TV Show: The Monkees

Big Name Hunting

Since the fab four Beatles misspelled the word beetles, the Monkees creators decided to mimic the band’s name by misspelling monkeys.

If two of the amicably referred to “Prefab Four” had used their given real names instead of their stage handles, they would have been Davy, Peter, George, and Robert. Micky Dolenz’s actual name is George Michael Dolenz, and Mike’s real name is Robert Michael Nesmith.

It All Ads Up

The Monkees made amusing 30-second ad spots for the show’s sponsors for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies and Yardley Black Label Aftershave.

This trend continued In 1969 when CBS started airing the show, and the Monkees (without recently exited Peter Tork) started shooting similar TV commercials for Kool-Aid, the show’s new sponsor.