Back in the 1960’s, NBC aired The Monkees for two seasons. The knockabout adventures of Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Michael Nesmith were fun to watch, the group sold a gazillion record albums and 45’s, and the show even won an Emmy Award or two.
And ever since then, networks have tried to air their own knockabout comedy show – a show based on a bunch of people living in a house and having slapstick comedy and ribald humor surround them. Yep, welcome to another TV cliche. Some of the shows that actually tried to ape the Monkees, tried to chimp their success, oh stop me before I add more ghastly puns.
SHASTA McNASTY
Not sure what these guys were trying to accomplish, not sure what they wanted to be, not even sure why the show was called “Shasta McNasty” – it was later edited down to “Shasta.” Then eventually the show was edited down to nothing. As in cancellation.
THE YOUNG ONES
Another knockabout comedy, this show lasted for two seasons on the BBC, and was the first scripted series to ever air on MTV. And that includes that other scripted show they’re airing now – Jersey Shore.
DOWN THE SHORE
Yep, twenty years before we were force-fed the adventures of Snooki, JWoWW and the Situation, there was this comedy show about friends living in a Jersey Shore beachhouse. It lasted for two seasons on Fox – yeah, I barely remember the show, and I’m not sure I want to try to remember it.
ZOE, DUNCAN, JACK AND JANE
Four happy-go-lucky teenagers who can travel all around New York City – thanks to the subway system and no driver’s license – and it’s a wonder why anyone even remotely remembers this show. Oh wait, is that Selma Blair? Guess it is…
THE NEW MONKEES
And what if you have the license to create Monkees episodes, but you can’t get the original cast? Well, what’s stopping you from creating a new batch of Monkees? This is not a lie. Someone actually thought they could syndicate a new run of Monkees episodes with four new actors. Owtchie.
So if you’re missing Davy, Peter, Micky and Mike – don’t feel bad. It could be worse. You could get stuck with Larry, Dino, Jared and Marty. Sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Chuck The Writer 
I did like the Young ones….but I was young.
LikeLike
I remember the Young Ones. Only 12 episodes produced and the Brits regard it as one of their most brilliant sitcoms.
LikeLike
Mike Nesmith was the luckiest Monkee – he retired from the music scene at a younger age and invented some pretty cool stuff when computers were just coming of age. And his mother invented “white out” which enabled him to retire at such a young age.
LikeLike
Mike Nesmith is a dick, every Monkees fan knows that.
LikeLike