33 ⅓ Revolutions per Monkee
33 1⁄3 Revolutions per Monkee is a television special starring the Monkees that aired on NBC on April 14, 1969. Produced by Jack Good, guests on the show included Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, the Clara Ward Singers, the Buddy Miles Express, Paul Arnold and the Moon Express, and We Three. Although they were billed as musical guests, Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger (alongside their then-backing band The Trinity) found themselves playing a prominent role; in fact, it can be argued that the special focused more on the guest stars (specifically, Auger and Driscoll) than the Monkees themselves. This special is notable as the Monkees' final performance as a quartet until 1986, as Peter Tork left the group at the end of the special's production. The title is a play on "33 1⁄3 revolutions per minute."
Insights
Plot Summary
This television special showcases The Monkees in a surreal, psychedelic musical journey. It features the band performing various songs amidst a series of bizarre and visually striking vignettes, reflecting the counter-culture zeitgeist of the late 1960s. The narrative loosely follows the band members as they encounter strange characters and situations, all while delivering energetic musical numbers.
Critical Reception
As a television special rather than a theatrical film, "33 1/3 Revolutions per Monkee" received mixed reviews, often described as a visual spectacle that prioritized artistic expression and musical performance over a coherent narrative. While some critics praised its innovative visuals and the band's musical talent, others found it to be chaotic and self-indulgent.
What Reviewers Say
- Visually inventive and psychedelic, pushing the boundaries of television production.
- A showcase for The Monkees' musical talents, though the plot is secondary.
- Panned by some for being too abstract and lacking narrative substance.
Google audience: Audience reception for this television special is difficult to gauge through typical review aggregation platforms. However, it is generally remembered by fans as a unique and experimental showcase for the band's music and artistic direction during a period of significant creative freedom.
Fun Fact
The special was conceived as a vehicle for The Monkees to break away from their manufactured image and explore more artistic and experimental forms of expression, featuring surreal imagery and avant-garde segments.
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