Remember the defective detective? Recently, Monk star Tony Shalhoub spoke with the AV Club about his experience on the USA Network series.
Created by Andy Breckman, the comic-drama starred Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. The cast also included Bitty Schram, Jason Gray-Stanford, and Ted Levine. The series ran for eight seasons before ending in 2009.
In the interview, Shalhoub said Monk was originally set at ABC:
That was at a time, when we first started that, when there were some big changes going on at USA. Kind of a changing of the guard, if you will, but they were in the process of rebranding their network, and the show happened to be a part of that rebranding. The script and the pilot had originally been at ABC. I think that’s kind of common knowledge. But it started at ABC, and they couldn’t quite get the right people involved there, so it kind of languished there for a number of years. And then one executive leaving ABC and going over to USA asked to take it over there and see if they could make it work. And then it came to me, and—well, again, it was a life-changing opportunity, and I feel so grateful that I had it, because it was an enormous amount of fun.”
He added that he didn’t know about the series finale twist until a few weeks before:
I honestly didn’t know ’til a few weeks before I got that final two-parter. I didn’t honestly know if they were going to maybe kill me off. That idea was always floating there in the ether. Again, it was one of those situations where I didn’t press them to tell me. I was willing to go with whatever they felt was best. But I’m glad it came out the way it did.”
Shalhoub also said he wouldn’t turn down a Monk movie in the future:
That does get bandied about now and then. It’s not really up to me, but, yeah, I never say never. It was a fun character to work on.”
What do you think? Did you watch Monk? Would you watch a Monk movie?
Loved Mr. Monk..please bring this series back or at least some movies. The whole cast was brilliant especially Tony. Loved both Sharona and Natalie..if I had to pick the one I like best it would be Natalie.
Please bring Monk back!!! I love Monk and all the characters!! This is the perfect time to do it since Roseanne has and Will and Grace have revived their shows. You have to know that many people are hoping this will happen!! It would go over in a big way! I miss you Monk and company!!!
Monk movie PLEASE
I have been wishing they’d do a Monk movie for years! Make it happen! I love the series and am really enjoying the reruns again. Tony Shaloub is a genius actor who endears the audience to his character, and the stories are so clever.
Would love to see a Monk movie. Even better if the series was brought back with all new episodes!
Loved, loved, loved Adrian Monk & entire cast!
Need to revisit this, like Colombo .
Friday’s have never been the same…
I absolutely loved the whole cast of Monk and by Season 8, Monk was more and more endearing! Would love to see a reunion of Monk as a movie!
I would absolutely watch any & all ‘Monk’ movies, a TV movie or any form of the series. It’s an awesome series that I didn’t want to see end.
YES!!! Bring MONK back.
That’s a tough question, really…I love the characters and the show so much. I loved the way it ended, and I don’t know if it needs a movie. The Psych Movie didn’t turn out so well, after all. However, Monk is a different show altogether, and I think a movie might work.
Monk was a brilliant show with the perfect ensemble of actors. I read the books after the series ended and there is a multitude of stories that could be made into movies. Tony Shalhoub is such an excellent actor – makes you feel like you are in his world. Monk was a classy show – not relying on blood and gory dead bodies to keep the audience excited. Miss you, Monk!
Yes please! I own all episodes on DVD and have watched them at least 15 times!
I missed the series completely in its original airing. I stumbled across it on Hallmark and was blown away by how great it was. I am at the third to the last episode after having watched them in sequence, and it pains my heart to be this close to the end. It is one of the greatest TV shows of the all time. The writing is brilliant, the acting is stellar. I am a lifelong fan now… I will be purchasing the series on DVD….
We loved Tony Shaloub as Monk! We miss the series and would love to see another season or 3.
I have on DVR all the reruns of MONK & watch over & over. I also bought the first couple of seasons on DVD. I was really upset that it was cancelled because it was funny & also suspenseful on how Monk would figure out the killer. I would love to see a movie with the same characters. I hated to see Sharona leave, but Natalie was the best choice in replacing her. Absolutely the best series!! Please keep a Monk movie on the table.