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! 
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 agree with the previous post. Bring back Sharona, get rid of Natalie…and Renew the Show!
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!
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
@ peter mandeville: Monk has won and been nominated Emmy Awards, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild.
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.
I do not understand why they are discontinuing monk, i fi nd it very entertaining and acceptable to most audiences, can someone tell me why that is the case, that they are discontinuing? thank you
I just finish watching Happy Birthday Mr. Monk. I could relate to him after this ep. I got to meet my favorite cowboy. Fess Parker
on my Birthday. wAy to go Mr. Monk.
Still cannot get an answer why Monk is being cancelled. Why?
@Diane Hedlund: If you read the article, it’s pretty clear.
Monk has gotten old. It’s time to wrap it up and solve the long time big mysteries ans find his wife’s killer.
In the early episodes, Monk was a likable guy, now he’s a jackass. He’s rude, mysogynistic and not as smart as he was. Time to end the show.
Psych is a much better show now anyway.
PLEASE MAKE NEW MONKS THAT IS THE ONLY THING I WATCH MOST OF THE TIME THAT IS WHAT MADE ME THINK ABOUT BEING A DETECTIVE
THAT SHOW WAS AN INSPARATION TO ALL OF US
i think it is wrong to stop monk that is my fav. tv show i swatch almost every day NOOOOOOOOOOOOO I LOVED MONK
Here’s a thought for USA Network. Why don’t you make an occasional movie with Monk in the future. Remember Columbo and so other shows back in the day. After they were cancelled, they often came back with movies. This could be done and maybe it would not be as expensive as a series. This way from time to time we can continue to see Monk. USA give this some thought.
i love Monk. it is not showing in our country but it is available on DVD, and i have the complete 1-6 season. every nice thing has been said about the show. i hope all the comments here make the bosses change their decision.
Why has Monk not been awarded an Emmy? Has the show even been nominated?