Monk (TV series)

Monk

Monk Title Screen (season 2-season 7)
Format Dramedy
Police Procedural
Created by Andy Breckman
Starring Tony Shalhoub
Traylor Howard
Ted Levine
Jason Gray-Stanford
Opening theme Instrumental theme by Jeff Beal (season 1)
"It's a Jungle out There" by Randy Newman (season 2-Present)
Ending theme Instrumental theme by Jeff Beal (season 1)
"It's a Jungle out There" (instrumental) (season 2-Present)
Country of origin Flag of the United States.svg United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 7
No. of episodes 102 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive
producer(s)
Andy Breckman
David Hoberman
Tony Shalhoub
Rob Thompson
Tom Scharpling
Camera setup Jessica Phelps
Running time 45 minutes (approx.)
Broadcast
Original channel USA Network
Picture format 480i
Original run July 12 2002 – 2009/2010
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Monk is an American dramedy series created by Andy Breckman and starring Tony Shalhoub as the title character. The show debuted on July 12, 2002, on the USA Network; its seventh season started July 18, 2008 at 9/8c pm, and it has been renewed for an eighth and final season. The last 16 episodes are expected to begin airing Summer 2009.[1][2]

Contents

Plot

Adrian Monk was a brilliant detective who worked for the San Francisco Police Department until his wife, Trudy, was killed by a car bomb, which Monk believed was intended for him (the killer eventually confesses to him that was not the case). Trudy's death led Monk to suffer a nervous breakdown. He was discharged from the force and became a recluse, refusing to leave his house for over three years. With the help of Registered Nurse Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram), he was finally able to leave the house. The breakthrough allowed him to work as a private detective and a consultant for the homicide unit despite remaining limitations rooted in his obsessive-compulsive disorder, which had grown significantly worse after the tragedy.

Monk's compulsive habits are numerous, and a number of phobias compound his situation. The OCD and plethora of phobias inevitably lead to very awkward situations and cause problems for Monk, and anyone around him, as he goes about investigating the cases. However, these same personal struggles, particularly the OCD, are what aid him in solving cases, resulting in his catchphrase, “It’s a gift...and a curse.”

Captain Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) and Lieutenant Randall "Randy" Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) call on Monk when they have trouble with an investigation. Stottlemeyer is often irritated by Monk's disorder, but respects his friend and former colleague's amazing observational abilities, as does Disher. Ever since childhood, Monk's obsessive attention to detail allowed him to spot tiny discrepancies, find patterns, and make connections that others often fail to make. Monk continues to search for information about his wife's death, the one case he has been unable to solve.

When Sharona decides to re-marry her ex-husband and moves back to New Jersey, Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard), a widow and mother of an eleven-year-old daughter, is hired as Monk's new assistant. Monk has a brother, Ambrose, and a half-brother, Jack Jr.[3]

Characters

Main article: List of Monk characters

Main characters

Jason Gray-Stanford, Traylor Howard and Tony Shalhoub sign autographs at Edwards Air Force Base after the filming of the episode, Mr. Monk and the Astronaut.
Name Occupation Portrayed By Starring Seasons
Adrian Monk Former SFPD detective and current crime consultant Tony Shalhoub 1-
Natalie Teeger Second Assistant to Adrian Monk, after Sharona Traylor Howard 3-
Captain Leland Stottlemeyer SFPD Police captain: Robbery, Homicide Ted Levine 1-
Lieutenant Randy Disher SFPD Police lieutenant: Robbery, Homicide Jason Gray-Stanford 1-
Sharona Fleming Monk's first assistant Bitty Schram 1-3

Secondary characters

Episodes

Main article: List of Monk episodes

Every episode's title begins with "Mr. Monk…" with the exception of "Mr. and Mrs. Monk"(Season 4 episode 6). While solving a murder is the plot for most episodes, there are a few episodes in which Monk helps investigate other crimes, such as a kidnapping in the Season 2 episode, Mr. Monk and the Missing Granny.

In Season 7, Mr. Monk is said to have solved his 100th case, a milestone in his career. However, in the season 5 episode Mr. Monk and the Big Game, it is revealed that Monk has already solved 104 murder investigations to that date. The season 7 episode Mr. Monk's 100th Case is however the series' 100th episode. Most likely it could be his 100th case since Trudy's death.

Production

According to an interview with executive producer David Hoberman[8], ABC first conceived the series as a police show with an Inspector Clouseau-like character suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Hoberman said ABC wanted Michael Richards for the show[8], but Richards turned it down. Hoberman brought in Andy Breckman as creator, and Breckman, inspired by Sherlock Holmes, introduced a Doctor Watson-like character as Monk's nurse and an Inspector Lestrade-like character which eventually became Captain Stottlemeyer.

Although ABC originated the show, the network handed it off to the USA Network. USA is now owned by NBC (NBC Universal).[9] Monk was the first ABC Studios-produced show (formerly Touchstone Television) aired on USA Network instead of ABC. On January 12, 2006, USA Network announced that Monk had been picked up through at least season six as one of the "highest-rated series in cable history."[10] Season 5 premiered Friday, July 7, 2006, at 9 p.m. Eastern time. This marked the first-time change for the program, which aired at 10 p.m. during its first four seasons. The change allowed the show to work as a lead-in to a new USA Network series, Psych, another offbeat detective program. Monk has followed a consistent format of airing half of its 16 episodes in the summer and the second half in the winter.

Previously aired episodes of Monk began airing on NBC Universal sibling network NBC April 6, 2008. NBC eyed the show because its block with Psych could be plugged into NBC's schedule intact. The shows are being used to increase the amount of scripted programming on the network as production of its own scripted programming ramp back up following the writers' strike.[11] Ratings for the broadcast debut were well below NBC averages for the time period. The show came in third behind Big Brother 9 on CBS and Oprah's Big Give on ABC.[12]

Location

Although set in San Francisco and its area, Monk is for the most part shot elsewhere except for occasional exteriors featuring city landmarks. The pilot episode was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the subsequent Season 1 episodes were shot in the Toronto, Ontario, area[13]. Most of the episodes in Seasons 2-6 were filmed in the Los Angeles, California, area, including on-stage at Ren-Mar Studios for seasons 2-5 and at Paramount Studios for season 6 (these include Adrian’s apartment, Stottlemeyer's precinct house, Dr. Kroger’s office and Natalie’s house)[14].

Theme music

During the first season of Monk, the series used a jazzy instrumental intro to the show by songwriter Jeff Beal, performed by guitarist Grant Geissman.[15] The theme won the 2003 Emmy Award for Best Main Title Music.[16] When the second season began, the series had new theme music, a song entitled "It's a Jungle out There", by Randy Newman. Reaction to the new theme was mixed. A review of the second season of Monk in the New York Daily News included a wish that producers would revert to the original theme.[17] Shalhoub expressed his support for the new theme in USA Today, saying its "dark and mournful sound,...[its] tongue-in-cheek, darkly humorous side.... completely fits the tone of the show."[18] Newman was awarded the 2004 Emmy Award for Best Main Title Music for "It's a Jungle out There."[19] This debate was referenced in the episode "Mr. Monk and the TV Star," which features an actor who plays a detective in a TV show, and several characters mention an in-story controversy over the change of that show's theme music, including obsessed fan Marci Maven, played by Sarah Silverman. In the epilogue of the story, she implores Monk to promise her that he will never change the theme music if he ever gets his own show. When Monk agrees to the promise (only so he can go back to bed), the original music is heard as the scene fades to credits.

The original theme is also heard in episode 8 of season 3 as Monk drives to Los Angeles with his neighbor and father-in-law. It is also heard in several other episodes as the show enters the credits and then kicks into the new theme's instrumental.

For the season 6 episode, "Mr. Monk and the Rapper," guest star Snoop Dogg performed a hip-hop version of "It's a Jungle out There," and he accompanied Monk with "Here's What Happened" in rap form.

The June 16 2008 re-airing of the first episode featured a new credit sequence with the Newman theme.

Sharona vs. Natalie

During Season 3—after appearing in her 37th episode—Bitty Schram left the show, possibly as a result of a contract dispute.[20] Schram's replacement was Traylor Howard (as Natalie Teeger). Some fans were unhappy with the change,[21] while others appear to prefer Natalie.[22] As of Mr. Monk and the Really, Really Dead Guy, Natalie has appeared in more episodes than Sharona. One notable difference between the two assistants is that Sharona calls Monk by his first name, Adrian, while Natalie calls him Mr. Monk (although at the end of the episode Mr. Monk Gets Drunk Natalie referred to Monk as Adrian.)

The 2007 novel "Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants" had Sharona returning to get her job back after her husband was arrested for murder, thus clashing with Natalie. When both are framed for murder, they share a talk in their jail cell and bond over their feelings about working with Monk. Eventually, Monk clears both of them, and Sharona goes back to New Jersey with her husband, knowing Monk was in good hands with Natalie.

Other media

Soundtrack

The show's soundtrack features its original music score.

Novels

Lee Goldberg has written several novels based on the show.[23] The novels are written through the eyes of Natalie, Mr. Monk's assistant. The first novel, Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse, was the basis for the fifth season episode "Mr. Monk Can't See a Thing."

Title Author ISBN Release date
Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse Lee
Goldberg
ISBN 0-451-21729-2 January, 2006
Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii ISBN 0-451-21900-7 30 June, 2006
Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu ISBN 0-451-22013-7 January, 2007
Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants ISBN 0-451-22097-8 3 July, 2007
Mr. Monk in Outer Space ISBN 0-451-22098-6 30 October, 2007
Mr. Monk Goes to Germany ISBN 0-451-22099-4 1 July, 2008
Mr. Monk is Miserable ISBN 0-451-22515-5 2 December, 2008

DVD releases

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has released the first six seasons of Monk on DVD in Regions 1 and 2 for the very first time. Monk episodes from seasons 1–7 are now available on iTunes; seasons 6 and 7 are also available in HD.

Title Region 1 Region 2 Region 3
Season One June 15, 2004 December 27, 2004 January 20, 2005
Season Two January 11, 2005 July 18, 2005 September 19, 2005
Season Three June 5, 2005 February 27, 2006 March 7, 2006
Season Four June 27, 2006 September 18, 2006 TBA
Season Five June 26, 2007 September 17, 2007 TBA
Season Six July 8, 2008 September 8, 2008  –
Season Seven TBA 2009 TBA 2009 TBA 2009
Seasons 1–4

(The Obsessive Compulsive Collection)

June 27, 2006 November 20, 2006
(R2 has different cover art)
Seasons 1–5 N/A October 22, 2007
(only available in R2)
Seasons 1–6

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of Monk (TV series) awards and nominations

Awards won

Emmy Awards:

Golden Globe Awards:

Screen Actors Guild:

Award nominations

Emmy Awards:

Golden Globe Awards:

Screen Actors Guild:

Broadcasters

Region TV Network(s)
Arab World MBC 4
Asia STAR World
Latin America Universal Channel Hallmark Channel
Country Alternate title/Translation TV Network(s) Series Premiere
Flag of Australia.svg Australia Ten HD (first run)
and TV1 (re-runs)
Flag of Austria Austria ORF 1
Flag of Belgium Belgium VTM
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina FTV
Flag of Brazil Brazil Monk, um detetive diferente
(Monk, a different detective)
Rede Record
Flag of Bulgaria Bulgaria Монк (Monk) bTV
GTV
Diema
January 3, 2007 (bTV)
August 19, 2008 (GTV)
September 22, 2008 (Diema)
Flag of Canada Canada A-Channel, Citytv, TVA (French), Canal Mystère (French)
Flag of Colombia Colombia Record
Flag of Croatia Croatia HRT 2
Flag of Cyprus Cyprus Ντετέκτιβ Μόνκ
("Detective Monk")
CyBC October 8, 2006
Flag of the Czech Republic Czech Republic Můj přítel Monk
("My friend Monk")
TV NOVA
Flag of Denmark Denmark Monk (Canal+)/
Detektiv Monk (TV 2 Charlie/TV 2)
Canal+ (first run), TV 2 Charlie (re-runs), TV 2 (first run on national television)
Flag of Estonia Estonia TV 3 September 6, 2003
Flag of Finland Finland YLE September 11, 2004
Flag of France France Monk TF1 March 22, 2003
Flag of Germany Germany RTL June 29, 2004
Flag of Greece Greece Ντετέκτιβ Μονκ
("Detective Monk")
Star Channel
Flag of Hong Kong Hong Kong 神探阿蒙
("Detective Monk")
TVB (Season 5) September 18, 2003
Flag of Hungary Hungary Monk, a flúgos nyomozó
("Monk, the nutter detective")
Viasat3
Flag of Iceland Iceland Stöð 2
Flag of India India STAR World
Flag of Ireland Ireland RTÉ Finished showing Season 6
Flag of Israel Israel מונק Israel 10
and Hallmark
and Star World
Flag of Italy Italy Monk Rete 4
Joy
June 9, 2005
May 1, 2008
Flag of Japan Japan 名探偵モンク [Meitantei Monk]
("Great detective Monk")
NHK BS-2 May 30, 2004
Country Alternate title/Translation TV Network(s) Series Premiere
Flag of Kenya Kenya Kenya Television Network
Flag of Lithuania Lithuania Detektyvas Monkas ("Detective Monk") Tango Tv September 6, 2003
Flag of South Korea South Korea 탐정 몽크 [Tam Jeong Monk]
("Detective Monk")
KBS 2TV & FOX KBS : Only Broadcast Season 3
Flag of Mexico Mexico 4tv, The Hallmark Channel, Universal Channel
Flag of the Netherlands Netherlands SBS6 December 6, 2007
Flag of New Zealand New Zealand Channel 3 and SKY 1
Flag of Norway Norway TV2 Zebra February 19, 2008
Flag of the Philippines Philippines Star World
Flag of Poland Poland Detektyw Monk
("Detective Monk")
TVN (free-tv-premiere), TVN Siedem (re-runs)
Canal+ (first run), Canal+ Film (re-runs)
Universal Channel (re-runs)
April 11, 2003
Flag of Portugal Portugal TVI and FX
Flag of Romania Romania Pro Cinema
Flag of the Republic of Macedonia Republic of Macedonia Kanal 5
Flag of Russia Russia Дефективный детектив
("Defective Detective")
Channel One 2006, first season only
Детектив Монк
("Detective Monk")
Telekanal Zvezda
Flag of Serbia Serbia RTS
Flag of Slovakia Slovakia Monk Markíza
Flag of Slovenia Slovenia POP TV September 8, 2004
Flag of South Africa South Africa SABC 2
Flag of Spain Spain Calle 13 cable/satellite
Canal 9 (Valencian Community)
ETB2 (Basque Country)
8tv (Catalonia)
TVG (Galicia)
TV Canaria (Canary Islands)
Telemadrid (Community of Madrid)
Flag of Sweden Sweden Canal+ Film 1 (first run)
and Kanal 9 (re-runs)
April 8, 2003
Flag of Switzerland Switzerland SF 2, 3+, TSI 1, TSR 1
Flag of the Republic of China Taiwan Monk 神經妙探 Videoland — W Movie Channel July 14, 2004
Flag of Thailand Thailand Star World
Flag of Turkey Turkey Dizimax, TNT Turkey
Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom BBC, Hallmark Channel
Flag of the United States.svg United States USA Network (original airing)
and Universal HD (syndication)
and NBC (syndication)
July 12, 2002

References

  1. "USA sets more 'Monk'". Variety.com. Retrieved on 2008-11-15.
  2. "'Monk': USA TV Show to End After Eight Years, No Season Nine". TVseriesfinale.com. Retrieved on 2008-11-18.
  3. "Mr. Monk Meets His Dad". 'Monk'. November 17, 2006. No. 9, season 5.
  4. Tony Shalhoub and Hector Elizondo talk about season seven of Monk - TV Squad
  5. "Dr. Neven Bell". USA Network. Retrieved on 2008-07-10.
  6. Monk TV Series News -Emmy Award-Winner Hector Elizondo To Appear In Monk
  7. Ryan, Joal (2008-04-09). "Monk Psychiatrist Dies", E! Entertainment Television. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Mr Monk and His Origins", a special feature packaged with the Season One DVDs
  9. "Monk FAQ". USA Network (September 21, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  10. USA Network (January 12 2006). "USA Network Announces Fifth & Sixth Season Pick-Up and Acquisition of Back-End Strip Rights of the Award-Winning Original Series MONK". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
  11. Hibberd, James (2007-12-18). "'Monk,' 'Psych' to Get NBC Run", TelevisionWeek, Crain Communications Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-04-10. 
  12. "Monk, Psych stumble in a shift to NBC", Reuters / Hollywood Reporter (2008-04-08). Retrieved on 2008-04-12. 
  13. IMDB - Monk Filming Locations
  14. Monk Set Visit II
  15. "Grant Geissman - Biography". Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
  16. "Monk - The Show: Theme Song". Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
  17. Bianculli, David (2003-06-17). "Detective's defective, show isn't", New York Daily News. Retrieved on 2006-09-16. 
  18. "The Monk Fun Page". Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
  19. "Chronology — Randy Newman". Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
  20. Wallenstein, Andrew (2004-08-31). "No Sharona — Bitty Schram leaves Monk", MSNBC News. Retrieved on 2006-09-16. 
  21. Byrne, Bridget (2006-07-09). "'Monk' madness", 'The Portsmouth Herald'. Retrieved on 2006-09-16. 
  22. TV.com Forums - Sharona vs Natalie
  23. The Official Website of Lee Goldberg

External links