List of The Monkees episodes

This is a list of episodes of the television series The Monkees which ran on NBC from 1966 to 1968, on Monday nights at 7:30 PM Eastern (6:30 Central).

All songs listed are from the original NBC broadcasts. Tracks with different mixes or versions as compared to the album versions are indicated.

Episodes

Season 1 (1966–67)

Debuting on September 12, 1966, the series aired on Monday nights preceding I Dream of Jeannie and opposite The Iron Horse (ABC) and Gilligan's Island (CBS).

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Title Directed by Written by Original air date
11"Royal Flush"James FrawleyRobert Schlitt and Peter MeyersonSeptember 12, 1966

The Monkees rescue Princess Bettina, Duchess of Harmonica (Katherine Walsh) from her evil uncle Archduke Otto (Theodore Marcuse).

Songs: "This Just Doesn't Seem to Be My Day," "Take a Giant Step"
22"Monkee See, Monkee Die"James FrawleyTreva SilvermanSeptember 19, 1966

The Monkees spend the night in a haunted house to collect an inheritance.

Songs: "Last Train to Clarksville," "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day"
33"Monkee vs. Machine"Robert RafelsonDavid PanichSeptember 26, 1966

In a computerized toy factory, the Monkees foil an efficiency expert (Stan Freberg) who wants to replace an old toymaker (Walter Janovitz) with automation.

Songs: "Saturday's Child" (alternate vocal track), "Last Train to Clarksville"
44"Your Friendly Neighborhood Kidnappers"James FrawleyDave EvansOctober 3, 1966

A shady PR man (Andre Philippe) kidnaps the Monkees to prevent them from winning a talent contest in order for his clients (rival band The Four Swines) to win.

Songs: "Let’s Dance On," "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," "Last Train To Clarksville"
55"The Spy Who Came in from the Cool"Robert RafelsonGerald Gardner and Dee CarusoOctober 10, 1966

The Monkees get mixed up in a spy ring (Jacques Aubuchon, Arlene Martel) after Davy accidentally purchases a set of red maracas containing secret microfilm.

Songs: "The Kind Of Girl I Could Love," "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," "All The King’s Horses," "Saturday's Child" (album version)
66"Success Story"James FrawleyGerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Bernie OrensteinOctober 17, 1966

Davy's grandfather (Ben Wright) visits, and the Monkees try to convince him that his grandson is wealthy and successful.

Songs: "I Wanna Be Free," "Sweet Young Thing"
77"Monkees in a Ghost Town"James FrawleyRobert Schlitt and Peter MeyersonOctober 24, 1966

Stranded in a ghost town after their car runs out of gas, the Monkees are held prisoner by bank robbers (Len Lesser, Lon Chaney, Jr.) and their boss, "The Big Man" (Rose Marie).

Songs: "Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day," "Papa Gene’s Blues," "(Theme from) The Monkees"
88"Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth"Robert RafelsonDave EvansOctober 31, 1966

Davy is given a horse, which The Monkees have to hide from their landlord, Mr. Babbitt (Henry Corden). It is returned to a heart-broken child (Kerry MacLane) and father (Jim Boles) after Davy rides it to victory over the horse of the father's neighbor.

Songs: "Papa Gene’s Blues," "All the King’s Horses"
99"The Chaperone"Bruce KesslerDee Caruso and Gerald GardnerNovember 7, 1966

Davy's feelings for retired General Harley Vandenberg's (Arch Johnson) daughter Leslie (Sherry Alberoni) leads Micky to pose a female chaperone at a party after the real chaperone (Diana Chesney) gets drunk.

Songs: "This Just Doesn’t Seem To Be My Day," "Take A Giant Step" (alternate vocal track), "You Just May Be The One,"
1010"Here Come The Monkees (Pilot)"Mike ElliotPaul Mazursky and Larry TuckerNovember 14, 1966

The Monkees play a sweet sixteen party and help the birthday girl (Robyn Millan) with her studies after she falls for Davy.

Songs: "I Wanna Be Free" (fast and original album versions), "Let’s Dance On"

Notes: This is an edited version of the original pilot for the series as shot in November 1965 and pitched to NBC; producer Bob Rafelson re-edited it after it tested poorly; NBC picked up the series afterward. The tag features screen tests of Davy and Mike, taken on the sets of "The Farmer's Daughter". The Monkees arrive at the party NOT in the Monkeemobile, which was built after the show was picked up by NBC, but in a red-and-yellow "woodie" station wagon. Bing Russell (father of Kurt Russell) makes a brief appearance as the Monkees' manager, who is never seen or referred to again.
1111"Monkees à la Carte"James FrawleyGerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Bernie OrensteinNovember 21, 1966

The Monkees pose as the Purple Flower Gang to save their favorite Italian restaurant from a gangster (Harvey Lembeck).

Songs: "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," "She"
1212"I've Got A Little Song Here"Bruce KesslerTreva SilvermanNovember 28, 1966

Mike is fleeced by a fraudulent music publisher (Phil Leeds) but Micky dons the guise of a flashy Hollywood producer to get Mike's money back.

Songs: "Gonna Buy Me A Dog", "Mary, Mary"

Note: First appearance of the Monkees in their "Monkeemen" superhero guise. Davy, Peter and Micky don the costumes.
1313"One Man Shy"
"Peter and The Debutante"
James FrawleyGerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Treva SilvermanDecember 5, 1966

Bashful Peter tries to win the heart of lovely debutante Valerie Cartwright (Lisa James) while dealing with her haughty boyfriend Ronnie Farnsworth (George Furth).

Songs: "You Just May Be The One," "I'm A Believer"
1414"Dance, Monkee, Dance"James FrawleyBernie OrensteinDecember 12, 1966

The Monkees sign up for lessons at Renaldo's Dance Au Go Go (Hal March), and then find out that their contracts are for life.

Songs: "I’ll Be Back Up On My Feet" (original version), "I'm A Believer"

Note: Appearing (uncredited) in the episode's romp scene is Mike's real life mother Bette Nesmith Graham
1515"Too Many Girls"
"Davy and Fern"
James FrawleyTeleplay: Dave Evans and Gerald Gardner & Dee Caruso
Story: Dave Evans
December 19, 1966

A domineering stage mother (Reta Shaw) tries to use Davy to further her daughter Fern's (Kelly Jean Peters) career.

Songs: "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" (performed live on set), "I'm A Believer", "Different Drum" (played for laughs)

Note: The episode includes a beauty paegent scene in which Fern appears wearing a bathing suit; NBC aired a mix of this scene with a smudged lens to obscure Kelly Jean Peters' figure and prominent cleavage, but the syndicated reruns from the 1970s showed her uncensored.
1616"Son Of A Gypsy"James FrawleyTeleplay: Gerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Treva Silverman
Story: Treva Silverman
December 26, 1966

A band of gypsies, headed by powerful Maria (Jeanne Arnold), force the Monkees to steal a priceless statuette called the "Maltese Vulture."

Songs: "Let’s Dance On," "I'm A Believer"
1717"The Case Of The Missing Monkee"Robert RafelsonGerald Gardner and Dee CarusoJanuary 9, 1967

Peter becomes involved with the disappearance of the respected Professor Milo Schnitzler (Norbert Schiller) and then disappears himself.

Songs: "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone"
1818"I Was A Teenage Monster"Sidney MillerTeleplay: Gerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Dave Evans
Story: Dave Evans
January 16, 1967

A mad scientist (John Hoyt) hires The Monkees to teach his monster (Richard Kiel) music—and then transplants their musical talent into the monster.

Songs: "Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day," "Your Auntie Grizelda"
1919"Find The Monkees"
"The Audition"
Richard NunisDave EvansJanuary 23, 1967

When television producer Hubbell Bensen (Carl Ballantine) hears a tape of the Monkees, he frantically stages auditions in the hope of finding them for his new television show, unaware they are desperately trying to audition for him.

Songs: "Sweet Young Thing," "Papa Gene’s Blues," "Mary, Mary"

Note: As many episodes have featured minute-long interview segments after the epilogue hosted by producer Robert Rafelson, this episode's tag is nearly three minutes long.
2020"Monkees In The Ring"James FrawleyGerald Gardner and Dee CarusoJanuary 30, 1967

A crooked fight promoter (Ned Glass) prepares to cash in on a big bet by making Davy a stooge in a bout with the champ.

Songs: "Laugh" (without background vocals on first verse), "I’ll Be Back Up On My Feet" (original version)
2121"The Prince and The Pauper"James KomackTeleplay: Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso
Story: Peter Meyerson
February 6, 1967

Davy doubles for a lookalike Peruvian prince in order to win the heart of Wendy Forsythe (Heather North) or forfeit his throne to evil Count Myron (Oscar Beregi, Jr.).

Songs: "Mary, Mary"

Note: This episode features the "split-screen effect" (ala Patty Duke) for Davy Jones as himself and Prince Ludlow. American DJ Rodney Bingenheimer was used as Davy's double, seen from the back only.
2222"Monkees at the Circus"Bruce KesslerDavid PanichFebruary 13, 1967

To save a bankrupt circus, the Monkees pose as a troupe of dazzling, supreme high-wire artists from France known as the Mozzarelli Brothers, but get in trouble when their guise requires them to actually perform.

Songs: "Sometime In The Morning," "She"

Note: References to Micky's previous TV series Circus Boy are made throughout.
2323"Captain Crocodile"James FrawleyTeleplay: Gerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Peter Meyerson & Robert Schlitt
Story: Peter Meyerson & Robert Schlitt
February 20, 1967

The Monkees' appearance on popular children's show The Captain Crocodile Show is sabotaged by its host (Joey Forman), who fears that his guest's popularity is diminishing his own.

Songs: "Valleri" (original version), "Your Auntie Grizelda"
2424"Monkees à la Mode"Alex SingerGerald Gardner and Dee CarusoFebruary 27, 1967

The Monkees are chosen as "Typical Young Americans of the Year," by Chic magazine, a haughty publication that runs a bogus article on the group molding them into a false image of clean cut young men.

Songs: "(Theme from) The Monkees" (excerpts), "Laugh," "You Just May Be The One"
2525"Alias Micky Dolenz"Bruce KesslerTeleplay: Gerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Dave Evans
Story: Dave Evans
March 6, 1967

The police cash in on Micky's striking resemblance to imprisoned crime kingpin Baby Face Morales in an attempt to locate robbery loot.

Songs: "The Kind of Girl I Could Love," "Mary, Mary".

Notes: Second episode in which the "split-screen effect" is used. Davy Jones does not appear in the episode; he appears in the closing interview tag explaining his absence.
2626"Monkee Chow Mein"James FrawleyGerald Gardner and Dee CarusoMarch 13, 1967

Peter finds a secret message in a fortune cookie at a Chinese restaurant, forcing Monkeemen Davy and Mike to come to his rescue from the evil Dragonman (Joey Forman).

Songs: "Your Auntie Grizelda"

Note: References to Get Smart are made throughout. Second appearance of the Monkees in their superhero guise, "Monkeemen"; Davy and Mike don the costumes to rescue Peter and Micky. The episode is also noted for an early acting appearance of future M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell, who plays an FBI agent.
2727"Monkee Mother"James FrawleyPeter Meyerson and Robert SchlittMarch 20, 1967

Middle-aged widow Millie (Rose Marie) moves in with the Monkees as a new tenant, resulting in the boys' trying to find her a husband.

Songs: "Sometime In The Morning," "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)"

Note: This was only one of two episodes featured entirely at the Monkees' house, the other being "A Coffin Too Frequent" from the second season.
2828"Monkees On The Line"James FrawleyGerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Coslough JohnsonMarch 27, 1967

Hired by a telephone answering service, the Monkees are soon plunged into mix-ups, hang-ups and crossed wires leading to pursuit by a crooked bettor (Milton Frome).

Songs: "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)"
2929"Monkees Get Out More Dirt"Gerald ShepardGerald Shepard and Dee CarusoApril 3, 1967

The Monkees' friendship is threatened when they all fall for the same girl, luscious local laundromat proprietress April Conquest (Julie Newmar).

Songs: "(Theme from) The Monkees," "The Girl I Knew Somewhere"

Note: Wally Cox makes a cameo appearance in the teaser.
3030"Monkees, Manhattan Style"
"Monkees in Manhattan"
Russell MayberryGerald Gardner and Dee CarusoApril 10, 1967

In New York City, the Monkees fend off an irate hotel manager (Philip Ober) as they help a producer (Richard Anders) get backing for a Broadway musical.

Songs: "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)" (with extra instrumental passage), "Words" (original version)
3131"Monkees At The Movies"Russ MayberryGerald Gardner and Dee CarusoApril 17, 1967

The Monkees have a run-in with a snobbish movie idol (Bobby Sherman) on the set as extras in a beach movie.

Songs: "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You," "Last Train to Clarksville," "Valleri" (original version)

Note: Davy's pre-Monkees album on Colpix Records is used as a prop.
3232"Monkees on Tour"Robert RafelsonRobert RafelsonApril 24, 1967

A mini-documentary chronicling a live Monkees concert gig on location in Phoenix, Arizona during their first public appearance tour.

Songs: "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," "I'm a Believer"
Concert songs: "Last Train to Clarksville," "Sweet Young Thing," "Mary, Mary," "Cripple Creek," "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover," "I Wanna Be Free," "I Got A Woman," "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone."

Notes: First episode with no laugh track, due to the nature of the episode, which is the only relatively "reality" based, non-scripted episode of the entire series. The teaser, in which Davy Jones makes introductory remarks, was filmed on the set of "Bewitched".

Season 2 (1967–1968)

The series aired on Monday nights preceding The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, and The Champions and opposite Cowboy in Africa (ABC) and Gunsmoke (CBS). "For Pete's Sake" from the Headquarters album replaced the "Monkees Theme" as the closing song during this season.

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Title Directed by Written by Original air date
331"It's A Nice Place To Visit..."
"The Monkees In Mexico"
James FrawleyTreva SilvermanSeptember 11, 1967

In El Monotono, Mexico, Davy is captured by a bandito (Peter Whitney) and his minions for being "captivated" with El Diablo's girlfriend (Cynthia Hull).

Song: "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round"

Note: Featuring a cameo appearance by Godfrey Cambridge
342"The Picture Frame"
"The Bank Robbery"
James FrawleyJack WinterSeptember 18, 1967

Peter must prove the Monkees' innocence when they unwittingly rob a bank in the pretext of making a movie for two con men (Cliff Norton, Kelton Garwood).

Songs: "Pleasant Valley Sunday," "Randy Scouse Git"
353"Everywhere a Sheik, Sheik"Alex SingerJack WinterSeptember 25, 1967

It is a "harem-scare 'em" scene as Davy faces the prospect of marriage to a lovely Nehudian princess (Donna Loren).

Songs: "Love is Only Sleeping" (alternate mix), "Cuddly Toy"

Note: First of seven episodes to feature character actor Monte Landis and the only episode in which he does not play the villain. Future Hollywood and Las Vegas choreographer Anita Mann appears in the Cuddly Toy video segment dancing alongside Davy, in one of her earliest major appearances.
364"Monkee Mayor"Alex SingerJack WinterOctober 2, 1967

Mike casts his wool hat into the ring to stop a crooked construction tycoon (Monte Landis) from turning the city into parking lots.

Songs: "No Time," "Pleasant Valley Sunday"
375"Art for Monkees' Sake"Alex SingerCoslough JohnsonOctober 9, 1967

At an art museum, Peter copies an old painting for two guards (Monte Landis, Vic Tayback) who are actually thieves bent on snatching the real painting.

Songs: "Randy Scouse Git," "Daydream Believer"

Note: Cameo appearance by Liberace, in which he smashes his piano with a sledgehammer after a recital.
386"I Was a 99-pound Weakling"
"Physical Culture"
Alex SingerTeleplay: Gerald Gardner & Dee Caruso and Neil Burstyn
Story: Jon C. Andersen
October 16, 1967

After losing his girlfriend Brenda to a muscle man named Bulk, Micky starts a health program under the guidance of physical cultist Shah-Ku (Monte Landis) who is a fraud.

Songs: "Sunny Girlfriend," "Love is Only Sleeping" (alternate mix).

Notes: Michael Nesmith does not appear; his absence is noted throughout. The "Don't do that" catchphrase is also used often. The other guys appear as the Monkeemen during the musical "romp" scene (to "Sunny Girlfriend"). Professional wrestler Nick Bockwinkel appears as an extra.
397"Hillbilly Honeymoon"
"Double Barrel Shotgun Wedding"
James FrawleyPeter MeyersonOctober 23, 1967

Lost in Swineville, the Monkees get caught in the middle of a hillbilly feud between the Weskitts and Chubbers with Davy staring down the barrel of a shotgun wedding to pretty Ella Mae Chubber (Melody Patterson).

Song: "Papa Gene's Blues" (extended edit)

Note: First appearance of the "Isn't that dumb?" catchphrase.
408"Monkees Marooned"James FrawleyStanley Ralph RossOctober 30, 1967

On a desert island, the Monkees go hunting for treasure—and are hunted by a mad Australian (Monte Landis) and his man Thursday (Rupert Crosse).

Songs: "Daydream Believer," "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round"
419"The Card Carrying Red Shoes"James FrawleyTreva SilvermanNovember 6, 1967

Peter is the target of a romantic prima ballerina (Ondine Vaughn) — and a dastardly plot choreographed by the rest of the ballet company.

Song: "She Hangs Out" (alternate mix)
4210"The Wild Monkees"Jon C. AndersenTeleplay: Stanley Ralph Ross
Story: Stanley Ralph Ross and Corey Upton
November 13, 1967

The Monkees turn chicken when they unwittingly befriend the girlfriends of a tough motorcycle gang.

Songs: "Goin' Down" (sung live over instrumental track in the teaser), "Star Collector" (without Moog synthesizer)
4311"A Coffin Too Frequent"David WintersStella LindenNovember 20, 1967

A sinister scientist (George Furth), his goony cousin (Mickey Morton), and his kooky aunt (Ruth Buzzi) use the Monkees' pad for a séance to summon a relative from beyond.

Songs: "Goin' Down," "Daydream Believer"
4412"Hitting The High Seas"James FrawleyJack WinterNovember 27, 1967

Thoughts of mutiny are bountiful as the Monkees try to stop the hijack of a cargo ship by a vengeful sea captain (Chips Rafferty).

Songs: "Daydream Believer," "Star Collector."

Notes: First second season episode without a laugh track. Mike only appears briefly.
4513"The Monkees In Texas"James FrawleyJack WinterDecember 4, 1967

In the Lone Star State, the Monkees outwit Black Bart (Barton MacLane), his cohort Red (Len Lesser) and the gang to save Mike's Aunt Kate's (Jacqueline deWit) ranch.

Songs: "Words," "Goin' Down" (sung live over the instrumental track in the tag).

Note: No laugh track
4614"The Monkees On The Wheel"Jerry ShepardCoslough JohnsonDecember 11, 1967

In Las Vegas, the Monkees are mistaken for crooked gamblers by a roulette dealer (Rip Taylor) and policeman (Dort Clark) and try their luck at exposing the real gang (David Astor and Pepper Davis).

Songs: "The Door Into Summer," "Cuddly Toy".

Notes: No laugh track. First appearance of the "Save The Texas Prairie Chicken" catchphrase.
4715"The Monkees' Christmas Show"Jon C. AndersenTeleplay: Neil Burstyn
Story: Dave Evans and Neil Burstyn
December 25, 1967

The Monkees try to instill the spirit of Christmas in a cynical little boy (Butch Patrick) who has soured on the whole idea.

Song: "Riu Chiu" (sung by the Monkees a cappella).

Notes: No laugh track. Final appearance of Mr. Schneider. Instead of the standard closing credits, the Monkees appear on the set and invite many of the behind-the-scenes staff and crew members to appear with them on camera. The closing credits appear over the joyful crowd.
4816"Fairy Tale"James FrawleyPeter MeyersonJanuary 8, 1968

A Monkee pantomime romp through Fairy Tale Land sees Peter rescuing a haughty princess (Michael) from death by her fiendish fiancee (Murray Roman).

Song: "Daily Nightly".

Note: No laugh track
4917"The Monkees Watch Their Feet"
"Micky And The Outer Space Creatures"
Alex SingerCoslough JohnsonJanuary 15, 1968

A documented film report by the Department of UFO Information, headed by Pat Paulsen, shows the Monkees foiling an invasion by aliens (Stuart Margolin and Nita Talbot) from Planet Zlotnick.

Song: "Star Collector".

Note: Michael Nesmith only appears in opening and closing segments with Pat Paulsen.
5018"The Monstrous Monkee Mash"James FrawleyNeil Burstyn & David PanichJanuary 22, 1968

The Monkees attempt to rescue Davy from his girlfriend Lorelei (Arlene Martel), Count Batula (Ron Masak), a Wolfman (David Pearl), Mummyman, and a Frankenstein-looking monster in a creepy castle.

Song: "Goin' Down".

Note: No laugh track
5119"The Monkee's Paw"James FrawleyCoslough JohnsonJanuary 29, 1968

A broken-down magician's (Hans Conried) magical monkey's paw starts to bring the equally broken Monkees luck...unfortunately, all bad.

Songs: "Goin' Down", "Words".

Note: No laugh track
5220"The Devil and Peter Tork"James FrawleyTeleplay: Robert Kaufman and Gerald Gardner & Dee Caruso
Story: Robert Kaufman
February 5, 1968

At an eerie pawn shop, Peter unwittingly sells his soul to devilish character Mr. Zero (Monte Landis) in order to purchase a golden harp.

Songs: "Salesman," "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (harp instrumental), "I Wanna Be Free" (harp instrumental), "No Time"

Note: Final episode in which Mike Nesmith wears his iconic wool hat; he rarely wears it during the second season.
5321"The Monkees Race Again"
"Leave the Driving to Us"
James FrawleyDave Evans and Elias Davis & David PollockFebruary 12, 1968

Davy drives the Monkeemobile in an auto race when the British entry is sabotaged by Baron Von Klutz (David Hurst) and his Klutzmobile. Featuring a cameo appearance by co-producer Bob Rafelson as the "World's Oldest Flower Child".

Song: "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round".

Note: No laugh track
5422"The Monkees In Paris"
"The Paris Show"
Robert RafelsonRobert RafelsonFebruary 19, 1968

The Monkees take a vacation from the studio grind and are chased (on location) all over the French Capital by beautiful girls and gendarme.

Songs: "Love is Only Sleeping" (album mix), "Don't Call on Me," "Star Collector," "Goin' Down".

Note: No laugh track
5523"Monkees Mind Their Manor"Peter H. ThorkelsonCoslough JohnsonFebruary 26, 1968

Davy inherits an English manor but must first win a tournament against Sir Twiggley Toppen Middle Bottom (Bernard Fox) with lances, swords, and vocal cords.

Songs: "Iranian Tango," "Greensleeves," "Star Collector".

Note: No laugh track. Directed by Peter Tork.
5624"Some Like it Lukewarm"
"The Band Contest"
James FrawleyJoel Kane and Stanley Z. CherryMarch 4, 1968

To enter and win a band contest hosted by radio DJ Jerry Blavat, David poses as a girl and falls in love with Daphne (Deana Martin), posing as a boy for her group who is also in the contest.

Songs: "Last Train to Clarksville," "The Door Into Summer," "She Hangs Out".

Note: No laugh track.Special guest appearance by Charlie Smalls, who appears with Davy in the end-of-episode tag segment.
5725"The Monkees Blow Their Minds"David WintersPeter MeyersonMarch 11, 1968

The Monkees swing to the rescue when mentalist Oracullo (Monte Landis) gains control of Peter's mind to use him in a nightclub act. Director James Frawley appears as Oracullo's assistant Rudy.

Songs: "Valleri" (1968 version), "Gonna Buy Me a Dog" (instrumental track), "Daily Nightly".

Note: No laugh track. Featuring cameos by Frank Zappa (who appears with Mike in the teaser) and Burgess Meredith (as The Penguin).
5826"The Frodis Caper"
"Mijacogeo"
Micky DolenzTeleplay: Micky Dolenz and Dave Evans
Story: Jon C. Andersen and Micky Dolenz
March 25, 1968

The Monkees match wits with the insane Wizard Glick (Rip Taylor), who is out to control the minds of television viewers worldwide.

Songs: "Zor and Zam" (Original version), "Song to the Siren" (performed by Tim Buckley).

Notes: No laugh track. Directed by Micky Dolenz. Special guest appearance by Tim Buckley in the end-of-episode tag segment. One of Wizard Glick's henchmen says that the Monkeemen monitor "Ain't been activated in 5 years", implying that the fictional Monkees have been together since at least 1963, and had battled Wizard Glick before.

Unproduced episode

Movie

The Monkees also filmed a movie called Head that started production in early 1968, and was released in theaters that November by the Monkees' parent studio, Columbia, just after their TV show was canceled. Head was co-written by a then-largely-unknown Jack Nicholson. The film included six new songs, but was poorly promoted and not received very well by the public (as the film had a somewhat darker and more mature tone than the TV series) or contemporary critics; in the decades since, it has become somewhat of a cult classic; some of the film's songs are now part of the Monkees' current concert setlist.

Later television episodes

The Monkees' television series was canceled after its second season. The group hoped to take the television show in different directions (making it more like an hour-long variety show with comedy sketches and musical guests) and NBC wanted the show to stay the same; both parties mutually decided to throw in the towel. After the series was canceled, NBC contracted with The Monkees to create and broadcast three longer television specials.

33⅓ Revolutions Per Monkee was the first of these longer television productions. It aired on NBC on April 14, 1969 (opposite ABC's live telecast of the 41st Academy Awards) to lower-than-expected ratings. The second two planned television specials were never produced. Peter Tork quit the group between the taping of 33⅓ Revolutions Per Monkee and its broadcast; Michael Nesmith left the group in early 1970 to focus on his solo career, leaving the Monkees as a duo of Dolenz and Jones, under which one final original Monkees album under the 1966 Colgems contract, Changes, was released in June 1970.

The Monkees returned to broadcast television with Hey, Hey, It's the Monkees, a reunion special which was broadcast on ABC on February 17, 1997. The special was written and directed by Nesmith, emulating the style of the original NBC series; all four of the "real" Monkees do comedy and sing songs, some of which were new songs from the quartet's 1996 album Justus. This would be the last time Dolenz, Jones, Nesmith, and Tork would appear together on a television special, although Dolenz, Jones, and Tork made semi-frequent guest appearances on TV talk shows (such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Rosie O'Donnell Show and the Today show) for a few years afterwards. Davy Jones died in 2012.

Nesmith, Dolenz and Tork continue to make occasional TV interview appearances to this day. The trio appeared together for a May 2016 interview with Anthony Mason of CBS News Sunday Morning, on the occasion of the group's 50th anniversary.

Notes

References

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