'Monk' has always been one of my most watched shows when needing comfort, to relax after a hard day, a good laugh or a way to spend a lazy weekend.
Of the eight 'Monk' season openers (which sees classics like "Mr Monk and the Candidate", "Mr Monk Goes Back to School" and "Mr Monk and the Actor"), "Mr Monk's Favourite Show" is the weakest to me. Don't get me wrong, it is still an interesting and entertaining episode, though one can definitely see why some would not like it, but there are a few things that seem somewhat off. It is let down by the mystery being one of the show's most simplistic and obvious, the why (the motive is pretty flimsy here for 'Monk' standards), how and especially who aspects are pretty much see-through very early on due to that there are elements of the story here that is a long way from being new.
Elizabeth Perkins does do her best and brings some charm and filth to her character, but the character herself just isn't very interesting. The most interesting ones are those that Monk pits himself off against and rub him up the wrong way rather than the ones that he is fixated in protecting which lessens the conflict to me.
Was a little put off by the way Monk is written here. He is still the quirky, funny and obsessive Monk, but for somebody protecting his childhood crush he has rarely been this less serious or focused when solving a case. Disher and Stottlemeyer are fun enough, also did appreciate that Disher's goofiness was toned down a little and Stottlemeyer was effectively downplayed while not losing his personality, but have little to do, don't remember their contributions much.
However, "Mr Monk's Favourite Show" is interesting in many ways. While it does get a little too goofy and silly in places, Shalhoub in late 60s-early 70s garb with Afro included accusing characters of murder while funny has to be seen to be believed, the portrayal of the Cooper clan with obvious and affectionately nostalgic allusions to 'The Brady Bunch' was very well done. The interior sets and production values are very authentic and the sit-com style of photography is appropriate as are the groovy wardrobe and on-the-nose hippie jokes. The clips from 'The Cooper Clan' are great fun.
Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever, from the colourful Cooper Clan scenes to the film noir style of the murder/motel scene. The music is both understated and quirky. While there is a preference for the theme music for Season 1, Randy Newman's "It's a Jungle Out There" has grown on me overtime, found it annoying at first but appreciate its meaning and what it's trying to say much more now.
Writing lacks the emotional moments and doesn't have enough of the obsessive quirks (though they're there), but it scores highly in the comedy with some very funny lines and exchanges, even the running gag involving the contents of the auto-biography. Particularly memorable is the uproarious fantasy summation, one of the show's most imaginative. They even sneak in a nod to Ambrose.
One of the best things about 'Monk' has always been the acting of Tony Shalhoub in the title role. It was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching.
Traylor Howard is down-to-earth and sympathetic (she has some good lines here too, one is curious to see her wild side though), Jason Gray-Stanford is amusing and Ted Levine plays the loyal but frustrated boss character with his usual adept comedic chops, although the latter two are underused. The supporting cast are all top-notch, loved the whole of the Cooper Clan and Rena Sofer.
In conclusion, interesting and fun but not 'Monk' at his best. Needed a better mystery and Monk himself seemed off. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Of the eight 'Monk' season openers (which sees classics like "Mr Monk and the Candidate", "Mr Monk Goes Back to School" and "Mr Monk and the Actor"), "Mr Monk's Favourite Show" is the weakest to me. Don't get me wrong, it is still an interesting and entertaining episode, though one can definitely see why some would not like it, but there are a few things that seem somewhat off. It is let down by the mystery being one of the show's most simplistic and obvious, the why (the motive is pretty flimsy here for 'Monk' standards), how and especially who aspects are pretty much see-through very early on due to that there are elements of the story here that is a long way from being new.
Elizabeth Perkins does do her best and brings some charm and filth to her character, but the character herself just isn't very interesting. The most interesting ones are those that Monk pits himself off against and rub him up the wrong way rather than the ones that he is fixated in protecting which lessens the conflict to me.
Was a little put off by the way Monk is written here. He is still the quirky, funny and obsessive Monk, but for somebody protecting his childhood crush he has rarely been this less serious or focused when solving a case. Disher and Stottlemeyer are fun enough, also did appreciate that Disher's goofiness was toned down a little and Stottlemeyer was effectively downplayed while not losing his personality, but have little to do, don't remember their contributions much.
However, "Mr Monk's Favourite Show" is interesting in many ways. While it does get a little too goofy and silly in places, Shalhoub in late 60s-early 70s garb with Afro included accusing characters of murder while funny has to be seen to be believed, the portrayal of the Cooper clan with obvious and affectionately nostalgic allusions to 'The Brady Bunch' was very well done. The interior sets and production values are very authentic and the sit-com style of photography is appropriate as are the groovy wardrobe and on-the-nose hippie jokes. The clips from 'The Cooper Clan' are great fun.
Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever, from the colourful Cooper Clan scenes to the film noir style of the murder/motel scene. The music is both understated and quirky. While there is a preference for the theme music for Season 1, Randy Newman's "It's a Jungle Out There" has grown on me overtime, found it annoying at first but appreciate its meaning and what it's trying to say much more now.
Writing lacks the emotional moments and doesn't have enough of the obsessive quirks (though they're there), but it scores highly in the comedy with some very funny lines and exchanges, even the running gag involving the contents of the auto-biography. Particularly memorable is the uproarious fantasy summation, one of the show's most imaginative. They even sneak in a nod to Ambrose.
One of the best things about 'Monk' has always been the acting of Tony Shalhoub in the title role. It was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching.
Traylor Howard is down-to-earth and sympathetic (she has some good lines here too, one is curious to see her wild side though), Jason Gray-Stanford is amusing and Ted Levine plays the loyal but frustrated boss character with his usual adept comedic chops, although the latter two are underused. The supporting cast are all top-notch, loved the whole of the Cooper Clan and Rena Sofer.
In conclusion, interesting and fun but not 'Monk' at his best. Needed a better mystery and Monk himself seemed off. 6/10 Bethany Cox