I haven't watched Monk recently [it got too politically correct for me], but one of the problems with Bitty Schram's character [assuming Bitty Schram would even want to continue the role] was that there was so much sexual tension between her and Monk that it threatened to overshadow Monk's ostensible obsession with his dead wife.
Eventually Bitty Schram would have had to have become Monk's second wife, and Hollywood just wouldn't allow an outcome like that [leading men getting married off and settling down and making babies...].
There was not an once of sexual tension between Sharona and Monk. That’s what made the episode about them pretending to be married a hoot. Also there was a running gag in the episodes about Sharona being attracted to dishonest losers.
It was really a loss to the series when Sharona got booted. I used to say it was the only series where the women were characters and not just adornments.
Rest in Peace Dr. Kroger
It would have killed the show. The basis of the character is Monk's neurosis and grief. Undercut those and the whole character becomes less interesting, and that's a totally character-driven show. I can usually figure out the mystery and how Monk is going to solve it within the first five minutes. They only serve as a backdrop for his character.
I never once had that thought...