Monk

[Marky B]

In the papers,I have never read anything about this programme,yet I think it is one of the most entertaining programmes on television. The stories are far fetched,but it is still intriguing,very funny with a good performance from Tony Shalhoub,aided by Ted Levine (Buffalo Bill in Silence Of The Lambs),Jason Gray Stanford,Bitty Schram (now gone) and now Traylor Howard.

Does anybody else watch it?

Ta Ta

Marky B

[badboy4life]

yep can buy series 1 and 2 on dvd and series 3 is showing on uk living

[Cetti]

Thank goodness for another fan Marky B.

It's a gem of a programme hidden away on a Saturday afternoon. I came across it by accident a couple of years ago when the previous actress was the nurse and loved it immediately. It's funny, sometimes very poignant and graphic (did you see the one where the man used a hammer on his wife's head?) but always entertaining. I tape it and watch it in the evening - goes well with king prawn chow mein.

[CT]

Yeah, I like it too. It is wasted at those times on a Saturday afternoon. Shame really. So much junk that it could replace the rest of the week.

[Marky B]

Thanks for your replies - it is an excellent programme overlooked.

Ta Ta

Marky B

[Celtigra3]

Great programme. Hallmark also show it, but the BBC2 episodes seem to be newer.

[LeMarchand]

Despite it winning awards in the US, the BBC treat this show very badly. What's doubly annoying is that they seem to have a "first run" deal that means that Hallmark, who hold the non-terrestrial rights and treat the show well, can't show any new episodes until the BBC have broadcast them. The BBC for their part seem incapable of showing more than 3 episodes in a row, vary the broadcast time within a two to three hour window (at a rubbish time anyway), and pre-empt the show constantly for sport and old black-and-white movies. I know they get a lot of complaints about this, but don't seem to care.

It wouldn't be so bad if the BBC let the "first run" rights go to Hallmark. We would then get the show at a decent time, on a good schedule and we'd probably be enjoying Season 4 now.

[Marky B]

I agree. I sent a letter to the Radio Times complaining of the hit and miss attitude the Beeb has towards the programme:changing the times and sometimes not showing it at all. I think it deserves some respect,as it is better than some of the crap that all terrestrial channels seem over keen to promote.

Ta Ta

Marky B

[Cetti]

In case you haven't seen it Marky from Monday the Beeb has elevated Monk to the daily afternoon slot vacated by Murder She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder. Should be prime time on Saturday evening, but it's getting there!

[Marky B]

Thanks,Ceti - the repeats of MSW were getting a bit exhausted.

Did you see the pilot of Monk on Saturday afternoon.

Ta Ta

Marky B

[Cetti]

Yes, I remembered to tape it to watch in the evening. It was a real cracker of an episode, wasn't it?

[Marky B]

Well,this was the programme that got me on to Monk. I remember one Saturday afternoon,channel hopping,and came across it. A good twist at the end and a very funny scene when he was trying to retrieve his car keys from the coffin of the dead bodyguard,only to lift the dead man's arm on cue to the salute from the mayoral candidate.

Tony Shalhoub was the gunshop owner in Men In Black and was also excellent in The Siege with Denzil Washington and Bruce Willis.

Ta Ta

Marky B

[Cetti]

Ah, that was the pilot episode yesterday. My husband said that he'd seen it before and remembered the twist at the end with the gunshot echoing round the buildings. I loved that scene you mentioned at the funeral, so clever.

Tony Shalhoub and Bitty Schram go so well together and have such clever timing, but all the cast interact so magnificently. Can't wait for tomorrow.

[Marky B]

Pity Bitty (soppy rhyme) quit,she was a good partner to Monk (and I fancied her something rotten). Although,I like Traylor Howard and I think she will develope her own character into something as strong as Sharona Fleming.

Ta Ta

Marky B