[The Monkees] "Captain Crocodile"

[Ubiquitous]

The Monkees appear to get their big break when scheduled to appear on a
television show for kids called Captain Crocodile. But Captain Crocodile
fears he is being edged out by the new popularity of rock and roll
singers, so he sabotages their appearances at every turn even after the
intervention by an eleven year old network executive. In a last ditch
effort, Captain Crocodile sends his most loyal fan fans after the
Monkees, who win the kids over during a musical romp. Captain Crocodile
is fired after melting down about “these rotten kids,” but is replaced by
his co-host who gives the Monkees the same treatment.

If I appear to be shorting the plot, it is because the story is not the
most entertaining aspect of the episode. The distinction goes to the
fantasy sequence right after Captain Crocodile humiliates the Monkees on
their second appearance. Peter is terribly upset over their blown
appearance, so the others cheer him up by assuring him there will be
other chances to star in television. They proceed to act out three
parodies of popular television shows, including a news panel show, I've
Got a Secret, and my favorite, a Batman parody with peter as the hero,
Frogman, and Davy as his partner, Reuben the Tadpole. The parody is
complete with odd sound effects during the big fight sequence.

The fantasy sequence is the best part of the episode, but I do not mean
to shot change the rest. I also enjoy the bit in which the disguised
Monkees interrupt the executive meeting called to discuss the Monkees
after a forged letter writing campaign complains abut them. Micky is a
Nielsen pollster, Mike is a janitor with fourteen grandchildren, and Davy
and Peter pose a kids. All urge the Monkees remain on the air.

The Monkees perform “Valleri” on The Captain Crocodile Show. Or at least
they think they do. Captain Crocodile signs off before they begin
playing. While “Valleri' is one of the group's most popular songs, it is
the object of much scorn by Mike Nesmith. He considers it their worst
effort. I find this opinion especially odd since “Valleri' is not only a
decent song, but the episode also features “Auntie Grizzelda,” which is
actually the wort Monkees' song ever.

“Captain Crocodile' is a fun episode. The story itself has some funny
gags, but it is the television fantasy sequence in the middle that is the
true highlight.

Rating: *** (out of 5)

[Trevor]

The Monkees perform “Valleri” on The Captain Crocodile Show. Or at least
they think they do. Captain Crocodile signs off before they begin
playing. While “Valleri' is one of the group's most popular songs,

Hardly, but it's far from their worst.

the object of much scorn by Mike Nesmith. He considers it their worst
effort. I find this opinion especially odd since “Valleri' is not only a
decent song, but the episode also features “Auntie Grizzelda,” which is
actually the wort Monkees' song ever.

Yep, Auntie Grizelda would probably be my least favorite too. Or perhaps
Gonna buy me a dog.

Trevor.