Episode #25! Exclusive Peter Rafelson Interview! Jerry "The Geator" Blavat Interview! Re-Mix! More!

What else could we do for our grandiose ground-breaking 25th episode, but cram it full of great stuff?

First, you get to hear Al talk to Alan about his latest road trip to hang out with mighty Mike Nesmith at the fabulous FanBoy Expo! You are there, as Alan relates all!

Next, we dive right into your responses to our last episode (which is right here), and pick one lucky winner to receive the latest overflowing Monkees prize package! Is it you?

Stay with us as we take a calamitous call from none other than Jerry "the Geator with the Heater" Blavat! You know him from his terrific turn on the "Some Like it Lukewarm" episode! Jerry talks about his history as a famous radio jock, his time on the set of THE MONKEES, his opinion of the guys, and so very much more!

Then we swing into part one of our great new interview with the fabulous Peter Rafelson, son of MONKEES creator and famed director and producer Bob Rafelson! Peter fills us in on his days hanging around with the Monkees (and some group called the Beatles), his famous dad, his opinion on the Monkees and their music, his own creative goings, and so much more!

Before you can catch your breath, we then rush to unspool Al's hot re-mix of "Steam Engine!" It's longer! Better! Stronger! 

More ya want? More we got! Hear Jodi Ritzen tell us of the latest Monkees news! A new 2020 tour! A live album! So much more, direct from the lips of the group's own event manager!

Plus, fun, info, jokes, and everything else you've come to expect from this panic-packed podcast!

So what are ya waiting for? Click below to listen now, or download here (or on your phone), or directly from SoundCloud, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, or Google Play!

 

Above two images: Micky and Mike thrill the crowds at the Fanboy Expo
event! Alan was there to fill you in on all the details! 

Above two images: Alan greets Mike with some custom artwork!

Above three images: The commissioned custom artwork that Alan
gifted to Mike and Micky! Jodi and "Tex" created by D. Michael Watkins,
with "Blackhawk Micky" drawn by Budd Root!

You'll hear about Alan's meeting with famed voice actor, Alan "Skeletor" Alan Oppenheimer! 

Why did Alan get this drumhead signed in this way? You can
hear all about it right here! 

Above three images: That's right, it's "the Geator with the Heater!"
Dig our fun interview with Jerry Blavat in this episode! Keep up
with Jerry's latest doings here!

Hear a frivolous and fun re-mix of "Steam Engine!"

Above two images: Peter Rafelson will keep you listening, as
he relates his own tales of hanging out with the guys (and
his famous father), and so much more!

Monkees event manager Jodi Ritzen gives us some sizzling
news on upcoming Monkees plans! Visit her page right here!

     

Your humble hosts (Al Bigley and Alan Williams) record this very episode!

Script to Screen! "The Picture Frame!" Spot the Many Differences!

I was lucky enough to get my paws on a copy of the '67 shooting script for the famed 2nd-season MONKEES episode, "The Picture Frame," so let's all dive in and spot the many differences that occurred when this wacky adventure got transferred from script to screen!  Click images below to enlarge!

Above: The actual episode begins as the band (minus Peter) arrives
inside the film studio. The producers probably thought to just use
the existing soundstages THE MONKEES was already filmed on, instead
of searching out an actual location for a "dilapidated old movie
studio" exterior!

Above: In the filmed version, the guys simply approach the crook's desk, with no spotlight gag.

Above: The visual "cut away" gag (a staple of THE MONKEES series) of
the bricks falling was never used.

Above: Mike's little speech to the bank guard was cut..

Above: In the actual episode, we cut right to the guys, in their pad, being confronted by police outside their door. In the script, the guys are rehearsing their Oscar-acceptance speeches, with Peter even posing as the famous industry statue!

Above: In a line not used in the filmed version, Micky zings
Mike with this comparison to Jerry Lewis. Oddly, so much of
Micky's comedy act was cribbed from Lewis!

Above: This cute "file" gag was substituted for a different take on the word! Peter brings fingernail files, and not paper files or (as expected) metal files!

Above: To prove just how much the Monkees successfully ad-libbed and improvised, check out the simple bit with Mike wooing the female judge. Mike added so much more to this gag when filmed, even attempting to eat a portion of the flowers offered to the judge!

Above: Again, the Monkees were only given simple script instructions for some scenes (such as this "food distribution" bit), and, as filmed, we see just how much the band brought to the comedy!

Above: Most of these scripted "romp gags" went unused, and, as filmed, Peter simply runs to the courthouse and enters (as opposed to entering thru a low window), with the gangsters dogging his heels!

Above: This "tag" was fully dropped in the filmed version, to make
room for a video of the band performing "Randy Scouse Git!"



The wrap-up: When the group, in '67, was 
being raked over the coals for not playing 
their own instruments on early cuts, the 
band took comfort in ownership over much 
of the comedy of the TV show, pointing out 
just how much improvising and creativity 
they were allowed to bring to bear in that 
arena. Looking at many shooting scripts, like 
this one, demonstrates just how tre-
mendous their contributions were, in 
concert with directors like Jim Frawley (who 
helmed this very episode)!

Episode #24! 50th Anniversary of 33 1/3 REVOLUTIONS PER MONKEE! Part two of Our Valerie Kairys Interview! New Contest! Re-Mix!

We're back!

Dive into another fun and frivolously freaky episode, as Alan and Al decipher the enduring enigma that is--33 1/3 REVOLUTION PER MONKEE! What was it about? What worked? What didn't? Fave songs and guest stars? The hosts look deep into this famed (and far-out) 1969 TV special, and you are there!

PLUS-Part two of our incredible interview with everyone's favorite "Monkees girl," Valerie Kairys Venet! Hear her talk about the guys, the show, the set, and so very much more!

NEW-Hear a sizzling rockin' re-mix of the ever-amazing Monkees tune,  "Naked Persimmon!" You've never heard it quite like this before!

AND-Al and Alan tell you about the latest round of rare Monkees merch that you can win! What is it? What ya gotta do to snag it? All here!

THEN-The ever-jocular Jodi Ritzen (Monkees agent and event coordinator) fills us all in on the very latest Monkees happenings near (and far from) you! You can't miss it!

ALSO-Laughter, lightness, and love!

So what are ya waiting for? Click below to listen now, or download here (or on your phone), or directly from SoundCloud, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, or Google Play!

Above seven images: Some rare shots from the
frantic filming of 33 1/3 REVOLUTIONS PER
MONKEE! Many are courtesy of the wonderful
Monkees Live Almanac page!

Above two images: Hear the great actress Valerie Kairys Venet, in the
2nd part of our indelible interview! She discusses the
Monkees, each band member, and her more recent doings!

Above: Monkees agent and event-maker Jodi Ritzen
(seen here posing between two unidentified persons) calls in, with
news of the very latest Monkees happenings going on!

Above: This awesome episode contains a blazing hot
re-mix of "Naked Persimmon!" There's even
an amazing video to accompany the re-mix,
as seen right here!

Above: Amicable Alan William gropes the many bits and
pieces of madcap Monkees merch that could be yours!
How? Just listen in! Shirts! Rare posters! 60s magazines!
Rare CDs! More!