Monk (season 1)

Monk season 1
DVD cover of Monk, season one
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	13
Broadcast
Original channel	USA Network (USA)
Original run	July 12, 2002 – October 18, 2002
Home video release
DVD release date	June 15, 2004 (Region 1)
Season chronology
← Previous — Next → Season 2

The first season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from July 12 to October 18, 2002. It 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 titular 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 wouldn't 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

Main article: List of Monk characters

See also: List of Monk cast members

Michael Richards was 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."^[1] 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 SBPD lieutenant, was created. Breckman later stated "I couldn't have imagined doing it without him."^[1]

Episode 8: Lou Pratt's funeral is held at Toronto's Anglican Cathedral

Various prominent guest stars were then casted. 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. Adam Arkin appeared as Dale the Whale. 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. Prominent guest stars, many of them Canadian, were chosen for the season, including Brooke Adams, 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, Jessica Steen, and Randy Thomas.

Episodes

See also: List of Monk episodes

Series #	Season #	Title	Written by	Directed by	Original air date
1	1	"Mr. Monk and the Candidate (Part One)"	Andy Breckman	Dean Parisot	July 12, 2002 (2002-07-12)
Monk investigates an assassination attempt on a mayoral candidate (Michael Hogan) and learns there's more at play than meets the eye, especially after discovering secrets involving the candidate's wife (Gail O'Grady) and campaign manager (Ben Bass).
2	2	"Mr. Monk and the Candidate (Part Two)"	Andy Breckman	Dean Parisot	July 12, 2002 (2002-07-12)
Monk continues his investigation into the assassination attempt on the candidate (Michael Hogan).
3	3	"Mr. Monk and the Psychic"	John Romano	Kevin Inch	July 19, 2002 (2002-07-19)
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.
4	4	"Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale"	Andy Breckman	Rob Thompson	July 26, 2002 (2002-07-26)
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). How can a man who hasn't left his bed in eleven years be responsible for the murder?
5	5	"Mr. Monk Goes to the Carnival"	Siobhan Byrne	Randall Zisk	August 2, 2002 (2002-08-02)
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, but is there actually more to the case than is apparent?
6	6	"Mr. Monk Goes to the Asylum"	Tom Scharpling and David Breckman	Nick Marck	August 9, 2002 (2002-08-09)
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.
7	7	"Mr. Monk and the Billionaire Mugger"	Timothy J. Lea	Stephen Cragg	August 16, 2002 (2002-08-16)
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. It appears to be a midlife crisis gone horribly wrong–until Monk uncovers the truth about both the murder and about "Fraidy Cop".
8	8	"Mr. Monk and the Other Woman"	David M. Stern	Adam Arkin	August 23, 2002 (2002-08-23)
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. Will a burgeoning romance interfere with a murder investigation? Or is it all part of a larger plan?
9	9	"Mr. Monk and the Marathon Man"	Mitch Markowitz	Adam Davidson	September 13, 2002 (2002-09-13)
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. How can the suspect be in two places at once?
10	10	"Mr. Monk Takes a Vacation"	Hy Conrad	Kevin Inch	September 20, 2002 (2002-09-20)
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.
11	11	"Mr. Monk and the Earthquake"	Tom Scharpling and David Breckman	Adam Shankman	October 4, 2002 (2002-10-04)
When a San Francisco philanthropist dies mysteriously in a minor earthquake, Monk suspects foul play, and Sharona's life is soon in danger.
12	12	"Mr. Monk and the Red-Headed Stranger"	Andy Breckman and Tom Scharpling	Milan Cheylov	October 11, 2002 (2002-10-11)
Is country superstar Willie Nelson a cold-blooded murderer? The police think so–but Monk has other ideas.
13	13	"Mr. Monk and the Airplane"	David M. Stern	Rob Thompson	October 18, 2002 (2002-10-18)
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.

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Monk (TV series)

Emmy Awards

• Outstanding Actor - Comedy Series (Tony Shalhoub for playing "Adrian Monk", won)
• Outstanding Main Title Theme Music (Jeff Beal, won)

Golden Globe Awards

• Best Actor - Musical or Comedy Series (Tony Shalhoub for playing "Adrian Monk", won)

Screen Actors Guild

• Outstanding Actor - Comedy Series (Tony Shalhoub for playing "Adrian Monk", nominated)

Gallery

Episode 9: Gwen Zaleski's body is found near Richard Deacon's sculpture ...

... opposite Captain John's Restaurant on Queen's Quay in Toronto

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "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