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Monk
Sept 7, 2004 22:51:36 GMT -5
Post by trisha on Sept 7, 2004 22:51:36 GMT -5
What!!! I don't believe it. Didn't we just see that Monk doens't function without Sharona a few episodes ago?
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Monk
Sept 15, 2004 18:35:07 GMT -5
Post by NikkiGreen on Sept 15, 2004 18:35:07 GMT -5
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Monk
Sept 15, 2004 19:04:35 GMT -5
Post by trisha on Sept 15, 2004 19:04:35 GMT -5
Oh, so they're replacing one street wise single mom with another. I'm skeptical. Thanks for the link, Nikki
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Monk
Sept 15, 2004 19:10:08 GMT -5
Post by NikkiGreen on Sept 15, 2004 19:10:08 GMT -5
We'll just have to wait and see how *they* mess up things.
Monk without Sharona...I'm not so sure about that one.
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Monk
Sept 16, 2004 0:36:07 GMT -5
Post by Observer2 on Sept 16, 2004 0:36:07 GMT -5
Whoa, I hadn’t heard about this! I’m with you, Nikki... I don’t have a lot of faith in the writers for Monk. Admittedly, they’ve set themselves a difficult task, maintaining a good balance between comedy, mystery, drama and pathos, but I don’t think they’ve measured up to what Shaloub could have maintained with this series. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what they’re up to now...
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Monk
Jan 21, 2005 9:31:21 GMT -5
Post by Patcat on Jan 21, 2005 9:31:21 GMT -5
A new run of MONK starts tonight (I think the producers are calling it the second half of the third season), and the reviews have generally been positive about the show and Taylor Howard. The critics have, rightly, always loved Tony Shalhoub, and most of them seem to have taken to Ms. Howard with a few suggesting her character is an improvement over Sharona.
I like MONK a lot, almost as much as LOCI, and it's the only other show besides LOCI that I actively seek out, tape, watch repeats, purchase the DVDs, etc. The last run of new episodes was uneven, though--some of them the best of the series, but others the worst. MR MONK AND THE PANIC ROOM (the one with the monkey--it's never good when a show turns to animals for both comic relief and murder suspects) was so weak that it tainted the whole 3.1 season.
I'm looking forward to the new assistant. Good Watson like characters are hard to find--just look at Bishop trying to replace Eames on LOCI--and Bitty Schram was excellent as Sharona Fleming. But Sharona was often more of a caricature than a real character (no fault of Ms. Schram's), and she had a tendency to infantalize (there's a $20 word you don't get to use very often) Monk, so this new character may offer some possibilities for growth on everyone's part.
Anyway, I'm optimistic. It also means more opportunities for defective detective nights on the USA Network--I love it when I get to see MONK and LOCI back to back.
Patcat (it takes so little to make me happy)
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Monk
Jan 21, 2005 10:29:06 GMT -5
Post by janetcatbird on Jan 21, 2005 10:29:06 GMT -5
I never think to watch "Monk" during the week, but when they do their marathons and stuff I'll park on the couch. Since it's Friday I'll definitely try to watch tonight's episode. I"m not sure "guilty pleasure" is the right word, it may not be the most sophisticated program but I enjoy it.
Most of the characters do seem to be fairly static and typed. Sharona has had a few good moments, but they really don't do much in terms of growth and stuff. Same with Stottlemeyer and even more so for Randy. I wish they'd find a different formula for his assistant than a single mother, but when you think about it, it could be awkward for a married woman to devote so much time and effort to a man not her husband. I suppose having the kid allows for outside pulls and tugs and situations, but it does seem to be a bit too easy. And while they could have a guy for the assistant, network execs might fuss about the lack of a female presence.
Just curious, but how did they write Sharona out? I'm hoping that she'll still come back for dinner or something on occassion. I also wonder if they'll open up the possibility of her and Randy finally getting together, since she won't be a regular and it wouldn't be a distraction. Not that I'm especially pushing this, I'm just curious, since I think I will miss that banter.
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MelTex
Detective
"I want a Jonny 7 all-in-one gun..."
Posts: 336
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Monk
Jan 21, 2005 10:32:02 GMT -5
Post by MelTex on Jan 21, 2005 10:32:02 GMT -5
I'm a MONK fan as well, and I have to admit, I was very wary when they stated they were getting rid of Bitty Schram's character. I will miss her snarkyness.
SO, I understand that Schram was having problems and thats why she left the show (read: they never stated exactly what those problems were, and if you listen to some of the muck-throwing sources, she was unhappy with her pay and staged sick-outs. Yea, can you say, "painting her like they did VDO") But why are they replacing her character with another single mom? Is she gonna be snarky and quick witted like Sharona? If she is, thats not much of a variety in character writing!
I've always liked Monk's defective-detective routine, it was a little original character from the crime drama apple barrel, but if this new girl doesn't have an original character of her own, it doesn't bode well for post-Sharona MONK.
Can't wait to see tonight's ep!
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Monk
Jan 21, 2005 12:34:41 GMT -5
Post by Patcat on Jan 21, 2005 12:34:41 GMT -5
It was, apparently, a case ultimately of Ms. Schramm wanting too much money. Or more likely, Ms. Schramm's agent wanting too much money. One source claimed everyone liked her, and her behavior was more ditzy than diva.
Sharona will be written by having her remarry her ex, and move back to New Jersey. Since her ex was always depicted as a jerk, I do not like this solution.
The new character is reportedly different--a little older, more grounded, better dressed.
And I think this is a very different case from Mr. D'Onofrio, aside from the basic them of rumors. Mr. D'Onofrio has never been accused of not showing up without cause, or trying to get more money--indeed, in nearly every interview he talks how about how much money he gets paid and I gather he's got a very good deal for when the series goes into syndication. It seems the rumors are more about his need to control all of the production.
Patcat
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Monk
Jan 21, 2005 15:00:25 GMT -5
Post by janetcatbird on Jan 21, 2005 15:00:25 GMT -5
She remarried the scum? Oooh, the way he's treated Benjy and Sharona in his few appearances...she's been savvy enough to stay away from him before, why all of a sudden would she go back? Grr--hopefully we'll get some good scenes with Stanley, I don't know who the actor is that portrays Monk's doctor but I think he does a nice job.
All I heard about the actress Bitty Schram was "contract disputes", which I interpreted as "salary arguments" but didn't really know or care about the issue. I can understand the actors wanting to do some other projects and not get stereotyped, so if that was somewhere in the actress's mind I wish her luck. But tonight ought to be interesting.
--Catbird
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MelTex
Detective
"I want a Jonny 7 all-in-one gun..."
Posts: 336
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Monk
Jan 21, 2005 15:39:42 GMT -5
Post by MelTex on Jan 21, 2005 15:39:42 GMT -5
Yea, I knew she'd had contract disputes, and if truth be told, it probably is her agent wanting a bigger slice. But I guess I was only comapring the fact that the rumor mill was churning again, and that was the only real comparison to Mr. D'Onofrio's former situation. Yea, I had read where he'd said how well he gets paid for CI and that his kid's college will be paid for by the time his contract was up with L&O. Lucky them!
Oh, I didn't know she was to re-marry that schmoe Ex of hers!! WTF!?! I thought they might write her as going back to NJ, but not re-marrying the guy she complained about in the episodes, that treated her and the son like dirt in the past!
Glad to hear the new girl might wear better fitting clothes. Thats good at least.
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Monk
Jan 21, 2005 23:15:14 GMT -5
Post by janetcatbird on Jan 21, 2005 23:15:14 GMT -5
Well, while I'm still coherent, I thought it was a very nice intro for the new character(s). The daughter, I think, was done in a believable kid but not contrived cutesy or smart-aleck way. Also, Natalie has a very different personality than Sharona, so even if she is a single mom, hopefully they will continue to find ways to make the role "Natalie" and not just "Monk's assistant". Although maybe I'm paranoid, but were they sowing the seeds for a romance, with those thoughtful looks and understanding sympathies? We'll see. Hopefully they'll hold off for a long time if they do eventually decide in that direction.
As to the mystery, eh, I had it figured out in about 25 minutes--but then, I don't watch "Monk" for the whodunits as much as for the characters and situations.
I loved the scene in the pet store, Monk's soulmate in the bird. When he was talking about never feeling the same way about anyone else and Natalie asked "What was her name", the camera angle looked like Monk was in the cage and couldn't escape--and it was done so naturally that I was just delighted.
Is it just me or is Monk coping slightly better? He's always been able to (temporarily) conquer his phobias in pivotal moments, but he actually shook hands--even without the wipe--and picked up the fish and even got through a claustrophobic passage (even if he did run right out again, at least he got through it). Like the bird's namesake, he gets by with a little help from his friends. (And I'm not even a Beatles fan, but what a great connection!)
Later all, Catbird
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Monk
Jan 22, 2005 1:34:21 GMT -5
Post by Patcat on Jan 22, 2005 1:34:21 GMT -5
I liked her. And I like the way she treats Monk, and the way Monk reacts to her. Definite potential for good developments.
Patcat
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MelTex
Detective
"I want a Jonny 7 all-in-one gun..."
Posts: 336
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Monk
Jan 24, 2005 14:11:30 GMT -5
Post by MelTex on Jan 24, 2005 14:11:30 GMT -5
I was pleasantly surprised by Natalie's character. I really liked how down-to-earth she was. She handles Monk very well for a first timer, and I really liked when she told the human corpusle "No, I really don't want to know anything about you." And Monk had this wonderful smile on his face that said, "Oh, I think I like her."
The scene with the bird was touching and very appropriate, loved the shot of Monk in the cage as well, Patcat.
I'm hopeful for this season and this new girl, I like her already.
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Monk
Feb 3, 2005 16:11:03 GMT -5
Post by NikkiGreen on Feb 3, 2005 16:11:03 GMT -5
Tony Shalhoub is scheduled tonight for The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch on CNBC. (7:00 & 10:00 on West Coast...which would make it 4:00 & 7:00 on the East Coast). We just got the episode Mr. Monk Takes His Medicine on Sunday. Interesting see Mr. Monk as "normal"! ;D How many Sharona episodes are left?
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