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! 
Come on this is Monk we’re talking about. You HAVE TO give at least 10 seasons, you know how Adrian feels about nice round numbers.
I understand money can be tight… but who’s not? As other “Monk Junkies” have commented, it appears that “Monk” is what keeps us (them) going. But here’s the thing… During hard times we need a “Monk” in our lives that we can all relate to (all of the characters have something we can related to!). To make us laugh and take our minds off tough times… We wait with great anticipation to see “Mr Monk and the Smiles and Laughter that he Brings”. I don’t believe that it’s time for “Mr Monk meets the End”. For the “Monkness of it… Read more »
NO WONDER USA NETWORK RATINGS ARE FALLING DOWN, WELL THEY ARE IN MY FAMILY ANYWAY.
STAY ANOTHER SEASON IT’S THE ONLY SHOW ON IN AUSTRALIA WHICH IS GREAT.
IF SO MAKE A 2HOUR MOVIE ON THE LAST EPISODE HAVING A GOOD ENDING SUCH AS TRUDY DID NOT DIE SHE WAS ONLY IN WITNESS PROTECTION OR SOMTHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
KEEP IT GOING CHANNEL TEN OR USA NETWORK!!!!!!!!!
Don’t let Monk go!!!! My whole family watches this show together and we would be so devastated to see Monk end.
NOOOOOOOO!!! I love “Monk”!! I do find a little comfort in knowing they plan to bring the story back to Adrian’s search for Trudy’s killer (it would be horrible if it ended before Monk solves his biggest case!), but here’s the thing… I don’t know what I’ll do without this wonderful show! Tony Shalhoub should win another Emmy!
It’s to bad to have a great show like Monk leave the air, there are not many shows that families can watch together . I watch Monk with my parents and teenage son how rare is that. Great acting and great writing it’s a shame to lose it!!!!!
Typical!!! Take shows that are entertaining but require attention and thought off, and leave drivel like sitcoms and “reality” shows in place that require a single digit IQ to understand. Thanks a lot, USA Channel!
I am very saddened by the news of the discontinuation of Monk. I fell in love again with TV after a hiatus only because of the Shalhoub’s character. He is/was one of a kind, and there’s no question that there will be less of a reason to watch USA Network after they have taken the show off the air.
ps I have also asked my dr. to be prepared to up my dose of prozac at the end of the eighth and final season.
I AM SICK OVER THIS, NO SHOW WILL EVER REPLACE MONK? IF IT COMES DOWN TO MONEY, IF THEIRS A WILL THEIRS A WAY. I AM SO SAD BY THIS…AT LEAST MAKE A MOVIE. OR TONY STAR IN ANOTHER NEW SHOW. I HOPE THIS IS NOT THE END OF THIS GREAT SHOW. I REFUSE TO SAY GOOD-BYE, HOW `BOUT WE WILL SEE YOU SOON. YOUR GREATEST FAN DIANNE
[…] Good news: a new episode of Monk airs November 28. Bad news: Next season is Monk’s last. […]
While it’s sad to hear that there will not be any ninth season of Monk, I’ll be glad to know who Trudy’s killer was. Also, I hope that it ends on a high-note. Like others have said, I would hate to see it keep running, but run out of really fresh ideas and go down the toilet. However, seeing as it’s the only show I watch on USA, the network would be smart to keep rerunning episodes. USA would also be well-advised to follow in the footsteps of Columbo, and occasionally run TV movie adventures of Monk. Those would probably… Read more »
I LOVE MONK!!! I know that all good things must end but I am hopeful that things will come to a nice conclusion! Tony Shaloub and cast are magnificent! Great show
forgot to say at least we know it is going to end so monk fans can prepare themselves unlike some shows that just end with no warning , monk shall b missed 🙁
Part of me is glad it is ending because i really want to know who killed trudy and i have wanted to know for ages so long as its not dale but there is also the fact the longer a show goes on for it becomes stale imho some cases in monk are good but they cud do better like some boiled down to luck i mean i love monk but i am glad it is ending while in still top shape. unlike some shows csi las vagas are getting pretty bad imo But other the other i am sad… Read more »