Posted on 08/31/2004 2:26:31 PM PDT by JellyJam
NEW YORK - The hit USA Network series “Monk” is losing Bitty Schram, the Golden Globe-nominated sidekick to series star Tony Shalhoub.
Schram will not return as Sharona, nurse and assistant to Shalhoub’s obsessive-compulsive detective, when the show resumes the second half of its third season in January.
“‘Monk’ has decided to go in a different creative direction with some of its characters,” a USA spokesman said. “Bitty will not continue with the cast and we thank her for her notable contributions and wish her the very best.”
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
I love Monk but Sharona helped make that show successful. She has been getting less air time this season and I don't think the show is as good.
I think this is Hollywoodese for the show's on life support.
I think it may be USA trying to minimize costs. They have been doing similar things with "The Dead Zone." Smith's assistant is only in a handful of shows, and limited parts at that. Same for other lead characters.
That's not good. Remember the episode in which Sharona was visiting her relatives in New Jersey and Monk's nerdy neighbor had to fill in for her (handing him his wipes, etc.)? Or the one in which that obnoxious friend of Sharona's took over her duties because Sharona thought she was going crazy? Monk needs a good sidekick to "keep it real" for him, and so far only Sharona has been any good at it.
I totally agree. She was a great "straight woman," but was very funny in her own way.
They may have "jumped the shark" with that chimp episode last season.
Not exactly. It's the highest rated scripted show on basic cable TV.
Actually, I liked the "Chimp" episode. Stottelmeyer (sp) showed his true comedic talent and was the funniest that week. Every time I see him I think of him as "Buffalo Bill" in Silence of the Lambs.
That episode was a hoot!
I also think of him as Starbuck in "Moby Dick". "Drive on, Starbuck, drive on!". Good movie.
Pictures please. I have no idea who lady is or what she looks like.
I disagree. While there is chemistry between Sharona and Monk, her sympathy for his problems limits the depth of Monk's potential. I saw an episode where Sharona was gone and replaced by a black nurse who had no sympathy whatsoever for Monk and I thought that worked pretty well.
Frankly I think bringing in someone to nurse him who has no sympathy whatsoever for his neurosis would be a welcome change.
If this is a contract dispute, Schram is going to find that the grass is not greener on the other side. If it is a programming decision, then I think it may prove positive.
Who knows. But regardless of what happens, Sharona doesn't make the show. Shaloub does.
Paging Ms. Monk!!!!!!
I need a wipe.
Ms Monk reporting, where's my Purell?
Monk will survive without Sharona although the two of them were very funny together.
I hope they don't put the Monk marathon on opposite the Nip/Tuck marathon. lol
I stopped caring about Monk when Tony Shaloub was named a celebrity judge on moveon ad contest.
Too bad. It's all about money. And Schram is very good.
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