Talk:Monkey (TV series)

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Monkey / Monkey Magic[edit]

If I recall, Monkey Magic was an animated series which aired on Fox; the series broadcast by the BBC in the late 70s was definitely live action (I used to watch it avidly), so I'm not sure that these are one and the same, although they are undoubtably derived from the same original story.

--David Breakey 17:40, 14 Dec 2004 (UTC)

(scrutinizes history) Ah, I see what happened. Somebody created an article on the animated Monkey Magic, and somebody else came along later and thought they meant the non-animated Monkey aka "Monkey Magic", and merged the two articles. --Paul A 03:50, 15 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Obtaining the series[edit]

I guess this means that it's not available in the US, huh? Bummer. Anyone know who I'd go prostrate myself to to try and get this changed? What's the deal with the copyright?

--David Breakey 19:21, 21 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I don't know what the deal is with the copyright: the page I was using as a source just says "The English version was released to Britain, Australia, and maybe even Canada, but has never been released to the US because of copyright problems."
For what it's worth, that site's FAQ says the series may get a US DVD release at some point. --Paul A 07:25, 22 Dec 2004 (UTC)
I could send you it, but I wouldn't want to inflict this terrible programme on you. — Gulliver ✉ 19:16, 7 May 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I think the live action series "Monkey!" was also colloquilly known as "Monkey Magic" due to the title song - which may have added to the confusion.

Re: chinese names and their english counterparts you say that Tripitakas name in Chinese is Xuanzang. The spelling I have is Hsüan Tsang, which is by the by - just different attempts to express the sounds in the Western alphabet. The point I was going to make is that in the series (as in the book) Tripitaka has this name at the beginning but is given the name Tripitaka when he commences his quest for the scriptures. Tripitaka means "three baskets" and is also the name of the scriptures themselves. I would imagine the name Tripitaka is used in the Japanese as well - it's Chinese in origin.

Actually I believe Tripitaka is Sanskrit in origin - see Wikipedia's article on Tripitaka. --PhilG

Chronology[edit]

"Monkey is released by the priest Tripitaka in 630 AD"... I don't recall this or any specific time period mentioned in the show. The only reference to year is in the theme of the 2nd series, where narrator says "The time might have been a thousand years ago." Be careful not to confuse the myth with the chronology of the real life "Tripitaka" (Xuanzang). --Jquarry 21:45, 21 September 2005 (UTC) -- Probably right. I've just re-watched the first three episodes (hence my edits), and it is frequently stated that Monkey had been in/under the mountain for 500 years. But I recall no exact date. Leegee23 (talk) 16:47, 22 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

630 AD is the timeframe for the original historical figure on which Journey to the West is based. However, that doesn't indicate that the show is set at this time. There is a line in a later episode mentioning that a drop of wine from the jade cup broken by Sandy in heaven was ingested by Ghengis Khan and that this caused great problems. This would be anachronistic for the 630 AD setting.

Remake[edit]

A remake is currently being shown on Japanese television. It stars Kattori Shingo (from Japanese Pop Band "Smap") in the lead role and is very popular, despite the majority of the audience (youngsters) not realising that it is indeed a remake. Incidentally, the original star of Monkey (Sakai Maasaki) is a relatively popular TV celebrity, often appearing on various Quiz Shows and once having his own cooking show. He hasn't changed much! By Milly - 20th January.

The new show doesn't seem to be a replica remake. But its good nonetheless, having some funny moments (and It would probably be funnier if my Japanese was better). Shingo Katori really hams up his Monkey/Son-Goku moments. Here's the J-wiki article, and Fuji's site --ZayZayEM 06:31, 5 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Odd sentence[edit]

" Companies from South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Malaysia and the United Kingdom are not trying to secure rights to broadcast this 11 episode first series. "

If they aren't, then this sentence is redundant. Or is someone having a laugh?White43 (talk) 16:31, 9 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Fair use rationale for Image:DVD-Monkey-Episodes-1-3.jpg[edit]

Image:DVD-Monkey-Episodes-1-3.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 06:48, 2 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Fair use rationale for Image:Monkey-magic-single-cover.jpg[edit]

Image:Monkey-magic-single-cover.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 22:32, 2 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Fair use rationale for Image:Monkey-masaaki-sakai-photo.jpg[edit]

Image:Monkey-masaaki-sakai-photo.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 22:33, 2 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Spoken word introduction[edit]

This says: Each episode of the English language series begins with the following spoken word introduction, given in a dramatically breathless faux-oriental accent:

Why "faux"? The narrator is Bert Kwouk isn't he? His Chinese accent is entirely genuine having grown up in Shanghai. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.74.11.226 (talk) 12:05, 6 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]


When Bert Kwouk did 'Kung Fu Night' on BBC2 many, many years ago his voice sounded slightly similar to his speech during the opening narration. If he was using his 'normal' voice for kung fu night, the voice he used during the opening narration was overly 'put on' —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.3.206.254 (talk) 01:49, 9 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Japanese Release/Subtitles[edit]

Does anyone know if the series was ever released in its original Japanese with subtitles? Having watched the series in English a fair few times, I'd love to know what the episodes were really about! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.3.206.254 (talk) 01:46, 9 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The thirteen unaired episodes are available on DVD in the original Japanese with English subtitles. Wayne (talk) 08:25, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

In the opening sentence, the phrase "- but not a subtitling of the original version -" seems unnecessary and confusing. Shall we delete it? Earthlyreason (talk) 08:55, 20 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Buddhist Symbolims[edit]

The article doesn't yet have any great reference to or list of Buddhist symbols, yet the whole show is a Buddhist tale, rich in parables, symbols, and references. Most of these are explained in narration or dialogue, such as Tripitaka's name be explained as meaning "three baskets" (Ep.02): The Tripitaka being about as close to a Canon as Buddhism comes. Monkey: buddhist symbol for the opposite of enlightenment, the chattering monkey mind being the opposite of the zen mind. Worth listing? Leegee23 (talk) 16:52, 22 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

countries where this t.v. show was aired[edit]

this show aired in the early 1980s in Uruguay, dubbed into Spanish.

it was also for us a 6 o'clock tradition.

did i mention we also have tea? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.227.158.153 (talk) 08:03, 1 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]

edit on where the show aired[edit]

i watched this show as a child in uruguay, in spanish. i thought that it would be important to denote the fact that the show was aired little after production in non english speaking countries. i suspect the bbc themselves translated the show. i went ahead and edited the article.

this is all i have added to the article:

"The show aired in Uruguay (dubbed into Spanish) in the early 1980's." 

—Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.227.158.153 (talk) 08:21, 1 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]

i agree that there is a lack guidance in the article as to the origins of the story[edit]

the story 'a journey to the west' upon which this show is based is one of the four classics of chinese literature.

the show itself is a spring of Buddhist teachings.

i agree. we need a reference to Buddhism .but i would not know how to properly express that. i dare not edit the article in reference to Buddhism.


but for the hell of it, here is the text of the introduction to season one:

“In the worlds before Monkey, primal chaos reigned. Heaven sought order, but the 

phoenix can fly only when it's feathers are grown. The four worlds formed again

and yet again, As endless aeons wheeled and passed. Time and the pure essences of 

Heaven, the moistures of the Earth,and the powers of the Sun and the Moon all
worked upon a certain rock - old as creation, and it magically became fertile...

that first egg was named 'thought' tathagata buddha, the father buddha said: with our thoughts we make the world 

Elemental forces caused the egg to hatch. From it then
came a stone monkey... The nature of Monkey was irrepressible!"



—Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.227.158.153 (talk) 08:30, 1 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Pigsy's voice in second series[edit]

The article lists Peter Woodthorpe as the voiceover for Pigsy. In the second series though there is a new Japanese actor, and also a huge and noticeable diference in the voice. Is this really Peter Woodthorpe with a new voice for the new persona? Or is it another voiceover actor? Tried researching this and haven't got an answer yet, and the videos themselves are not credited with voiceover artists (alas). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bwechner (talk • contribs) 21:47, 23 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I don't think Pigsy's voice change coincides with the actor change. I've got hold of all 52 episodes, and I've noticed that the 39 episodes that were dubbed in English for the original run don't list the voice actors in the credits, but the remaining 13 episodes (which are all from the 2nd season) dubbed in 2004 do. The actors listed in the credits of those episodes are: David Collings (Monkey), Peter Woodthorpe (Pigsy), Gareth Armstrong (Sandy), Maria Warburg (Tripitaka), Andrew Sachs (Yu-Lung/Dragon) & Burt Kwouk (Narrator). To my ears, Monkey & Tripitaka sound like the original voice actors (I've read elsewhere that Miriam Margolyes originally voiced Tripitaka, but I don't believe that); Sandy is a bit different, but could well be the original voice actor (the difference being due to age); Pigsy sounds very different, and Burt Kwouk was obviously not the original narrator. In the 2nd season episodes that were dubbed for the original run, Pigsy's voice is the same as in the 1st season, even though the character was played by a different Japanese actor. Monkey fans sites list Peter Woodthorpe as Pigsy's original voice actor, but I'm not sure whether that's true. If it is, he must have forgotten how to do the voice by 2004. Philgp (talk) 01:30, 11 December 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Monkey Heaven seems to have some lots of info, and this page claims that all the original voice actors except Frank Duncan (the narrator), who died in 1995, were used to dub the additional 13 episodes in 2004. That site also mentions that Peter Woodthorpe died only a month after completing his work on those episodes, which makes my above comment about him having forgotten how to do Pigsy's voice seem a bit harsh, now. Philgp (talk) 02:20, 11 December 2011 (UTC)[reply]

movie version[edit]

There is apparently a movie version - I'm watching it on (Australian) SBS at the moment. Clearly based on the original, although the visual FX suggest it is fairly recent (last few years). Here's all I could find about it - SBS Monkey. Manning (talk) 12:14, 24 December 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I just found the IMDB page as well. The credits for the movie rolled over the "In Gandara" song, which ended the TV shows. Manning (talk) 12:21, 24 December 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Aus/NZ Remake 2017/8[edit]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-20/monkey-magic-to-get-a-reboot/8457782

No Asian actors (the original used Japanese, rather than Chinese!) - social and MSM already decrying this http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/why-are-there-no-chinese-actors-in-the-legend-of-the-monkey/news-story/924ec24dc29831d70a4f2836e4d91e2b

"Like remaking a Jackie Chan movie using Chuck Norris "

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitewashing_in_film 60.242.247.177 (talk) 01:36, 24 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

"Remakes"[edit]

Please be careful declaring that this series has been "remade"/"rebooted" or will be "remade"/"rebooted". There needs to be credible sources that specifically link the project to this 70s Japanese TV series, not just the "Journey to the West" story in general, which is being adapted/reinterpreted all the time. I've removed references to other media adaptations of the original 16th century story. 90.205.60.92 (talk) 21:49, 10 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Red links[edit]

As per WP:RED, "a red link should be allowed to remain in an article if it links to a term that could plausibly sustain an article... Do not remove red links unless you are certain that Wikipedia should not have an article on the subject". 2.127.111.101 (talk) 17:37, 12 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

WP:RED also states that a red link should be created "to indicate that a page will be created soon or that an article should be created for the topic because the subject is notable and verifiable". Do you have plans to do that? As I stated in my previous edit summary, these have been red links for a long time, in fact since 2012, with no article linkage. Also, is every screenwriter/producer/director for a television programme automatically deserving of an article? WP:GNG requires that "If a topic has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject, it is presumed to be suitable for a stand-alone article" [all emphasis in the original]. Blurryman (talk) 21:42, 12 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, most screenwriters/producers/directors of a famous show like Monkey are "deserving" of an article, i.e. they are notable. Many of the sources are in Japanese language which likely explains why articles have not been created yet. Anyway, there are far more serious concerns with this article, especially lack of citations, to address first. 2.127.111.101 (talk) 13:39, 13 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

UK broadcast - BBC?[edit]

I am looking for full proof, but I am quite sure Monkey was originally dubbed into English and broadcast on Wales HTV. (Now ITV Wales and West) HTV has had a long history of taking non-English language TV series from around the world and dubbing them into both English and Welsh. Indeed, Welsh broadcasting of Japanese anime was already well established by the mid 1970s. I distinctly remember an episode of Marine Boy being accidentally broadcast in Japanese on HTV. After favourable responses, many programmes then found their way to other ITV networks and the BBC. The greater the response, the more likely the transition from HTV to BBC. HTV, though a commercial channel, worked closely with BBC Wales in production of BBC's own Welsh language broadcasts. It is therefore no surprise Journey to the West would end up being broadcast nationally by the BBC. So far I have not obtained documentary proof, but as HTV already had an established dubbing and translation process for Japanese to English and Welsh, it does not seem much of a leap to guess HTV were heavily involved in bringing Monkey to UK screens. Perhaps it was broadcast on HTV in Wales and BBC (BBC-2) in the rest of the country near simultaneously. The short time between the first Japanese broadcasts and the first UK broadcasts listed would indicate this may have been the case. Comments please. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:470:1E01:2:657E:3888:4786:F45D (talk) 08:39, 14 October 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Removal of unnecessary fancruft to talkpage[edit]

As per WP:FANCRUFT, I have moved this section from the article because the production crew is not notable.

146.200.202.126 (talk) 16:21, 25 July 2022 (UTC)[reply]

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