man i miss him the new guy isnt cutting it Stanley Kamel was a big part of the show he was funny and all around the best I love and miss him.

I remember when Monk sent his garbage to Dr. Kroger and he told monk not to LOL

I also loved and miss Stanley Kamel, but I'd not want Monk fans to get the reputation that we bash new cast members or that we constantly hold "replacement" actors down, forever comparing them to the actors before them. It's not fair to stand on Hector's neck like that.

I don't blame the people who are still calling for Bitty's return--it's not going to happen since her departure was the result of contract disputes and reputedly clashes on the set. It's wrong to constantly punish Traylor for that. I like Traylor Howard but I don't bash the people who want Sharona back--that's how they feel. However, we can't get Stanley back. This actor died. Hector was hand-picked by Tony Shalhoub for this role and Hector's been doing a fantastic job in my opinion. You show no respect or loyalty for Stanley Kamel by not trying to see Hector objectively or giving him the chance to make this role his own.

I hope you don't take this as an attack on your opinion--I am disagreeing and saying why I disagree. It's difficult to gauge tone in here, but that's not what I'm doing. This is actually the first post I've seen in here that doesn't like Hector's performance. That's okay--I'm usually the odd man out, but not on this issue.

I'm not shy about stating my opinion on any matter--I railed on this board and another board about something I still consider a slight and an offense to Stanley Kamel. I took heat on this board. I didn't take heat on the other board. I am fiercely loyal to Stanley Kamel, and I think the job Hector's doing in the role of Monk's new therapist does justice to Stanley's talent and skill in everything he brought to the part. I think the manner in which Stanley's death was dealt with on the show displayed the greatest respect and dignity for the actor. My love and respect for Stanley Kamel will simply not allow me to see Hector forever in Stanley's shadow. He is a different actor and a different man, and this is an entirely different role. Hector's entitled to stand on his own with it and not be expected to recreate Stanley's character.

I posted this sentiment previously, with regard to comparisons forever made between Traylor Howard and Bitty Schramm. I think it applies here too:

Neither of these two actresses defined the characters they play(ed). The writers defined the characters. It is the job of actors only to bring those characters to life, to flesh them out on the screen, convey them in aspect and dimension, and to make them whole.

The other side of that coin, however, is that we see the new actor objectively and not constantly as a notch on a yard stick held up against their predecessor. It's just not fair to the new cast member. We had one therapist and now we have another, entirely different therapist. The comparison actually never needs to be made in this instance.

We have a brand new character and a brand new actor, and the show has managed to say goodbye to both Stanley Kamel and Charles Kroger with respect, dignity, and grace. What more can we ask?

Keep in mind that a lot more camera rolls than hits the TV screen. The editors are trimming for a 50 minute cohesive whole. Mr. Kamel had developed a character over a five year period. God bless him that he was so expert in scene stealing, or we would not have had such a brilliant body of work to relish. The new therapist is just getting to know Monk. The actor is obviously letting the role/characterization develop organically. It will be interesting to see our posts on the same subject five years from now.l

Very well said, Yvette.

Thanks. I don't fault the OP at all for his opinion--I'm not afraid of opposing or so-called "negative" opinions at all. I just hope his isn't borne of a misplaced sense of loyalty for Stanley. Maybe the character's just too new and he has to grow on him a bit, or maybe he actually feels the way he says he feels. I just wanted to give Hector equal time.

I loved Stanley too and miss him terribly. Give Hector a chance to get a handle on this and the writers a chance to start writing for Hector. I'm sure as the writers start seeing what Hector brings they'll start hearing his voice when they write his lines. If that makes sense...I'm not sure I'm explaining this very well.