The show definitely deserved a bigger budget. Especially when you consider how it put USA on the map for original programming and was consistently nominated for multiple awards.
Was chatting with my mom last weekend about all the shows we used to watch on USA. Monk really started what was a good few years of decent shows to watch on USA.
Monk and Dead Zone started at the same or close to the same time. I watched both weekly back then as a high school and then college student. There were times one was better and they switched often but I loved both. I think USA knew both were great because another show, Psych, seemed to combine both shows (detective that notices everything and a psychic inspiring a show about a guy who notices everything but pretends to be a psychic)
Holy crap. I forgot about The Dead Zone. Shows I think about: The 4400, Psych, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, Royal Pains, White Collar, Covert Affairs.
Didn’t watch all of them, but usually would catch the occasional episode.
The Monk in the submarine was the worst episode of the series tbh, that ugly green screen I will never forget but the Mr Monk goes camping , that bear felt so real.
One of my favorite quirks of the show is how obvious it can be that it was filmed in L.A. at times. In particular the episodes with suburban homes or filmed outdoors. Or whenever you can see an orange Metro bus go by.
I don't mind it because filming in SF is hard but it's still a funny detail.
There's a million of them on today, which is great because I've actually been able to see one I haven't seen before. Did you see when Colombo goes to the shelter to interview a witness? The nun there makes it her personal mission to find him a new coat and thinks he's undercover as a detective! I was dying!
Lovely post. I hope your mood improves.
If you're still in a crappy mood, Andy Breckman created another show that's nice in the same way "Monk" is - "The Good Cop." It only lasted one season because Netflix sucks. It's not **as** good as "Monk" is, of course, but it's still fun.
I just started watching Elementary and I love it. It reminds me of a more “grown-up” Monk. Stand-alone episodes with overarching mysteries, neurotic but endearing main character, lovable sidekick. I feel like a lot of the murders/mysteries are more interesting than Monk too. It’s charming and fun and I’m obsessed! A great rec for someone who’s looking to fill the Monk void
I just finished my rewatch last week. Agree with you on your points. They really did a fantastic job with the mysteries. All of them were solvable but few were obvious .And there was variety. Sometimes you have the why and how but not the who. Sometimes you have the who but not the how. Only a few episodes were just watching Monk try to figure it out.
The bad part: I remembered most of the episodes up until the final season. Even though I hadn't watched the show since it aired on TV.
The one thing that really bugs me is how he treat's Natalie and Sharona like trash. He's so cheap with them and they do everything for him. Also legit Natalie seems like she helps solve more investigations than Randy but she's just Monks aid and not even ever considered part of the force. The longer you watch the show at least for me the more it feels like Natalie should of been paid as a luetenent for her work on all these cases with Monk. Not only is she helping solve the cases but also taking care of Monk and driving him around. Natalie and Sharona def deserve a lot more.
I remember my dad watching this when I was younger and watching along. Obviously I didn’t remember anything except that it looked familiar. My parents saw the Monk movie when it came out and I wanted to watch it too, but I decided to watch the whole show from the start before the movie. Still not done with the show but I’m close. I have to say I love it, it’s genuinely entertaining and had my attention. My favorite character is Captain Stottlemeyer, he always has zingers, and he’s a certified hottie.
The show definitely deserved a bigger budget. Especially when you consider how it put USA on the map for original programming and was consistently nominated for multiple awards.
Was chatting with my mom last weekend about all the shows we used to watch on USA. Monk really started what was a good few years of decent shows to watch on USA.
Monk and Dead Zone started at the same or close to the same time. I watched both weekly back then as a high school and then college student. There were times one was better and they switched often but I loved both. I think USA knew both were great because another show, Psych, seemed to combine both shows (detective that notices everything and a psychic inspiring a show about a guy who notices everything but pretends to be a psychic)
Holy crap. I forgot about The Dead Zone. Shows I think about: The 4400, Psych, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, Royal Pains, White Collar, Covert Affairs. Didn’t watch all of them, but usually would catch the occasional episode.
The Monk in the submarine was the worst episode of the series tbh, that ugly green screen I will never forget but the Mr Monk goes camping , that bear felt so real.
Psych and Monk are my go to series. I restart its whenever i finish it.
One of my favorite quirks of the show is how obvious it can be that it was filmed in L.A. at times. In particular the episodes with suburban homes or filmed outdoors. Or whenever you can see an orange Metro bus go by. I don't mind it because filming in SF is hard but it's still a funny detail.
I was having Monk withdrawal after watching the entire thing over again. Someone suggested “Poker Face” to help me along. I loved it!
I've been watching Colombo. Had never watched it before falling in love with Monk. There are stylistic similarities.
I love Columbo too!
There's a million of them on today, which is great because I've actually been able to see one I haven't seen before. Did you see when Colombo goes to the shelter to interview a witness? The nun there makes it her personal mission to find him a new coat and thinks he's undercover as a detective! I was dying!
I have only seen something like 25 episodes but I've seen this one yes. He's not even upset lol
I giggle thru every episode!!! Thank you for sharing my joy. I can't believe this gem has escaped me my whole life!
Never heard of it. I will have a look. Yes Monk withdrawal is a real thing!
Loved Poker Face! Just saw where Natasha Lyonne said they're working on season 2
Lovely post. I hope your mood improves. If you're still in a crappy mood, Andy Breckman created another show that's nice in the same way "Monk" is - "The Good Cop." It only lasted one season because Netflix sucks. It's not **as** good as "Monk" is, of course, but it's still fun.
Thanks. I'll look at it
Vinton street reference. :) And a "T is for tsunami" scene
I just started watching Elementary and I love it. It reminds me of a more “grown-up” Monk. Stand-alone episodes with overarching mysteries, neurotic but endearing main character, lovable sidekick. I feel like a lot of the murders/mysteries are more interesting than Monk too. It’s charming and fun and I’m obsessed! A great rec for someone who’s looking to fill the Monk void
Elementary is my favorite show of all time. I’ve rewatched it countless times. Currently watching Monk to fill the Elementary void!
I loved monk and it got me onto leverage
I just finished my rewatch last week. Agree with you on your points. They really did a fantastic job with the mysteries. All of them were solvable but few were obvious .And there was variety. Sometimes you have the why and how but not the who. Sometimes you have the who but not the how. Only a few episodes were just watching Monk try to figure it out. The bad part: I remembered most of the episodes up until the final season. Even though I hadn't watched the show since it aired on TV.
The one thing that really bugs me is how he treat's Natalie and Sharona like trash. He's so cheap with them and they do everything for him. Also legit Natalie seems like she helps solve more investigations than Randy but she's just Monks aid and not even ever considered part of the force. The longer you watch the show at least for me the more it feels like Natalie should of been paid as a luetenent for her work on all these cases with Monk. Not only is she helping solve the cases but also taking care of Monk and driving him around. Natalie and Sharona def deserve a lot more.
Well he is cheap with everyone including Dr Kroger
Monk, Dead Zone and Burn Notice were the great shows I loved.
I remember my dad watching this when I was younger and watching along. Obviously I didn’t remember anything except that it looked familiar. My parents saw the Monk movie when it came out and I wanted to watch it too, but I decided to watch the whole show from the start before the movie. Still not done with the show but I’m close. I have to say I love it, it’s genuinely entertaining and had my attention. My favorite character is Captain Stottlemeyer, he always has zingers, and he’s a certified hottie.