I've gotten to know all the characters so well now that some of it felt strange.
By the way, is Sharona ever coming back?
The new girl is fine but I adored Sharona.

Yes very good,as a first time Monk viewer, and now tommorow, we are told it moves to BBC1!
They seem to be using the show as a fill in, much like ITV used to use Columbo.

The showing of the original pilot episode highlighted how much better the writing was in the old days. Stories were more challenging. Monk's character was sharper. The humour was much more subtle and intelligent. etc. etc.

Nope sorry but Sharona (Bitty Schram) will never return. She held out for more money and the producers decided to make an example out of her to frighten the rest of the cast before they did the same, she was sacked and has vowed never to return even if begged.
Shame because ahe was excellent, a real foil to Monk and they had a real chemistry, it made you care.

Just wanted to add that the episode "Mr Monk and the traffic jam" was shot with only Monk and the new woman and her daughter, none of the rest of the cast featured. This was the first episode shot after Bitty Schram was fired and it was only written to cover the fact that the remainder of the cast were at that time still threatening to walk if the money didnt go up. The producers called their bluff, brought in the new woman and hurridly shot that episode. It made the others realise that the producers werent fooling and they all soon fell back in to line.
What a shame, I really miss Sharona.

I think that it is just as good today personally. The episodes "Monk and the Kid" or "Monk and the Store detective" were absolutely brilliant with laugh-out loud moments peppered through them. With excellent storylines too.

I'm with you Robbie. Like the very early Cosby Show it has retained ALL its qualities.
The only series I've ever known do this FOREVER is The Simpsons. Apart from Entertainment USA, of course.

Although this wasn't the first episode which featured the "new woman".

Al wrote:
Although this wasn't the first episode which featured the "new woman".
No but it was the first they shot with her, they then shot the episode that explained who she was after the traffic jam episode was shot.