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 when 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! 
Great show. Sorry to see it go,but they should consider a Monk made for TV movie [or two ] in the not-too-distant future
“Monk” is the only show I watch on USA. It is consistently good and something myself and dozens of my friends watch regularly. My teenage kids love “Monk” too. I am glad that they are giving the show a chance to wrap up solving his wife’s murder, but very, very disappointed that it will end. Hopefully, he will find closure about Trudy and he and Natalie can get together and he OCD will be manageable again when he finds personal happiness again. I just hope that USA will listen to their viewers and give the show a reprieve.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT BELIVE ITS BEING CANCELLED! IM 11 YEARS OLD! ME AND MY MOM ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SAD! I HAVE TO WRITE TO THE PRODUCERS! I AM SOOOOOOOOO SAD! I HAVE EVERY SINGLE SEASON! I AM WATCHING THEM ALL IN RDER THEN I WILL SEE THE HOLIDAY ONE THEN THE NEW ONES ALL IN ORDER> HELP ME> TONY SHALHOUB I LOVE U
MY EMAIL IS ADRIANMONKFAN1 THANKS
Yeah, Monk and Burn Notice definitely are the best shows on any network Mary Ann and Catherine E. I’ve been hooked on both series since about when they started (I started Monk a little later seeing as I was only 12 when the first season came out and didn’t watch much TV because we didn’t have cable) The only light I can see here, with this show ending, is that maybe Monk will finally solve the case of his wife’s murder. I would love to see how that plays out. I think there have been 3 episodes where he gets… Read more »
I’m not PISSED OFF about this one. Wait… I AM because it went on for EIGHT SEASONS about the same DAMNED THING. It’s a Robot show, and I’m glad that it died, so it’s decent talent can do something better.
I always wanted Adrian and Natalie to get together,
because they both have the same kind of problem.
Julie has become so attach to Monk, he’s like a father
to her. If Monk is being cancel, I will go back to listening
to talk radio. Thanks for this fine show. I will miss it.
If Monk is leaving I will go back to the talk shows on
I am Chinese and I am a huge fan of Monk. I have watched it for years, 3 times for all eps so far. Now it has been an indispensable part of my life.
I am really depressed by this news. Maybe I should blame the economy collapse in USA.
So many Monk fans in China. This news will break their heart, too.
“EVERYBODY I know is absolutely devastated about this news of the ending of Monk. It and Burn Notice are the two best series on any network. Can
i started watching this program this summer. i fell in love with the show. it is one of the most creative, innovative shows ever to exist. all the main characters are outstanding. monk’s disability has helped many understand their own diffiulties and be able to put them in perspective. i am sad that it is being canncelled.
EVERYBODY I know is absolutely devastated about this news of the ending of Monk. It and Burn Notice are the two best series on any network. Can’t stand other USA shows as they lack intelligence aand heart. Brain cells are dying from watching the wrong television shows and when a winner arrives, it’s wisked away by people who do NOT have their finger on the pulse of ALL of the viewing public. Boycott other loser shows might be a start. This is another death knell to the sound of voices crying in the wilderness, begging for television that is intelligent,… Read more »
This is sad. We enjoy Monk. There are very few shows to watch that are entertaining for all family members. I think USA is making a BIG mistake!!
I hope they reconsider.
I cannot believe it! I love MONK, I’m his #1 fan! Really I’m sad to see the show end. I look forward to seeing it. I don’t watch much TV but, my husband got me hooked a few years ago and now I can’t get enough. The books are great too! Once you get started it hard to but them down. Well, I’m in denial so maybe they will change their minds 🙂
Matthew says it all. Monk is the only time I ever watch USA. But if they have to end it at least they are giving us the final season to see the conclusion of his wife’s murder investigation. I know I’m dreaming here but I think the last few episodes should show Adrian with some sort of love interest and Natalie and Randy getting together. I always thought those two belonged together. After all, her experiences with Adrian would be great training in putting up with Randy.
Well, it is kind of sad they are ending the show, but atleast they might allow to find peace in his life. I think it is smart they are ending on a high note. I get tired of good shows becoming bad seeing they never end. The last few seasons have bothered me a bit seeing everytime Monk starts to get better, something happens to make him miserable again.
Atleast now we can hope that with every phobia he overcomes, he will get better.
What a shame! This is definitely one of the greatest shows ever to be on TV…especially cable. Watching Monk is the only time I view USA, so they better be prepared for the loss of viewership by many Monk fans. I know they have Psych and Law & Order, but isn’t everything else they show reruns from other networks? I guess they may keep showing reruns of Monk and it may just keep my interest. We’ll have to see. So long Monk…we’ll miss you!