USA Network’s “Monk” will solve his last case next year, as the award-winning series will end at the close of its eighth, 16-episode season, the network announced today.
The final season is scheduled to begin airing in the summer of 2009.
“We want to build to a spectacular conclusion for this wonderful show. By many measures, ‘Monk’ is the most successful series in the history of basic-cable television, and it was certainly the original tentpole of our ‘Character’ brand,” said Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president of original programming with USA Network/co-head of original content with Universal Cable Productions.
“Our fans have been extremely dedicated, and season eight should prove to be a very satisfying reward,” he said.
The show hit series ratings highs in February with its largest audience of adults in the 18- to 49-year-old demographic (2.98 million) and total viewers with 7.55 million.
“Monk” star Tony Shalhoub has been nominated for the Emmys’ lead actor in a comedy series for six consecutive years, winning in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
Executive producers of "Monk" are David Hoberman, Andy Breckman, Tony Shalhoub, Randy Zisk and Tom Scharpling. David Breckman and Jack Bernstein are co-executive producers. The series is from Universal Cable Productions in association with Mandeville Films and ABC Studios.
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Comments (5)
It jumped the skark several seasons ago, the mysteries now needing someone only smarter than a fifth grader to solve. Love the character, hate what the show's become.
Posted by ScotsmansKilt | November 15, 2008 3:07 PM
scotsmanskilt you are a tool. The show isn't about complicated mysteries. It is about the characters, and I for one will sorely miss this wonderful and quirky show.
Posted by superdollar+ | November 18, 2008 9:37 AM
Scotsmanskilt.. Are you serious.. In no way has the show "jump the shark."
And I agree with Superdollar.
Posted by Chris | November 19, 2008 11:10 AM
Yes I agree that Monk is a character driven show. The plots are only incidental to the wonderful characters these actors have given life to.
I will miss this show and the quirky turns of the mind that Monk has taken us through.
Posted by Char | December 26, 2008 2:33 PM
Monk HAS NOT jumped the shark. I confess, I almost thought that it had for one or two episodes, (Lotto Fever and Falls in Love) but I can see now that it is still the same Monk. In fact, I think some of the best episodes are in the seventh season.
Posted by Fan01 | January 6, 2009 12:44 PM