Monk (NewVR; ABC; USA)

What a refreshing and unexpectedly early start of the fall season. Originally scheduled to begin airing in September, both NewVR and ABC have decided to give us a first glimpse of a new breed of detective that America has been talking about for some time now.

Monk, an ex-cop, now working as a special consultant to the San Francisco police department, is a welcome change from the superhero-type sleuths and cops on other shows.

Forced to quit the force due to psychological problems, Monk is a character full of loveable quirks - keeping his socks in ziplock bags, arranging everything in his home (and other people's houses) to a t, and breaking out in a cold sweat at the sight of a wayward crumb.

Tony Shaloub, also known from "Wings", is ideally cast in the role of that quirky investigator suffering from an obsessive-compulsive disorder and a wide array of phobias. Aided by his assistant and personal nurse, Sharona (played by Bitty Schram), who literally does his "dirty" work for him, Monk is called in by the police department to consult on difficult cases.

It can only be hoped that NewVR will keep the show in its repertoire, because ABC will stop airing "Monk" after the "sneak preview", and the USA Network is not available to Canadian viewers.

The 2-hour season premiere will air on September 8, at 8:00 pm on NewVR (and other New Net stations).

Added:  Friday, August 23, 2002
Reviewer:  Werner George Patels
Score:
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