The Monkees? Seriously? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

the truth · 03-05-2017, 02:27 AM

Yep! Gonna talk about this.

I'm over 50 and yet somehow I missed that "The Monkees" won the Emmy award for best comedy in 1966-1967. I didn't learn this until this week. The nominees:

The Monkees - season 1
Bewitched - season 3
Hogan's Heroes - season 2
Get Smart - season 2
The Andy Griffith Show - season 7

At first, I was livid. To me, this is a slam dunk for Bewitched to win. It's season 3, which is really right where the show has hit it's stride. It's not uncommon to read threads talking about how good the show was in that time. It's the first year in six years that The Dick Van Dike show wasn't an option as it went off the prior year.....but The Monkees?!?!?!

And don't get me wrong, I'm OK with them as a music group. There's probably as much debate going on about their merit in the rock and roll pantheon as they never won a Grammy award and aren't in the R n R hall of fame, but somehow they won the Emmy for best comedy. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I read this-gotta be a mistake, right?

Now, as the week went on, I kind of calmed down about the matter because, let's face it: Bewitched was pretty much loathed by the Emmy voters. Bill got one for directing in '66 and Alice and Marion got one in supporting roles but THAT'S IT! Liz: 0-5, Agnes: 0-6, the show: also 0-5 so face it, Bewitched wasn't going to win anyway. Get Smart won the next two years so there's a good chance that either that ends up a three year straight winner or maybe Andy Griffith gets the nod "should" The Monkees not get the honor. But you just KNOW they're not going to acknowledge Bewitched with an Emmy, right?

So what's your feelings about "The Monkees" winning in that year? I also noticed that the following year, year 2 for "The Monkees" isn't even nominated. Sorry if this has been a thread in the past if I missed it. But to me, it's amazing that when you look at other winners of the outstanding comedy award that won, shows like: All in the Family, MASH, Cheers, Taxi, Frasier....and they're going to award the Emmy to "The Monkees"? Seriously? Why not just give it to "Gilligan's Island" that year? About as worthy as far as comedies go. Talk about a black mark on the Emmys for all eternity, that is one BIG one!

What say you?? Was their win justified? They were extremely popular in the U.S. at that time and I read a lot about their breaking down the fourth wall in making eye contact with the audience, using a lot of quick cuts in their presentation and so forth, but is that the criteria that makes a show the "best comedy show of the year"? I thought it was supposed to be top notch writing and a good acting ensemble that got the nod but maybe I'm wrong?

Babalu · 03-05-2017, 09:54 AM

Out of the 5 shows that were nominated, Get Smart was funnier than all the others combined. And I liked and watched all the others regularly except Hogan's Heroes.

the truth · 03-05-2017, 10:20 AM

I can't agree any less with what's being posted so far.

I can't imagine, when looking at shows like AITF, MASH, Cheers, Frasier, etc that have won this award and then having to try to compare things like F Troop, The Monkees, Gilligan, GREEN friggin' ACRES?!?! - start another thread - Green Acres? Seriously?

Yes, the 60's show were largely "campy" and based in non-reality, compared to more sophisticated comedy later on. Maybe that's what I'm taking issue with. And maybe I need to realize that it was just "that time in TV history" as the shows seem to follow a safer standards and practices formula.

Still, very disappointing, even though I realize that Emmy voters would NEVER allow Bewitched to have it's day. Yeah, Gilligan, the chimps and F-Troop.

That's all largely schtick humor. I like some Monkees music but I can literally sit through a 25 minute episode and not crack a smile. Others HAVE TO feel the same way about some of that 60's writing, right?

You know what they say about opinions! LOL!

um · 03-05-2017, 07:44 PM

The Monkees' won an Emmy so many years ago, in the mid 1960s and now these political issues come up

the truth · 03-05-2017, 08:57 PM

You may want to develop a little wisdom and taste too, seeing as you think shows like the Monkees, F-Troop and Green Acres are inventive, irreverent and funny.

I'll leave you alone as of now as it seems you will need all of the time in the remainder of your life to get to where the rest of us are. Be on your way now!

scrapple · 03-05-2017, 11:31 PM

I knew that Alice Pearce and Marion Lorne were the only performers to win Emmys for Bewitched, but it's hard to believe Elizabeth, Dick York, Agnes and David White never took home a single trophy. Bewitched was one of the best-cast comedies ever.

03-05-2017, 02:27 AM	#1
the truth Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 26, 2002 Posts: 403	The Monkees? Seriously? Yep! Gonna talk about this. I'm over 50 and yet somehow I missed that "The Monkees" won the Emmy award for best comedy in 1966-1967. I didn't learn this until this week. The nominees: The Monkees - season 1 Bewitched - season 3 Hogan's Heroes - season 2 Get Smart - season 2 The Andy Griffith Show - season 7 At first, I was livid. To me, this is a slam dunk for Bewitched to win. It's season 3, which is really right where the show has hit it's stride. It's not uncommon to read threads talking about how good the show was in that time. It's the first year in six years that The Dick Van Dike show wasn't an option as it went off the prior year.....but The Monkees?!?!?! And don't get me wrong, I'm OK with them as a music group. There's probably as much debate going on about their merit in the rock and roll pantheon as they never won a Grammy award and aren't in the R n R hall of fame, but somehow they won the Emmy for best comedy. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I read this-gotta be a mistake, right? Now, as the week went on, I kind of calmed down about the matter because, let's face it: Bewitched was pretty much loathed by the Emmy voters. Bill got one for directing in '66 and Alice and Marion got one in supporting roles but THAT'S IT! Liz: 0-5, Agnes: 0-6, the show: also 0-5 so face it, Bewitched wasn't going to win anyway. Get Smart won the next two years so there's a good chance that either that ends up a three year straight winner or maybe Andy Griffith gets the nod "should" The Monkees not get the honor. But you just KNOW they're not going to acknowledge Bewitched with an Emmy, right? So what's your feelings about "The Monkees" winning in that year? I also noticed that the following year, year 2 for "The Monkees" isn't even nominated. Sorry if this has been a thread in the past if I missed it. But to me, it's amazing that when you look at other winners of the outstanding comedy award that won, shows like: All in the Family, MASH, Cheers, Taxi, Frasier....and they're going to award the Emmy to "The Monkees"? Seriously? Why not just give it to "Gilligan's Island" that year? About as worthy as far as comedies go. Talk about a black mark on the Emmys for all eternity, that is one BIG one! What say you?? Was their win justified? They were extremely popular in the U.S. at that time and I read a lot about their breaking down the fourth wall in making eye contact with the audience, using a lot of quick cuts in their presentation and so forth, but is that the criteria that makes a show the "best comedy show of the year"? I thought it was supposed to be top notch writing and a good acting ensemble that got the nod but maybe I'm wrong?

03-05-2017, 09:54 AM	#2
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	Out of the 5 shows that were nominated, Get Smart was funnier than all the others combined. And I liked and watched all the others regularly except Hogan's Heroes.
	__________________ . I just nailed Mrs. Trumbull

03-05-2017, 10:20 AM	#3
the truth Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 26, 2002 Posts: 403	I can't agree any less with what's being posted so far. I can't imagine, when looking at shows like AITF, MASH, Cheers, Frasier, etc that have won this award and then having to try to compare things like F Troop, The Monkees, Gilligan, GREEN friggin' ACRES?!?! - start another thread - Green Acres? Seriously? Yes, the 60's show were largely "campy" and based in non-reality, compared to more sophisticated comedy later on. Maybe that's what I'm taking issue with. And maybe I need to realize that it was just "that time in TV history" as the shows seem to follow a safer standards and practices formula. Still, very disappointing, even though I realize that Emmy voters would NEVER allow Bewitched to have it's day. Yeah, Gilligan, the chimps and F-Troop. That's all largely schtick humor. I like some Monkees music but I can literally sit through a 25 minute episode and not crack a smile. Others HAVE TO feel the same way about some of that 60's writing, right? You know what they say about opinions! LOL!

03-05-2017, 07:44 PM	#4
um Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 26, 2015 Posts: 908	The Monkees' won an Emmy so many years ago, in the mid 1960s and now these political issues come up

03-05-2017, 08:57 PM	#5
the truth Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 26, 2002 Posts: 403	You may want to develop a little wisdom and taste too, seeing as you think shows like the Monkees, F-Troop and Green Acres are inventive, irreverent and funny. I'll leave you alone as of now as it seems you will need all of the time in the remainder of your life to get to where the rest of us are. Be on your way now!

03-05-2017, 11:31 PM	#6
scrapple Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 03, 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 259	I knew that Alice Pearce and Marion Lorne were the only performers to win Emmys for Bewitched, but it's hard to believe Elizabeth, Dick York, Agnes and David White never took home a single trophy. Bewitched was one of the best-cast comedies ever.