PopEater.com just posted the article "USA putting Monk to Sleep". The online artlcle posted Nov. 17th states -- After eight paranoid seasons, 'Monk' will ride off into the sunset. USA Network has announced that the critically praised show starring Tony Shalhoub will end after this season. Network exec Jeff Wachel tells RadarOnline that the show's fans "have been extremely dedicated, and Season 8 should prove to be a very satisfying reward."

I can't believe this! How can they do this? Is this a window into the future of television shows? We get all caught up in a show and then overnight it's canceled. How frustrating. What's next Pysch?

I feel sick...

yes, WE KNOW

That article is inaccurate. Monk will not end after this season (which is season seven). It will end after next season which will be season eight. Season eight will begin in the summer of 2009 and end in the winter of 2010. That's 24 more episodes total we'll be getting. It's not exactly sudden. Eight years is a long run for any show, much less a cable show. It's also not being "canceled" any more than Seinfeld or Friends or M*A*S*H were canceled. Like those programs it's a very popular show. They (meaning the Monk producers as well as the network) have decided when and how they want to end it.

One more season to wrap up the show exactly as they want is a reward not a punishment. It's something that the 4400 and The Dead Zone and other shows that genuinely do get canceled, don't get a chance to do. This is what the Monk producers, including Tony Shalhoub and creator Andy Breckman, want. They're ready to wrap things up and move on after season eight. I'm afraid the fans will just have to suck it up and give thanks for the eight years we did get. I don't think any show ever got as much support from a network as Monk has from USA. We should be thanking them too.

Personally, I'm hoping after season eight that they decide to make a few Monk movies. In fact I think it's a pretty good bet they will.

In literal terms, it's not being 'cancelled,' per se. When they cancel a series, they don't give it an additional season afterward. The cast and crew just kind of show up to the set one day and there's a big cake there. lol.

Here, they're finishing up season 7 and then there's another season. They're agreeing to end it after 8 seasons. It does make me very sad and in my opinion, with all the complexities they have sewn into the ongoing storyline and the individual characters themselves, I think they haven't even scratched the surface yet--I could definitely see it going ten years before exhausting the possiblities.

However, I know nothing of what went on behind the scenes when they were discussing the matter, whether there were creative or financial considerations, or whether any of these actors feel a personal and/or creative compulsion to move on to other projects and other characters. I have to trust that this is what they want with respect to this series. I am very happy that we have gotten a 24-episode advance notice of this, and I'll just try to cherish what's left to come. They all did an outstanding job with this series--the cast and the crew and the writers--from every conceivable direction.

With the writing and the integrity of the stories and all the characters, this is a series to which all others should aspire. They never took the low road or caved to some of the trends found in so many other shows, and they always respected the intelligence of the viewer--not dumbing it down to pander to the weakest link or throwing sex in there simply because everyone else is doing it. All the episodes were strong enough to stand on their own. IMO, USA needs to start the search now, for another project that will follow in Monk's footsteps. There are a great many of us out here who are starting to choke on the pabulum of the marching clones that most of these other shows are.

Monk was cast from a very old mold--it was old school and that's what makes it a classic. They did things the way the greats did them back in the heyday of film and TV, and they never leaned on a crutch. I'm keeping my eyes peeled and my fingers crossed.

i DO TOO. tHERE ARE SO FEW GOOD SHOWS ON THESE DAYS. THEY NEED TO RETHINK THIS. THERE ARE SO MANY COOL THINGS MONK AND THE OTHERS COULD DO. I AM ANGRY ABOUT IT.

i don't really know how to reply to that. should i be angry , worried, or sad :'(. i was to angry to cry wen i read this. THERE HAD BETTER BE MOVIES!!!!


♥ MOnk

At least we'll still have PSYCH.

you should do a petition

Yes great idea

Again....thank you for giving me 8 seasons ( a SSSSSOOoooo Monk ever number ) of pure joy & escape. I'll be there to share in S8 & I will buy the DVD's, as usual, so Monk will live on as long as I do ....or at least as long as I convince my family to....LOL & hopefully, that will be a long , LLLLLOOONNNGGGGGgg time.

B.
As always...loving Monk.
Thanks guys

I still think it should end at 10 seasons... Now THAT is a perfect Monk number. With that said, I have enjoyed this show since its first episode. Tony is a wonderful actor... I have a few close friends with OCD, and from the start, he had it down pat. I am glad that there is warning, and I won't just find out suddenly (when I flip on for the next episdoe to start) that it's no longer on.

Please keep Monk going! It's the best show out there!

Please don't take Monk away. We all love Monk!!!!!!!

While I agree that Monk could continue for many more seasons, I am glad that they are stopping while the show is still great. There is nothing worse than a show continuing long after it has become mediocre. I will just be happy with the 8 seasons Monk gave me and not worry about the seasons that will never be. Although I think some movies would be brilliant.

I know! How could they end such an awesome popular show? Its not like nobody watches it! Its too bad stupid shows like American Idol overtake quality shows like Monk. Also what I find weird is the episodes have only gotten better! I mean personally, I think seasons 6-7 are WAY more funny than the original 1st season. But that's also due to the fact that episodes are so short for TV, it takes a while to really develop the characters and the main underlying story and conflict. It also takes a while for the writing staff to "get a feel for the show". Same for the actors. But life goes on... and on... and on... (from Mr. Monk takes a Punch). But seriously, even though season 8 will be the last season, I'm confident that it will be the best and it will end with a bang. (And maybe hopefully they'll make some Monk movies. Those would be REALLY GOOD. Just imagine 2 hours of non-stop Monk!)

Alex

I am soooo upset that Monk is being cancelled. I read petition somewhere. where do I sign up??? Monk is really genuine and so funny, there goes a good show down the drain. what's next another boring reality show??? KEEP MONK ALIVE!!!! KEEP MONK ALIVE!!!

MONK HAS NOT BEEN CANCELLED

FOR THE LAST FLIPPING TIME USA DID NOT CANCEL MONK

MONK'S DEMISE WAS AT THE HANDS OF THE CAST AND CREW WHO HAS DECIDED IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON WHILE THEY STILL HAVE FRESH IDEAS AND ARE NOT LOSING CREATIVE INTEGRITY!!

Sometimes I feel its the same person creating account after account after account because they can't grasp the idea that Monk is over because the cast wants it to be, not because USA cancelled it.

You know, I am glad for the season we hae had of this great show, although I will miss it when it is over. But I am looking forward to the new 16 episodes!

When I found out a few weeks ago that Monk was going to be on its last season, I was not only shocked I think I was a bit depressed about that I couldn't really watch the commercials they have on the channel. I still can't, I get a bit teary-eyed. When I moved here in the US Monk was starting on its first season as well and having no friends for a while, it has comforted me to watch this character so isolated from everyone else. Tony Shalhoub's portrayal of this detective is flawless and rather than looking ridiculous and "old" after a few episodes, he made Monk's character endearing yet unpredictable.

I cannot say enough about how I am really going to miss this show after the last season is over, one that not only entertained me but made me think and pay attention to details in my own life as well.

Thank you to Mr. Tony Shalhoub and the rest of the cast and crew for a job excellently done!