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Music video for New Monkees’ Do It Again, 1987

‘You love them or you hate them or you may not know who the hell they are.’ -ChildOThe80s

Back in 1986, producer Steve Blauner realized he owned the rights to The Monkees.

And he came to this mode of thinking:

We built the original Monkees from scratch – let’s create a New Monkees for a new generation.

How hard could it be?

out old, in new
The 1980s were very retro, but in a post-modern, reference the past but use it differently sort of way.

First there was New Coke, waiting in the wings was Star Trek: The Next Generation, a new Sea Hunt, Gidget, Superboy. All with an 80s twist.

And by 1987, there was the New Monkees – a syndicated half hour comedy show AND a pop band with 80s flair. And I do mean flair. The overall look of the New Monkees – the design (logo above) – cobbled together various forms of graphic design of the day, new wave, MTV-fueled excess.

If it were popular at the time, it became part of the show. And everything was staged, programmed. What could possibly go wrong?

New Monkees presentation reel, part one

Within 13 weeks (a short time back then), the show was canceled. It was a train wreck to say the least. And just about everyone involved sort of buried the thing. Like it never existed.

There’s nothing to see here, move along. Go about your business, people.

Here’s an article that breaks it down. What happened, who was involved – and some of the pop tracks.

a poppy album
Yeah, so their album wasn’t so bad.

Believe it or not. Not great, but not bad. Synth-pop. I actually had it on cassette, just out of curiosity. If you want a copy today, it’s going for upwards of 60 bucks. Cause no one bought it.

80s sounds, great writers/producers behind the scene. It’s now a cult classic with online fans rediscovering this under-the-radar, odd rethinking of a classic.

Just, please, no one start airing reruns. The show was really, really bad.

Music video for New Monkees’ What I Want, 1987

programmed world
Back in 1987, I remember watching all this unfold. It was all so bizarre.

But not too bizarre. It predates Milli and Vanilli and Jessica and Ashlee and every other cobbled together pop sensation.

I don’t see too much of a difference. The producers were really honest that they were running things. Tho I think that was one of the (many) reasons they were done in.

The main flaw was they were perceived as ‘replacements’ for the original Monkees – as opposed to The Next Group with the name. Purists really hate stuff like that.

At a dinner party, the New Monkees break into song, 2007

today
Still, not many know about them. But if you want more, start here. Dino (the drummer) has videos posted here.

Buckle up and set the Delorean for 1987.

tags: design history, music // 3 comments  . . .