Love Monkey
Encyclopedia
Love Monkey is a television series created by Michael Rauch and based on a book of the same name
, by Kyle Smith
. It starred Tom Cavanagh
as a 30-something, single, record
executive who navigated the tumultuous and highly amusing waters of work and dating in New York City
.
Its first episode aired on January 17, 2006 on CBS
, attracting an audience of about 8.6 million viewers. By its third episode on February 7, viewership was down to 6.2 million, and CBS pulled it from the schedule, with no plans for its return.
At the end of March, VH1
announced plans to re-broadcast the three episodes broadcast on CBS and air the five remaining unaired episodes. The last episode aired on May 16, 2006 on VH1.
CBS has one episode available free for online viewing via its new Innertube
website and intends to make the other 7 episodes available for viewing there as well.
As it was bought for syndication by VH1, it now airs on MuchMoreMusic
in Canada.
In the summers of 2009 and 2010, the series was shown on the Universal HD cable network.
It was a co-production of Paramount Television
and Sony Pictures Television
.
On MuchMoreMusic, the theme song remains as "Someone Who's Cool" by Odds
on all episodes.
, Michigan
, to sign with him. Tom eventually gives up on Wayne because he doesn't have enough money to sign him, but at the end of the episode Tom accepts a new job at True Vinyl, a small indie record company
, only to find that this company has signed Wayne (largely because Wayne wants to work with Tom).
, but her label company will not let her even though she wants to do so. Through Tom's efforts and eventual brainstorm, Zoe is partnered with Wayne and the innovative collaboration results in a great new song.
Meanwhile, Mike and Karen look for a nanny
for their child and Shooter gets involved in a new relationship.
too. Although his indie record label has little money, Tom wants to make it happen regardless. The rest of the company convince him to hire Nate, an up-and-coming director fresh off an award at the Sundance Film Festival
. Nate has more in mind than just making a video and eventually Tom fires him and he makes his own. Meanwhile, Mike's wife decides to petsit
a dog, and both Mike and Karen decide they aren't ready for kids. Bran is in a relationship with her boss, who is horrible at sports. Julia has a quick relationship with Nate, and Jake attempts a new catchphrase for his sports commentary.
, they are both forced to deal with the situation in their own way.
End song as performed by Gordon Decker was from an original song by Abandoned Pools
, "Maybe Then Someday" from the 2005 album Armed To The Teeth.
.
and his recording studio Excello Recording.
Love Monkey (novel)
Love Monkey is a comic novel by Kyle Smith published in 2004. It is the basis for the 2006 CBS television series of the same name. Love Monkey is Kyle Smith's first novel. Smith is a music review editor at People magazine...
, by Kyle Smith
Kyle Smith
Kyle Smith is an American critic, novelist and essayist. He is a staff film critic for the New York Post. His film reviewing style has been called "an exercise in hilarious hostility" by Entertainment Weekly....
. It starred Tom Cavanagh
Tom Cavanagh
Thomas "Tom" Cavanagh is a Canadian actor.-Early life:Cavanagh was born in Ottawa, Ontario. He is of Irish descent and was raised in a large Roman Catholic family. Cavanagh moved with his family to Winneba, a small city in Ghana, when he was seven years old. In his teens, the family moved to...
as a 30-something, single, record
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
executive who navigated the tumultuous and highly amusing waters of work and dating in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Its first episode aired on January 17, 2006 on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, attracting an audience of about 8.6 million viewers. By its third episode on February 7, viewership was down to 6.2 million, and CBS pulled it from the schedule, with no plans for its return.
At the end of March, VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
announced plans to re-broadcast the three episodes broadcast on CBS and air the five remaining unaired episodes. The last episode aired on May 16, 2006 on VH1.
CBS has one episode available free for online viewing via its new Innertube
Innertube
CBS Innertube is a broadband video channel launched by CBS in May 2006. The channel offers original web-only shows, as well as rebroadcasts of CBS's regular shows. This service is currently only available in the United States...
website and intends to make the other 7 episodes available for viewing there as well.
As it was bought for syndication by VH1, it now airs on MuchMoreMusic
MuchMoreMusic
MuchMore is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media, based at 299 Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario....
in Canada.
In the summers of 2009 and 2010, the series was shown on the Universal HD cable network.
It was a co-production of Paramount Television
Paramount Television
Paramount Television was an American television production/distribution company that was active from January 1, 1968 to August 27, 2006.Its successor is CBS Television Studios, formerly CBS Paramount Television...
and Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television, Inc. is an American and global television production/distribution subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. In turn, the latter is part of the Japanese conglomerate Sony.-Background:...
.
Cast
- Tom CavanaghTom CavanaghThomas "Tom" Cavanagh is a Canadian actor.-Early life:Cavanagh was born in Ottawa, Ontario. He is of Irish descent and was raised in a large Roman Catholic family. Cavanagh moved with his family to Winneba, a small city in Ghana, when he was seven years old. In his teens, the family moved to...
as Tom Ferrell, 30-something single record executive - Jason PriestleyJason PriestleyJason Bradford Priestley is a Canadian-American actor and director. He is best known as the virtuous Brandon Walsh on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role which catapulted him to recognition in the early 1990s....
as Mike, Tom's buddy and brother-in-law (he is married to Tom's sister) - Katherine LaNasa as Karen, Tom's sister and Mike's wife
- Larenz TateLarenz TateLarenz Tate is an American film and television actor.-Early life:Tate was born on the west side of Chicago, Illinois, the son of Peggy and Larry Tate. He is the youngest of three siblings whose family moved to California when he was nine years old...
as Derek, "Shooter", Tom's streetwise, moneyed friend - Christopher WiehlChristopher Wiehl-Life and career:Wiehl was born in Yakima, Washington. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in dramatic arts. He is the brother of legal analyst Lis Wiehl....
as Jake, closeted baseball player turned sportscasterSportscasterIn sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator... - Judy GreerJudy GreerJudy Greer is an American actress, known for portraying a string of supporting female characters, including Kitty Sanchez on the Fox series Arrested Development and Cheryl on the animated comedy series Archer...
as Bran, Tom's friend who always tells things to him straight - Ivana MilicevicIvana Milicevic-Early life:Miličević was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina to a Croatian family, the daughter of Tonka, a homemaker, and Damir Miličević, a slaughterhouse worker and entrepreneur. She emigrated to the United States at the age of five and was raised in Michigan...
as Julia, Tom's colleague and possible girlfriend - Daniel SunjataDaniel SunjataDaniel Sunjata is an American actor who performs in film, television and in the theater.-Career:...
as Diego
Theme song
- Episodes 1 – 3: "Someone Who's Cool" by OddsOdds (band)Odds are a Canadian alternative rock band. The band's power pop style has been frequently compared to that of contemporaries such as Squeeze, Elvis Costello, Weezer, Tom Petty, Sloan, The Clash, XTC, Franz Ferdinand, and The Tubes.-Odds :...
- Episodes 4 – 8: "For You I Will (Confidence)" by Teddy GeigerTeddy Geiger-Singles:-Album appearances:-Television and movie appearances:-External links:****...
On MuchMoreMusic, the theme song remains as "Someone Who's Cool" by Odds
Odds (band)
Odds are a Canadian alternative rock band. The band's power pop style has been frequently compared to that of contemporaries such as Squeeze, Elvis Costello, Weezer, Tom Petty, Sloan, The Clash, XTC, Franz Ferdinand, and The Tubes.-Odds :...
on all episodes.
Musical guest stars
The show guest stars established musicians (often in bit roles) and also features fictional musicians (in italics).- Episode 1: Teddy GeigerTeddy Geiger-Singles:-Album appearances:-Television and movie appearances:-External links:****...
, Aimee MannAimee MannAimee Mann is an American rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and bassist.-Early life:Aimee Mann grew up in Bon Air, Virginia, graduated from Open High School in 1978 and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out to sing with her first punk rock band, the Young Snakes... - Episode 2: LeAnn RimesLeAnn RimesLeAnn Rimes is an American country/pop singer. She is known for her rich vocals and her rise to fame as an eight-year-old champion on the original Ed McMahon version of Star Search, followed by the release of the Patsy Cline-intended single "Blue" when Rimes was only age 13, resulting in her...
, Ben FoldsBen FoldsBenjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
, Teddy Geiger, Zoe - Episode 3: James BluntJames BluntJames Hillier Blount , better known by his stage name James Blunt, is an English singer-songwriter and musician, and former army officer, whose debut album, Back to Bedlam and single releases, including "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover", brought him to fame in 2005...
, Teddy Geiger - Episode 4: Aimee MannAimee MannAimee Mann is an American rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and bassist.-Early life:Aimee Mann grew up in Bon Air, Virginia, graduated from Open High School in 1978 and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out to sing with her first punk rock band, the Young Snakes...
, Paul ShafferPaul ShafferPaul Allen Wood Shaffer, CM is a Canadian musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian, and composer who has been David Letterman's sidekick since 1982.-Early years:...
, She Wants RevengeShe Wants RevengeShe Wants Revenge is an American musical duo, based in San Fernando Valley, California. The group's debut album She Wants Revenge was released in early 2006, with three singles to follow...
, Gladwell - Episode 5: The Barbarian Bros.
- Episode 6: Ray, Dr. JohnDr. JohnMalcolm John "Mac" Rebennack, Jr. , better known by the stage name Dr. John , is an American singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, whose music combines blues, pop, jazz as well as Zydeco, boogie woogie and rock and roll.Active as a session musician since the late 1950s, he came to wider...
- Episode 7: Gordon Decker
- Episode 8: Natasha BedingfieldNatasha BedingfieldNatasha Anne Bedingfield is a British pop singer and songwriter. Bedingfield debuted in the 1990s as a member of the Christian dance/electronic group The DNA Algorithm with her siblings Daniel Bedingfield and Nikola Rachelle...
, John MellencampJohn MellencampJohn Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
, Lisa LoebLisa LoebLisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over...
, Mya, Teddy Geiger
Episode 1: "Pilot"
Tom gets fired from his job at a record company after making an unwise comment. He then gets dumped by his girlfriend after being told they are not compatible. Meanwhile, he tries his best to convince a new talented singer, Wayne, found in the small town of MonroeMonroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, to sign with him. Tom eventually gives up on Wayne because he doesn't have enough money to sign him, but at the end of the episode Tom accepts a new job at True Vinyl, a small indie record company
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
, only to find that this company has signed Wayne (largely because Wayne wants to work with Tom).
Episode 2: "Nice Package"
Tom promises to get Zoe, a famous singer he once represented, to play at a benefit concertBenefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
, but her label company will not let her even though she wants to do so. Through Tom's efforts and eventual brainstorm, Zoe is partnered with Wayne and the innovative collaboration results in a great new song.
Meanwhile, Mike and Karen look for a nanny
Nanny
A nanny, childminder or child care provider, is an individual who provides care for one or more children in a family as a service...
for their child and Shooter gets involved in a new relationship.
Episode 3: "Confidence"
Wayne is ready to release his first single, and Tom insists that Wayne gets a videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
too. Although his indie record label has little money, Tom wants to make it happen regardless. The rest of the company convince him to hire Nate, an up-and-coming director fresh off an award at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. Nate has more in mind than just making a video and eventually Tom fires him and he makes his own. Meanwhile, Mike's wife decides to petsit
Babysitting
Babysitting is the practice of temporarily caring for a child on behalf of the child's parents. Babysitting is commonly performed as an odd job by teenagers for extra money.-General:...
a dog, and both Mike and Karen decide they aren't ready for kids. Bran is in a relationship with her boss, who is horrible at sports. Julia has a quick relationship with Nate, and Jake attempts a new catchphrase for his sports commentary.
Episode 4: "The One Who Got Away"
Tom must rep his ex-girlfriend's band, and he discovers that they still have feelings for each other.Episode 5: "The Window"
Tom has a small window of opportunity to promote the Barbarian Brother's latest album, and a review from Abby Powell could take the band to the next level. However, as the band's rock star lifestyle spins out of control, Abby expresses her feelings for Tom. Tom must find a way to prevent damaging both his career and love life. Meanwhile, Bran's relationship with Scott progresses until a pregnancy scare threatens to derail it.Episode 6: "Opportunity Knocks"
When Tom and the guys attend the funeral of Carmine Moretti, the owner of their favorite pizzeria, Tom discovers that Carmine's son Ray is an amazing singer with star potential. However, Ray must now support his family and take over his father's business. Tom must convince Ray not to squander his talent. He wants to sign Ray with the label. But first, Tom needs to convince Jeff that Ray has more potential for greatness than the artist Julia wants to represent. Meanwhile, when Shooter and Mike are muggedRobbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
, they are both forced to deal with the situation in their own way.
Episode 7: "Mything Persons"
Singer Gordon Decker cracked under the pressure of the music business years ago and never completed his long-awaited second album. Tom now has the chance to buy Gordon's catalogue, but in order for it to be financially beneficial to True Vinyl, he must get Gordon to record the rest of the album. As Tom meets a beautiful doctor with whom he has a real connection, he must also hunt down the reclusive (yet still brilliant) singer and convince him to give the music business another try. Meanwhile, Bran struggles with the fact that she is dating her boss.End song as performed by Gordon Decker was from an original song by Abandoned Pools
Abandoned Pools
Tommy Walter is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his Alternative rock band, Abandoned Pools, as well as being the former bassist and one of the founding members of Eels....
, "Maybe Then Someday" from the 2005 album Armed To The Teeth.
Episode 8: "Coming Out"
On the eve of Wayne's first album release, screaming teenage girls, greedy music executives, and manipulative publicists are all trying to now get a piece of him. Tom is trying to protect Wayne, but Tom's old mammoth label Goliath keeps tempting Wayne and his parents with a lucrative new contract offer. Phil, who works for Goliath, tries to convince Wayne that True Vinyl is too small to take his career to the next level. Phil also offers Tom a new job with his own label under the Goliath umbrella. Meanwhile, Karen and Mike prepare for the birth of their baby, Bran learns whether or not she got the big promotion, Shooter must finally decide if he'll take over the family business, and Jake must choose if wants to face the professional repercussions of coming outComing out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
.
Trivia
Several episodes of Love Monkey featured the acting and music/recording studio script input of New York City guitarist and recording engineer Hugh PoolHugh Pool
Hugh Pool is an American musician who plays guitar in a unique style that melds traditional Delta blues with country music and classic and psychedelic rock and roll. His instrument of choice is a National, a resonator guitar somewhat like a Dobro, played through a distortion pedal...
and his recording studio Excello Recording.
External links
from CBS from VH1- MuchMoreMusic website
- Review of Love Monkey from The Book Standard