skipping the monkeys 

"Skipping the monkeys" is a metaphor for skipping past the boring stuff to get to the good stuff. 2001: A Space Odyssey, the film begins with an instrumental overture that lasts about 5 minutes and then there’s 15 minutes of, for lack of a better word, monkeys. I love 2001: A Space Odyssey and would never approve of fast forwarding through any part of the movie unless you’ve seen the movie many times and don’t necessarily want to sit through a slow part to get to the good stuff. -Scott Moschella

Let’s say you’re going to a concert. Who wants to sit through two lackluster opening acts to get to the headliner? I say, “Skip those monkeys!” Restless at work? Skip the monkeys and take an early lunch. Who cares how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop? Skip the monkeys and bite into that sucker. -Scott Moschella

skipping the monkeys by Scott Moschella May 13, 2005