Comments on: And Then There’s JoCo

By: Angelastic

Angelastic — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:58:51 +0000

Radien, JoCo played a few songs at Neil Gaiman’s book signing in Manchester, and then Neil Gaiman creepily read one of the verses of Creepy Doll and played the creepy tambourine at the concert the same evening. It’s all here: http://www.jonathancoulton.com/wiki/index.php/Neil_Gaiman (well, it’s not all there, somebody should add a link to one of the YouTube videos.) So I assume they also found a couple of seconds to film him chugging wine.

By: Radien

Radien — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:25:33 +0000

Forgive me if I’m being naive, but was that stock footage of Neil Gaiman, or did you actually get the chance to hang out with him at some point? I’m afraid I’m not up on JoCo’s social circle.

By: Mr.Nobody

Mr.Nobody — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:41:43 +0000

Only one thing has to be said here:

Awesome.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:48:01 +0000

That was fantastic. Ultra-fantastic for the Gaiman cameo.

By: Jonnie

Jonnie — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:54:23 +0000

I agree with the gentleman above. Billy Zabka needs to be on this show, and perhaps kick someone’s ass.

By: Paul and Storm

Paul and Storm — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:17:12 +0000

As one of the original co-creators/stars of the show, I would like to say I am totally chuffed at the resurgence of interest in this show, especially the rapid expansion of the wiki page.

However, I am forced to correct one inaccuracy: in the show, Jonathan’s character’s name was not “Harold Loveman.” That’s just silly.

The character’s name was “Jonathan Crouton.”

Otherwise, wonderful job, everyone!

Paul (and, by proxy, Storm)

By: Russ Rogers

Russ Rogers — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:07:07 +0000

I believe the spurious ASPCA story goes something like this: The ASPCA launched the investigation into “Monkey Shines” because the production crew lacked a licensed Monkey Wrangler on set during filming. There was no Monkey Wrangler nor any Animal Trainer listed in the credits either. This was because, outside of a few shots of an actual Capuchin Monkey in the closing credits, the Monkey was, for the most part, played by a stuffed toy monkey thrown from just off camera. There was also a monkey puppet that was used, but it ended up looking less real than the toy monkey. The ASPCA just could not believe that a Network Sit Com called, “Monkey Shines” wouldn’t actually have any live monkeys on the set!

By: Kaethe

Kaethe — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:48:52 +0000

For the record, I would watch that show.

By: Zakagan

Zakagan — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:22:20 +0000

What I am wondering is why on the wiki page does it say that:

“One assertion that was believed for a time was that the ASPCA was launching an investigation into the production of Monkey Shines and filed a complaint that was processed as the show was airing. Although the report filed was never found (the main reason why this story is considered spurious) it was said to contain details on cruel housing conditions for the monkey as well as describing how the monkey was used gratuitously, being made to perform in shots when the stuffed monkey double would have sufficed.”

while in the video it seems that the monkey was only a comically bad stuffed animal? I didn’t see any real monkeys… Was there a real monkey?

By: sevinPackage

sevinPackage — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:16:49 +0000

M A G N I F I C E N T .

That was exactly the sort of thing I was thinking about making (because I love the song so much), but I didn’t have my hands on the super-choice footage. that totally needs to be on the concert DVD extras!

By: Veronica

Veronica — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:22:05 +0000

Is it true that Gaiman is the reason all references to the show have been struck from history? I read that on the internets.

By: Joran

Joran — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:08:59 +0000

Hey, it’s one of my favorite singers with one of my favorite authors. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

And introducing Neil Gaiman… I can’t stop laughing at that. My hat’s off to you guys, this is wonderful!

By: Brand Eks

Brand Eks — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:49:19 +0000

I am waiting for the inevitable big screen adaptation… with a CGI monkey of course.

By: Luke M

Luke M — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:31:17 +0000

Gaiman as the wacky neighbor? WIN

By: Dr. Perry Cox

Dr. Perry Cox — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:45:59 +0000

Now that the truth has been brought to light, someone make it an IMDB page. GO!

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:16:37 +0000

I can’t be the only one who wants to own a copy that bear picture at 0:37.

By: Len

Len — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:13:59 +0000

For more info on the show, check out the wiki:

http://www.jonathancoulton.com/wiki/index.php/Monkey_Shines

By: Katie 80

Katie 80 — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:55:03 +0000

Next time I’m sad I just need to remember to watch this video and everything will be alright again.

By: ViolinistGuy

ViolinistGuy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:12:13 +0000

That is just wonderful and perfect in every way. I have no clever comment.

By: Spektugalo

Spektugalo — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:54:06 +0000

Oh my god, that’s awesome!
Is this video CC as well?
I’d love to have a high quality version of this!

By: Patrick M

Patrick M — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:09:38 +0000

Oh also: Ha ha, Maud Reference!

By: Patrick M

Patrick M — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:08:51 +0000

Did this really not air? I kind of remember arguing with my baby sitter because she wanted to watch this, and I wanted to watch The Krypton Factor.

By: TheFifthSister

TheFifthSister — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:53:37 +0000

Was that footage shot in the UK? Hmm, I’d watch it JUST for the music…

By: Will

Will — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:42:55 +0000

I can’t wait to see the one episode where a washed up 80′s mainstay makes a guest appearance.

“Hey, look, it’s Billy Zabka! What are you doing in town?”

By: AverageJon

AverageJon — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:39:10 +0000

I expected more poo flinging.

By: Angelastic

Angelastic — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:32:04 +0000

@Len, I heard that the rest of the pilot was taped over with footage of the Yale Whiffenpoofs, but I so want to see that (assuming JoCo is in it.)

@Andy Simpson, ssshhh! (I saw them shooting something remarkably similar in Nottingham, so I’m crossing my fingers for a comeback of the show.)

By: Andy Simpson

Andy Simpson — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:24:32 +0000

It’s footage from the JoCo & Paul & Storm tour of the UK and Ireland, including views over the river Thames and the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, among a lot of other things.

By: Len

Len — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:22:09 +0000

I so want to see the whole pilot episode. Make it happen.

By: mattdiox

mattdiox — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:03:39 +0000

Im not very brite so was that real? or was it just for fun cause I always hate it when I think its really then saying ‘Wow i cant believe they didnt carry on with that’ and everyone looks at me like a crazy person

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:41:25 +0000

The four of you have aged very well.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:52:37 +0000

How’s that SF concert DVD coming along? I’ve got a big wad of cash in my pocket just waiting for that purchase.

That or you could come to Canada…. Play at a Quebecois Ferme des Arbres de Noël.

Yeah right.

By: Erik J

Erik J — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:47:37 +0000

Ah, that takes me back to the feel-good warm and fuzzy sitcoms of my childhood. I always thought those needed more monkeys

By: doug baker

doug baker — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:09:18 +0000

I don’t know about your acting, but I love your music and will be at your Denver show next year. Do you need any help selling those t-shirts, CD’s and other stuff? if so send me an e-mail.