So were all the supporting characters on Seinfeld. Unfortunately, once they split up none of them could sustain their own series.
Anyway, I have really enjoyed "Monk," but IMHO the series seems to have descended from what we used to call a "dramady" to a somewhat cartoonish charicature that highlights a different psychotic Monk episode every program. Definitely on a downhill slide. Schram's departure may be the final stake in the heart.
Regards,
Lenny
I tend to agree that the show has made a pretty radical change from the first season until now (I think I've seen every episode), and I think the real change came this season--a shift from him trying to solve the murder of his wife to what you aptly described, Monk just acting neurotic.
Regardless, it's an entertaining show that I enjoy to watch. They've been able to move it in a dramatically new direction this season without losing a lot of its entertainment value, so maybe this will work, too.
As someone mentioned, this could just be CSI-type leverage. Remember, CSI fired and re-hired two of its supporting actors in a contract dispute. Maybe this is USA taking a cue from CBS. In fact, aren't both of them owned by Viacom? Oh well...