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.
 Loading ... |
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 your show!!! we want you back!!! you all make me laugh so much!! I was brought up with 2 ocd parents and your show makes the pain a little less painful. Thanks for the feeling of normalcy while you are on and i will miss you very much.
you are a great actor and i wish you all the best.
anna tocci
Monk is the best show that has been on TV for years. I’ve watched it every week for 8 years and taped those I couldn’t be home for. You have created a wonderful character and I can’t take my eyes off the TV when you figure out how the crime happened. You will be missed terribly and hope that you may decide in the future to revive the show.
Monk is one of the best shows still on tv. I am so tired of seeing these new reality shows. Cussing, and sex everywhere except on Monk. It’s a show you can sit down with your children and watch comfortably. Yes, OCD is real I feel because of Monk alot more people are now aware and respect others with it. Thanks Adrian….
i am going to miss this show. i’ve watched all the shows. now i am watching yhem on channel 15. good by monk,you shows are the greatest.
Thank you Tony for bringing us Mr. Monk. I have enjoyed him since day one. Ellie.
I can’t believe this is the end of Monk!!!!!!!!!! My Friday nights will never be the same. Such a good and clean show, and it is going off the air. Please make some Monk movies to keep up the show for us Monk fans. I have been reading the Monk books, but we will need movies or some specials for Monk to keep us going.!!!!!!!!!! Please don’t make the total end of the show. I don’t know what I will be able to watch on Friday nights. My schedule for the past 8 years has been to be home to… Read more »
I am sorry to see it end. Good Luck and Thank You All for a Great show.
One of the greatest TV shows ever. A real thinking persons show. All the actors are really great. Now I will have no reason to watch TV on Friday night. What a shame.
I truly Love Monk,, I will miss him soooo much,, its like i am loosing my best friend, I always rushed home to watch it, I hope there will be reruns somewhere in the future I love you Monk.
Jeannie
MY WIFE AND I ARE GOING TO MISS YOU BECAUSE YOU MADE OUR FRIDAYNIGHTS.
I HOPE YOU MAKE OTHER MOVIES THAT ARE SINE OFFS FROM THIS ONE OKAY.
TAKE CARE AND GOD BLSS YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HANK
CENTERLINE,MI
I LOVE WATCHING YOUR SHOW ON FRIDAYS. I HOPE YOU GET A NEW SHOW SOON. YOU ARE THE BEST ACTOR . I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. YOUR BIGGEST FAN
I WILL MISS THE SHOW.
Please reconsider and continue the Monk series. It’s the best family show on tv.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can this be? You have gotten me through so much. I raise my grandson who has some ocd tendencies and you have helped me laugh and shown me that his problems are nothing compared to Monks or others. I am not sure what I will do for Friday nights. It was so relaxing to sit down and forget about my problems.This really really bums me out.
My family LOVES “Monk”. We buy all of the videos of the seasons. We love the growth in the characters over the series.
PLEASE DON’T CANCEL MONK!!!!
It is one of the few good shows. The network CAN take it further–and there are many viewers who want to go there.
We love you, Mr. Monk!