Last Friday the USA Network aired the season premiere of Monk Titled "Mr. Monk and the Other Detective" (with guest star Jason Alexander). I have been a big fan of this show for awhile and last Friday's episode provided a welcome break from summer reruns. In my opinion Tony Shalhoub is one of the best actors on television playing one of the best characters on television. It takes a special talent to make Adrian Monk's obsessive compulsive behavior (caused by the tragic murder of his wife) funny. Can you imagine what the pitch meeting was like? Still the episode was missing something I had always enjoyed Monk's sidekick/nurse Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram). I feel that it is too early in the show's run for it to Jump the Shark. Early on I had feared that the show might Jump the Shark by exploring a romantic relationship between Sharona and Adrian, or Sharona and Lieutenant Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford). I know I am not the only one who wants Sharona to return, in fact I found an online petition to Bring Sharona Back To "Monk!" And people say that I have too much free time.
I know, "People who live in glass houses".
I have a great affection for characters who say what you are thinking or have the guts to say what you want to say but can't. The best part is that these characters can get away with it like we wish we could. We tend to forget that there is a team of talented writers who spend many hours creating these spontaneous lines for them to say. I wrote a spec script for Monk last year and my favorite part was writing Sharona's wisecracks. My wife told me that it was because I am Sharona. I think she meant to say, "I am a wisecracking sidekick trapped in a leading man’s body"
Finally my singing Bitty Sharam's praises is in no way shape or form is an attack on Traylor Howard who recently joined the show as Adrian's new girl Friday Natalie Teeger. When someone deserves the Dick Sergeant award I will say so. It can be a very risky career move to replace a beloved character on a show, especially a character with very big pumps to fill.
To quote Monk & Sharona,
MONK:Do you register to vote?
SHARONA: I never vote. It only encourages them.
Stay Tuned
Tony Figueroa
Edit:Tan The Man
Article comments
1 - ClubhouseCancer
We had another Monk thread earlier in the week, and I expressed the same thoughts. I love Bitty and have loved her since I saw her "crying in baseball" in the pretty crappy League of Their Own.
Did you like the premiere otherwise? I thought Jason A was unimpressive.
2 - Eric Berlin
Tony - Tell us more about your spec script. Have you written others? I'm fascinated by the TV writing process...
Nice job on a quirky and entertaining show.
3 - Anne
Hello, I think it would be fun to try and write a script for Monk. How did you go about doing this and where did you send it? I am having trouble finding anything on the net. And I'm with you! Without Sharona the show is a bit dull. Why did she leave?
4 - Captain Studdard
I have the same questions as Anne.
How did you go about submitting your script and where did you send it? Did you have a contact person? Do the producers have a writers' guide for unsolicited scripts (like Paramount does for the Star Trek series)?
I've done three pilots. One is still in my computer. One was filmed, but never made it to air. One was a Saturday morning cartoon from 1990 - 92 on NBC. I would like to take a stab at existing characters. Thanks.
5 - Tony Figueroa
Captain,
You are one up on me. I have three pilots that my theatrical agent is shopping around. Two of the three were written for me to star in.
As for Monk I cot a copy of a script and copied the format and pace. I don’t know if that show has a guide, I’d just make sure the story ends with the characters no better or worse off. I finished my Monk spec and then Sharona was gone. Eventually I will replace her with Natalie.
6 - DRoman
I miss Sharona. The show is boring and disappointing without her. I only watch it now when there's nothing better on. Monk without Sharona is like Abbot without Costello or 8 Simple Rules without Ritter.
Bring her back and pay her what she's worth!
7 - avsheen
Where's SHARONA?!!! The show is boring without her. Natalie is as appealing as a rock. Bring Sharona back. I am no longer entertained by the show. Monk is finished without Sharona. It's got to be the dumbest move in television history. Unbelievable. Inconceivable. OUTRAGEOUS. I won't watch Monk anymore, until Sharona comes back. My friends and family are all boycotting the show. Not hard to do since its so boring now. There's no chemistry, no pizzazz, no fun. It's just...boring.
8 - Jeff
Sharona was ok but too much of a Skank. Natalie is much better.