Common Sense Media Review
Witty crime drama too highbrow for most kids.
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Monk
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Based on 118 kid reviews
Kids say the show offers a mix of comedy and mystery, portraying a quirky detective with OCD who solves murders, although it does contain some violence and mild language that may not be suitable for younger viewers. Many reviews commend its engaging characters and clever writing, while a few caution about its mature themes and recommend parental guidance for episodes involving graphic content.
- comedy mystery
- engaging characters
- mild language
- parental guidance
- unique detective
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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?
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
- Premiere date : July 12, 2002
- Cast : Bitty Schram , Ted Levine , Tony Shalhoub
- Networks : NBC , USA
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2022
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