18, 2023
TVC 632.1: Part 3 of our three-part conversation with music and television historian Chuck Harter on the legacy of The Monkees television series (NBC, 1966-1968). Chuck interviewed Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and many other key Monkees personnel for Hey, Hey, We’re The Monkees, the excellent Disney Channel documentary, written by Chuck, that explores the history of The Monkees, both the group and the series, and the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon. In this segment, Chuck and Ed talk some more about the experimental nature of the second season of The Monkees (particularly, such episodes as “Fairy Tale,” “Monkees in Paris,” “Monkees Blow Their Minds,” and “The Frodis Caper”); how Scottish actor Monte Landis, a frequent guest star during the second season, often brought out the best of the Monkees this season; and the various reasons why NBC did not renew The Monkees for a third season.
The Demise of The Monkees on TV
Original Airdates: Dec. 15-18, 2023
TVC 632.2: Music and television historian Chuck Harter talks to Ed about the Monkees’ successful tour of Japan in 1968; why Peter Tork left the group in December 1968, after completing production of their NBC special, 33-1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee; and how the poor reception to Revolutions marked the beginning of the end of the Monkees on television. Chuck wrote Hey, Hey, We’re The Monkees, the excellent Disney Channel documentary that explores the history of The Monkees, both the group and the series, and the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon.
Why The Monkees Will Always Be With Us
Original Airdates: Dec. 15-18, 2023
TVC 632.3: Music and television historian Chuck Harter shares some final thoughts on the legacy of The Monkees television series (NBC, 1966-1968), including the revival of interest in both the group and the series in 1986 (following the MTV marathon); the mid 1990s revival, including the tour in England featuring all four Monkees; Mike Nesmith’s insight into why all four members gelled, despite their different backgrounds and interests; and why Davy Jones was the only Monkee who truly understood the Monkees phenomenon. Chuck wrote Hey, Hey, We’re The Monkees, the excellent documentary that explores the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon.
