Good news and bad news for fans of USA’s Monk TV show. The network has renewed it for an eight season but has also announced that there won’t be a ninth year of dysfunctional sleuthing.
Monk tells the tale of Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a brilliant San Francisco detective who, after the death of his wife in a car bombing, has a nervous breakdown. After being a recluse for three years, Monk returns to the force, barely able to control his obsessive-compulsive disorder. Monk’s many phobias make it difficult for him to function but, because he’s hyper-aware of the world around him, he’s an incredibly observant sleuth.
Though they’re often irritated by his disorder, Captain Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) and Lieutenant Randall “Randy” Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) utilize Monk’s abilities cases get tough. Monk is helped by assistant Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) and later by Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard).
The TV show debuted on July 12, 2002 on the USA network. The show began as a modest success and grew its audience to an average of 6.1 million viewers in season six. This year’s episodes have been averaging five million viewers, 40% of which are from the desirable 18-49 demographic. The numbers are even more impressive when you consider that the series airs on Friday nights, a little-watched night of television.
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USA has renewed the series for an eighth season of 16 episodes but those will end the series. With the show’s viewership still growing, why finish it now? The decision to end the series is said to be a mutual one between all parties involved. Though they maintain that they want to end Monk while the show is still on top creatively, the reason for the cancellation comes down to dollars and cents. As the seasons have progressed, production costs have increased and the network likely finds it hard to justify episodes’ high pricetags.
USA’s Executive VP of Original Programming, Jeff Wachtel, assures that viewers won’t be disappointed by the final episodes. In a statement, he said, “Our fans have been extremely dedicated, and season eight should prove to be a very satisfying reward.” It’s rumored that the final episodes will bring the character full circle, centering around the killer of Monk’s beloved wife.
A special holiday episode of Monk is slated for November 28th and season seven episodes will continue in January 2009. Monk’s last 16 episodes are scheduled to begin airing sometime next summer. Stay tuned! 
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GET RID OF HOUSE AND ALL THE MONEY THEY’LL BE SAVING THEY CAN PUT IT INTO MONK – HOUSE IS A WASTE OF TIME AND SOMEONE MENTIONED HOW ARRAGONT MONK IS – WHAT A JOKE, HE IS THE MAN – THE MAN WHO DOES NOTHING FOR ME AND ALOT MORE IS HOUSE. MONK ROCKS!! MAYBE ANOTHER NETWORK SHOULD PICK HIM UP AND ALL THE FOLLOWERS THAT COME ALONG WITH IT.
@ peter mandeville: Monk has won and been nominated Emmy Awards, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild.
house isn’t even on the same network. house is made on nbc NOT usa network. so don’t cancel house. but don’t cancel monk
I loved Monk until Sharona left. I tried watching with Natalie – i found her to be a terrible replacement – never watched it again – bring Sharona back and renew the show!
I agree with the previous post. Bring back Sharona, get rid of Natalie…and Renew the Show!
I love them both. Sharona was personality plus. I miss the edge she added to the show. She had that “something” I can’t quite find in my mousy personality, and I loved watching her. She was just right. But Natalie is adorable – a different character completely. She is gentleness and charm. She is milder than Sharona. We need that on TV. It portrays the way many people really are (or would like to be). How do you handle someone like Monk? Or any difficult person? Take a lesson from Natalie. But I do miss Sharona.
I am a pyschotherapist, & as such, my enjoyment & admiration is twofold. Watching Tony Shahoub (Monk) struggle with his dysfunctions is both poignant & funny. I am considering (sort of) starting a group for my friends & colleagues who will be going through withdrawal when Monk goes off the air. Please keep him on as long as possible as we are not ready for him to abandon us.
Psychologically yours,
Marion Shanker, MFT
Long Beach, CA
I’ve loved Tony Shalaub ever since he was on “Wings”—-he was so darn sexy in those tight fitting levis. But, as Monk—I just simply can’t accept the weekend without my beloved “MONK” I can’t understand why the show is getting cancelled unless Tony wants to do other projects.I can’t stand “HOUSE”—why can’t they cancel him instead? I guess if I have to say goodbye to Monk, I might be the one needing a psychotherpist—bring back Walker, Texas Ranger in Monk’s place- sasquaw
I discovered MONK in 2007 and have faithfully watched every week since. I go to the library and check-out each season from time to time
The more I watch it, the more I find habits of myself [ NOT to the extremes of his ].
I will watch to the end…..and PRAY for a reconcideration of the network Executives to bring back “Good clean progamming” to their lineup.
Thank you for many years of amusing mysteries.
“May the SON always
shine in your eyes”
Monk is a great show. I too discovered it about 2 yrs ago and have tvo it and watch it with my family. YES, I was able to watch it as a family…unlike all those programs with so much sex in them that you look forward to the commercials LOL. I’m not a prude, but MONK, HOUSE, PHYSIC and CHUCK are the three shows I look forward too. They are funny without having to use words that are not necessary or apporpriate. PLEASE DON’T CANCEL THESE SHOWS.
I AM GOING MISS THE SHOW VERY MUCH I HOPE KEEP IT IN MY HEART
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