The Christmas Show

It's rather a shame that The Monkees didn't do their "Christmas Show" the year before, because by the time of this 47th broadcast (Dec 23 1967), 54th episode produced (Nov 20-22), the series looked like it was on its last legs. As the four are hired to entertain a 14 year old boy (Butch Patrick, THE MUNSTERS) at Christmastime, they quickly learn that the little grinch is a whiz with numbers, but impossible to entertain. Painfully unfunny from start to finish, with some amusement to be had from Burt Mustin's butler, Regis Cordic's doctor, and Larry Gelman's salesman. Still, there's magic to be made by The Monkees, all four performing a cappella without any musical accompaniment, a 15th century Spanish Christmas carol, "Riu Chiu," which translates as "Roaring River"; Mike begins alone, joined by first Peter, then Davy, and Micky, who solos during the verses (both Peter and Davy clearly delighted). Produced by Chip Douglas, who first performed it with The Modern Folk Quartet, this would have been the Oct 3 recording done by all four (the Aug 24 recording featured Douglas substituting for Davy). Unreleased during the 60s, both are now easily available, this TV version first issued on 1990's MISSING LINKS 2. Next in production- "Mijacogeo," the directorial debut for Micky Dolenz.