The Monkees (TV Series) I Was a 99-Pound Weakling (1967) User Reviews

Monty Landis and Venita Wolf

[kevinolzak · 7/10 · 12 January 2014]

Broadcast no. 38 (Oct 16 1967), "I Was a 99-Pound Weakling" was also 38th in production, filmed May 9-11 (Michael Nesmith's absence is often mentioned but never explained, yet he didn't have his tonsils removed until May 23). Micky gets the focus here, along with Monty Landis, making his fifth straight appearance, this time as Shah-Ku, running a phony body building school with the aid of dim witted Bulk (David Draper, current Mr. Universe), who plays the 'bully on the beach' and steals away Micky's dumb blonde girl (gorgeous Venita Wolf, from STAR TREK's "The Squire of Gothos"). We get a second showing for "Love is Only Sleeping" (from the forthcoming PISCES LP), and the only airing for Nesmith's own "Sunny Girlfriend" (from HEADQUARTERS), featuring Nes on both electric 12-string guitar and acoustic guitar, Tork on electric six-string guitar, Dolenz on drums, and Jones on maracas. Next in production- "Monkees Marooned."

Muscle Beach Party

[zsenorsock · 7/10 · 19 June 2011]

Pretty good show thanks to another good script from Gardner and Carusco, the Monkees story editors from season #1 (they also did a LOT of great "Get Smart" episodes). Mickey has the lead here as he tries to muscle up to impress a girl. His comedy chops are on good display and he gets to break the 4th wall and talk right to the camera.

One odd thing though is the choice of music. The shows features two songs, both by Nesmith, "Sweet Young Thing" (reaching back over a year for that) and "Love is Only Sleeping" (from the Monkees then current album). You'd think one of the songs would have been by either Micky or Davy and certainly something a little more current than "Sweet Young Thing".