I remember the transition. I didn't think I would live through it. I never thought the hating would end. I almost hated coming to the board (I had a different screen name then. I believe it was Randy's girlfriend or dishers girlfriend or something like that.) Anyway. There is peace in the valley, although I do see an almost a Sharona backlash - people remembering her as really mean to Monk when she had always been admired, before, for being this really cool, streetwise character who loved Monk. There were people who thought they were in love. Anyway. I loved Sharona - I'm not bitter about her leaving(anymore) and I've grown to love Natalie, maybe even more than Sharona. I like to watch old Sharona eps, just to remember the good old days. Anyways, anyone else? Did some people come in after Natalie already started?

Maybe it's just the Nyquil talkin'.

I was here during the transition. There were so many threads about Sharona it was hard to weave my way through them. I enjoyed Sharona and still like to watch the old episodes with her. What I thnk most people have noticed is now that we have Natalie we can look back and see Sharona as a street smart, Jersey girl with somewhat of an attitude and that is why she is referred to in a negative way. She was great in the role that was written for her as Natalie is great in the role she has been hired for.

I started watching the show during the Natalie years, but the first episodes I saw were repeats with Sharona. As an ardent shipper (in anything really) my first thoughts were, 'Are they trying to get something going between them?' My daughter, who, by the way, finds my shipping as annoying as Crystal does, promptly told me to forget about it -- she leaves. So I delayed my inherent shipping impulse until I saw Natalie. But I can understand the pain that Monk/Sharona shippers must have felt.

I really like both characters. I do. And I think both actresses have done a wonderful job playing their respective roles. But I still find it amazing how many people out there (especially on other boards) still say that Monk jumped the shark when Sharona left. I think those people missed some great television.

But I'm almost kind of glad I wasn't here for the transition. It was easier for me knowing from the beginning that it was going to happen. It seems like it must have been a painful time for true monkophiles.

But I still can't believe how long it took me to find out about Monk. All those wasted years...

Edited to add: I can see how people feared jumping the shark at that time, but I'm amazed when I find people who still think that.

I watched Monk from the very beginning. I like Sharona alot. I was worried about how her departure would affect the show. I am so glad that everything turned out well. Natalie does a wonderful job. It took me and my family a while to get used to her. I would never give up on Monk, unless Tony wasn`t on, and I don`t think that will ever happen.

I was there, I didn't think I would ever live through it. But, Natalie grew on me after awhile.

!chik!

I was upset when Bitty left because I always hate it when something changes a show I like so much. I always worry it won't be as good. But the show prevailed and is better than ever.

I was here before it all started. I liked Sharona , but I really like Natalie & how she interacts w/ everyone.

B

I wasnt here for the transition. I came in to Monk second season and by the time I had seen all the episodes to catch up it was fourth season, then I turned to DVDs.

Transitions are so nessesary in life. And they're hard. I'm not suprised people are talking about this with Dr. Krogers transition figuring so prominently in our minds as season seven approaches.

Both characters and actresses are exceptional and while it's hard to compare them, I do believe they were both of 'Monk' calibur and very deserving of the roles the recieved.

I'm sure that the same care will come of this next transition. Although I expect it will still be difficult for some. And I can see why.

I loved Dr. Koger.

I would have taken a bullet for that man.

I recall thinking after he passed that it just wouldnt be the same to shoot myself - like in the arm - in his honor.

But that was kind of... You know... Just to cheer me up.

-M

Very well said, Mandeville. I wasn't on here during the transition. I came into Monk after the transition had already taken place, but the first episode I ever watched was ironically the pilot, with Sharona. I loved the show, and her immediately. I watched the show the next Friday when it was airing a new episode and saw Natalie. I asked my Mom, who had watched since the pilot who that was and she explained to me that Sharona had left the show. At first I was disappointed because I had seen a weeks worth of episodes with Sharona and here was this new girl I had to get used to as well. I have since watched every episode, both on DVD and on tv, when it isn't Law and Order channel. I have come to love both Bitty and Traylor. I enjoy both of them. I can't even say I like one over the other, they are both great in their own way. I can imagine, like Mandeville said it will be difficult with the Dr. Kroger transition playing prominently in our minds. It is already difficult for me. I like so many others loved Dr. Kroger. I think for me it has in the past month or so really started to sink in that this transition is going to take place. Like it or not.

I have been watching since about the second season, and I was surprised to hear that Bitty had left the show, and was a little worried about how her departure would be handled. However, the ratings speak volumes for how Natalie was received. The producers did an excellent job in finding a replacement.

Andrea

Howdy.

Well, I was here during that entire fray, and it wasn't pretty. You'd log on to see if anyone knew what the next episode would be, or how many people thought Dr. Kroger killed Trudy, or something interesting like that, and there would be twenty new threads by folks who "had watched the show from the beginning" but couldn't spell "Cherogna" correctly -- some would even have it in their freshly-minted usernames "SHIRONAFAN6655," etc. -- and were going to stop watching because Zuroonia had left the show.

And of course, at the beginning, we were on the old board, which had no administrator and was subject only to random acts of moderation. So we had to develop specially trained billy-goats to deal with the trolls. At one point, we even assigned points to various things a troll might post, and gave them ratings. Fun, in a twisted sort of way...

The fact of the matter was that Sharona was a decent foil for Monk, and the show might have gone on well with her. But the show has also done well without her. Let those who will make of that what they want to.

And the show remains clever and fresh, despite years of exploiting the foibles of Mr. Monk. And here's to another seven years. *clink**clink*

(Psst! Natalie! Call me! 555-1212! *wink* )

Og

Well... maybe, but I know for sure Og had the first restraining order.

Welcome back, Og! Where the heck have you been?

Og, good to see you! Where have you been?
I've watched Monk from the beginning and came to the Boards during the transition because I wanted to know why Bitty was leaving and I knew this was the place to find out. Boy! Did I find out. LOL Whether I liked or loved Bitty, the facts were that SHE chose to leave, so I'd ask: What's the problem? They have no choice but to write her out. Don't ask about the responses to that question. LOL Natalie is fitting in very well and Traylor is great! So, the show goes on and remains fresh and entertaining.
"Clinking" glass with Og to another seven years!

Og! I heard rumors you'd been around ... figures it'd be in this thread! But you snooze, you lose ...

I watched a few episodes of Sharona. There were marathons on and I saw her. I enjoyed watching the show, but for the most part I didn't watch it on a regular bases. Like I said I would watch marathons. Then I caught the first episode of Natalie and I was hooked from then on. I imediatley noticed something different about Monk and Natalie's relationship that Sharona and Monk didn't have. I was hooked from then on!

It was all a mis-understanding... the restraining order... They thought I was stalking her...

I've been here and there, out and about. I got caught up in a political fanfare, and wound up being elected never to return to Lytton, Iowa. Apparently they elect people not to come back. A rather odd custom... But the sheriff said it was official, and everything... He didn't care how good a roofer I was.

Yeah, those were the days, eh?

You know, you look like a moose. I'm gonna call you Mr. Luke Likeamoose.

She would NEVER call that number. It's not even, like, you know, even. I mean it's even but it's off balance. Sort of.