Rating: 
Summary: The pilot episode for Tony Shalhoub's "Monk" (but just that)
Review: Absolute agreement that the premier episode of "Monk" is one of the more memorable television pilots of recent vintage, but only having one episode, even that one, is less than satisfactory. Consequently, this DVD is not really for the devoted fan of the show but more for those who have missed out on the party from the first episode and need to get up the speed. What you get is an introduction to Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a former San Francisco homicide detective who left the force because he suffers from an extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition that afflicted him after the murder of his wife. However, when there is an assassination attempt on a mayoral candidate he is coaxed out of retirement by his former boss, Captain Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine). The idea is that Monk is now a private consultant with an uncanny ability to pick up details missed by other detectives. You can think of Monk as a really quirky Sherlock Holmes, with his full-time nurse Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) in the role of Watson. However, she spends more of her time serving as a buffer between Monk and the real world. The result is one of the rare delights on television from last season and the first television show to cross over from cable to networks. By the time you get to the scene where Monk knocks all of the little colored pins out of the candidate's map, you will be hooked and checking your television schedule to see when the next episode is airing. That is one of only a half-dozen scenes where Monk provides his bona fides as a detective. The most important thing is that in addition to all the quirky comedy shtick with Monk's super attention to detail, the crimes he is investigating are worthy of his attention. The dynamic between Monk and Sharona becomes the pivot on which the pilot and all other episodes have turned, even though the idea of a potential romance between the two misses the point. Just watch the scene where he blows away her date and you can see the foundation of their relationship and just more proof that this is the role of Shalhoub's career. If you are not on the "Monk" bandwagon, then check this out. If you are already a fan and do not have everything on tape, keep hope alive that all of Season 1 will be available sooner or later.
Rating:
Summary: The pilot episode for Tony Shalhoub's "Monk" (but just that)
Review: Absolute agreement that the premier episode of "Monk" is one of the more memorable television pilots of recent vintage, but only having one episode, even that one, is less than satisfactory. Consequently, this DVD is not really for the devoted fan of the show but more for those who have missed out on the party from the first episode and need to get up the speed. What you get is an introduction to Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a former San Francisco homicide detective who left the force because he suffers from an extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition that afflicted him after the murder of his wife. However, when there is an assassination attempt on a mayoral candidate he is coaxed out of retirement by his former boss, Captain Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine). The idea is that Monk is now a private consultant with an uncanny ability to pick up details missed by other detectives. You can think of Monk as a really quirky Sherlock Holmes, with his full-time nurse Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) in the role of Watson. However, she spends more of her time serving as a buffer between Monk and the real world. The result is one of the rare delights on television from last season and the first television show to cross over from cable to networks. By the time you get to the scene where Monk knocks all of the little colored pins out of the candidate's map, you will be hooked and checking your television schedule to see when the next episode is airing. That is one of only a half-dozen scenes where Monk provides his bona fides as a detective. The most important thing is that in addition to all the quirky comedy shtick with Monk's super attention to detail, the crimes he is investigating are worthy of his attention. The dynamic between Monk and Sharona becomes the pivot on which the pilot and all other episodes have turned, even though the idea of a potential romance between the two misses the point. Just watch the scene where he blows away her date and you can see the foundation of their relationship and just more proof that this is the role of Shalhoub's career. If you are not on the "Monk" bandwagon, then check this out. If you are already a fan and do not have everything on tape, keep hope alive that all of Season 1 will be available sooner or later.
Rating: 
Summary: "Mr. Monk and The Candidate" DVD Series Pilot A Delight
Review: And to think Tony Shalhoub initially passed on the role of Adrian Monk when it was offered to him! It's as amazing as his strong, effective and often touching performance as the leading character, Adrian Monk, in the series' pilot: he never overplays the charcter's OCD--nor plays it solely for laughs. Shalhoub has demonstrated that in acting this part, less is actually more, not only in his dramatic scenes but also in his physical comedy and character's humor. It's called balance, and Tony Shalhoub is a skilled and talented pro who walks the tightrope flawlessly! In Monk we have an unlikely (and flawed) hero who for over three years could never even venture out of his home due to the trauma of his late wife's car bombing death, which induced full-blown OCD and phobias. Enter Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram), a nurse and single mom who doesn't always treat Adrian Monk with kid gloves. He relies on her yet she never allows him to become too dependent upon her. While she may supply antibacterial hand wipes along with note-taking/phone calling as Monk's hired assistant and nurse, she is a fiesty and independent woman who doesn't take much guff; yet, she also enjoys tracking down the baddies and solving the murder mysteries with her boss, Monk, whom she both admires and is aggravated by. She often threatens to quit, but Monk somehow never believes she really will. When she goes on a date, which Monk thought she was only joking about going on, he turns up at the restaurant where the couple is dining and after a few moments of sitting at their table blurts out that the guy she's with is both a phony and a liar--not even the entertainment attorney he claimed to be... All so low key it's as if he's talking about menu items' pros and cons... And he wonders why Sharona becomes very upset and says she's quitting her job with him. He seems more taken with the fact she'd been a dancer in Atlantic City (as he's sure she'll return to her job with him). The mystery in the pilot episode revolves around a seemingly small little murder of a young woman that Monk has been working on but is later able to tie to the supposed assassination attempt of a local political candidate. It's as if Monk has ESP, but it's plain common sense, a photographic memory, attention to detail, and logic which aid Monk in his deductions. Higher stakes matter here, though, as we learn Monk is also working to gain re-instatement to the police force he was discharged from when his wife was killed and his OCD flared up full-force. He's been working as a private detective and also a consultant to the police for about a year (with Sharona's assistance) for very meager pay. Monk's shrink, Dr. Kroger, initially believes Monk may be ready to re-join the force (which does get Adrian's hopes and spirits up) after Monk solves both murders (plus a third, another campaign aide's murder, which happens along the way) and saves Sharona from being murdered in the sewer! The reaction he has to his unexpected recognition for solving the case--by the candidate (with full media coverage)--the will both touch and move even the hardest heart watching. The comedy is a treat: fresh, although often bizarre, upbeat (yet sometimes dark) and sure to take you by surprise and make you laugh in spite of your feeling you shouldn't (maybe) even be laughing. The role of Adrian Monk in this series' pilot garnered Tony Shalhoub a Best Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy Award Nomination. The pilot is well-paced, superbly acted by a talented cast, effectively directed, and is rich with strong production values (just having some of it filmed in San Franscisco alone is enough to set mood and tone). And even when the pilot ends, we want to see/know more. It's the relationship between Monk and Sharona which grabs our attention, our interest--and it's Tony Shalhoub as Monk who makes us care. The man's a magician--the plastic gloves and antibacterial wet wipes, like smoke and mirrors, are simply an added bonus to the genuine life he breathes into the character and the comedy/drama. Two clean hands way up for this rare gem!--Lenore Hutton
Rating: 
Summary: Wait for the full first season
Review: Around mid-June, the entire 13-episode first season of Monk will be included on DVD for about $40 (pretty reasonable, comparatively speaking). Unless you really need a Monk DVD fix right now, just wait a couple months for the whole enchilada.
Rating:
Summary: what an awesome show!
Review: I absolutely love Monk, I watch the show every week.
The premiere episode was such a great episode. I would absolutely love it if they were to start releasing the seasons on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: OCD: Obsessive-Compulsive Detective
Review: I became interested in Monk back when the series were about to start on USA network... Adrian Monk seemed like a very interesting character with all his phobias and fear of germs (reminded me of myself), he suffers from OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and is a unique detective. The first episode is great, and the whole series is brilliant. Monk is intelligent, lovable, and funny in his own Monk-ish way (without trying to be). Tony Shalhoub does a great job, and personally I think no one could've done it better.
Rating: 
Summary: I Am Truly Baffled!
Review: I don't know how to rate this DVD! On one hand I love Monk, and think it is one of the freshest and most original sitcoms to come in years. It success revolving around and helped greatly by the wonderful Tony Shalhoub, (a talent that the Coen brothers had had the insight to exploit to the great benefit of their movies, Barton Fink and The Man Who Wasn't There). So the series itself gets my full deserved marks.
Yet on the other hand, this DVD release is truly baffling!(hence my three marks). With the boom in the market,dozens of TV sitcoms and series have gone digital in their entirety,one season after another! Even series like Married with Children, Ally Mc Beal and Spin City have had 'a best of episodes' editions from one or two seasons. What we have here is only ONE episode of Monk!! I don't know who in the studios echelons of power have taken that decision, but it is surely a very misjudged one. We, as a buying public, have been really spoiled by these studios, satisfying the constant increase in demand for owning our best loved TV series, and with Monk, one of the best of the bunch, there is no reason why we should not be spoiled too..About time to get a proper DVD release and SOON please!!
Rating:
Summary: Great fun!
Review: I started watching the Monk series during this last year when we purchased a satellite system. Monk alone has made that a worthwhile investment. So I was already sold on the series before seeing the DVD and it was fun to see the premiere and where everything started. Although tastes vary I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this program. If I had to knock anything, would have liked perhaps a bit of extra content on the DVD such as interviews, bloopers or cut scenes. Still it is a 5 star item as is, just a wonderful, quirky, unique and original show.
Rating:
Summary: Great fun!
Review: I started watching the Monk series during this last year when we purchased a satellite system. Monk alone has made that a worthwhile investment. So I was already sold on the series before seeing the DVD and it was fun to see the premiere and where everything started. Although tastes vary I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this program. If I had to knock anything, would have liked perhaps a bit of extra content on the DVD such as interviews, bloopers or cut scenes. Still it is a 5 star item as is, just a wonderful, quirky, unique and original show.
Rating:
Summary: Love the show..
Review: I used to dislike the show at first, but then I warmed up to it. The premiere is good..but my question is, where's the box set?? I want more than one episode!!
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