Mr.Monk-related stories
Posted Oct 31st 2009 12:32PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S08E11) All the people involved in
Monk know that this is the last season. They've promoted it as such, and clearly they've planned it that way. That could explain why Monk is evolving in these last episodes. I was truly encouraged by last week's Sharona episode, which was one of the best
Monks I've seen in a long time.
Could the next episode possibly be that good? Well, not quite, but it was wonderful. I'm giving anything away -- it's in the title -- but this was all about Mr. Monk and a dog. Yes, Adrian and a dog. More after the jump.
Continue reading Review: Monk - Mr. Monk and the Dog
Posted Feb 7th 2009 10:03AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free

(S07E14) "Rodderick Brody changed my life, maybe as much as Trudy." -- Monk
If I didn't know better, I would have taken this episode of
Monk as the drinking game edition because if you took a drink every time someone mentioned the word "swirlie," you were seriously hammered halfway through the show. If that was what you were up to, good for you because you probably didn't care that the last act of the show was a ridiculous plot switch that spoiled an otherwise very good episode. More on the ill-advised plot development after the jump.
By and large, though, there was a lot of good stuff here. The flashback to little Adrian in seventh grade was superb, right down to his tweed jacket and beige shirt and black slacks. A lot of Monk's psychological damage occurred in that junior high school bathroom thanks to the bully in question, Rodderick Brody.
Continue reading Monk: Mr. Monk and the Bully
Posted Jan 31st 2009 12:05PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free
(S07E13) NBC is broadcasting the Super Bowl on Sunday in case you didn't already know that, although I can't imagine how unless you've been living in a cave for the past couple of weeks. The promotion has been across the entire
NBC Universal network.
There have been little football reminders in most of its programming, like the NFL-themed cuisine on Bravo's
Top Chef. This Sunday there'll be an all-day USA Network Super Bowl Promotion including the characters from
Psych, Law and Order: CI, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, The Starter Wife, and
Monk. Yeah,
Monk.
And yet, probably because of some "rights" thing, this episode of
Monk had to build the mystery at a playoff game around a fictional football team and that made this whole show pretty flimsy.
Continue reading Monk: Mr. Monk Makes the Playoffs
Posted Aug 9th 2008 10:05AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Monk, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free
(S07E04) Okay, this episode was a definite reach, especially the convoluted way they came up with a climax to feature Monk doing all the things necessary to pass a fitness exam. Perhaps it was an homage to the Olympics, a twisted connection thanks to the NBC Universal. I don't know, but it took a leap of faith to buy it all.
For starters, there was no star murderer. It was an interesting case for a change, especially since the killer was a professional hit man. The planting of the bomb in the heavy bag was clever, although wouldn't a real pro make sure that the target would be hit? The set up was so random. And if you don't care about killing, why not leave a bomb big enough to destroy the gym and everyone in it? Just wondering...
Continue reading Monk: Mr. Monk Takes a Punch
Posted Dec 6th 2007 2:03PM by Richard Keller
Filed under: Programming, Monk, Psych
When it comes to program scheduling the cable networks don't need no stinkin' badges to do what they normally do. That's why there are Law & Order marathons on TNT during every federal holiday and episodes of Dog, The Bounty Hunter on A&E. It is also the reason why we see new holiday episodes from shows like The Closer in December when their seasons end in September.
So, it should be no surprise that new holiday-themed episodes of Monk and Psych are airing this Friday on the USA Network. Actually, it should be no surprise that Monk is offering a holiday tale since it has done so for the last three years. This is Psych's first entry into the holiday episode universe. And, regardless if it is their first or third holiday entry, both shows look like interesting viewing.
Continue reading New episodes of Monk and Psych air Friday night