Monk (season 1)

Monk season 1

DVD cover for season one
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 13
Release
Original network USA Network
Original release July 12 (2002-07-12) – October 18, 2002 (2002-10-18)
Season chronology

The first season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from July 12 to October 18, 2002, which consisted of 13 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford were introduced as portraying the main characters. Tony Shalhoub portrayed Adrian Monk, the title character, an OCD homicide detective from San Francisco, who was removed from the force after the murder of his wife. A DVD of the season was released on June 15, 2004.

Crew

David Hoberman was the first to sign on to the ABC project, pitching a show about a "cop with obsessive-compulsive disorder."[1] He then invited Andy Breckman to become the show's creator, who would develop the show and become the show runner. Breckman accepted, and became the creator of Monk. Breckman wrote a script for the pilot episode, which he called "Mr. Monk and the Candidate". It was originally to be an hour-long pilot, but due to lead actor Tony Shalhoub's prior contract limitations, it was forced to become a feature length made-for-TV movie (Shalhoub's contract was subsequently cancelled, which gave him the freedom to join Monk).[1] Dean Parisot was selected to direct the pilot episode. He would not return to the series until the final season, for "Mr. Monk and the Badge". Various other directors were hired for the subsequent episodes, including Randall Zisk and Adam Arkin. Writers for the season included Tom Scharpling, David Breckman, and Hy Conrad, among others. Conrad was nominated for an Edgar Award for his work on "Mr. Monk Takes a Vacation". Jeff Beal was hired to write the theme song, for which he won an Emmy.

Cast

Michael Richards, originally considered for the role of Adrian Monk
The main cast of Monk (from left); Jason Gray-Stanford as Randy Disher, Ted Levine as Leland Stottlemeyer, Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, and Bitty Schram as Sharona Fleming

Casting for the show began as early as 1998, when Monk was being developed for ABC. By the time Tony Shalhoub was finally chosen for the role of Adrian Monk, USA Network had taken over the project, and several prominent actors had been considered for the part. Such actors included Dave Foley, John Ritter, Henry Winkler, Stanley Tucci, Alfred Molina, and, most seriously, Michael Richards.[2] Tucci and Molina would later go on to guest star in the series in "Mr. Monk and the Actor" and "Mr. Monk and the Naked Man", respectively. David Hoberman, executive producer of the show, stated, "I can't express how depressing those casting sessions were."[1] He went on to say that "we had people coming in doing tics and Tourette's syndrome."[1] Eventually, however, Shalhoub was given the part of the obsessive-compulsive detective.

The role of Sharona Fleming was also difficult to cast. In the story notes, her character was described as "Sassy. Outspoken. No BS." Queen Latifah was one of the many actresses considered before Bitty Schram was given the part. Stottlemeyer (originally named Chief Rockwell) was much easier to cast, with Ted Levine being one of the earliest choices for the sometimes-annoyed but generally forgiving captain of the SFPD. Jason Gray-Stanford was cast in the pilot as Randy Deacon, a minor role. However, after production, Andy Breckman (the show's creator) is said to have pulled Gray-Stanford aside, where he asked if he would like to be a costar. Gray-Stanford said yes, and the role of Randy Disher, the oblivious but lovable SFPD lieutenant, was created. Breckman later stated "I couldn't have imagined doing it without him."[1]

Stanley Kamel was given the recurring part of Monk's beloved psychiatrist, Dr. Charles Kroger. In the pilot episode, however, he was given a starring credit. Kane Ritchotte and Max Morrow were chosen to portray Benjy Fleming, Sharona's son, throughout several episodes. Amy Sedaris appeared as Sharona's sister Gail. Stellina Rusich, a Canadian actress, was given the part of Trudy Monk, Monk's wife, who was murdered in a car bomb five years before the series began. Rusich appeared in the pilot and one subsequent episode.

For the first appearance in the series of recurring villain "Dale the Whale", Adam Arkin played the part, which was later taken over by Tim Curry. Other prominent guest stars, many but not all Canadian, were chosen for the season, including Brooke Adams (Shalhoub's wife), Hrant Alianak, David Anderson, Ben Bass, John Bourgeois, Cameron Daddo, Jennifer Dale, Tim Daly, Maria del Mar, Polly Draper, Robin Duke, Fred Ewanuick, Michael Hogan, Rob LaBelle, Jenny Levine, Linda Kash, J. C. MacKenzie, Carl Marotte, Garry Marshall, Stephen McHattie, Kevin Nealon, Willie Nelson, Gail O'Grady, Peter Outerbridge, Christopher Shyer, and Jessica Steen.

Episodes

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Written by Directed by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Mr. Monk and the Candidate (Part 1)"Andy BreckmanDean ParisotJuly 12, 2002 (2002-07-12)4.76[3]
Adrian Monk, a former San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) detective, comes out of forced retirement to investigate the murder of a politician's bodyguard and learns that there is more at play than meets the eye, especially after discovering secrets involving the candidate's wife (Gail O'Grady) and campaign manager (Ben Bass).
22"Mr. Monk and the Candidate (Part 2)"Andy BreckmanDean ParisotJuly 12, 2002 (2002-07-12)4.76[3]
Monk continues his investigation into the assassination attempt on the candidate (Michael Hogan).
33"Mr. Monk and the Psychic"John RomanoKevin InchJuly 19, 2002 (2002-07-19)4.06[4]
When the wife of the police commissioner (John Bourgeois) disappears, her body is mysteriously found by a hack "psychic" (Linda Kash). Everyone believes she accomplished the impossible–except for Monk.
44"Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale"Andy BreckmanRob ThompsonJuly 26, 2002 (2002-07-26)4.87[5]
When a local judge is found murdered, all the evidence points to one man: an 800 lb (360 kg) reclusive tycoon named Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck (Adam Arkin). However, due to his extreme obesity, he is unable to leave his bed.
55"Mr. Monk Goes to the Carnival"Siobhan ByrneRandall ZiskAugust 2, 2002 (2002-08-02)4.91[6]
An amusement park ride turns deadly when Stottlemeyer's former partner (Stephen McHattie) gets on a ferris wheel with a mysterious informant. When the ride comes to a stop, the informant has a knife in his chest. The lieutenant, who has a history of police brutality, is suspended.
66"Mr. Monk Goes to the Asylum"Tom Scharpling and David BreckmanNick MarckAugust 9, 2002 (2002-08-09)4.48[7]
After being discovered in Trudy's old house, Monk is temporarily institutionalized. Once committed, he stumbles upon a four-year-old murder. Along the way, Monk is aided by various other patients at the hospital, including a man (Kevin Nealon) who mirrors those around him, a woman who gets angry easily and lashes out at people and a man who is obsessed with Santa Clause.
77"Mr. Monk and the Billionaire Mugger"Timothy J. LeaStephen CraggAugust 16, 2002 (2002-08-16)4.46[8]
A billionaire computer mogul is shot dead while mugging a couple outside a movie theater, and a uniformed officer later is seen fleeing the scene. While the press hound the police about the identity of "Fraidy Cop", Monk investigates what at first appears to be a midlife crisis gone horribly wrong–until he finds out that the two cases are connected.
88"Mr. Monk and the Other Woman"David M. SternAdam ArkinAugust 23, 2002 (2002-08-23)2.55[9] (HH)
Monk's dedication to his late wife is tested when he meets a beautiful woman (Maria del Mar) who has her sights set on a certain obsessive-compulsive detective.
99"Mr. Monk and the Marathon Man"Mitch MarkowitzAdam DavidsonSeptember 13, 2002 (2002-09-13)4.86[10]
Monk knows that a local furniture magnate threw his young mistress off the balcony of her 21st floor apartment. However, the man has a perfect alibi: he was across town running in a citywide marathon.
1010"Mr. Monk Takes a Vacation"Hy ConradKevin InchSeptember 20, 2002 (2002-09-20)2.68[11] (HH)
Monk, Sharona, and Benjy head off for a week of rest and relaxation, but it's back to work when Benjy witnesses a murder through a telescope at their beach resort. Monk is aided in his investigation by a woman (Polly Draper) whose only detective training was learned through movies.
1111"Mr. Monk and the Earthquake"Tom Scharpling and David BreckmanAdam ShankmanOctober 4, 2002 (2002-10-04)2.01[12] (25-54)
When a San Francisco philanthropist dies mysteriously in a minor earthquake, Monk suspects foul play, and Sharona's life is soon in danger.
1212"Mr. Monk and the Red-Headed Stranger"Andy Breckman and Tom ScharplingMilan CheylovOctober 11, 2002 (2002-10-11)2.53[13] (HH)
Country superstar Willie Nelson is arrested for murder, but Monk thinks he is innocent.
1313"Mr. Monk and the Airplane"David M. SternRob ThompsonOctober 18, 2002 (2002-10-18)4.25[14]
Monk braves the unfriendly skies–and finds murder in the air. No one believes him except for Randy, who provides aid back in San Francisco. While in the air, Monk must deal with his fear of flight, a flight attendant (Brooke Adams), a zealous extension cord salesman (Garry Marshall), and Tim Daly.

Reception

The first season received positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the first season holds a 75 out of 100 based on 21 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15]

Awards and nominations

Emmy Awards

Golden Globe Awards

Season 1 was filmed in Toronto, Canada.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Monk: The Official Episode Guide" by Terry J. Erdmann and Paula M. Block
  2. ↑ "Mr Monk and His Origins," a special feature packaged with the Season One DVDs
  3. 1 2 Downey, Kevin (July 24, 2002). "Fox's amazing primetime summer". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ Downey, Kevin (July 31, 2002). "Big duke-out for top network". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  5. ↑ Downey, Kevin (August 7, 2002). "Bum primetime summer for ABC". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  6. ↑ Downey, Kevin (August 14, 2002). "July sweeps belong under the rug". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  7. ↑ Downey, Kevin (August 21, 2002). "TV summer really belongs to cops". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  8. ↑ Downey, Kevin (August 28, 2002). "Some late summer trophies for 'Idol'". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Top 15 Cable Programs - Total Households: Week of 08/19/02 - 08/25/02". Zap2it. Archived from the original on April 15, 2003. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  10. ↑ Downey, Kevin (September 25, 2002). "Network race tightens for 18-49 viewers". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  11. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni (September 26, 2002). "Lifetime cleats over ESPN". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  12. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni (October 10, 2002). "ABC Family pops one into the stands". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  13. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni (October 17, 2002). "Building steam of 'Trading Spaces'". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  14. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni (October 30, 2002). "Dud series scores in a duller TV week". Media Life Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Monk : Season 1". www.metacritic.com. Metacritic. Retrieved July 12, 2002.
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