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! 
Please don’t cancel. It’s one of the best shows on
NOOOOOO! THEY CAN’T END IT!!! MONK IS MY FAV. SHOW. I WATCHED IT SINCE I WAS 7. PLEASE DONT END MONK
In the spirit of Monk and OCD, 9 is not a round number. 10 is. Bring on season 10!
I love Monk! I don’t get tired of watching them and even the theme song is catchy. I just hope the writers end the show right. Tony Shaloub is an amazing actor! I wish the cast all the best. Thanks for all the great laughs! Monk has definitely been my favorite show ever! I think the cast should go on a farewell tour across America!
Monk is my hero!!! I’m 47 years old and I have had OCD since I wa seven. Monk helps me laugh at a life that in reality isn’t funny. Thanks monk for helping me to laugh at OCD. You are a part of my family. I also have a theripist at Duke UMC. I tell him how you help me get through some of the worst OCD symptoms just by being Monk. Thanks, you will be missed. Sincerely, Sharon
I’m going to miss you Monk you have been my role model for many years <3 . Your a beast Monk and i will be adding a prayer that the show will be picked up by another network,to my prayer list.
How…how…how dare you cancel monk. i absolutely luhrve mr. monk!!!! =(
PLease don’t end monk it’s my favorite detective show. Why would usa end monk if it has great ratings. Try to keep monk on for at least another couple more seasons usa. If usa end monk this summer there will only be one more great detective show left on usa and that is psych. I always look forward to the new seasons of monk. I like all the characters on monk. So please don’t end monk monk usa.
Don’t cancel MONK. It’s the most popular TV show today. It’s my familys favorite show and you shouldn’t take something great away from the veiwers.
This sucks!
Monk is a great show, it’s sad to see it go. I really hope Natalie and Monk get together and they end the show with him finding some happiness.
Monk then Psych was the best combo!
My family and I have enjoyed MONK since the show started in 2002 . We talk on the phone together and laugh & discuss the most recent shows. Eventhough we are not together now to watch, this is one of our ways of staying close. Columbo was a good series, but Monk is more fun ,because you can try to figure out who the bad guy is along with Monk. Please keep this ,MY FAMILYS FAVORITE SHOW on tv. We Love MONK. The whole family on Monk is like family to us.
I will miss watching new episodes of the best show on TV. Ted Levine is devine!! Tony and the rest of the cast are simply the best I’ve seen in a long, long time. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
Maureen, California
I LOVE MONK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monk is a great TV show, I think it is the best show on TV. I hope that someone will reconsider and keep Monk and the whole gang on TV. Is it possible that another network would pick it up?
MONK is a truely original Detective show just like Columbo. I have O.C.D. myself so I can truly identify with MONK! LOL! Love him! Tony Shalhoub is a genious!!!