The End of A Classic: Today in 1968 we Said "Farewell to The Monkees" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-25-2010, 09:42 PM

1968 - The 58th and final episode of "The Monkees" TV show was aired

Marvo301 · 03-25-2010, 10:01 PM

So it has been 42 years since the Monkees took the Last Train To Clarksville!

MickeyMac · 03-26-2010, 03:09 PM

Still a classic, I miss this show.

hippiechick60 · 03-29-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

Still a classic, I miss this show.

long live the monkees!

retroTVfan4ever · 04-04-2010, 05:12 PM

The four guys who comprised The Monkees have become legends, despite their short lived TV show of 58 episodes. They packed a lot of energy and fun into those 58 shows. Looking back, I really think the 1960's was the best decade for TV. Long live 60's TV!

MickeyMac · 04-05-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

The four guys who comprised The Monkees have become legends, despite their short lived TV show of 58 episodes. They packed a lot of energy and fun into those 58 shows. Looking back, I really think the 1960's was the best decade for TV. Long live 60's TV!

retroTVfan4ever · 04-11-2010, 09:58 PM

Thank you, MickeyMac. In the old days of TV, shows were made with care and with class. Nowadays, network TV has become a vast wasteland. Dramas and police shows contain vulgar language and are excessively violent. And the topic of every sitcom episode, it doesn't matter what show it is, has to be sexual in nature. The sad thing is, there are people that are willing to sit by their TV's and watch this junk. It's an unfortunate reflection on the state of our current society where common decency and morals are being tossed by the wayside.

HelloLarry · 05-07-2010, 04:43 PM

To each his own I suppose but I don't write off what is being produced today all that easily. While some shows contain those elements that you describe it doesn't disqualify them from being good shows IMO.

I love the Monkees, Leave it to Beaver, The Partridge Family, All in the Family, Brady Bunch, Get Smart etc. However I also love shows like The Wire, The Shield, the Office (UK), Arrested Development, Sopranos, Deadwood etc. There is still a lot of good tv that has been around in the last few years. Sometimes I like to go into a comfort zone of innocent TV from back in those days while other times, I love to see stuff get blowed up and bad people receive the profanity riddled tongue lashing they deserve. Depends on my mood.

Keep in mind, there was just as much crap and pap on tv in the 60s as there is today. We only remember what was the best but there was just as much filler then as there is now. Each decade produces it's core shows that live on.

MickeyMac · 05-07-2010, 04:46 PM

Larry you made some good points ( and there were a couple of shows from the 50's and 60's that I can do without), but I must side with Retro on this.

HelloLarry · 05-08-2010, 09:05 AM

It's always an objective opinion. One shouldn't paint with such a broad brush though. Ironically the the quote that retro notes in referring to tv today 'television is a vast wasteland' was made in the 60s!

It is so easy to bundle up shows from eras we're not interested in into a category and dismiss them with blanket statements. 'Every' sitcoms episode is not sexual in nature. 'Some' yes...'every' no. 'Some' sitcom episodes from back in those days dealt with things of a sexual nature, just in a different way.

There are still a lot of good programs being produced with care and class, maybe not with a 50s or 60s sensibility but this isn't the 50s or 60s. I consider myself a decent and moral person and I'm more than willing to sit by my TV and watch recent shows if they are good and interest me. The only thing I tossed was my breakfast after reading that statement.

If today's tv doesn't interest someone, that is cool. However, to make such sweeping statements is a little misguided and could offend those of us who do enjoy current programs in addition to the older sitcoms and dramas.

Just sayin'.....

retroTVfan4ever · 05-08-2010, 08:40 PM

Unfortunately, no it's not the 50's or 60's anymore and behavior of our current society has degenerated instead of improved. Art imitates life, and life these days bears no resemblance to the happier times of days gone by. Another bad thing about current network TV, there is twice the commercial time now when compared to 40-50 years ago. But considering the poor quality of todays shows, then less program content is actually a good thing.

Give me an episode of Perry Mason over Law & Order anytime. And I'll take any sitcom episode from the 50's & 60's, even from short lived/obscure shows, over any of the junk they call sitcoms today.

Another type of show where you can really tell the difference between yesterday and today are medical shows. Take a look at Ben Casey or Marcus Welby MD. I'll agree Vince Edwards and Robert Young would be gruff with a patient now and then but they always looked and acted professional. These were the type of doctors that a person would like to have and be responsible for their care and well being. Compare that to modern medical shows like ER or Trauma. My god the way those hooligan medics look, act and behave, it is disgusting. And sad to say, hospitals today and staff behaviors reflect pretty much like what is seen in those shows.

Everyone has their opinion, and mine is to stick with the old shows when TV was in good taste without the poor behavior, foul language or excessive violence in the dramas and sitcoms were a lot better and more than just one lame sex joke after another. It's 2010 and too bad we can't go back, but that's what makes playing a DVD of a good old show such an enjoyable experience.

HelloLarry · 05-09-2010, 01:55 AM

Much better retro.....

retroTVfan4ever · 05-09-2010, 04:47 PM

Have to admit, one current show I see on occasion is Cold Case. I like the retro aspect of the show, trying to solve old crime cases that went cold. They do a good job with the flashback scenes, where they show incidents which lead up to the crime. Another good thing is the show usually stays away from rude acting and bad language. Looks like it might not be renewed for fall 2010, but the show has had a good run, all shows get cancelled sooner or later.

I've also seen an occasional episode of CSI NY and CSI Miami. I don't care for the violence, over the top acting and bad language, but it's interesting to see them solve crimes using DNA and modern technology.

AaronHandy3 · 05-16-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

1968 - The 58th and final episode of "The Monkees" TV show was aired

And a final slew of summer repeats kept it alive on NBC in primetime until September 9, 1968.

For fourteen long years, I'd believed that the very last telecast of The Monkees on the NBC-TV network was a repeat of Episode No. 49, "The Monkees Watch Their Feet", on September 9, 1968, as indicated by the venerable TV Guide (NYC edition).

Turns out it was only a typo.

While scanning through microfilms of my hometown's now-defunct afternoon paper, The New Orleans States-Item, for more pictures to add to my Facebook page, I happened upon the local listing for The Monkees (on WDSU-TV Channel 6) and discovered a different episode was repeated that Labor Day: No. 34, “The Picture Frame” (a.k.a. “The Bank Robbery”)! And this was its second NBC repeat (following the one on April Fool's Day 1968)! Capitalizing on this, I consulted several vintage microfilms of newspapers from other cities (Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and, yes, The Big Apple herself) only to determine they all listed the exact same thing.

14 years' worth of research down the crapper! :

HelloLarry · 05-19-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronHandy3

And a final slew of summer repeats kept it alive on NBC in primetime until September 9, 1968.

For fourteen long years, I'd believed that the very last telecast of The Monkees on the NBC-TV network was a repeat of Episode No. 49, "The Monkees Watch Their Feet", on September 9, 1968, as indicated by the venerable TV Guide (NYC edition).

Turns out it was only a typo.

While scanning through microfilms of my hometown's now-defunct afternoon paper, The New Orleans States-Item, for more pictures to add to my Facebook page, I happened upon the local listing for The Monkees (on WDSU-TV Channel 6) and discovered a different episode was repeated that Labor Day: No. 34, “The Picture Frame” (a.k.a. “The Bank Robbery”)! And this was its second NBC repeat (following the one on April Fool's Day 1968)! Capitalizing on this, I consulted several vintage microfilms of newspapers from other cities (Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and, yes, The Big Apple herself) only to determine they all listed the exact same thing.

14 years' worth of research down the crapper! :

Yes...quite the failure.

Cool stuff as always Mr. H! I love reading about this stuff. Thanks for looking all that up.

03-25-2010, 09:42 PM	#1
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Legend I'm Rich Bitch Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 62,155	The End of A Classic: Today in 1968 we Said "Farewell to The Monkees" 1968 - The 58th and final episode of "The Monkees" TV show was aired __________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-25-2010, 10:01 PM	#2
Marvo301 Forum Veteran I got a rock. Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 16,566	So it has been 42 years since the Monkees took the Last Train To Clarksville! __________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Alfred Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-08-2010, 09:05 AM	#10
HelloLarry Forum Regular Meathead Join Date: Aug 21, 2006 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 257	It's always an objective opinion. One shouldn't paint with such a broad brush though. Ironically the the quote that retro notes in referring to tv today 'television is a vast wasteland' was made in the 60s! It is so easy to bundle up shows from eras we're not interested in into a category and dismiss them with blanket statements. 'Every' sitcoms episode is not sexual in nature. 'Some' yes...'every' no. 'Some' sitcom episodes from back in those days dealt with things of a sexual nature, just in a different way. There are still a lot of good programs being produced with care and class, maybe not with a 50s or 60s sensibility but this isn't the 50s or 60s. I consider myself a decent and moral person and I'm more than willing to sit by my TV and watch recent shows if they are good and interest me. The only thing I tossed was my breakfast after reading that statement. If today's tv doesn't interest someone, that is cool. However, to make such sweeping statements is a little misguided and could offend those of us who do enjoy current programs in addition to the older sitcoms and dramas. Just sayin'..... Last edited by HelloLarry : 05-08-2010 at 10:40 AM.

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03-26-2010, 03:09 PM	#3
MickeyMac Moderator Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 17,063	Still a classic, I miss this show.

04-04-2010, 05:12 PM	#5
retroTVfan4ever Forum Regular Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 874	The four guys who comprised The Monkees have become legends, despite their short lived TV show of 58 episodes. They packed a lot of energy and fun into those 58 shows. Looking back, I really think the 1960's was the best decade for TV. Long live 60's TV!

04-11-2010, 09:58 PM	#7
retroTVfan4ever Forum Regular Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 874	Thank you, MickeyMac. In the old days of TV, shows were made with care and with class. Nowadays, network TV has become a vast wasteland. Dramas and police shows contain vulgar language and are excessively violent. And the topic of every sitcom episode, it doesn't matter what show it is, has to be sexual in nature. The sad thing is, there are people that are willing to sit by their TV's and watch this junk. It's an unfortunate reflection on the state of our current society where common decency and morals are being tossed by the wayside.

05-07-2010, 04:43 PM	#8
HelloLarry Forum Regular Meathead Join Date: Aug 21, 2006 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 257	To each his own I suppose but I don't write off what is being produced today all that easily. While some shows contain those elements that you describe it doesn't disqualify them from being good shows IMO. I love the Monkees, Leave it to Beaver, The Partridge Family, All in the Family, Brady Bunch, Get Smart etc. However I also love shows like The Wire, The Shield, the Office (UK), Arrested Development, Sopranos, Deadwood etc. There is still a lot of good tv that has been around in the last few years. Sometimes I like to go into a comfort zone of innocent TV from back in those days while other times, I love to see stuff get blowed up and bad people receive the profanity riddled tongue lashing they deserve. Depends on my mood. Keep in mind, there was just as much crap and pap on tv in the 60s as there is today. We only remember what was the best but there was just as much filler then as there is now. Each decade produces it's core shows that live on.

05-07-2010, 04:46 PM	#9
MickeyMac Moderator Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 17,063	Larry you made some good points ( and there were a couple of shows from the 50's and 60's that I can do without), but I must side with Retro on this.

05-08-2010, 08:40 PM	#11
retroTVfan4ever Forum Regular Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 874	Unfortunately, no it's not the 50's or 60's anymore and behavior of our current society has degenerated instead of improved. Art imitates life, and life these days bears no resemblance to the happier times of days gone by. Another bad thing about current network TV, there is twice the commercial time now when compared to 40-50 years ago. But considering the poor quality of todays shows, then less program content is actually a good thing. Give me an episode of Perry Mason over Law & Order anytime. And I'll take any sitcom episode from the 50's & 60's, even from short lived/obscure shows, over any of the junk they call sitcoms today. Another type of show where you can really tell the difference between yesterday and today are medical shows. Take a look at Ben Casey or Marcus Welby MD. I'll agree Vince Edwards and Robert Young would be gruff with a patient now and then but they always looked and acted professional. These were the type of doctors that a person would like to have and be responsible for their care and well being. Compare that to modern medical shows like ER or Trauma. My god the way those hooligan medics look, act and behave, it is disgusting. And sad to say, hospitals today and staff behaviors reflect pretty much like what is seen in those shows. Everyone has their opinion, and mine is to stick with the old shows when TV was in good taste without the poor behavior, foul language or excessive violence in the dramas and sitcoms were a lot better and more than just one lame sex joke after another. It's 2010 and too bad we can't go back, but that's what makes playing a DVD of a good old show such an enjoyable experience.

05-09-2010, 01:55 AM	#12
HelloLarry Forum Regular Meathead Join Date: Aug 21, 2006 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 257	Much better retro.....

05-09-2010, 04:47 PM	#13
retroTVfan4ever Forum Regular Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 874	Have to admit, one current show I see on occasion is Cold Case. I like the retro aspect of the show, trying to solve old crime cases that went cold. They do a good job with the flashback scenes, where they show incidents which lead up to the crime. Another good thing is the show usually stays away from rude acting and bad language. Looks like it might not be renewed for fall 2010, but the show has had a good run, all shows get cancelled sooner or later. I've also seen an occasional episode of CSI NY and CSI Miami. I don't care for the violence, over the top acting and bad language, but it's interesting to see them solve crimes using DNA and modern technology.