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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L O L so many times and also cried !!
Tony Shalhoub you did this series proud!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Monk will be remembered.
Carolann
Monk is the best show on TV and I hope you might decide to revive it in the future. You will certainly be missed.
MONK, WE WILL MISS WATCHING YOU ON FRIDAY NIGHT. YOUR SHOW WAS ONE OF BEST SHOWS ON TV. BEST OF LUCK.
YOYR FANS;
STEVE AND DOTTIE
im ur best fan. i may only be 14 but iv watched every single one of your episodes i will miss your show thats all i really watch every night well dont forget me!
Mr. Monk, Sorry the show is ending I really enjoyed it. Hope they would reconsider and keep you on T.V. Hope the best for all on the show!!!!!! Sincerely, Christine
going to miss monk and the officers but not that asst. natile i think she trys to run him and act like she is the main person can not stand her i liked the one named sharona she let monk be what he is and was not bossie as that natlile i do hope that if monk does return or have some type of movie that the one that plays natile does not return . she should be seen and not herd period. and why would she quit a good job that pays better than what monk gives her . she is not good for the show period or maybe monk can have a man friday . well anyway going to miss monk and the others but not that natlile person. well that is all and thanks monk for the show . to bad you leaving wish you and the gang could stay and not have that natlie on there i think she is part of the reason the show is going to be truthful . well i will go now thanks mr. monk .can not wait for the last episode to show. have bought lots of your dvds. i just blank out that smart mouth natile in the shows well take care and hope you come back soon . bye now .
I love you Monk! I watch your show all the time. You can’t go now!!!
MONK— Evelyn my wife watches every show. She and I will miss the Friday’s waiting on your show.
I love this show and will miss it very much. Thank you, Tony Shalhoub, for the years of laughs and great performances. The entire cast is a fabulous fit, and all have done a marvelous job — each compliments the other. I want the show to continue, and wish there was a way to make that happen. Best wishes always to all of you! Monk was my Friday night date!
Monk you will be remember always.
Thankyou,
Yankeerosa
Oh my dear Mr. Monk what will I do without you
Myhusband & I will miss Monk too much. It is the most entertaining show . The whole cast does a tremendous job at assisting Monk In all endeavors. OCD takes a new look. It makes you laugh.cry & just be happy. If possible renew it or I will be forced to get rid of Dish……& give up USA. I also watch Psych ,Burn notice & Starter Wife but will give it up because of no MONK. Thank you.
I loved monk so much. Tony Shoulube was such a good actor and I am so disapointed that the show is not going to continue!
It was one of the best shows on USA.
For the actors of MONK:
YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE LAUGHS OVER THE YEARS!
SOS please someone help me it’s not healthy
to cancel MONK!!!!
I’m going to miss Monk so much and the rest of the cast too. If I knew I couldn’t watch it on Friday I made sure I taped it. I will miss you Monk!
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