AboutJames Expertise I can answer questions about the Monkees` recording career (both as a group and as solo acts), the Monkees` television series (episode names, dates, plots, etc), and Monkees` memoribilia (although I cannot estimate values of collectibles). I enjoy talking about Michael Nesmith`s (Nez) solo career.
Experience I am a first generation Monkees fan, having watched the series in its original 1966 - 1968 television run. I have several reference books on the group and have developed a web network of reference materials.
Question QUESTION: Do any of the Monkees still keep in touch? I've read a lot about the fighting among them, are they friends? Also, in the song "Gonna Buy Me A Dog", when Mickey and Davy are cutting up, Mickey says he wishes he had a glass of water, Davy asks why, Mickey says he wants to see if his neck leaks? What does that refer to? It's driving me crazy. Thanks for your time....
ANSWER: Hi and thanks for the questions.
To the best of my knowledge, the guys only see each other on a continual basis if there is a business interest involved. In other words, I don't think either of the four actually "pal around". Michael is well known for being a loner. Both Peter and Micky are trying solo careers -- Peter with a band called Shoe Suede Blues, and Micky as a solo artist, director, and now participant on a reality show for CMT. Every now and then Davy will perform solo but usually only as an oldies act. Any time more than one of them are interviewed as a group they try to give the aura of being pals, but there have been so many stories about the nastiness behind the scenes that I really doubt if any of them see each other on a social basis.
As for "Dog", the joke Micky is making is an old vaudeville joke. The punch line is supposed to be sarcastic. If someone asks for a glass of water, they are usually thirsty, so to ask if they're thirsty is a little redundant. The sarcastic answer of "No I want to see if my neck leaks" is giving the questioner a ludicrous answer for wanting water. For example, you might pour water in a jar to test it for leaks. The answer conjures up this imagery and offers a far out reason for requesting water. If you ever read Mad Magazine, they had a recurring feature called "Snappy answers to Stupid Questions". For example, a man has his dog on a leash. The question "Is that your dog" may get an answer like "No, this was a dust bunny under my couch and I wanted to see if outdoor air would make it grow" might be an example of the path the "Dog" joke was taking.
Thanks again and if you have a follow up please write back.
Randall
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QUESTION: Thanks for your quick answer, I almost couldn't get the link to come up! Do you think Micky will stand a chance on the Gone Country contest? I saw him last night performing Last Train To Clarksville, looks like he has some good competition.
Answer Hi again.
I never have been a "reality show" fan and have never watched an episode of this show that Micky has just started. If I had to guess, I would say that Micky wouldn't have much of a chance especially if the judging panel (if they operate this show like all the other reality shows) will probably have a negative attitude toward Micky based on his time with the Monkees. Most people in the music industry have harsh negative opinions about the Monkees and those will probably come up in the judging segments. Just my opinion however and really an uneducated guess since I don't know the format of the show.
