The story follows Brian Auger and his assistant (Driscoll) as they take The Monkees through various stages of evolution until they are ready to brainwash the world via commercial exploitation.

Charles Darwin appears and, disapproving of Auger's methods, introduces him and the Monkees to evolution, in the form of a psychedelic dance performance ("Only the Fittest Shall Survive").

With the process complete, Auger introduces the Monkees to a gig at the Paramount Theater on December 7, 1956, and describes them as "idolized, plasticized, psychoanalyzed, and sterilized".

The four, dressed in outlandish 1950s vocal group gear, then immediately launch into a classic '50s rock medley: "At the Hop", "Shake a Tail Feather", "Little Darlin'", "Peppermint Twist", backed up by Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Fats Domino, We Three and the Clara Ward Singers.

In a warehouse full of instruments and props, Davy stands atop a high staircase performing Bill Dorsey's "String for My Kite".

As the song progresses, they are joined by Auger, Driscoll, Buddy Miles and an assortment of partygoers and musicians, until the music turns into a climactic frantic cacophony.

Music sessions with Bones Howe and Michael Nesmith producing commenced in mid-November, with the final taping of the special occurring at the end of the month.

Before production started, a strike at NBC almost meant that the special could not be taped; however, stage space was found at MGM Studios in Culver City, and the sets were transported there.

[citation needed] Michael Nesmith, in liner notes for The Monkees Anthology CD compilation, called 33+1⁄3 "the TV version of Head".

Unhappy with the final edit, NBC decided to air it on the West Coast opposite The 41st Academy Awards on ABC.

The version of 33+1⁄3 Revolutions per Monkee released individually in January 1997 (R3 2284) has been on file for years at The Museum of Television & Radio (now known as the Paley Center for Media) in New York City, with good sound quality, a fuzzy picture and the segments in original broadcast order.

The DVD version features two commentary tracks; one by Brian Auger and the other by Micky Dolenz, who has mixed feelings about the program.

The special was remastered for the Monkees' 50th Anniversary Blu-Ray box set, but due to licensing restrictions, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" was edited out from the medley.