Customer Reviews
Adrian Monk is still keeping Columbo on his toes - By: Lando Malak, 10 Jul 2007 
I first saw this when it was first aired one saturday (can't remember exactly what year it started, time goes so fast) on BBC2 just because I thought the idea of a former detective with obsessive compulsive disorder sounded interesting but I didn't expect it to be this good, from that very first screening I was hooked although I have to say I get very angry at the way the BBC treats this programme. One week they show it, next week they don't, one week they show it, next two weeks they don't etc. This really gets me angry because they always make some excuse about not being able to fit it into their schedule but isn't it amazing how they never fail to be able to show a repeat of some quiz, lifestyle, learning, cooking, gardening, house buying, livingin another country type programme etc. It really gets me angry that they can't spare just a forty minutes a week time slot for a programme of this high quality.
Sorry if I sounded like I was more interestedin commenting on the BBC rather than Monk so I will get on with it now. I am sure you will know what Monk is all about, if you don't then it is like I have mentioned about a former detective (I say former because he still helps solve crimesin his spare time) who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, it is because of this that he is so good at solving crimes, a kind of blessingin disguise. When the right person is picked to play a particular part it can make all the difference to the success of a programme & Monk is another fine example of this, whoever chose Tony Shalhoub to play this part should be applauded, it was as good a choice as they could have made, imagine if they had chose some young extremely good looking but so wooden that they would be attacked by woodpeckers type instead, this would have been so different for the worse.
This is a really feel good type of detective programme but it can also be really dark & very moving without being over sentimental. There was one episode of this, I can't remember which series it was from but I can't forget the beginning of it, it involved somebody being chain sawed to deathin a garage (if that is not dark then I don't know what is) & although you didn't see it, it was more effective because you could hear it from outside the garage & it was cleverly filmed.
Adrian Monk can be funny & irritating to watch, but at times the pain of him having to live with his obsessive compulsive disorder can be incredibly moving as it affects his whole lifestyle. There is one episodein particular that I can remember (but again I can't remember which series exactly) which involves him looking after or adopting a little boy & all I will say about this is that it is one of the most moving episodes of Monk that I have ever seen.
Columbo is still my favourite detective programme ever but this is not far behind & if like me you like Columbo but have never seen Monk, then I would recommend this very highly as well as the outstanding Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Monk it out - By: E. A Solinas, 23 Feb 2007 
"Monk" is one of those intelligent cult shows that usually dies a quick & painful death -- & this is one of the few that has lasted more than a few weeks. The obsessive compulsive detective returns on DVD with his fourth season of bizarre, seemingly unsolvable crimes, from homicidal dentists to amnesia.
As the season opens, Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) encounters a nasty new obstacle -- an inept private eye, Marty Eels (Jason Alexander), has suddenly become better than him. Everyone thinks Mart is a genius -- but Monk knows better. And when Eels' case explodesin his face, he calls on Monk & Natalie (Traylor Howard) to bail him out.
As the series goes on, Adrian deals with all sorts of weird cases -- murderous dentists, black widows, a case of amnesia that has him thinking he's married to the town weirdo, a wine tasting, a stolen diamond with a million-dollar reward, deals with his boss's marital problems, fashion models, & a Christmas party that turns deadly. Worst of all, he's called on to do jury duty, & has to solve two crimes without leaving the room.
And on the personal front, Monk reunites with his even-more-neurotic brother Ambrose for a Halloween mystery. But when Adrian shows signs of overcoming his disorder, Natalie sees what seems to be his dead wife Trudy walking around San Francisco -- & she's implicatedin a murder.
"Monk" just wrapped its fifth season (which wasn't quite as good as this one), which is something of a record for any semi-intelligent TV show. And for the fourth season of a detective series, it has aged quite well -- the stories are still unusual & cleverly written.
The writing is still quite solid, albeit with one or two lesser episodes ("Mr. Monk & the Captain's Marriage" just feels incredibly awkward). But the comedy & unique crimes continue, to the point where Monk can even solve crimes without leaving his bed. And the series continues to chronicle Monk's struggles against his OCD, while reminding us that he could be worse.
The characters continue to be well-fleshed out: We get some flashbacks to Monk's school years. And though more time has passed, he's stillin love with his late wife -- one of the most charming scenes of the season has him slowly turningin the snow, thinking of Trudy.
For the supporting characters: Stottlemeyer's marital problems continue with shocking results, & Randy Disher's secret rock'n'roll dreams get revealed when he quits the police force. And we get to see more of Natalie's background -- she comes from a moneyed socialite family, complete with a snotty mom.
The fourth season of "Monk" is still solid & enjoyable, with the lovable obsessive-compulsive detective. Solid work.
Compulisive Viewing! - A Gift, not a Curse - By: Chris Evans, 02 Dec 2006 If your a fan of Diagnosis Murder, Murder She Wrote, Father Dowling mysteries...this probably isn't for you as Mr. Monk is quality television!
With Sharona a distant memoryin clothes that were too tight for her, we welcome along Natalie Teeger's first full season! Teeger, Enthusiastically played by the fantastic Traylor Howard, looks like she's enjoying every minute of it, who's views are echoed by a very happy reviewer, who is extatic to have 'Monk' back on our screens!
This should be on Prime time like it isin america, notin those slots that people who stayin all day (Saturday, 3 ish) & pregnant teenagers who just got back from a Jeremy Kyle recording (weekdays 2:35).
Adrian Monk is played once again, suberbly by Tony Shalhoub, who nailed the arkward detective's personality, & he was rewarded with Emmy's! Good for him, he deserved it.
Highlights include Mr. Monk & Little Monk & Mr. Monk & the Other Detective, those are stand out but trust me, so is every other episode.
Not like anything else on TV.
Buy It.
You Won't be dissapointed. 10/10
