by Allan M. Heller

Created on: August 14, 2009

Tony Shaloub (Wings) stars as Adrian Monk, a former San Francisco homicide detective whose anxiety issues became overwhelming after the murder of his beloved wife, Trudy. Given a psychological discharge by the police department, he eventually resumes his detective career as a consultant. His second most important goal is to be reinstated by the SFPD. His ultimate goal is to solve the murder of his wife.

Over its eight-season run, Monk has undergone a few changes which do not seem to have affected its overall popularity. The first casualty was the placid, boring theme music, which was replaced at the start of season two with the lively, jolting song It's a Jungle Out There, written and performed by Randy Newman. Paired mostly with shots of Monk in chaotic and hazardous situations, Newman's song perfectly captures the essence of the show.

The second season also brought the departure of Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram), Monk's long-suffering nurse/baby sitter. Supposedly Fleming asked for too much money, prompting the producers to replace her with Traylor Howard. As Monk's new assistant, Natalie Teeger, Howard adequately fills the void left by Fleming. Aside from addressing her boss as Mr. Monk instead of Adrian, Natalie treats Monk much the same way that Sharona did: like a child, which he essentially is. She does not spank him or send him to his room without supper, but she is never shy about reprimanding him, or reminding him about her frequently-late paycheck.

Perhaps the most difficult change came with the death of actor Stanley Kamel, who portrayed Dr. Charles Kroger, Monk's psychiatrist of 11 years. The writers dealt openly yet delicately with this, having Kroger succumb to a heart attack, just as Kamel did in reality. Hector Elizondo as Monk's new therapist, Dr. Neven Bell, helps the series make a remarkably smooth transition, while at the same time acknowledging Monk's grief.

Staple characters who remain with the show throughout its long run are Captain Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine), and dim-witted Lieutenant Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford). Occasional characters include Monk's equally-neurotic brother, Ambrose (John Turturo), Monk's nerdy neighbor, Kevin Dorfman (Jarrad Paul) and Monk's nemesis, Harold Krenshaw (Tim Bagley), also a patient of Dr. Kroger. Arch-villain Dale the Whale Biederbeck is played by three different actors, Adam Arkin, Tim Curry and Ray Porter. Curry's portrayal is the best, however.

Monk's shtick is painful

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