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 do not cancell Monk. It is a great show. Take some of the trash on TV off and
leave the good ones on. Monk is one of the greats. There is nothing good on TV and
Monk was something my husband and I looked forward to.
do not cancel Monk, it is a great show, ive been watching monk for years, i dont know why they are ending the series, they have no competion, psych, csi, and ncis are nowhere near as good as Monk
NO THEY SHOULD NOT CANCEL MONK IT IS A GREAT SHOW AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT EACH WEEK. IT IS ONE OF THE FEW GOOD SHOWS ON TV.
THEY SHOULD CANCEL THE SO CALLED REALITY SHOWS. AND GET SOME FAMILY PROGRAMS ON AGAIN.
PLEASE RECONSIDER CANCELLING,”MONK”! THIS ENGAGING SHOW IS WONDERFULLY WRITTEN, WITH A BRILLIANT CAST, ESPECIALLY, TONY SHALHOUB! I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF TONY’S, SINCE HE PLAYED THE PART OF ANTONIO, IN “WINGS”, ANOTHER FANTASTIC SHOW THAT CANCELLED FAR TOO SOON! THERE IS REALLY NOTHING WORTH WATCHING ON TV ANYMORE! WHERE DID ALL THE TALENTED WRITERS, & PRODUCERS GO?? THE ONLY GOOD SHOW ON THE AIR, & NOW GOING OFF!! WHAT”S UP WITH THAT??
They should cancel some of the crap that they put on network television and run it there. Then they would be able to afford the paychecks for these deserving actors. But no, the networks make far too much money on these “reality” shows where they don’t have to pay the participants anything. American television viewers are morons.
ill miss MONK. At least well still have PSYCH.
I love Monk…there no better show on tv..i to have different ways to look @ the world,,and Monk does too…I just love Tony,,there no better actor
It’s a great show! So sad to know it’s ending. Any possibility for a movie?
Who makes these decisions?? . . . cancel one of the best detective shows since Columbo?? I can’t believe it.
It was a great family show that challenged adults as well as children.
BRING IT BACK!!!!!
I stopped reading my Bible so I could watch Monk.
We love Monk. He makes if OK to have personal foibles, eccentricities, strange fears and yet, still be valuable, worthwhile person. He and Tony Shaloub and your great writers have the sensitivity to show that not all “mental illness” makes you slobber and go out and slay strangers! This helps the image of psychological challenges for everyone. Not only is it hilarious and enticingly mysterious, to help find the clues that Adrian never misses . . . but it is funny, and loving, with Ms. Tieger being a Tiger of a girl, always protective, at Adrian’s side. What a bunch… Read more »
I do wish you would reconsider and NOT cancel this show. When I was recovering from cancer this was one show that I could watch and be entertained. And my grandchildren started watching it with me. They were hooked right off the bat:) They couldnt wait to come to grandmas and settle in and watch Monk. Its a show that the family can watch together. My grandchildren know every word in the song at the beginning of the show. We all love Adriane. Please keep him on for at least a couple more years.
I do love this show!
This guy is the millenniums version of the 70’s “Colombo”. If they do give him the ax, they should definitely pursue some sort of movie deal that brings the cast back like they did for Colombo. Hate to see the series go, it was just a really nice show to watch and one of the few that had me LOL.
Monk has brought laughter to this home. When can you find a series that the whole family can watch and not have to explain to your kids that you don’t approve of this or that. Monk has been a reason for looking forward to watching TV instead of junk on it. A majority of programs are down right depressing. Wish you would reconsider.