What was particularly nice about Sharona coming back for this episode was that it proved that Bitty Schram was still on good terms with the show - and it also gave her the proper goodbye that she didn't get when she actually left.
I get the feeling that Schram didn't really want to leave the program. Perhaps they weren't paying her enough. Between the two? She was the better sidekick. However the girl playing Natalie is also almost excellent. It took me a while to feel comfortable with the character Natalie Teeger. However she did fill the shoes of her role. It's good that they didn't look to duplicate a character like Sharona as only Schram could fill that role. The way the series ended was well done too. What with Randy & Sharona finally hooking up and marrying. My only complaint with the series was the writers turning Randy into a doofus much of the time. In fact my favorite episodes are those where Randy makes an heroic act.
@@jorgecallico9177 Both characters are great, but I've always felt that Natalie made a better foil to Monk. Their dynamic just works a little bit better for me.
@@jorgecallico9177 It Was Stated In Another Report That Schram Wanted More Money, And Quit The Show Because She Either Didn't Get It, Or The Amount Wasn't Enough. She Was More "RELATABLE" Acting Her Part That Gave Her More Personality, However Her Replacement Did A Good Job Too, Tolerating Monk. NOBODY Could Have Played The Role Of Monk Better Than Tony. However My SECOND Favorite Character On The Show Was Ted That Played The Part Of The Captain. Especially In The Episode Where He Was In The Interrogation Room With A Chimpanzee, Going Crazy Trying To Get The Chimp To Shoot A Gun. A WILD Hilarious Skit Indeed...
Doesn’t matter kno. She lost her job and pay just for trying to negotiate a better deal. The actors who played Leyland & Randy also did the same but they were retained, I doubt they got a better deal though. Women losing out like that always hurts me.
I loved Sharona. She was my favorite character and, in my opinion, the best assistant. However, I do appreciate how Natalie was her own character and not a character trying to replace Sharona like I originally thought would happen.
Natalie was his assistant. Sharona was his friend. I think those relationships are obvious, and they both served their purpose on the show. But I wholeheartedly prefer Sharona’s friendship. She was a more entertaining character for me as well, especially her dynamic with all the other characters.
I did love Natalie she is so sweet but Sharona's fierce short-tempered loud-mouthed personality made bigger contrast between their duo which made the show more entartaining sooo my rating is 51%-49% for Sharona! ;) But I must repeat myself I love Natalie as well:D
Yeah, I mean natalie's chemistry with monk is far better than monk and sharona's, but maybe the relationship dynamic between monk and sharona gives us more comedic relief
Natalie is so flat compared to Sharona and her and Monk's chemistry is simply zero. Personally i've no idea how a person like Natalie gets cast, i am having a hard time watching season 4, might quit.
I found the Sharona character to be SO entertaining and amusing! The actress has a wide range. I really missed her when she was gone from Monk. I must say I was half watching for Sharona because I just loved the way she interacted with Adrian. And I missed her pleading "Adriannnnnnnnnnnnnn!" when she was exasperated with him.
Sharona yelling *"Adrian!!!"* was my FAVOURITE part of the show. Cracked me up so much. 😂 Nobody else can say it the way Bitty does. Her line delivery is hilarious.
Sharona Fleming was the character who got me into this show, and she was hands-down my favourite character on it. I was amused by Monk, but honestly the bulk of the entertainment for me was watching Sharona's hilarious expressions and reactions to his eccentricities. Every time Monk did something quirky or socially inappropriate, I grinned in anticipation of Sharona's reaction. That was everything. It was the punchline that got me in stitches laughing. For me, Monk was as much a straight-man to Sharona's character as she was to his. No one - and I mean NO ONE - could play Sharona but Bitty Schram. She portrays the character's spunk and sass like no other actress could; she's incredibly dynamic, hilariously expressive (Andy Breckman actually said that one of the reasons they cast Bitty was because her facial expressions were hysterical); her comedic timing and line delivery is beyond impeccable; and there is SO much personality in her performance. Her exclamation of _"ADRIAN!!"_ whenever Monk was being disruptive was such a beloved staple for me on this show; no one can pull off that name like Bitty does. And her NJ accent cracked me up. It made all of her dialogue immensely fun to listen to. Bitty had such a natural, electric chemistry with Tony Shalhoub, which extended to their characters. Watching the two of them working together was entertaining as hell, and it was the most amusing high-contrast dynamic I'd seen in a crime show since _Moonlighting._ The interplay between Monk and Sharona was THE centrepiece of my investment in the show, and they were (and still are) one of my favourite duos on all of television. When Sharona was gone, I was done. I never watched Monk again until I heard they were bringing Bitty back, and I would have *never* given the rest of the show any of my time if they didn't. She was the only - I mean ONLY - reason I watched the show past the point of her departure. I found the show so lacklustre without her presence. Sharona delivered an impressive measure of the comedy on the show for the first three seasons, and it felt like at least half the show (and the show's humour) was missing. Natalie, I found oscillated between either completely bland or absolutely insufferable, for reasons that would expand too far beyond the character limit to comprehensively catalogue. I could not stand her. Monk's character changed as well, and (excluding the end of the finale) not for the better. He became like a bumbling parody of the man he was in the beginning, and his eccentric "moments" were excessively drawn out and milked way past the point of the joke being dry. Monk had to carry almost all of the comedy on the show himself with Sharona's absence, and as much as I LOVE Tony Shalhoub, his character honestly wasn't quite up to the task. Sharona was the one who really made his character shine. The producers were right not to re-cast Sharona, because Bitty Schram absolutely OWNS that character. But she should have never been written off the show in the first place. For starters, Monk and Sharona's characters contrasted each other in a way that directly spotlighted the entire crux of the series. Monk was phobic, anxious, paranoid, circumspect, sceptical. Sharona was bold, fearless, tenacious, bull-by-the-horns, impulsive. They were core opposites - Monk's core is rooted in *fear,* and Sharona's in *audacity.* Her personality drew a crisp focus on the phobic and sceptical core of Monk's personality by contrast, which emphasised the original premise of the show. Natalie's character, on the other hand, contrasted Monk in a way that shifted the focus off the show's original premise. Her chipper, optimistic, sanguine disposition drew more attention to Monk's comparatively opposite pessimism, gloom, depression, irritability, and jaded outlook. And for me, this siphoned all the enjoyment out of Monk; as a character, and as a show. In Sharona's era, the show originally felt like it was about a detective coping and dealing with _phobias and compulsions,_ with depression on the side. In Natalie's era, it felt more like watching a show about a detective coping and dealing with _depression,_ with phobias and compulsions on the side. Monk and Sharona were the duo that embodied and highlighted the original concept of _Monk._ Ergo, Sharona's character was absolutely *essential* to holding this show together in its original integrity. The Bitty Schram era of the series is Monk at its peak best. The producers succumbed to abject idiocy retracting her from the programme. Possibly they were heeding a concern that her character was usurping Monk's spotlight, but they were evidently too myopic to realise that Monk was phenomenal because of her contribution to the show. And honestly... SO WHAT if she was stealing scenes and laughs? The entire point of a comedy show is to *produce comedy.* A similar thing happened with the crime comedy show _Castle._ Rick Castle was the title character, but the supporting actress stole the show. The writers and producers just went with it though, and the show became HUGE because of it. They never re-named the show. They just allowed it to naturally become the phenomenon it was, and let a bright light shine brighter rather than extinguishing it and starting over from scratch. Sharona's inclusion in the cast I felt made Monk's character far better and more entertaining. SHE was the reason I enjoyed him so much. She was the reason I was watching the show in the first place. And she was the reason I quit the show when she was gone. Bitty Schram should have been paid fairly and kept on board. End of story.
Exactly. The male writers didn't want Monk to have a female assistant that took too much of the audience's attention. Bitty Schram was only guilty of being TOO good and wanting to be paid fairly. The snippy boys club running the show sent a message to female and supporting male actors to take what they're willing to give and be grateful. 🤦 After Bitty left the show went downhill IMO. The writing got more silly - not funny - silly. Monk got more scenes to be emotional but he also seemed like more of a caricature of himself than a troubled quirky genius detective.
@@davidjeffersjeffers7918That's not nice AND not true. She's a very pretty woman and talented actress. I am Team Sharona 100% but no need to be mean to Traylor.
I just loved the fact that they weren't written as the same person. As if we're not supposed to notice that they were 2 completely different human beings
I do love how Monk reacted at the sight of Sharon surprising him and Sharona into their usual shenanigans like a boyfriend who just gets caught "cheating" the unrequited love interest with his actual ex-girlfriend. 😂
I know that this is an unpopular opinion but I love Sharona because it didn’t feel like an assistant and her boss. When monk and her were together; it felt like she was really pushing him and helping him to be better. She was there with him along the journey. At the end of the day he had 2 amazing assistants They both had great qualities, but let’s not act like Sharona was one of the worst assistant’s he ever had. She really cared for him.
Sharona was such a better character in my opinion than Natalie. She & Monk had great chemistry (in the sense of partners who could push & pull against each other). Its too bad the production company fired Bitty Schram rather than pay her what she was worth...it would have made a great show even better.
I agree 100%! They both were good, but Sharona was such a dynamic character. I felt like Natalie was one dimensional, and she coddled Adrian too much. It was like when Sharona left, Adrian took steps backward in his progress.
This is one of my favorite episodes from the last season because we got to see Sharona again, there were memorable moments between all three of them and the start of Randy and Sharona getting serious with each other.😊❤️
I felt the exact opposite I didn't like the episode they made her a jerk and like empathy for her uncle and randy was sucking up to her instead of being a cop
I prefer the early episodes with Sharona a million times more it so much funnier. I am just watching it on Netflix I am on season 3 now. Sharona was was the perfect addition to Monk, with her leaving it became a luke warm crime show. Still watchable, but so much more boring.
I still watch Monk. Both Bitty and Traylor played their roles very well and I enjoy both. Bringing Bitty back for closure for the fans was a good idea. I was hoping the movie would have included Bitty and Traylor. Maybe the next movie will
Sharona always made fun of Adrian, she belittled him often and as soon as another guy was in the picture she downright bullied Mond. Natalie never did that, she always maintained some respect, she did the nicest things for him and she got him to improve a lot. For me, its a clear Natalie win.
@@VenuMadhavan-l9f I would need to rewatch the first seasons to tell the exact episodes, but I remember one of the first ones, where she was on a date with a fake guy. Monk knew guy was fake and she really attacked him verbally. Or when she licked that chess figure, that is making fun of his disorder...there were many occasions when she was treating him shitty. But yes, bullying is maybe a bit too harsh.
@@VenuMadhavan-l9f I have another one, u can find it on yt. Its called "don't play cluedo with adrian monk". He wins a game with sharona and benji before even starting the game because he remembers the setup from a year earlier, including the mix of cards etc. And instead on being impressed, she really lays into him and dresses him down for daring to remember that.
I just finished watching the whole series for the first time. Monk really became a comfort show for me. I was so happy to see Bitty/Sharona return for a final appearance!
Sharona was right, she was way better for Monk. Natalie was so concerned with offending him that she wouldn't even advocate for him to other people, which is the MOST important part of her job. She failed to even get him out of jury duty, and he has *several* good reasons for not being selected if anyone was able to just tell the judge about his conditions and his occupation.
It comes back to the roles they had in the show. From the beginning, Sharona was Monk’s nurse who saw him through the aftermath of Trudy’s death and pushed him to go back into the world. Natalie was his assistant who could sympathize with Monk over the loss of a spouse and ultimately not knowing what really happened surrounding their respective deaths. However, Monk was now, more than ever, closing in on Trudy’s killer and Natalie’s support and confidence gave him the support to continue forward. Both were his friends and filled different roles in his life but both helped to heal Monk in their own way.
I loved all the characters in Monk but Sharona was my favorite assistant by far. I loved her saucy New Jersey attitude and the romance with Randy was just so sweet and cute and endearing! I am so glad they let them end up together!!!!
Lol, when they fight about taking the stairs or elevator:) and they both pull on him:) And also when Sharona enters, and Monk after cleaning his eyes, from getting dirt in them "Hello Adrian" Adrian "What year is this? "
My family and I always preferred Sharona over Natalie, we’ll even say when we decide to watch a rerun “Are we watching a Sharona or Natalie episode?” And usually end up picking Sharona so Season 1 - 3 😂
I like Sharona. She killed the role. Natalie’s role was too much exaggerated by the director. She assumed herself as the detective, treats AM like a too small kid. Sharona’s role and her handling of Monk was what held the character very high.
I love how Natalie wasn't just "Sharona's replacement", she brought a whole new dynamic to her partnership with Adrian. It was even brought up during the first episode that Natalie became his assistant, with him constantly moaning and complaining about how "Sharona did X better/different" before finally warming up to Natalie. This episode shows it. They are two different people, with different approaches to assisting Adrian in his daily life, even if, when you get down to brass tacks, they're both probably the best assistants he could have ever hoped for. Hands down one of my favorite episodes from the show.
this was one of my fa-vor-ite shows growing up. Sharona leaving was akin to Geri leaving the Spice Girls so when she came back it was so rewarding to see. This episode was perfect.
I couldn’t either, but don’t worry it might not have Sharona but I still recommend watching it. If you have decided to continue watching or quit then sorry, but if not you’ll thank me later
the same thing happened to me three months ago. I pushed through it and finally finished the show just yesterday. It really really paid off. GREAT show. My advice its to just keep watching, after a while its gets confy again.
I don’t know The fact that Sharona was replaced, it kinda killed the show for me I just started watching and I’m not so convinced to keep watching past season 3 😖
@@matthewtschetter1953personally I like them both, but most fans actually prefer Sharona, just look at the top liked comments here, they’re all about Sharona.
Favorite sharona line: “I’d rather chew glass” (with the accent) 😂 Natalie was amazing, lovable and really cared about monk but I still prefer sharona. She’s just funnier even her facial expressions were funny and the way she treated Adrian like her other son sometimes was hilarious. Also I felt like she used to nudge Adrian more to overcome his fears. I don’t prefer her but like a vast margin, I like both for their own traits but I just lean towards sharona more
It’d be great if Bitty Schram did a small cameo appearance in the upcoming Monk movie. I mean, she did end up being with Randy and living together in New Jersey where he’s the chief of police.
Sharona 95%, her character felt more real and natural, and she's like apartner/assistant/ friend and she cared about Monk. On the other hand, Natalie 5% her character felt forced, cringed worthy character most of the time and Monk appeared like a baby and her a mother than a boss/ assistant 😮
Sharona, Bitty Schram is my favorite actres in a serie Monk, she is so better with Monk, funny, perfect, i prefere the épisode with Sharona, season 1, 2 and 3
I read that Randy, Sharona and Captain they all asked for a raise. But they only removed Sharona from the show. Now i'm not sure if Randy n Captain got a raise
people who say "Sharona was too mean with Adrian... THATS WHERE THE GENIUS IS!!! Sharona imo represents the best period of the show, season 2 being a big favorite of mine. Sharona the more tough NJ girl personality, mixed with Monks personality made for amazing comedic moments between the two. They were like a buddy cop movie inside of a procedural cop show. That chemistry between Tony and Bitty Schram was one of the pillars of the earlier Monk seasons. I never quite felt the same when Sharona left and Natalie took over. Bitty Schram never getting any Emmy love for that show was a travesty!
I love Sharona but this scene always highlighted why I preferred Natalie and thought she was a better assistant! It’s simply the empathy Natalie always showed, particularly due to the fact that she lost her husband and could relate to the emotions Monk experienced! I get why Sharona liked to challenge him, but I always did prefer how Natalie could do the same without being insensitive in the process! Plus, she could still be sassy and funny when she wanted to be!
I think they were each kind of what Monk needed at the time he had them. Sharona had the tough love necessary to pull him out of a deep funk and help get him functional again. Natalie provided a shoulder to cry on at times, but also knew how to remind him of what he owed to himself and other people.
Cannot believe that I have only just started watching Monk. Great episodes and Bitty as Sharona is brilliant. Without her the show would not be popular but I must give Natalie a chance when I se her. John.
Monk always holds a special place in my heart because aside from the mysteries, at the time it was originally airing, I could relate to the personal side. I struggled in school as a teen and still do in some areas, and in school I had an assistant. She helped me not only with my work but to take a step more for myself bit by bit. My family went with the obvious pun - she was My Sharona. Then after a couple of years she left, and when I was told a few weeks in advance, I was devastated, spending a couple of days thinking I'll not survive the next couple of years in school and being sad to lose a friend. I got a new assistant, who had her own style and sometimes pushed me harder than before, and... was blonde. Season 3 was airing at this point in time, and my family did not miss a trick. Now I had a Natalie. So, yeah, there is no choice for me. We're all on the same side.
Sharona is 100% right about Natalie enabling Monk. Natalie is not a nurse nor does she have psych knowledge, and Sharona is an ER RN. She is a seasoned professional and she has seen it all and it's why she was what Monk needed. Plus the chemistry between Tony Shalhoub and Bitty Schram is stronger even than it was in the first few seasons-- he's clearly SO HAPPY to have her back. It was a huge mistake to fire Bitty in the first place. Sharona was absolutely right about Monk needing to take the elevator instead of the stairs. She was right about everything. The best ending I could have conceived of for this show is for Sharona to have come back a third time when Monk has gotten a handle on himself and for them to end up together. The actors had such affection for each other and it would have been sweet. The way Monk tears up when Sharona is leaving again in this episode is everything.
I agree with you about Sharona more suitable to assist Monk than Natalie , but only one thing I disagree that Sharona and Monk should end up together. They have strong relationship but never a romantic one. They care for each other more like a family. Sharona is like a sister/ friend to him.
Just No. Monk made so little improvements with Sharona and that is for a reason. It was with Natalie that Monk improved the most. A person won't change until the change comes from within themselves. It is meaningless to force people out of their comfort zone If they themselves don't realize that they need to. They will try to seclude themselves even more as a result because their fear of leaving their comfort zone was in their mind proven justified. What you would need to do is be both supportive towards Monk and show the consquences of Monk's behaviour. Natalie mostly was supportive of Monk's change and little showed the consquences of his behaviour though it is still better than what Sharona did.
To be honest it was really nice to see sharona I miss her I just can't how much which one is the best assistant for Monk 👈❤️💯. I did love Natalie she's great but I think sometimes it's really hard to choose but I really love both I think they both of them did great assistant Monk
What was particularly nice about Sharona coming back for this episode was that it proved that Bitty Schram was still on good terms with the show - and it also gave her the proper goodbye that she didn't get when she actually left.
I get the feeling that Schram didn't really want to leave the program. Perhaps they weren't paying her enough. Between the two? She was the better sidekick. However the girl playing Natalie is also almost excellent.
It took me a while to feel comfortable with the character Natalie Teeger. However she did fill the shoes of her role.
It's good that they didn't look to duplicate a character like Sharona as only Schram could fill that role.
The way the series ended was well done too. What with Randy & Sharona finally hooking up and marrying.
My only complaint with the series was the writers turning Randy into a doofus much of the time. In fact my favorite episodes are those where Randy makes an heroic act.
@@jorgecallico9177 Both characters are great, but I've always felt that Natalie made a better foil to Monk. Their dynamic just works a little bit better for me.
@@jorgecallico9177 It Was Stated In Another Report That Schram Wanted More Money, And Quit The Show Because She Either Didn't Get It, Or The Amount Wasn't Enough. She Was More "RELATABLE" Acting Her Part That Gave Her More Personality, However Her Replacement Did A Good Job Too, Tolerating Monk. NOBODY Could Have Played The Role Of Monk Better Than Tony. However My SECOND Favorite Character On The Show Was Ted That Played The Part Of The Captain. Especially In The Episode Where He Was In The Interrogation Room With A Chimpanzee, Going Crazy Trying To Get The Chimp To Shoot A Gun. A WILD Hilarious Skit Indeed...
Doesn’t matter kno. She lost her job and pay just for trying to negotiate a better deal. The actors who played Leyland & Randy also did the same but they were retained, I doubt they got a better deal though. Women losing out like that always hurts me.
@@davemckolanis4683 "Put the lotion in the basket!"
“It’s not what you think”
*He makes it sound like a love affair*
It kinda was. Platonic love
that is the joke, yes, well done
Yes! And when he was like "sometimes a wipe is just a wipe" LOL
That's what makes it hilarious, "it's not what you think!! She's just my former assistant! You are my assistant now though, please don't quit." 😂
that was so funny
I loved Sharona. She was my favorite character and, in my opinion, the best assistant. However, I do appreciate how Natalie was her own character and not a character trying to replace Sharona like I originally thought would happen.
Her constantly saying the Lord's name in vain was annoying
@@vicepresidentmikepence889I thought that was pretty hot
@@vicepresidentmikepence889 That explains your profile
Natalie was his assistant. Sharona was his friend. I think those relationships are obvious, and they both served their purpose on the show. But I wholeheartedly prefer Sharona’s friendship. She was a more entertaining character for me as well, especially her dynamic with all the other characters.
They were both his assistant. They both brought something to the show. I could not choose one over the other.
Natalie era muito parceira do Monk em todos os sentidos
Sharona had character. Natalie was very artificial
@@cmfrtblynmb02it wasn't artificial itself but I feel like she had toxic positivity traits that weren't never adressed
@@jameswilspn1907NATALIE TEEGER IS THE BEST❤
I always loved Sharona. The spiciness provided the perfect between her and Monk balance for me.
I did love Natalie she is so sweet but Sharona's fierce short-tempered loud-mouthed personality made bigger contrast between their duo which made the show more entartaining sooo my rating is 51%-49% for Sharona! ;) But I must repeat myself I love Natalie as well:D
Yes.
Yeah, I mean natalie's chemistry with monk is far better than monk and sharona's, but maybe the relationship dynamic between monk and sharona gives us more comedic relief
My fav ep is when Sharona and Monk pretended to be married. Lol.
their new life began - right there, right then
Just watched this one
Exactlyyyy , Thats my most fav episode too ❤❤
God, that one was a classic.
When they introduced Natalie, I appreciate how she wasn't just a shoddy clone of Sharona, instead creating a whole new dynamic with Monk.
Natalie is so flat compared to Sharona and her and Monk's chemistry is simply zero. Personally i've no idea how a person like Natalie gets cast, i am having a hard time watching season 4, might quit.
It gets a bit better as it goes on @@Shipdacheese
@@zebradiahshyperlapse2339 it does. I made it through, she's sufferable now.
M2 everything is diferent with Natalie house/ daughter/ believes /even the twist of her job
@@ShipdacheeseI agree! I don’t even want to see the rest of the show because it just doesn’t feel the same without Sharona.
I found the Sharona character to be SO entertaining and amusing! The actress has a wide range. I really missed her when she was gone from Monk. I must say I was half watching for Sharona because I just loved the way she interacted with Adrian. And I missed her pleading "Adriannnnnnnnnnnnnn!" when she was exasperated with him.
Sharona yelling *"Adrian!!!"* was my FAVOURITE part of the show. Cracked me up so much. 😂 Nobody else can say it the way Bitty does. Her line delivery is hilarious.
Sharona Fleming was the character who got me into this show, and she was hands-down my favourite character on it. I was amused by Monk, but honestly the bulk of the entertainment for me was watching Sharona's hilarious expressions and reactions to his eccentricities. Every time Monk did something quirky or socially inappropriate, I grinned in anticipation of Sharona's reaction. That was everything. It was the punchline that got me in stitches laughing. For me, Monk was as much a straight-man to Sharona's character as she was to his.
No one - and I mean NO ONE - could play Sharona but Bitty Schram. She portrays the character's spunk and sass like no other actress could; she's incredibly dynamic, hilariously expressive (Andy Breckman actually said that one of the reasons they cast Bitty was because her facial expressions were hysterical); her comedic timing and line delivery is beyond impeccable; and there is SO much personality in her performance. Her exclamation of _"ADRIAN!!"_ whenever Monk was being disruptive was such a beloved staple for me on this show; no one can pull off that name like Bitty does. And her NJ accent cracked me up. It made all of her dialogue immensely fun to listen to.
Bitty had such a natural, electric chemistry with Tony Shalhoub, which extended to their characters. Watching the two of them working together was entertaining as hell, and it was the most amusing high-contrast dynamic I'd seen in a crime show since _Moonlighting._ The interplay between Monk and Sharona was THE centrepiece of my investment in the show, and they were (and still are) one of my favourite duos on all of television.
When Sharona was gone, I was done. I never watched Monk again until I heard they were bringing Bitty back, and I would have *never* given the rest of the show any of my time if they didn't. She was the only - I mean ONLY - reason I watched the show past the point of her departure.
I found the show so lacklustre without her presence. Sharona delivered an impressive measure of the comedy on the show for the first three seasons, and it felt like at least half the show (and the show's humour) was missing. Natalie, I found oscillated between either completely bland or absolutely insufferable, for reasons that would expand too far beyond the character limit to comprehensively catalogue. I could not stand her. Monk's character changed as well, and (excluding the end of the finale) not for the better. He became like a bumbling parody of the man he was in the beginning, and his eccentric "moments" were excessively drawn out and milked way past the point of the joke being dry. Monk had to carry almost all of the comedy on the show himself with Sharona's absence, and as much as I LOVE Tony Shalhoub, his character honestly wasn't quite up to the task. Sharona was the one who really made his character shine.
The producers were right not to re-cast Sharona, because Bitty Schram absolutely OWNS that character. But she should have never been written off the show in the first place. For starters, Monk and Sharona's characters contrasted each other in a way that directly spotlighted the entire crux of the series. Monk was phobic, anxious, paranoid, circumspect, sceptical. Sharona was bold, fearless, tenacious, bull-by-the-horns, impulsive. They were core opposites - Monk's core is rooted in *fear,* and Sharona's in *audacity.* Her personality drew a crisp focus on the phobic and sceptical core of Monk's personality by contrast, which emphasised the original premise of the show.
Natalie's character, on the other hand, contrasted Monk in a way that shifted the focus off the show's original premise. Her chipper, optimistic, sanguine disposition drew more attention to Monk's comparatively opposite pessimism, gloom, depression, irritability, and jaded outlook. And for me, this siphoned all the enjoyment out of Monk; as a character, and as a show. In Sharona's era, the show originally felt like it was about a detective coping and dealing with _phobias and compulsions,_ with depression on the side. In Natalie's era, it felt more like watching a show about a detective coping and dealing with _depression,_ with phobias and compulsions on the side. Monk and Sharona were the duo that embodied and highlighted the original concept of _Monk._ Ergo, Sharona's character was absolutely *essential* to holding this show together in its original integrity. The Bitty Schram era of the series is Monk at its peak best.
The producers succumbed to abject idiocy retracting her from the programme. Possibly they were heeding a concern that her character was usurping Monk's spotlight, but they were evidently too myopic to realise that Monk was phenomenal because of her contribution to the show. And honestly... SO WHAT if she was stealing scenes and laughs? The entire point of a comedy show is to *produce comedy.* A similar thing happened with the crime comedy show _Castle._ Rick Castle was the title character, but the supporting actress stole the show. The writers and producers just went with it though, and the show became HUGE because of it. They never re-named the show. They just allowed it to naturally become the phenomenon it was, and let a bright light shine brighter rather than extinguishing it and starting over from scratch.
Sharona's inclusion in the cast I felt made Monk's character far better and more entertaining. SHE was the reason I enjoyed him so much. She was the reason I was watching the show in the first place. And she was the reason I quit the show when she was gone.
Bitty Schram should have been paid fairly and kept on board. End of story.
Agree with you in everything. I don't like the episodes without her.
Completely agree with everything...Bitty Schram didn't play Sharona...She was Sharona!
👏👏👏👏👍
Could not agree more... Sharona was my fav...pity she only lasted less than half of the series
Thank you 👍🧡
Sharona is sassy, funny, has strong character. Earlier episodes with her was more fun!
Bitty Schram is also better looking. Traylor Howard looks like a 12 year old boy.
Yes I hate the new girl
Exactly. The male writers didn't want Monk to have a female assistant that took too much of the audience's attention. Bitty Schram was only guilty of being TOO good and wanting to be paid fairly.
The snippy boys club running the show sent a message to female and supporting male actors to take what they're willing to give and be grateful. 🤦
After Bitty left the show went downhill IMO. The writing got more silly - not funny - silly. Monk got more scenes to be emotional but he also seemed like more of a caricature of himself than a troubled quirky genius detective.
@@davidjeffersjeffers7918That's not nice AND not true. She's a very pretty woman and talented actress. I am Team Sharona 100% but no need to be mean to Traylor.
I just loved the fact that they weren't written as the same person. As if we're not supposed to notice that they were 2 completely different human beings
Monk saw the nightmare that was coming and when he walked away from the station, he did the smartest thing he could.
🤣🤣
He overcame his fear of small spaces by going in a taxi. Dr Kroger would be proud.
I just loved both of them. They each had their own way of handling problems. Both actresses were great!
they sure were
Gostei mais da sharona!
I love sharona so much, was so upset when she was taken off the show 😭
I stilled kept watching but my parents stopped watching it after she left
Igual, paso con mi familia que dejamos de ver la serie, Sharona era graciosa, la extrañamos!!
I do love how Monk reacted at the sight of Sharon surprising him and Sharona into their usual shenanigans like a boyfriend who just gets caught "cheating" the unrequited love interest with his actual ex-girlfriend. 😂
I know that this is an unpopular opinion but I love Sharona because it didn’t feel like an assistant and her boss. When monk and her were together; it felt like she was really pushing him and helping him to be better. She was there with him along the journey. At the end of the day he had 2 amazing assistants They both had great qualities, but let’s not act like Sharona was one of the worst assistant’s he ever had. She really cared for him.
Sharona was such a better character in my opinion than Natalie. She & Monk had great chemistry (in the sense of partners who could push & pull against each other). Its too bad the production company fired Bitty Schram rather than pay her what she was worth...it would have made a great show even better.
I agree 100%! They both were good, but Sharona was such a dynamic character. I felt like Natalie was one dimensional, and she coddled Adrian too much. It was like when Sharona left, Adrian took steps backward in his progress.
Indeed.
Sharona was originally his nurse. So it makes sense she would push him more. Where Natalie was always his assistant
I don’t think that’s an unpopular opinion
"Sometimes a wipe is just a wipe."
I remember this episode so much and using that line for a while afterwards.
Sharona for me every time. Brilliant Bitti Schram.
Natalie for me. I liked her much better.
I always thought Sharona was way more fun
They all arguing
Monk: iight ima head out
🤣🤣
I like Natalie. I ❤Love❤ Sharona. She knew Monk inside and out. Sharona was rougher, tougher.
I missed Sharona too much after she left!
This is one of my favorite episodes from the last season because we got to see Sharona again, there were memorable moments between all three of them and the start of Randy and Sharona getting serious with each other.😊❤️
I felt the exact opposite I didn't like the episode they made her a jerk and like empathy for her uncle and randy was sucking up to her instead of being a cop
This show was awesome. Just AWESOME I WISH IT HAD MORE SEASONS
Tiny shalhoub said there might be a movie coming up but no more actual seasons
VERY SAD To See The Show End. But Actors Move On To Other Ventures, And Most Don't Want To Get TYPE CAST Into A Singular Rut Forever...
@@davemckolanis4683Tony shalhoub said there working on a tv movie but no more seasons but I still can’t wait
I prefer the early episodes with Sharona a million times more it so much funnier. I am just watching it on Netflix I am on season 3 now.
Sharona was was the perfect addition to Monk, with her leaving it became a luke warm crime show. Still watchable, but so much more boring.
I bet it was about money. And if so rightly so Sharona was just as important as Monk. Well all in my opinion of course.
@@HappySun-tu9br yeah, it was about money :((
Sharona was the perfect yin to Monk's yang. My wife & I are only on Season 4 but we're still bummed she left...
You will come to appreciate Natalie for different reasons in time.
@@danieljohnston2379 it's a consolation really
@@AckeyJopes Natalie was way better imo. But Sharona does have a strong spirit to her.
@@danieljohnston2379 Yeah, we've definitely warmed up to Natalie.
That feeling when your Ex shows up; you’re still friends, but you’re nervous as hell when your current squeeze hangs out with them.
Lol.
everyones worst nightmare
It was great to see Sharona back. Great to see Her meet Natalie.
I couldn’t watch the show without Sharona. She was so cute 🥰
I still watch Monk. Both Bitty and Traylor played their roles very well and I enjoy both. Bringing Bitty back for closure for the fans was a good idea. I was hoping the movie would have included Bitty and Traylor. Maybe the next movie will
I love them both.It's like comparing apples and oranges.
Sharona is og nurse that's why she's pushing Mr. Monk to overcome things
Sharona always made fun of Adrian, she belittled him often and as soon as another guy was in the picture she downright bullied Mond. Natalie never did that, she always maintained some respect, she did the nicest things for him and she got him to improve a lot. For me, its a clear Natalie win.
@@endlessstudent3512 When did Sharona bully him? Can you please tell?
@@VenuMadhavan-l9f I would need to rewatch the first seasons to tell the exact episodes, but I remember one of the first ones, where she was on a date with a fake guy. Monk knew guy was fake and she really attacked him verbally. Or when she licked that chess figure, that is making fun of his disorder...there were many occasions when she was treating him shitty. But yes, bullying is maybe a bit too harsh.
@@endlessstudent3512 OK.
@@VenuMadhavan-l9f I have another one, u can find it on yt. Its called "don't play cluedo with adrian monk". He wins a game with sharona and benji before even starting the game because he remembers the setup from a year earlier, including the mix of cards etc. And instead on being impressed, she really lays into him and dresses him down for daring to remember that.
My preference was Sharona due too how much she cared for Monk. Natalie was decent but I despised her daughter Julie. She simply annoyed me.
Sharona didn't care for monk
She did.... @@sarahkolakowski2012
Ahh I love Sharona! I love Bitty! I wish she was in the movie also!
I just finished watching the whole series for the first time. Monk really became a comfort show for me. I was so happy to see Bitty/Sharona return for a final appearance!
Love Sharona. Natalie was alright..... but LOVE Sharona. Missed her.
Schram was better than the show runners. Had class enough to come back, even when they treated her terribly.
sharona was much better as a sidekick, i felt like they really screwed up the later seasons with Natalie
Sharona was right, she was way better for Monk. Natalie was so concerned with offending him that she wouldn't even advocate for him to other people, which is the MOST important part of her job. She failed to even get him out of jury duty, and he has *several* good reasons for not being selected if anyone was able to just tell the judge about his conditions and his occupation.
It comes back to the roles they had in the show. From the beginning, Sharona was Monk’s nurse who saw him through the aftermath of Trudy’s death and pushed him to go back into the world. Natalie was his assistant who could sympathize with Monk over the loss of a spouse and ultimately not knowing what really happened surrounding their respective deaths. However, Monk was now, more than ever, closing in on Trudy’s killer and Natalie’s support and confidence gave him the support to continue forward. Both were his friends and filled different roles in his life but both helped to heal Monk in their own way.
I loved all the characters in Monk but Sharona was my favorite assistant by far. I loved her saucy New Jersey attitude and the romance with Randy was just so sweet and cute and endearing! I am so glad they let them end up together!!!!
Lol, when they fight about taking the stairs or elevator:) and they both pull on him:) And also when Sharona enters, and Monk after cleaning his eyes, from getting dirt in them "Hello Adrian" Adrian "What year is this? "
My family and I always preferred Sharona over Natalie, we’ll even say when we decide to watch a rerun “Are we watching a Sharona or Natalie episode?” And usually end up picking Sharona so Season 1 - 3 😂
Think I remember Natalie finding out Sharona made $20 week more 😂
Well Sharona was an actual nurse!
I like Sharona. She killed the role. Natalie’s role was too much exaggerated by the director. She assumed herself as the detective, treats AM like a too small kid. Sharona’s role and her handling of Monk was what held the character very high.
I love how Natalie wasn't just "Sharona's replacement", she brought a whole new dynamic to her partnership with Adrian. It was even brought up during the first episode that Natalie became his assistant, with him constantly moaning and complaining about how "Sharona did X better/different" before finally warming up to Natalie.
This episode shows it. They are two different people, with different approaches to assisting Adrian in his daily life, even if, when you get down to brass tacks, they're both probably the best assistants he could have ever hoped for.
Hands down one of my favorite episodes from the show.
Watching it on Netflix now, i stopped when i found put Sharona isn’t coming back. 🥺 sorry but no Sharona No monk for me, they are just perfect pair!
this was one of my fa-vor-ite shows growing up. Sharona leaving was akin to Geri leaving the Spice Girls so when she came back it was so rewarding to see. This episode was perfect.
Sharona was so Chaotic and i loved her 🤌
I'm devastated. I discovered this show only last month and just reached the episode where Sharona suddenly leaves! Not sure I can keep watching 😭💔
I couldn’t either, but don’t worry it might not have Sharona but I still recommend watching it. If you have decided to continue watching or quit then sorry, but if not you’ll thank me later
the same thing happened to me three months ago. I pushed through it and finally finished the show just yesterday. It really really paid off. GREAT show. My advice its to just keep watching, after a while its gets confy again.
@@lbbct Thank you for this comment! I'll give it a try 👍
Sharona was better…… in casting as well …. She had a spunk…. So she added personality to her character….. she was just not an assistant….
I don’t know
The fact that Sharona was replaced, it kinda killed the show for me
I just started watching and I’m not so convinced to keep watching past season 3 😖
Most fans agree Natalie is even better
@@matthewtschetter1953personally I like them both, but most fans actually prefer Sharona, just look at the top liked comments here, they’re all about Sharona.
keep watching!!! its worth it!
I’m just going to say it, Natalie is not the person to to talk to people about wanting to get some money
was watching that silly detective for Sharona… :(
This is the show that I re-watch again and again to re-live those good days.
Favorite sharona line: “I’d rather chew glass” (with the accent) 😂
Natalie was amazing, lovable and really cared about monk but I still prefer sharona. She’s just funnier even her facial expressions were funny and the way she treated Adrian like her other son sometimes was hilarious. Also I felt like she used to nudge Adrian more to overcome his fears. I don’t prefer her but like a vast margin, I like both for their own traits but I just lean towards sharona more
Sharona was better.
Why is it so funny 🤣 seeing them fight over Monk?
For real.
Sharona hands down. Plus, she's funny! 💕
I like both !!😊
@@philipmcculley5221 Same
Sharona is annoying how the hell is she funny?
All Sharona cared about was money. She kept quitting on him because of it.
my grandma loves this show and she always says she thinks sharona is way funnier than monk 🤣
It’d be great if Bitty Schram did a small cameo appearance in the upcoming Monk movie. I mean, she did end up being with Randy and living together in New Jersey where he’s the chief of police.
Sharona 95%, her character felt more real and natural, and she's like apartner/assistant/ friend and she cared about Monk.
On the other hand, Natalie 5% her character felt forced, cringed worthy character most of the time and Monk appeared like a baby and her a mother than a boss/ assistant 😮
Cared about monk? All Sharona cared about was money
@@sarahkolakowski2012 Natalie cared about money too😅
I Love Sharona...❤❤
Love Sharona! "Well give 'em my number!"
Sharona, Bitty Schram is my favorite actres in a serie Monk, she is so better with Monk, funny, perfect, i prefere the épisode with Sharona, season 1, 2 and 3
I still just don't understand why Sharona had to leave. Monk & Sharona were so perfect!
production doesn"t paid enough
She wanted the same money as monk.... Never going to happen 😬
I read that Randy, Sharona and Captain they all asked for a raise. But they only removed Sharona from the show. Now i'm not sure if Randy n Captain got a raise
Oh I love Sharona her personality
Sem dúvidas a Sharona é a melhor!!! ❤
Sharona all The way.. When she left the show I stopped watching it..
Can't watch it either this Natalie character is soooo awful
“Im talking too much. Am I still talking now? Oh god I’m still talking……….”
I love sharona ❤ Why did they fire her? She deserved a pay raise, bunch of mercenaries.
I mean natilie wasn't even a nurse Sharona was perfect!! Plus natilie had nothing with Disher! I mean we lost the best comic duo!!!
Right! I don't know how this show kept going after killing most of the good parts of it
I like the end. It's always fun when Monk is the one with sense.
Should’ve kept Sharona on the show.
I like Monk's and Sharona's hug at the end...
Streaming the heck out Monk on Peacock. Great to hear there is a movie this year. 🎉
Just started binging the show on netflix in the uk started on the 15th of march with s1 now it's the 18th of march and i nearly getting to season 3
people who say "Sharona was too mean with Adrian... THATS WHERE THE GENIUS IS!!! Sharona imo represents the best period of the show, season 2 being a big favorite of mine.
Sharona the more tough NJ girl personality, mixed with Monks personality made for amazing comedic moments between the two. They were like a buddy cop movie inside of a procedural cop show. That chemistry between Tony and Bitty Schram was one of the pillars of the earlier Monk seasons. I never quite felt the same when Sharona left and Natalie took over. Bitty Schram
never getting any Emmy love for that show was a travesty!
So true on the show yet sad she didn't get recognized for making it so gooood seasons 1- 3
All Sharona cared about was money otherwise she wouldn't repeatedly threaten to quit on him.
After Sharona left, i couldnt watch the show anymore. Didnt like Natalie at all. Sharona was really the best.
@_before_sunset......you stopped watching Monk because sharona was replaced by Natalie?.... Pity because Natalie grew into the part and is great!
Agreed!
You missed some of the best episodes
God I miss this show
Sharona > Natalie
I love Sharona but this scene always highlighted why I preferred Natalie and thought she was a better assistant!
It’s simply the empathy Natalie always showed, particularly due to the fact that she lost her husband and could relate to the emotions Monk experienced! I get why Sharona liked to challenge him, but I always did prefer how Natalie could do the same without being insensitive in the process! Plus, she could still be sassy and funny when she wanted to be!
Same here. I normally agree with Mr. Monk: don't change anything. But Natalie was an improvement.
Still, what would happen if Natalie showed SYMPATHY towards Mr. Monk?
I think they were each kind of what Monk needed at the time he had them. Sharona had the tough love necessary to pull him out of a deep funk and help get him functional again. Natalie provided a shoulder to cry on at times, but also knew how to remind him of what he owed to himself and other people.
I agree if it’s under 5 flights of stairs.
@@harringt100
Isn't that exactly how they described it in the show?
I feel Natalie treats monk as family and a bit empathetic towards him, while Sharona treats him as a friend pulling him out of his comfort zone
I really missed Sharona 😢
Cannot believe that I have only just started watching Monk. Great episodes and Bitty as Sharona is brilliant. Without her the show would not be popular but I must give Natalie a chance when I se her. John.
It's ok to compare characters ... But actresses? Hell no
Both are beautiful and brilliant
Both do a great job and i love this "mirror scene" were we can see how diferent characters and how handy are for monk in her own way
MONK IS ON NETFLIX NOW!!! YES !!!!!!NO COMMERCIALS
Thats what I said
Shronna is my fave
Monk always holds a special place in my heart because aside from the mysteries, at the time it was originally airing, I could relate to the personal side. I struggled in school as a teen and still do in some areas, and in school I had an assistant. She helped me not only with my work but to take a step more for myself bit by bit. My family went with the obvious pun - she was My Sharona. Then after a couple of years she left, and when I was told a few weeks in advance, I was devastated, spending a couple of days thinking I'll not survive the next couple of years in school and being sad to lose a friend. I got a new assistant, who had her own style and sometimes pushed me harder than before, and... was blonde. Season 3 was airing at this point in time, and my family did not miss a trick. Now I had a Natalie.
So, yeah, there is no choice for me. We're all on the same side.
Sharona is 100% right about Natalie enabling Monk. Natalie is not a nurse nor does she have psych knowledge, and Sharona is an ER RN. She is a seasoned professional and she has seen it all and it's why she was what Monk needed. Plus the chemistry between Tony Shalhoub and Bitty Schram is stronger even than it was in the first few seasons-- he's clearly SO HAPPY to have her back. It was a huge mistake to fire Bitty in the first place. Sharona was absolutely right about Monk needing to take the elevator instead of the stairs. She was right about everything. The best ending I could have conceived of for this show is for Sharona to have come back a third time when Monk has gotten a handle on himself and for them to end up together. The actors had such affection for each other and it would have been sweet. The way Monk tears up when Sharona is leaving again in this episode is everything.
Yea I loved Sharona but there was nothing wrong with Natalie to I loved Natalie
I agree with you about Sharona more suitable to assist Monk than Natalie , but only one thing I disagree that Sharona and Monk should end up together. They have strong relationship but never a romantic one. They care for each other more like a family. Sharona is like a sister/ friend to him.
Just No. Monk made so little improvements with Sharona and that is for a reason. It was with Natalie that Monk improved the most.
A person won't change until the change comes from within themselves. It is meaningless to force people out of their comfort zone If they themselves don't realize that they need to. They will try to seclude themselves even more as a result because their fear of leaving their comfort zone was in their mind proven justified.
What you would need to do is be both supportive towards Monk and show the consquences of Monk's behaviour. Natalie mostly was supportive of Monk's change and little showed the consquences of his behaviour though it is still better than what Sharona did.
He never improved with Sharona, she was just extra pressure and cruel .. even though I liked her character in general, she's funny and strong
Natali siempre lo pone en peligro
To be honest it was really nice to see sharona I miss her I just can't how much which one is the best assistant for Monk 👈❤️💯. I did love Natalie she's great but I think sometimes it's really hard to choose but I really love both I think they both of them did great assistant Monk
Both of them r perfect loved the comeback tho! Still love the different dynamic monk is with each of them
I've been waiting for this clip for months.
I ❤ sharona Fleming better then Natalie
Sherona is the best, Natalie didn't do it for me.
Natalie did baby monk lol
Well i liked both of them. Brought different dynamics with Monk.
❤love them both,they both prop up his MONK Character🎉
Monk jumped the shark when Sharona left.
I love how Monk acts like he was cheating. Also 1:42 What happened in that elevator?