The decision that saved Monk avoided a major problem and ensured that the program would continue for another 5 years

Bitty Schram is out Monk during the third season, and the way the series handled Sharona’s departure saved the show and ensured it would continue for another five seasons despite losing one of its best characters. Even though Sharona only appeared in three of the eight seasons of Monkshe has remained an integral part of the show’s legacy. The fact that Sharona’s absence was felt for Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie shows how important the character is to the world of Monkwhich is why replacing it was such a difficult task.

MonkThe main cast of characters didn’t change much throughout the show. Aside from Natalie (Traylor Howard) replacing Sharona, the only other significant change to the cast of Monk was Dr. Héctor Elizondo’s Neven Bell replacing Stanley Kamel’s Dr. Kroger following Kamel’s passing in April 2008. While Schram would reprise her role as Sharona in a season 8 episode, Natalie became Monk’s assistant starting in season 3.

Monk Didn’t Try to Create Another Sharona (And Gave Us Natalie Instead)

Natalie was nothing like Sharona

Monk made a conscious decision not to try to create a “new Sharona”. First of all, the show chose not to recast Sharona, which in itself was a great decision considering Schram had already played the character for three seasons. However, Adrian would eventually need a new assistant, not to mention how Monk having a companion – his “Watson” – was essential for the character to work. That’s why Monk He would have to find a replacement for Sharona sooner or later.

However, simply trying to recreate Sharona as a different character would have been disastrous. Comparisons between MonkSharona and Sharona’s new assistant would have been inevitable no matter what, but having a “new Sharona” would have only made things worse. Happily, Natalie couldn’t have been more different from her predecessor. The relationship between Adrian and Natalie was so different from how Sharona treated Monk that we quickly forgot that one was supposed to replace the other. Natalie became her own character rather than a replacement for Sharona.

Replacing Sharona with Monk avoided what could have been a big problem

Sharona’s replacement not working would have ruined the show

Replacing what was arguably the series’ most important character after Shalhoub’s Adrian Monk three seasons could have ended in disaster. Many shows failed to replace or recast a beloved character and suffered as a result.with some even being canceled after struggling to recapture the magic of previous seasons. Something similar could have happened with Monk if the show hadn’t chosen her replacement for Sharona.

If Natalie’s character hadn’t been well-received, it’s hard to imagine how Monk It would have lasted another five seasons as it did. Not only did Natalie’s character work surprisingly well, but she also fit in with the rest of the characters very quickly. Just a few episodes after her introduction, it felt like Natalie had been there the whole time. Sharona’s departure was disappointing, but Monk found the perfect replacement in Natalie.