Welcome to Season 1 of Monkees A La Episode, Emily Wells’ Monkees Episode Guide.
Meet the Monkees: four young, plucky, out-of-work musicians, with long hair and groovy clothes, who live together in a ramshackle California beach house in the 1960s, and often find themselves in unusual circumstances, madcap adventures, and unexpected romance, as they struggle to make it as a band.
Below are summaries of each episode with songs, dates, and credits. Coming soon will be detailed pages for each episode, which I will reveal in real time as I work on them.
Screenshots by Sunshine Factory, Artwork by Emily Wells. The Monkees TV show is owned by Rhino/Time Warner. Enjoy!
Episode 1: “Royal Flush”
Air Date: September 12, 1966
Written by Peter Meyerson and Robert Schlitt
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Take A Giant Step” and “This Just Doesn’t Seem To Be My Day”
While relaxing on the beach, Davy Jones meets a princess in distress, Bettina the Duchess of Harmonica, and learns that they all must rescue from her evil uncle before she turns 18 or she will be murdered.
Episode 2: “Monkee See, Monkee Die”
Air Date: September 19, 1966
Written by Treva Silverman
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day” and “Last Train To Clarksville”
The Monkees find themselves at the reading of the will of a late millionaire after the good deed of returning his wallet, and learn they are to receive an inheritance. As part of the stipulation for the inheritance, they must spend the night at his allegedly haunted mansion.
Episode 3: “Monkee Versus Machine”
Air Date: September 26, 1966
Written by David Panich
Directed by Bob Rafelson
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Last Train To Clarksville” and “Saturday’s Child”
When Michael Nesmith outsmarts 1966 era computer DJ61, he is hired to work in a toy factory–but when he learns the company’s intention for computer intelligence to take over the creation of an elder gifted toy maker, the Monkees take matters into their own hands.
Episode 4: “Your Friendly Neighborhood Kidnappers”
Air Date: October 3, 1966
Written by Dave Evans
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Last Train To Clarksville” and “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone”
Convinced it will help their publicity, the Monkees agree to a staged kidnapping–only to be kidnapped for real by a rival band’s manager in order to prevent the Monkees from competing in a contest.
Episode 5: “The Spy Who Came In From The Cool”
Air Date: October 10, 1966
Written by Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso
Directed by Bob Rafelson
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Saturday’s Child”, “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone”, “The Kind Of Girl I Could Love” and “All The King’s Horses”
When Davy accidentally receives contraband microfilm in a pair of red maracas he purchases, the CIA asks that the Monkees go undercover to help capture communist spies.
Episode 6: “Success Story”
Air Date: October 17, 1966
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso and Bernie Orenstein
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “I Wanna Be Free”, “Sweet Young Thing”
When Davy misrepresents his life to his English grandfather as one of riches and success, the other three Monkees pose as Davy’s help and improvise the appearance of grand wealth when Davy’s grandfather comes to call.
Episode 7: “Monkees In A Ghost Town”
Air Date: October 24, 1966
Written by Robert Schlitt and Peter Meyerson
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day” and “Papa Gene’s Blues”
When the Monkee-mobile runs out of gas in a ghost town, The Monkees become prisoners of a team of gangsters and must use music as distraction and escape.
Episode 8: “Don’t Look A Gifthorse In The Mouth”
Air Date: October 31, 1966
Written by Dave Evans
Directed by Bob Rafelson
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Papa Gene’s Blues” and “All The King’s Horses”
When Davy is asked to care for a horse a child’s family cannot afford to keep, The Monkees end up in a race against the family’s nemesis to win money for the horse’s care.
Episode 9: “The Chaperone”
Air Date: November 7, 1966
Written by Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso
Directed by Bruce Kessler
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “This Just Doesn’t Seem To Be My Day”, “Take A Giant Step”, and “All The King’s Horses”
When Davy falls in love with a General’s daughter, he learns he’s not allowed to date or see her unless she is at “chaperoned parties”. Unable to find a suitable chaperone, Micky ends up posing as one–as a woman.
Episode 10: “Here Come The Monkees [The Pilot Episode]”
Air Date: November 14, 1966
Written by Paul Maursky and Larry Tucker
Directed by Mike Elliot
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “I Wanna Be Free” [fast and ballad versions], “Let’s Dance On”
Davy falls in love with the girl The Monkees are hired to play for at her Sweet Sixteen party. When she starts failing her classes because of her love of Davy, the Monkees help her study.
Episode 11: “Monkees A La Carte”
Air Date: November 21, 1966
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Bernie Orenstein
Directed by Jim Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone” and “She”
The Monkees are fired from their restaurant gig and witness the owner Pop get bullied by the mob into selling the establishment–so The Monkees pose as the Purple Flower Gang in order to rescue the restaurant back for Pop.
Episode 12: “I’ve Got A Little Song Here”
Air Date: November 28, 1966
Written by Treva Silverman
Directed by Bruce Kessler
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Gonna Buy Me A Dog” and “Mary, Mary”
When Michael is scammed selling a song to High Class Music Publishing, The Monkees take matters into their own hands by turning the tables on the scammer and winning back the money Michael lost.
Episode 13: “One Man Shy [Peter And The Debutant]”
Air Date: December 5, 1966
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Treva Silverman
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “I’m A Believer” and “You Just May Be The One”
Peter falls in love with a debutant after the Monkees are hired to play for her party. Since Peter doesn’t know how to act around a woman, and is competing against a cad of of a guy Ronnie, the Monkees spend time teaching Peter courting manners and building his confidence.
Episode 14: “Dance, Monkees, Dance”
Air Date: December 12, 1966
Written by Bernie Orenstein
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “I’ll Be Back Up On My Feet” and “I’m A Believer”
When Peter is tricked into signing a lifetime contract for dance lessons at Renaldo’s Dance Au Go Go, the other Monkees try to circumvent–only to be tricked into signing lifetime contracts themselves.
Episode 15: “Too Many Girls [Fern And Davy]”
Air Date: December 19, 1966
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Dave Evans
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “I’m A Believer” and “Different Drum” parody
When The Monkees realize that Davy is girl-crazy and cannot focus on their playing when girls are near him, the Monkees go to great lengths to keep girls from Davy. Despite their efforts, an overzealous stage mother tricks the Monkees into meeting her daughter, and pairing Davy with her for a talent competition.
Episode 16: “Son Of A Gypsy”
Air Date: December 26, 1966
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Treva Silverman
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “I’m A Believer”
When the Monkees audition for a private party, they find they are competing for the role with a band of gypsies. The Monkees get the gig, but the gypsies invite them to their camp, and end up involving Peter in a heist to steal a Maltese Vulture statue. [Apologies for the cultural appropriation and stereotypes found in this episode].
Episode 17: “Case Of The Missing Monkee”
Air Date: January 9, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso
Directed by Bob Rafelson
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone”
While listening to a science lecture, Peter discovers a nefarious plot to kidnap the scientist. No one believes Peter–that is, until Peter is kidnapped himself for knowing too much about the plot.
Episode 18: “I Was A Teenage Monster”
Air Date: January 16, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Dave Evans
Directed by Sidney Miller
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Your Auntie Grizelda”, “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day”, and “The Theme To The Monkees”
The Monkees are hired to give music lessons–to what turns out to be a teenage “monster”. Little do the Monkees know that a mad scientist is trying to use them for something else.
Episode 19: “Find The Monkees [The Audition]”
Air Date: January 23, 1967
Written by Dave Evans
Directed by Richard Nunis
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Sweet Young Thing,” “Papa Gene’s Blues,” and “Mary, Mary”
The Monkees learn that all the local bands got invitations to audition for Hubbell Benson’s new show–all except The Monkees. Determined to be heard by Hubbell Benson, the Monkees do everything they can to get his attention.
Episode 20: “Monkees In The Ring”
Air Date: January 30, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, and Dee Caruso,
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Laugh” and “I’ll Get Back Up On My Feet” [early/TV version]
Davy is picked up by a boxing promoter who convinces Davy he has a chance as a boxer–little does he know these are fixed fights.
Episode 21: “The Prince And The Pauper”
Air Date: February 6, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Peter Meyerson
Directed by James Komack
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Mary, Mary”
Davy Jones is accidentally mistaken for a prince–and then learns that this real life prince is too shy to court the woman he loves. Davy agrees to impersonate him to court this woman so that he may marry her.
Episode 22: “Monkees At The Circus”
Air Date: February 13, 1967 [Peter’s birthday]
Written by David Panich
Directed by Bruce Kessler
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “She” and “Sometime In The Morning”
The Monkees learn that the circus is in town–and that the trendy, long-haired singing groups are running them out of the business. Disguising themselves as anything but, the Monkees work to save the circus. Brief moment of Micky Dolenz singing the theme song to Circus Boy, the TV show he starred in as a child.
Episode 23: “Captain Crocodile”
Air Date: February 20, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, Robert Schlitt, and Peter Meyerson
Directed by James Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Valleri” [early/TV version] and “Your Auntie Grizelda”
In an unfortunate career move, The Monkees are booked on the children’s variety show, The Captain Crocodile Show. Chaos and mayhem ensue as the Monkees battle unruly children, an insecure TV host, and the realization they were hired to have pies thrown at rather than play their instruments.
Episode 24: “Monkees A La Mode”
Air Date: February 20, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, and Dee Caruso
Directed by Alex Singer
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Laugh” and “You Just May Be The One”
The Monkees learn they are going to be featured in a teen fashion magazine–only to realize said magazine plans on misportraying them for the sake of maintaining a certain image.
Episode 25: “Alias Micky Dolenz”
Air Date: March 6, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, and Dee Caruso
Directed by Bruce Kessler
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “The Kind Of Girl I Could Love”, and “Mary, Mary”
Micky learns that he has a doppelganger–and it’s career criminal Baby Face Morales, “the most vicious killer in America.” Micky agrees to impersonate Baby Face to gain information to help the police.
Episode 26: “Monkees Chow Mein”
Air Date: March 13, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, and Dee Caruso
Directed byJames Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Your Auntie Grizelda”
While dining at a local Chinese restaurant, Peter discovers a plot to unleash a Doomsday Bug. [Apologies for the cultural appropriation and stereotypes found in this episode].
Episode 27: “Monkee Mother”
Air Date: March 20, 1967
Written by Peter Meyerson and Bob Schlitt
Directed byJames Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Sometime In The Morning” and “Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow”
The Monkees take in a new tenant–only to find she is controlling their every move. The Monkees decide that the proper way to cut ties with her is to find her a husband.
Episode 28: “Monkees On The Line”
Air Date: March 27, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Coslough Johnson,
Directed byJames Frawley
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow”
Since the Monkees are having trouble finding work because there is no one to answer their phone, they decide to kill two birds with one stone and work at an answering service–but they make the mistake of getting involved with the clients.
Episode 29: “Monkees Get Out More Dirt”
Air Date: April 10, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso
Directed by Russell Mayberry
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Girl I Knew Somewhere”, “Words”, and “Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow”
The Monkees become ad odds with each other when they all fall in love with the same woman: a tall, blonde laundress at their local laundromat. Initially they all vie for her affections, but when they see it’s hurting their camaraderie and her well-being, they rethink their convictions.
Episode 30: “Monkees In Manhattan”
Air Date: April 3, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso
Directed by Gerald Shepard
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Girl I Knew Somewhere” and “The Theme To The Monkees”
The Monkees arrive in New York City to be in a Broadway musical–only problem is, their backer falls through, and the Monkees are on the search for a financial backer.
Episode 31: “Monkees At The Movies”
Air Date: April 17, 1967
Written by Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso
Directed by Russell Mayberry
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: “Valleri” [early version], “Last Train To Clarksville”, and “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You”
Discovered by being their natural selves on the beach, The Monkees are asked to be extras in Frankie Catalina’s new beach movie. But after Frankie Catalina’s egotistical attitude rubs the Monkees the wrong way, they decide to turn the tables on Frankie with Davy as the star.
Episode 32 “Monkees On Tour”
Air Date: April 24, 1967
Written by Bob Rafelson
Directed by Bob Rafelson
Produced by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schnieder
Songs: LIVE–“Last Train To Clarksville”, “Sweet Young Thing”, “Mary, Mary”, “Cripple Creek”, “You Can’t Judge A Book By Looking At It’s Cover”, “I Wanna Be Free”, “I’ve Got A Woman”, and “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone”
STUDIO– “Words” and “Steam Engine”-or-“The Girl That I Knew Somewhere” and “I’m A Believer”
Rockumentary of Monkees being on tour: live concerts videos, interviews, intimate moments, and radio publicity.