Welcome to another edition of TV or Not TV where it’s time to say good-bye to the DEFECTIVE DETECTIVE.

I have to admit that when MONK originally premiered I hadn’t seen it. Thankfully a lazy Sunday and a marathon that first season enabled me to catch up very quickly with the show and I admit that from the pilot on I was hooked.

The most important thing about MONK was that it consistently kept me entertained. Tony Shalloub never had me doubt he was Adrian Monk and I enjoyed every moment of pain that he put into each awkward moment that his character had to endure.  I was a fan of his cab driving character on WINGS however that character seems long faded from my mind as I now, and probably forever, will recognize Shalloub as Monk.

Another actor who always turned in a great performance, and who has had me forget the other character he was well known for, is Ted Levine as Captain Leland Stottlemeyer. In the beginning of the show there seemed to be more annoyance in his dealings with Monk, however over time the characters have evolved and the adoration and respect that Stottlemeyer has for Monk has really come across over the last three seasons. Congrats Ted Levine for finding the role that would shake the recognition Buffalo Bill earned you all those silent lambs ago.

As a show MONK also overcame lots of changes that many shows aren’t able to overcome. The exit of Bitty Schram in the third season as Monk’s assistant Sherona could have sunk the show if fan’s hadn’t embraced Traylor Howard’s Natlie Teeger. Howard’s own pregnancy introduced challenges to the production. Most notable in hurdles to overcome was the unexpected loss of Stanley Kamel as Monk’s therapist Dr. Kroger. Thankfully quality is able to overcome any hurdle and this show did so in spades.

Although Shalloub has said that he feels that eight seasons is enough and he feels good about the end of the series I think if his character were given the option he’d want to go for at least two more seasons. You know, because it’s 10.

Given the return of Dollhouse this week on Friday as well I’m going to be very torn on what I watch live and what I watch on DVR. Given our long relationship maybe I’ll be spending the evening with MONK one last time.

Now that I’m done talking about a fictional detective let’s investigate what this week’s television viewing holds for us.

MONDAY

ABC – 8:00 PM: ABC gives us a one-two punch with the classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas followed by the newer and not so classic Shrek the Halls. With a six-year-old I’ll be watching like it or not.

NBC – 8:00 PM: Time to finally say good-bye to Nathan on HEROES, that is if you are still even watching.

AMC – 8:00 PM: Speaking of holiday classics I hope you all might agree that National Lampoons Christmas Vacation fits the bill.

TUESDAY

NBC/ABC – 8 E/5P: There is one good thing about tonight’s Presidential Address, it is forcing NBC to not air The Jay Leno Show. I guess that’s the second turkey the president has repriteved in under a week.

ABC FAMILY – 8:00 PM: Tonight the ABC FAMILY network kicks off their 25 Days of Christmas with the cable premiere of The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. I hope this isn’t setting the bar too low.

NBC – 9:00 PM: Tonight we will finally find out who two out of the three final contestants are on The Biggest Loser.

ABC – 9:00 PM: After a great series finale last season it turns out Scrubs only had a season finale. A few old faces are back to try to beat the dead horse just a bit more.

CBS – 10:00 PM: I have yet to watch The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and I don’t think I’ll be breaking the streak this year either.

WEDNESDAY

ABC FAMILY – 7:00 PM: Some of the most entertaining short films you may never have seen are free for you to view tonight with Pixar Short Films.

CBS – 8:00 PM: Outcasts and misfits alike can rejoice with tonight’s airing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

FOX – 9:00 PM: There’s only one more episode after this one for Glee so either prepare for a heck of a winter finale or be relieved you won’t be hearing about the show for a while.

DISCOVERY – 9:00 PM: Tonight on MythBusters they test out two myths, inluding Antacid Jail Break. Sounds more like what was going on in my stomach last Thursday.

THURSDAY

FX – 8:00 PM: I think that Deck the Halls will, over time, prove never to be a holiday classic.

ABC FAMILY – 8:30 PM: I remember when The Polar Express first came out the visuals were just creepy. Five years later the opinion hasn’t changed.

NBC – 9:00 PM: Tonight’s episode of The Office is titled Scott’s Tots and Michael has to tell some kids he made a promise too ten years ago that he can’t hold up his end of the deal. At his most awkward is when he is at the best of his worst.

FRIDAY

FOX – 8:00 PM: Even though Dollhouse hasn’t been picked up for anything more than this season’s original 13 episode order (I just can’t bring myself to say cancelled), the show is back all December long for 2 hours every Friday night. Strap in for a thrill ride folks.

ABC – 8:00 PM: What better way to promote the upcoming release of The Princess and the Frog than to bundle it in a nostalgic look back at 75 years in Dreams Come True: A Celebration of Disney Animation.

USA – 8:00 PM: If you didn’t watch Monk last week than you can watch the series finale of one of cables most entertaining shows the way I feel it was meant to be watched. Good-bye Adrian and thank you for 8 amazing years.

SATURDAY

COMEDY – 8:00 PM: Two reasons to watch Comedy Central tonight. Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder followed by Hot Fuzz. How’s that for a slice of fried gold?

FMC – 9:00 PM: Yes I can definitely say an airing of Miller’s Crossing may be enough to divert my attention.

USA – 9:00 PM: One night you are airing the series finale of one of cable’s most entertaining shows and the next you are airing I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

SUNDAY

FX – 8:00 PM: If they can have Christmas in July why can’t we have 4th of July in December? If you’re with me than tune in for Live Free or Die Hard.

FMC – 8:00 PM: If last night’s viewing of Hot Fuzz peaked your interest in seeing Point Break again than tonight you are in luck.

ABC – 9:00 PM: Seriously, Wisteria Lane has got to be one of the un-safest fictional places to live. Think I’m wrong? Tonight the Desperate Housewives a plane crashes there.

– If Will Wilkins woke up tomorrow with his head sewn to the carpet he wouldn’t be more surprised than he is right now.

 

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