The 20th anniversary of The Monkees TV series in 1986 generated enough interest that New Monkees, a full reboot of the earlier series with none of the original members of The Monkees involved, was conceived later that year, and launched the following year. The show was distributed by LBS Communications in association with Coca-Cola Telecommunications. Straybert Productions, headed by Steve Blauner (a former partner of original Monkees producers Robert Rafelson and Bert Schneider), served as the project's producers.
The group's members were Jared Chandler (guitar and vocals), Dino Kovas (drums and vocals), Marty Ross (bass and vocals), and Larry Saltis (lead guitar and vocals). As it had been with the original Monkees, each had to pass a grueling set of auditions.[1] Unlike the previous series, however, musical ability was a key factor in the selection process. Ross, a multi-instrumentalist, had earlier been signed to CBS Records, with his former band The Wigs.
Revival
On November 11, 2017, all four New Monkees attended a 30-year reunion organized by Amy Collen. They were interviewed for the podcast Deep Dish Radio with Tim Powers,[2] and performed a few songs. On February 16, 2019, the New Monkees performed a concert (arranged by Jodi Ritzen) at the Pig 'n Whistle restaurant and bar in Los Angeles, with an appearance by the original Monkees' Micky Dolenz.[3]
A personal storm cloud follows Dino. It is raining, it is snowing, it is hailing — but only on him.
2
"All My Martys"
Bob Radler
R.B. Armstrong and J.S. Bate
September 21, 1987 (1987-09-21)
When Marty falls asleep on a copy machine numerous duplicate Martys are set loose in the mansion. Wackiness ensues.
3
"Test Tube Tube"
E. Von Kelso
Rob Fresco
September 28, 1987 (1987-09-28)
Dino, Marty and Larry, dressed in ridiculous fruit costumes, are rehearsing for a children's party. Meanwhile, Jared discovers a strange room with only a TV and remote control inside. He zaps himself and a girl from the TV world in and out of various TV programs as the other boys wonder why he has yet to show up for practice in his Amazon costume.
4
"Minister Bob"
Bob Radler
Rob Fresco
October 5, 1987 (1987-10-05)
The boys meet two sumo wrestlers who also want to start a singing group. Meanwhile, Larry's Uncle Bob (a televangelist) causes trouble around the neighborhood.
5
"Ruff Day"
C. D. Taylor
R.B. Armstrong and J.S. Bate
October 12, 1987 (1987-10-12)
It's a dog eat dog world and Jared knows all about it. While walking his dog, Jared has a mind exchange with his pet. Hijinks transpire.
6
"Don't Touch That Dial"
Ed Greenberg
Victor Fresco, Julianne Norman
October 19, 1987 (1987-10-19)
Larry and Dino are catapulted into an evil parallel universe when Dino disobeys Jared's warning not to touch a certain red dial in the lab. Their plans to return home are complicated when Larry falls in love with the alternate universe version of their maid.
7
"Monkee Mail"
David Wild
Rob Fresco, Victor Fresco, Matthew Fassberg
October 26, 1987 (1987-10-26)
The boys decide to answer some fan mail. The result? They meet some interesting fans.
Larry takes it upon himself to cast the role of his girlfriend on the show.
9
"King of Space and Time"
Victor Fresco
Rob Fresco, Louis E. Angelo
November 9, 1987 (1987-11-09)
Jared steps through a forbidden doorway in the mansion and enters a "video world", where space and time are controlled by a TV-channel selector.
10
"Meet the Pope"
Bob Radler
Rob Fresco, Victor Fresco
November 16, 1987 (1987-11-16)
Pope John Paul II is in town and the boys are caught up in the Pope-mania. They discover that the Pope has left his guitar at their diner, so they must run downtown to return it to him. Along the way, they begin to wonder if anyone really realizes the significance of the Pope's visit as they encounter shady characters who are exploiting the Pope's image to make a fast buck. Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini portrays a street huckster.
11
"Helen Goes Shopping"
George Bloom
Rob Fresco, Robert DeMaio
November 23, 1987 (1987-11-23)
Helen, the boys' super computer, is addicted to shopping. Unfortunately she has no money of her own so she uses the boys' credit cards.
The boys are contestants on a game show. Unfortunately they get caught up in the excitement and wager all of their possessions.
13
"My Three Sons"
Rob Fresco
Rob Fresco
December 7, 1987 (1987-12-07)
When the show gets a new soundtrack, the boys dream the whole show is changing. In this version Jared and Helen are the parents of three naughty boys. A clip show with voices dubbed by The Firesign Theatre.
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