Monk (season 1)
Encyclopedia
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.
project, pitching a show about a "cop with obsessive-compulsive disorder." 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). 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.
. 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
. 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." He went on to say that "we had people coming in doing tics and Tourette's syndrome." 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 SBPD lieutenant, was created. Breckman later stated "I couldn't have imagined doing it without him."
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
.
Monk (TV series)
Monk is an American comedy-drama detective mystery television series created by Andy Breckman and starring Tony Shalhoub as the titular character, Adrian Monk. It originally ran from 2002 to 2009 and is primarily a mystery series, although it has dark and comic touches.The series debuted on July...
originally aired in the United States on USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
from July 12 to October 18, 2002. It consisted of 13 episodes. Tony Shalhoub
Tony Shalhoub
Anthony Marcus "Tony" Shalhoub is an American actor of Lebanese descent. His television work includes the roles of Antonio Scarpacci on Wings and sleuth Adrian Monk on the TV series Monk. He has won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work in Monk...
, Bitty Schram
Bitty Schram
Elizabeth Natalie "Bitty" Schram is an American actress, most widely known for having played Sharona Fleming in the television series Monk.-Career:...
, Ted Levine
Ted Levine
Frank Theodore "Ted" Levine is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs and Captain Leland Stottlemeyer in the television series Monk.-Early life and career:...
, and Jason Gray-Stanford were introduced as portraying the main characters. Tony Shalhoub portrayed Adrian Monk
Adrian Monk
Adrian Monk is a fictional character portrayed by Tony Shalhoub and the protagonist of the USA Network television series Monk. He is a renowned former homicide detective for the San Francisco Police Department...
, 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 ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
project, pitching a show about a "cop with obsessive-compulsive disorder." He then invited Andy Breckman
Andy Breckman
Andy Breckman is a television and film writer and a radio personality. He is the co-creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning television series Monk on the USA Network, and is co-host of WFMU radio's long-running conceptual comedy program Seven Second Delay...
to become the show's creator, who would develop the show and become the show runner
Show runner
Showrunner is a term of art originating in the United States and Canadian television industry referring to the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a television seriesalthough such persons generally are credited as an executive producer...
. Breckman accepted, and became the creator of Monk. Breckman wrote a script for the pilot episode, which he called "Mr. Monk and the Candidate
Mr. Monk and the Candidate
"Mr. Monk and the Candidate" is the 90-minute pilot episode of the TV series Monk on the USA Network.During the Monk Cast Favorites Marathon, the episode was listed as one of Traylor Howard's favorites...
". It was originally to be an hour-long pilot, but due to lead actor Tony Shalhoub
Tony Shalhoub
Anthony Marcus "Tony" Shalhoub is an American actor of Lebanese descent. His television work includes the roles of Antonio Scarpacci on Wings and sleuth Adrian Monk on the TV series Monk. He has won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work in Monk...
'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). Dean Parisot
Dean Parisot
Aldo L. "Dean" Parisot is an American film and television director. He won the 1988 Academy Award for Best Short Film, Live Action for The Appointments of Dennis Jennings, which starred comedian Steven Wright...
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
Randall Zisk
Randall "Randy" Zisk is an American television director and producer.As both a director and producer, he has worked most substantially on the television series Monk and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman...
and Adam Arkin
Adam Arkin
Adam Arkin is an American television, film and stage actor and director. He played the role of Aaron Shutt on Chicago Hope. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including a Tony as well as 3 primetime Emmys, 4 SAG Awards , and a DGA Award...
. Writers for the season included Tom Scharpling
Tom Scharpling
Tom Scharpling is an American radio host, comedian, television writer, producer and music video director. He is best known for hosting the weekly freeform radio call-in comedy program The Best Show on WFMU and for acting as a writer/executive producer for the TV show Monk.Scharpling is also noted...
, 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
Jeff Beal
Jeff Beal is an American composer of music for film, television, recordings, and the concert hall. Highly regarded as a jazz instrumentalist and versatile composer, Beal's music often incorporates a synthesis of improvisatory and composed elements.- Early life :Beal began trumpet studies in the...
was hired to write the theme song, for which he won an Emmy.
Cast
Casting for the show began as early as 1998, when Monk was being developed for ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. By the time Tony Shalhoub
Tony Shalhoub
Anthony Marcus "Tony" Shalhoub is an American actor of Lebanese descent. His television work includes the roles of Antonio Scarpacci on Wings and sleuth Adrian Monk on the TV series Monk. He has won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work in Monk...
was finally chosen for the role of Adrian Monk
Adrian Monk
Adrian Monk is a fictional character portrayed by Tony Shalhoub and the protagonist of the USA Network television series Monk. He is a renowned former homicide detective for the San Francisco Police Department...
, USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
had taken over the project, and several prominent actors had been considered for the part. Such actors included Dave Foley
Dave Foley
David Scott "Dave" Foley is a Canadian comedian, writer, director, and producer best known for his work in The Kids in the Hall, NewsRadio, A Bug's Life, and Celebrity Poker Showdown...
, John Ritter
John Ritter
Jonathan Southworth "John" Ritter was an American actor, voice over artist and comedian perhaps best known for having played Jack Tripper and Paul Hennessy in the ABC sitcoms Three's Company and 8 Simple Rules, respectively...
, Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler
Henry Franklin Winkler, OBE is an American actor, director, producer, and author.Winkler is best known for his role as Fonzie on the 1970s American sitcom Happy Days...
, Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci is an American actor, writer, film producer and film director. He has been nominated for several notable film awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his performance in The Lovely Bones...
, Alfred Molina
Alfred Molina
Alfred Molina is a British-born American actor. He first came to public attention in the UK for his supporting role in the 1987 film Prick Up Your Ears...
, and, most seriously, Michael Richards
Michael Richards
Michael Anthony Richards is an American actor, comedian, writer and television producer, best known for his portrayal of the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on the television sitcom Seinfeld....
. 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." He went on to say that "we had people coming in doing tics and Tourette's syndrome." Eventually, however, Shalhoub was given the part of the obsessive-compulsive detective. The role of Sharona Fleming
Sharona Fleming
Sharona Fleming is a fictional character in the award-winning series Monk. Sharona is a divorced practical nurse from New Jersey and a single mother with a young son named Benjy. She was played by Bitty Schram. Schram was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance.-Biography:Sharona's...
was also difficult to cast. In the story notes, her character was described as "Sassy. Outspoken. No BS." Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
was one of the many actresses considered before Bitty Schram
Bitty Schram
Elizabeth Natalie "Bitty" Schram is an American actress, most widely known for having played Sharona Fleming in the television series Monk.-Career:...
was given the part. Stottlemeyer
Leland Stottlemeyer
Captain Leland Francis Stottlemeyer is a fictional police officer played by Ted Levine on the American crime drama Monk. He is Captain of the San Francisco Police Department 's Homicide Detail, and a longtime friend of Adrian Monk from their days on the force together where he served as Monk's...
(originally named Chief Rockwell) was much easier to cast, with Ted Levine
Ted Levine
Frank Theodore "Ted" Levine is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs and Captain Leland Stottlemeyer in the television series Monk.-Early life and career:...
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
Mr. Monk and the Candidate
"Mr. Monk and the Candidate" is the 90-minute pilot episode of the TV series Monk on the USA Network.During the Monk Cast Favorites Marathon, the episode was listed as one of Traylor Howard's favorites...
as Randy Deacon, a minor role. However, after production, Andy Breckman
Andy Breckman
Andy Breckman is a television and film writer and a radio personality. He is the co-creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning television series Monk on the USA Network, and is co-host of WFMU radio's long-running conceptual comedy program Seven Second Delay...
(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."
Stanley Kamel
Stanley Kamel was an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Charles Kroger on the American television series Monk.-Biography:...
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
Kane Ritchotte
Kane Ritchotte is an American child actor and musician. He is probably best known for acting in the TV series Monk as Benjy Fleming. He has also appeared in the TV series Judging Amy as James Canello. He was the drummer for Disney's Devo tribute band, Devo 2.0...
and Max Morrow
Max Morrow
Max Morrow is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his roles in Monk as Benjy Fleming, The Christmas Shoes, and The Great Goose Caper.-Movies:-Television:-External links:...
were chosen to portray Benjy Fleming, Sharona's son, throughout several episodes. Amy Sedaris
Amy Sedaris
Amy Louise Sedaris is an American actress, author, and comedian. She is known for playing the character Jerri Blank in the Comedy Central television series Strangers with Candy. Sedaris regularly collaborates with her older brother, humorist and author David Sedaris...
appeared as Sharona's sister Gail. Adam Arkin
Adam Arkin
Adam Arkin is an American television, film and stage actor and director. He played the role of Aaron Shutt on Chicago Hope. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including a Tony as well as 3 primetime Emmys, 4 SAG Awards , and a DGA Award...
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
Hrant Alianak
Hrant Alianak , also billed as Harant Alianak or Grant Aljanak, is an Armenian-Canadian actor and playwright. In 1988 he was nominated for the Genie Award "Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role" for his role in the 1987 film Family Viewing. He played Pete in the 1995 movie with Adam...
, David Anderson
David Anderson
David A. Anderson, is a former Canadian cabinet minister.Educated at Victoria College in Victoria, BC and the University of British Columbia, Anderson served as a foreign service officer in the Department of External Affairs between 1962 and 1968...
, Ben Bass
Ben Bass
Benjamin Langer "Ben" Bass is a television and stage actor. Bass was born in Baltimore, Maryland. At age 7, he moved with his family to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He speaks French fluently. He started in television on the show 21 Jump Street and his stage career in Angry Housewives...
, John Bourgeois
John Bourgeois
John Bourgeois is a bilingual actor, director and educator.-Life and career:John Bourgeois was born in Ottawa. He received his training at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London and Concordia University in Montreal, where he obtained a B.A...
, Cameron Daddo
Cameron Daddo
Cameron Peter Daddo is an Australian actor, musician and presenter. He is the brother of Andrew Daddo and Lochie Daddo.-Australian television:...
, Jennifer Dale
Jennifer Dale
Jennifer Dale, née Ciurluini , is a Canadian television, dancer, and actress.- Early life :She is the sister of Canadian actress Cynthia Dale...
, Tim Daly, Maria del Mar
Maria del Mar (actress)
Maria del Mar del Castillo is a Canadian television actress, who has starred in series such as Street Legal, Tek War, Relativity, Mercy Point, Terminal City and Blue Murder....
, Polly Draper
Polly Draper
Polly Carey Draper is an American actress, screenwriter, playwright, producer and director. She is renowned for her ensemble role in ABC's hit series Thirtysomething. In 1998, Draper starred in her screenwriting debut The Tic Code, featuring Gregory Hines which was inspired by her husband Michael...
, Robin Duke
Robin Duke
Robin Duke is a Canadian actress and comedian. Duke is most famous for her work on the NBC comedy series Saturday Night Live. In the 2000s, Women Fully Clothed, a sketch comedy troupe which she co-founded, toured Canada...
, Fred Ewanuick
Fred Ewanuick
Fred Ewanuick is a Canadian actor of Ukrainian and Italian heritage, known for his role in the television series Corner Gas as Hank Yarbo. He was also a regular in a CTV anthology series, Robson Arms.-Early life:...
, Michael Hogan, Rob LaBelle
Rob LaBelle
Rob LaBelle is an American film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.-Career:LaBelle has made appearances, many as a character actor, in dozens of film and television roles, most in the science-fiction genre, and is probably best known for his role as...
, Jenny Levine
Jenny Levine
Jennifer "Jenny" Levine is a Canadian actress who debuted on the Canadian series Jake and the Kid as series regular, Molly. She went on to star in the Showtime series Fast Track and has guest starred in numerous shows such as Monk, Doc, The Outer Limits and Nash Bridges.She starred in the Showtime...
, Linda Kash
Linda Kash
Linda Kash is a Canadian actress.An alumna of Second City, she played Trudy Weissman in the 1998 Jean Smart sit-com, Style & Substance...
, J. C. MacKenzie
J. C. MacKenzie
J. C. MacKenzie is a Canadian actor.MacKenzie saw his first play as a 21-year-old student at Concordia University. After that, he was accepted at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He made his screen debut in the TV-movie Perry Mason Returns, billed as John C. McKenzie...
, Carl Marotte
Carl Marotte
Carl Marotte is a Canadian actor. He received a Gemini Award nomination for his role in the television movie Net Worth as Marty Pavelich. His other work includes roles in Lance et Compte, a leading role in Beyond Reality as J.J...
, Garry Marshall
Garry Marshall
Garry Kent Marshall is an American actor, director, writer and producer. His notable credits include creating Happy Days and The Odd Couple and directing Nothing In Common, Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, Valentine's Day, and The Princess Diaries.-Early life:Marshall was born in the New York City...
, Stephen McHattie
Stephen McHattie
Stephen McHattie is a Canadian actor.-Life and career:McHattie was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia....
, Kevin Nealon
Kevin Nealon
Kevin Nealon is an American actor and comedian, best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, acting in several of the Happy Madison films, for playing Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds, and providing the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin on Glenn Martin,...
, Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, Gail O'Grady
Gail O'Grady
Gail Ann O'Grady is an American television actress. She is best known for her roles as Donna Abandando on NYPD Blue and as Helen Pryor on American Dreams...
, Peter Outerbridge
Peter Outerbridge
Peter Outerbridge is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Dr. David Sandstrom in the TMN series ReGenesis, as William in Saw VI and his role as Dan Farmer in Happy Town.-Life and career:...
, Christopher Shyer
Christopher Shyer
Christopher Shyer is a Canadian actor who has appeared in over 50 film and television roles.-Acting career:...
, Jessica Steen
Jessica Steen
Jessica Steen is a film and television actress, noted for her roles in Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future, Homefront, Earth 2, Armageddon, Left Behind: World at War, NCIS, and Flashpoint....
, and Randy Thomas
Randy Thomas
Randy Thomas may refer to:* Randy Thomas , American football player* Randy Thomas , American Christian musician...
.
Episodes
| Series # | Season # | Title | Written by | Directed by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emmy Awards
- Outstanding Actor - Comedy Series (Tony Shalhoub for playing "Adrian Monk", won)
- Outstanding Main Title Theme Music (Jeff BealJeff BealJeff Beal is an American composer of music for film, television, recordings, and the concert hall. Highly regarded as a jazz instrumentalist and versatile composer, Beal's music often incorporates a synthesis of improvisatory and composed elements.- Early life :Beal began trumpet studies in the...
, 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)