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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I’m really gonna miss the show
one of my favorite shows of all-time !
this is one of the best shows ever, cut “white collar” it’s stupid and put the money ti cintinue monk
The show was not canceled — there is a difference between a series being canceled and coming to a proper conclusion. If Monk were ending prematurely then yes that would be a sign of cancelation (ABC Family’s Kyle XY was sadly canceled after season 3 — no season 4 and the third season ends with a big cliffhanger; USA Network’s Monk though has a decent series finale — I hear in the final episode Monk will solve his wife Trudy’s murder).
Please don’t spread misinformation of the show’s ending and suggest its demise — do not say the show was canceled when it wasn’t. The show has been on the air for 8 seasons — after 100+ episodes the writers must have been struggling with ideas for new story lines (eventually you run out of ideas) and the cast eventually I’m sure would like to move on to other projects. It is sad to see the show end but its been on the air this long. At least it is getting a decent ending. Monk is an Emmy award winning show — USA Network has done right by this show all along and has so far done right by its other shows — they have a history of giving good shows a chance to run long enough that even if they have somewhat low ratings the show has a chance to improve over time. Unlike ABC and ABC Family which are becoming the new NBC (NBC used to cancel shows too often but is improving and now ABC-ABC Family are becoming the new NBC in that regard) and USA has remained committed to its programming.
Will miss Monk!
Sorry for the double post (wish I could edit my last post) just wanted to add that White Collar is a great new show and while I’m sad to see Monk go am liking White Collar — will already be looking forward to its 2nd season although season 1 is still airing — and the new season of Psych in January. As I said Monk was not canceled its been 8 years — eventually writers run out of good ideas and just continuing the show for the sake of it makes no sense. This by no means is a cancelation — Monk has a proper ending what’s more it was announced the 8th year would be the final season while the 7th season was still airing.
We all knew this day was going to come someday — at least the show will have a decent ending with the mystery of Trudy’s murder finally resolved.
ia m really sorry that the show is ending, i have enjoyed all of the seasons, its one of my favorite. I wish that they would keep it going, if the final shows can be delayed, that would be great. ihave enjoyed Monk’s dry humor, its marvelous. if the show discontinues, i will watch all of the re-runs all over again.
i will miss your show very much and it make me sad
Hi Tony,,,,I LOVE your show…….I look forward to friday’s just to watch your show…..please please don’t quit making the (MONK) SHOW………..i agree take white collar away ,,not a good show and keep giving us the monk show,,TONY you are the best….hope to keep seeing you on friday’s…
USA…..KEEP MONK TONY IS WORTH THE MONEY………………………YOUR VIEWER’S ALL WQNT TO KEEP MONK ON THE AIR..THANK YOU
FRIDAY NIGHTS WON’T BE THE SAME WITHOUT MONK.
WE HAVE WATCHED ALL THE EPISODES AT LEAST TWICE.
IT IS A GREAT SHOW !! PLEASE KEEP IT ON TV.
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