i like this show in the very begin for tony shalhoub masterful portrayal of extreme social awkwardness ( not so much the writer cartoon version of ocd ) and nicely contrast against ted levine dry witted police lieutenant and and the clever mysteries that call to mind the glory day of columbo . but thing go downhill and or over a cliff and when the writer make the decision to sacrifice all realism in favor of put their lead character in an ocd sufferer bad nightmare every week and always thanks to some final destination style inescapable twist of fate . it be kinda funny the first and third and and tenth time and but eight season of it be appal . to take but one of countless example and mr. monk be investigate the death of a lead actress in a play and repeat some of the play line and and he overheard by the director and who and gasp and cast monk in the role . and he afraid of public speaking . you might wonder why a detective would agree to learn a bunch of line at the same time he investigate a murder or why he would be ask to do this or why he would be allow to do it but then you would be use your brain and which be not recommended if youre planning to enjoy the show . i put up with this insanity for about half of the show duration and still enjoy the interplay of the actor and but the final straw come in season four and when mr. monk go to a rock concert ( ho ho and he think it involve rock ) and mistake a port a john for a phone booth . and speak into the urinal . because he think it be a phone . the genius detective with a germ phobia . he talk . into . the urinal . at that point and it be obvious the writer be just use their potentially interesting character a a prop and nothing else . the few episode i have catch since then do not seem to have make significant change . the only thing the show can be praise for anymore be consistency . negative . ( postscript represent the finale and at least and be good . ) .