Title: Monk
Stars: Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, and
Ted Levine
Writer: Andy Breckman
Director: Dean Parisot
Executive Producers: Andy Breckman and
David Hoberman
Running Time: 85 minutes without
commercials
Media: USA Original Series Premiere
Episode (NTSC VHS Screener)
World Premiere Friday, July 12, 2002
Network: USA Network Television (Check
your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: PG 14
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
Acclaimed Actor Tony Shalhoub stars as
“Monk,” an obsessive-compulsive detective. As a result of his psychological
disorder that occurred after the murder of his wife, Monk had to leave his
position as legendary homicide detective on the San Francisco police force.
Despite the disability, his skills at deductive reasoning still make him a
valuable resource for even the most difficult to solve cases that come across
his way. Accompanied by a nurse who serves as a side kick of sorts, played by
Bitty Schram, Monk faces the day to day challenges of coping with his day to day
anxieties over germs, heights, crowds, and so on while solving homicide cases.
Written by Andy Brekman (Rat Race), who
serves as one of the show’s Executive Producers along with Executive Producer
David Hoberman, the pilot was directed by feature filmmaker Dean Parisot, who
worked with Shalhoub on the DreamWorks Pictures sci-fi comedy, “Galaxy
Quest.” The pilot also features Actor Ted Levine as Monk’s former Police
Captain.
I have always liked Tony Shalhoub as an
Actor because of his variety of character roles such as his comedic appearances
in films like “Men In Black” and his serious and smarmy cameo in
“GATTACA” through his satirical performance in “The Man Who Wasn’t
There,” Shalhoub is one of the most versatile Actors working in feature films
and television today.
In these times, mental and emotional
illness is finally being explored as a common condition to be dealt with in a
dignified manner since the movement to remove the stigma of people with
disabilities that was spearheaded by former President George Bush’s signing of
the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) into law back in 1990 as well as the
embrace by Hollywood to produce acclaimed feature films like “As Good As It
Gets” and “A Beautiful Mind,” which has created a greater understanding of
both the plight of the individual who suffers from the disability coupled with
the fact these people can still live very normal and productive lives with many
others never even knowing their ever was a problem or that it may be something
ongoing.
“Monk” is a light comedy and
investigative drama that never exploits its lead character and presents the
subject manner to the viewer with respect as well. As a whole, I think viewers
should give “Monk” a try, especially if they are already interested in
sleuth dramas that mix a bit of light comedy like “Colombo.” “Monk” will
premiere on the USA Cable Network with a two-hour opening episode on Friday,
July 12, 2002. Check your locale cable and satellite listings for channel and
show time.
© Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.