Monk is by far the best show on television today. Although Season 3 is not the strongest of the series, it still has many great moments that make it worth watching again and again.
The season starts off strongly with "Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan" and follows up with two of its best episodes with "Mr. Monk and the Panic Room" and "Mr. Monk and the Blackout". In each episode, Monk's quirks are humorously exposed and are portrayed brilliantly by Tony Shaloub. Other highlights include "Mr. Monk and the Girl Who Cried Wolf" (in which his assistant Sharona appears to lose her mind), "Mr. Monk and the Employee of the Month" (Monk goes undercover at a discount store to uncover a murderer), "Mr. Monk Gets Cabin Fever" (Monk witnesses a gang murder and ends up spending a few days in protective custody in an FBI cabin only to witness yet another murder), and "Mr. Monk vs. The Cobra" (a martial arts movie star who has been dead for 6 years is a prime suspect in a murder case).
Season 3 also marks the departure of Bitty Schram (who portrayed Monk's nurse Sharona Fleming). While the departure of a regular is usually a sign of trouble for a series, the producers simply switch gears and introduce a new assistant in Natalie Teeger (portrayed by Traylor Howard) and are able to keep going without missing a beat. In fact, the interview with Traylor Howard (in the bonus features) helped to convince me that the series will actually be better with her on board as it opens up new avenues for the writers to explore. The chemistry between Shalhoub and Howard is immediately visible in "Mr. Monk and the Red Herring" and they continue to work well together through the balance of the series.
Anyone who is a Monk fan will want to own Season 3.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - DrPat
I agree whole-heartedly - in fact, the presence of Monk on Channel 39 was the single reason I added it to my Favorites list. These characters are so rich, it's worth watching third and fourth reruns of every episode.
I'd buy it on DVD if I wasn't so cheap...
2 - Chris Beaumont
Not sure this is the best on TV, but it is definitely up there. I worried about the departure of Bitty Schramm, but Traylor is doing an admirable job replacing a favorite character.
3 - Joanie
I wasn't sure I'd like Traylor Howard taking over for Bitty Schramm, but she fits very well.
Monk is consistently entertaining and I have to agree - it really is one of the best shows on television these days.
4 - ClubhouseCancer
I much much much prefer Schramm's Sharona, who had a stronger, funnier resistance to Monk's quirks and annoyances. The new girl has too much sugar with her salt, in my opinion, and comes off as whiny when she resists him.
Anyone else think the premiere the other night with Jason Alexander was kind of shoddily written? Alexander seemed to sleepwalk throght the role, too.
But Monk rules. My favorite is the one cited above where Sharona appears to lose her mind, although the one where Monk takes a pill and is "cured" is priceless, too.
I love how old-fashioned and formulaic the show is, the way it's contructed, old-style, around the lead character's quirks and methods. Like Columbo or the Rockford Files. Comforting. Mmmmm, TV.
Good things:
Monk
Thelonius Monk
Cappucino, named for Capuccine (sp?) monks.
Monks of Doom, the Camper van Beethoven guys, without Dave Lowery
The Monkees
The Rockford Files (no monk reference, but it was a great show.)
5 - ELouise
YUK to Traylor Howard. The show will never be as good as when Bitty Schramm was the foil to Shaloub's Monk. Howard is a big nothing compared to Schramm. How could anyone even think Howard or her character is on any level with Bitty's Sharona?
6 - Kristin
I totally agree that the loss of Sharona is a major blow to the show. Although I still love Monk I don't laugh as much now that Bitty's character is gone. She helped give Monk his spark. I find Natalie Teeger (the new assistant) to be annoying and mean towards Monk. I say bring back Sharona!
7 - toni
I love Monk. I am a monk fanatic. it was a dissapointment when i found out that Traylor was the new assistant. i loved bitty's sharona. Bitty i hope you read this because it is not as funny and exciting to watch natalie give monk his wipes. To me, tralor's natalie is a whiner and its brinin down the Monk!
8 - kim
There is nothing Traylor's Natalie can do compared to Bitty's sharona. Sharona was funnier and more sassy. i dont like the personality that Natalie has. She is mean to monk, gets annoyed easily by monk and sharona actually know how to handle him. But who knows, hopefully bitty schram will come back!!
9 - toni
why would they pick some one like natalie to be the new assistant you can tell she doesnt feel comfortable around monk or else she wouldnt call him "mr. monk" natalie has no style, personality, or chemistry to even talk to, be around or smell monk! bring sharona back. please do it for her fans!! p.s. the other comment under this s/n should say sent by sofia not toni
10 - Gigi
The show is very different without Sharona. The chemistry between Monk and Sharona was very evident in the first two seasons but I do not see it now with Natalie. I hope they bring back Sharona's character. I don't get to watch it as often now because I do not like Natalie's character (she is neither funny nor likeable).
11 - katrina
The 4th season has ended. maybe its time to bring back Sharona. i know Natalie has improved in the later episoeds, she began to care about Monk somehow(unlike in the beginning when she was totally mean and uncaring) but Sharona is still best for the show. Sharona still was more caring and compatible with Adrian. She can handle him and take care of him at the same time. She's perfect for the part. I know more people would agree than disagree.
12 - Lynn
Bitty is truly missed - I never missed an episode when she was on, now I don't bother unless there is nothing else on that I am interested in and that is rare. Before Bitty's departure 100% viewing, now maybe 10%...
13 - Jane Whitehead
We live in the Philippines and Australian, and we were first introduced to Monk by a Yankee couple we met here. Great show, fabulous, and I am a nurse so laughed out loud more than my husband and son. However, my son is bitterly dissapointed with the departure of Sharona and it does seem a bit defferent. But hey, lets not all be Monks, we can adapt to change. Anyhow, it is a good show and I can still enjoy it.
14 - Gregg
I so, so , so, SO miss SHARONA!
That's really all I have to say. I got an iPod this year, and the only episodes I'm interested in having on there are the Bitty Schram episodes. I am really sorry that she's gone. I love Adrian Monk, but I miss Adrian and Sharona. Now there was a television pair worthy of the Holmes/Watson comparisons.
I don't think the Adrian/Natalie relationship will ever approach the subtleties that the former pairing had. I miss her so much. Actually, I stopped watching. Just lost interest after Season 3. Bummed me out, but it happened.
15 - Mayb
What really happened to Sharona? Why did she leave? Did I miss something
16 - ELouise
Sharona Revisited: I still stand by my July 2005 comments that Traylor Howard can NEVER take the place of Bitty Schramm. Her whiny little character is even more annoying now than it was to begin with.
17 - Kim
Sharona was great but I really like Natalie.
18 - Monica
Have just started picking up the DVDs (having never caught Monk on cable). Seasons 1-3 won me over completely. And then I get to season 4, only to have the Sharona change-up lose me completely. Sharona was more than Monk's perfect foil, she played well off of Disher's character, and added much needed comedic flavor to the show. What a waste! The Natalie character just doesn't cut it. Very bad production move. Sharona was worth the money AND the screen time.
19 - Vena
I am soooooo relieved to know that I'm not the only one who misses Sharona terribly. I was also an avid Monk watcher, but now I can stand to miss episodes. The Natalie character just doesn't appeal to me. I hope they bring Sharona back. I just loved her Yankee accent.
20 - g chacon
bitty made that show what it is. the chemistry was great between the two. the network really screwed up. bring her back.
21 - Ian
Have to agree. Loved this show, then we hit mid-season 3, and it all goes to hell. I liked TH in other stuff, but she's terrible in this. I haven't even been able to sit through the remaining eps of season 3, can't see picking up the later ones any time soon. How to kill a great show stone-dead in one easy move. Way to go, producers.
22 - ginger
I agree with all above on the non-enthusisam 0f
watching Monk anymore since Sharona left. I
always had a good time watching the "two of them", and now I feel like "the one of them" is
missing. Sharona was the "zest, and spice".
23 - Lex
NATALIE IS THE BEST!!! I LOVE HER! I now refuse to watch any episodes with Sharona because it just makes me angry. Natalie and Monk's chemistry is amazing!
24 - Max
Bring Back sharona!
25 - Mary
Bring Sharona BACK...I only watch the old monk shows, don't even bother to watch the new series/.