The cool and calculating Texan sixstringer is the team's main brain and mature master of sang-froid, yet Mike is not a man without heart and soul. His bandmates recognize these qualities of strength, and this puts Mike in a position of being de facto, if unofficial, chief of the band. His are the schemes and plots most likely to work out; his cleverness outwits man and machine; his calm drawling charm and assurance can melt the hearts of lady bikers and stern female judges; his plain-talking wisdom can move the stony souls of the damned. And on the rare occasions Mike is out of range when the other three need help, "I-wish-Mike-were-here" becomes the trio's corporate lament.

That's not to say that Mike doesn't have his flaws, the biggest being his gullibility when his dreams of fame are played upon by devious sharps ready to pull the wool hat over those keen peepers...and that's when he becomes the biggest-eyed naïf of the whole group. At times like these, his loyal friends are ready to grab his feet and pull him back down to reality.

Mike's mug has a tendency to convey his thoughts to us about the action on-screen via takes to the camera, as can be seen time and again when he gives us That Look of disbelief, disgust, disapproval, or incomprehension to us which conveys that this harebrained statement or scheme wasn't his idea, with the occasional glances of surprise or amusement when he is caught off-guard by humor or the unexpected.

But Mike is never placed out of cadence and is always in command of himself when he is on-stage before his public - can confidence be lost when a good guitar player is holding a Gretsch in his grasp? And never is he more sure of himself than when he is singing one of his own country-flavored ballads with a unique, edgy drive.

Indeed, he seems more comfortable with the pressure of the spotlight on him than he does in the middle of any party or club where he is performing. Note that Nez is content enough to watch the action, but you will never see the lad busting a move with the other kids on a dance floor.

Mad Molly's personal collection here of GhettoScope™ gold - fansite-quality screensnaps to share with you! Take all you want, but host all you take if you want to use them on your own fansite. If you choose to host them, a mention of this site would be nice so that all Monkees fans can have some, too. Thanks, and enjoy!

MICHAEL NESMITH IN GHETTOSCOPE™ !!