Love Monkey is a short-lived 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.[1]
At the end of March, VH1 announced plans to re-broadcast the three episodes broadcast on CBS and air the five remaining unaired episodes.[2] 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. Also, portions of all episodes are available on YouTube and one can cobble together whole shows with minimal effort.
As it was bought for syndication by VH1, it now airs on MuchMoreMusic in Canada.
In the summer of 2009, the series was shown on the Universal HD cable network.
It was a co-production of Paramount Television and Sony Pictures Television.
Cast
Music
Theme song
- Episodes 1 – 3: "Someone Who's Cool" by Odds
- Episodes 4 – 8: "For You I Will (Confidence)" by Teddy Geiger
On MuchMoreMusic, the theme song remains as "Someone Who's Cool" by 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 Geiger, Aimee Mann
- Episode 2: LeAnn Rimes, Ben Folds, Teddy Geiger, Zoe
- Episode 3: James Blunt, Teddy Geiger
- Episode 4: Aimee Mann, Paul Shaffer, She Wants Revenge, Gladwell
- Episode 5: The Barbarian Bros.
- Episode 6: Ray, Dr. John
- Episode 7: Gordon Decker
- Episode 8: Natasha Bedingfield, John Mellencamp, Lisa Loeb, Mya, Teddy Geiger
Episodes
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 Monroe, 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).
Episode 2: "Nice Package"
Tom promises to get Zoe, a famous singer he once represented, to play at a benefit concert, 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.
Episode 3: "Confidence"
Wayne is ready to release his first single, and Tom insists that Wayne gets a video too. Although his indie record label has little money, but 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.
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 mugged, 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 done by Abandoned Pools Song: Maybe Then Someday Album: Armed To The Teeth 2005
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 out.
Trivia
Several episodes of Love Monkey featured the acting and music/recording studio script input of New York City guitarist and recording engineer Hugh Pool and his recording studio Excello Recording.
References
- ^ CBS Breaks Up with 'Love Monkey', from zap2it.com
- ^ Canceled CBS series 'Love Monkey' finds new life on VH1; March 29, 2006 USA Today article
External links
