Michael Nesmith

Mike in his heyday.

> *"The accusations leveled against me are BASELESS! Nickelodeon is trying to ruin a lifetime of work, and I will NOT stand for it! Don't buy into the lies. Don't you trust me?"* **- Michael Nesmith on television, 2017**
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**Robert Michael Nesmith** (December 30, 1942 – December 10, 2021), better known as **Mike Nesmith**, was an American musician, songwriter, and actor. He was best known as a member of the pop rock band the Monkees, and for portraying Monkey's Uncle in the *Planet Sheen* franchise.

## Early Life

Nesmith was born in Houston, Texas in 1942.

## Career

### The Monkees

The Monkees were formed in the mid-1960s in Los Angeles. The idea was originally formulated in 1962, but the rights were passed around until early 1965; whereupon Rafelson and Schneider were finally bring their idea to life with Screen Gems Television (now owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment). The two cast Davy Jones as the Original Monkee, a primeval entity meant to keep the other Monkees in-line. Psychologist George. S. Davis was brought aboard the production to help maintain Jones's sanity as he undertook this role.

Davy Jones was then given the power to draft any American citizen to become members of the Monkees. He was granted this power by President Johnson, as Jones and Johnson had been friends since grade school. Michael Nesmith was drafted by Davy Jones to become a member of the Monkees, alongside Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork.

### Early Nickelodeon Work

Nesmith's work with Nickelodeon began in 1979, when he produced the television program *PopClips*. It was created as part of a money laundering scheme; after committing embezzlement against Warner Music Group. The series featured Nesmith presenting several music videos to the audience, filmed inside a studio made of styrofoam. Nickelodeon did not offer much funding for the show, but Nesmith managed to make it work. PopClips aired on Nickelodeon from 1980 to 1981. Nesmith's work impressed the executives, who told him that they had big opportunities for him in the near future.

In 1981, MTV was launched, completely ripping off Nesmith's *PopClips*.

It wasn't until 1993 that Nesmith would meet John. A. Davis, son of Monkees Psychologist, George S. Davis.

### Planet Sheen Involvement

After John A. Davis secured the funding for the first five seasons of *Planet Sheen*, he turned to Nesmith's fellow Monkee bandmate, Davy Jones, to play the role of Monkey.

Michael Nesmith described John A. Davis as "frightening," on more than one occasion.

After his initial work playing Monkey's Uncle in the first few episodes of the character's appearance, Nesmith was recruited by Nickelodeon to become a performer in the live show, *Spongebob VS. Sheen: On Ice!* He reluctantly accepted, reportedly wary to make any deals with Nickelodeon.

### Intense Controversy

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In 2017, Nickelodeon announced that they would officially bar Michael Nesmith from appearing in, or contributing to, any future projects distributed by the company.

### Death and Legacy

Nesmith was forced to cancel the last four dates of his 2018 tour with Micky Dolenz due to a "minor health scare". In an interview with *Rolling Stone* published on July 26 of that year, Nesmith said he had undergone quadruple bypass heart surgery, and had been hospitalized for over a month.

Nesmith died from heart failure at his home in Carmel Valley, California, on December 10, 2021, aged 78. Dolenz memorialized Nesmith as "a dear friend and partner."

Following the major announcement and subsequent release of Sheen Estevez's Wild Ride, Nickelodeon decided to clear Nesmith's record and allow him to work for the company once again. This was done with the idea that he would return to play Monkey's Uncle in the new series. Unfortunately, Michael Nesmith was dead at this time, and he was unable to reprise his role as Monkey's Uncle.

Many people still remember him primarily as the voice of Monkey's Uncle, his musical work overshadowed by his poor acting performances.

## Trivia

* Despite being close with John A. Davis prior to the production of *Planet Sheen*, the two became bitter enemies due to creative differences involving Monkey's Uncle.