Parents' Guide to

Monk

By Lucy Maher, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Witty crime drama too highbrow for most kids.

TV NBC, USA Drama 2002
Monk Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 11+

Based on 16 parent reviews

GenBradford
GenBradford Adult
April 17, 2020
age 13+

Some sexuality that was not shown in review

There are in fact a few sex-scenes in every season. there are also episodes about nudests and (as said in their title) they are naked top to bottom. and in a couple episodes there are fully exposed male and female backsides. As well as completely exposed pictures (paintings, photos, etc.) and statues (up close).

This title has:

Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
carrot in my butt
carrot in my butt Adult
March 8, 2021
age 12+

So good, amazing!

Some violence, but its a cop show, comedy drama, has it all, Nothing is ever boring! Minor language, but not too bad. love it hilarious and recommend it!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 16 parent reviews

What's the Story?

MONK is the story of Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a brilliant but quirky detective armed with a photographic memory and the ability to piece together even the weakest of clues. Monk, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), lost his job with the San Francisco Police Department when he couldn't get a handle on the phobias he developed after his wife's death. Now, with the help of his assistant, widow Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard), Monk works as a private consultant, helping solve cases the police department can't. In doing so, he hopes to convince his former boss, Captain Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine), to allow him to return to the force.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (16):
Kids say (114):

Monk is a thinking-person's television show thanks to fresh, intelligent writing and well-nuanced characters. Shalhoub's tender portrayal of his character's subtle idiosyncrasies is nothing short of amazing (he has won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for his work on the show), and he easily wins viewers' affection. However, that very subtlety may make the show a little difficult for tweens and young teens to enjoy. They may have fun figuring out "whodunit," but the understated, Seinfeldian humor laced throughout will be lost on them.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how detectives solve crimes. What kind of methods do they use to find the perpetrator? Another good discussion topic would be Monk's OCD. Can kids imagine what it would be like to have the disorder? How does Monk balance his OCD with his work? Do kids think they'd be able to do the same in his position?

TV Details

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