I've only started watching "Monk" recently and must admit that I'm already addicted. Tony Shalhoub is the cutest thing and believe it or not, I completely identify with some of his phobias, although I know I'm not OCD. Shaking hands is definitely a big thing for me as I get completely disgusted when women and men walk out of the bathroom without washing their hands. I know that there are watchers out there who are very disappointed that Sharona's character left, but I truly love Natalie's character a lot more. Sharona was much more abrasive and came off as rude on occasions. Natalie seems to be the complete opposite. She's much more personable and tolerant of Monk and I love that she calls him "Mr. Monk" as opposed to "Adrian". Traylor Howard is absolutely stunning, although I like her better with the shorter hair (as in "Red Herring"). I definitely picked up on Traylor's pregnancy while watching "Mr. Monk and the Leper" and think that she looks absolutely gorgeous pregnant. Traylor, pregnancy definitely becomes you!!!! Congratulations and best of luck with your new baby!!! I also wanted to wish all of the cast and crew members best wishes for the series. You deserve all of the Golden Globe and Emmy nominations and wins. I am so entertained by this show, I hope it will be on the air for at least a few more years!

Mmm, I think they put something in the show to make it tackle you to the ground with obsession (not the perfume). I don't even remember the first episode I saw, why I got hooked, or even when I started watching. I just... got sucked into the maelstrom of Monk's awesomeness. Like a lost ship, I shall never return.

I can't remember which episode I saw, either..but I was hooked. Welcome to the forum, enjoy it and the show. (By the way, Tony is cute lol)

Thank you for the welcome! Tony Shalhoub is such an excellent actor, he has me convinced that he's truly OCD in real life!!!! My heart absolutely melted when I saw Monk on the Garbage Strike with the white outfit in the clean room. The smile that he gave made me melt.

Yep, the show is the best show I ever saw and seeing to now. I remember which episode I saw first, it was Mr. Monk goes to Vacation. They should do an eppy like that with Traylor Howard, Emmy Clarck and TS of course

I'm quite addicted to Monk too, and I adore Tony. I love that he's such a nice and down to earth person in real life, a real family man, and always having time for his fans. I think he's one of the best actors of this day. He deserves all the recognition and awards he's getting.

He can convey more emotion with just his expression than some actors do with an entire monolog.

They do put something into the show to make it addictive: Brilliant Writing. It chemically combines with the other active ingredient, Brilliant Acting. The result is a show that's wicked brilliant.

I thought I tasted brilliance. I thought it was awesome, but now that I realize it... Yes... Brilliance.

Awesome is the lingering aftertaste.

You have to See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip... Er... and that's it.

Gargle. You forgot gargle.
Well, at least I gargle it.

The Monk Addiction is understandable. I have my cable DVR box loaded with Monk episodes. My wife can't find her soap buried under all the columns of saved Monk episodes. She does not find my Monk imitations funny. I have all the CDs and DVDs arranged alphabetically and by category ofcourse.
She was the one that got me started watching Monk because he is so much like me. But that was to draw attention to my bad habits, I guess. Instead I am more obsessive compulsive than before.
I am the most Monkish about the car. When I park the car and walk away, I run back double Monking to be sure the headlights are out and the overhead courtesy lamp is out. That got stuck once and my car battery went dead. So from now on, I check it- and I double check it- and I check it again.