 |
Monk: The Official Episode Guide by Terry J. Erdmann, Paula M. Block
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Paula M. Block, Terry J. Erdmann Edition: Paperback Audio: English (Published) Format: Bargain Price Published: 2006-06-27 ISBN: N/A Number of pages: 224 Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Book Reviews of Monk: The Official Episode GuideBook Review: For the Casual and obsessed MONK Fan Summary: 5 StarsMonk is a great show on the USA Network. Over the course of four seasons, it has built a loyal audience of fans. Every week, we tune in to see how detective Adrian Monk will use his fears and obsessive compulsive disorder to solve a murder, and what fun he'll create for us along the way.
This episode guide features all the episodes from the first four seasons of the show. The books starts out discussing the origins of the show and the four-year process it took to bring the show to TV. Then they discuss the characters and actors who bring them to life each week. Each season gets its own chapter and the chapter prolog discusses a little of what was happening behind the scenes that season, such as the move from Canada to Los Angeles for filming beginning in season 2.
And, of course, there are the episodes. Each episode starts with a summary of the plot, so if you don't quite remember the details, you can catch up quickly. Then the author's go into behind the scenes stuff. They talk to the writers about what inspired the idea and the cast and crew to find out any unusual challenges that filming that episode created or some funny story that happened while they were filming it. At the end of each episode, they list a favorite quote, the most unusual clue, the clue that breaks the case, and Monk's idiosyncrasy of the week. Along the way, they feature sections on such crewmembers as the writers, costumer, and composer, for example.
I love behind the scenes books, and this one is great. I sat down to read a few pages and read it in an afternoon. I learned trivia about the show and what makes this show unique from others currently on the air. Everyone is more then willing to admit when something is sub-par, and I was glad to see they agree with me on what some of the worst episodes of the show are.
The issue that has created the most gossip surrounding the show was Bitty Schram's sudden departure in the middle of season three. While it is discussed, the writers do their best to gloss over any potentially inflammatory issues. While this is best, the gossip lover in me wanted more dirt. Still, her departure does create a hole in the book. The authors were given this assignment just as she was leaving the show, so they never had a chance to interview her for their book.
This book is a fast, fun read focused on one of the best TV shows currently on TV. I hope the show and the book are successful enough to merit a volume two in a few years.
|
 |
Monk: Season SevenRelease date: 2009-07-21; DVDBest price: $36.49Price in other shops: $59.98
Monk - Season SixUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2008-07-08; DVDBest price: $21.63Price in other shops: $59.98
Monk - Season FiveUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2007-06-26; DVDBest price: $18.98Price in other shops: $59.98
Monk - Season FourUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2006-06-27; DVDBest price: $20.79Price in other shops: $59.98
Monk - Season ThreeUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2005-07-05; DVDBest price: $18.95Price in other shops: $59.98
Monk - Season TwoUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2005-01-11; DVDBest price: $18.99Price in other shops: $59.98
Monk - Season OneUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2004-06-15; DVDBest price: $21.48Price in other shops: $59.98
Monk: The Official Episode Guideby Terry J. Erdmann, Paula M. Block St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 2006-06-27; Paperback; BookBest price: $36.15
Mr. Monk in Troubleby Lee Goldberg NAL Hardcover; Published: 2009-12-01; Hardcover; BookBest price: $15.61Price in other shops: $22.95
Mr. Monk and the Dirty Copby Lee Goldberg NAL Hardcover; Published: 2009-07-07; Hardcover; BookBest price: $12.00Price in other shops: $22.95
|
Monk - Season TwoUniversal; Release date: 2005-01-11; DVDBest price: $25.49Price in other shops: $59.98
Monk - Season FiveUniversal; Release date: 2007-06-26; DVDBest price: $24.88Price in other shops: $59.98
Mr. Monk is Miserableby Lee Goldberg NAL Hardcover; Published: 2008-12-02; Hardcover; BookBest price: $11.19Price in other shops: $21.95
Monk - Season SixUNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.; Release date: 2008-07-08; DVDBest price: $27.90Price in other shops: $59.98
Mr. Monk Goes to Germanyby Lee Goldberg NAL Hardcover; Published: 2008-07-01; Hardcover; BookBest price: $8.37Price in other shops: $21.95
Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouseby Lee Goldberg Signet; Published: 2006-01-03; Paperback; BookBest price: $0.22Price in other shops: $6.99
Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaiiby Lee Goldberg Signet; Published: 2006-07-05; Paperback; BookBest price: $2.90Price in other shops: $7.99
Mr. Monk and The Blue Fluby Lee Goldberg Signet; Published: 2007-01-02; Paperback; BookBest price: $2.84Price in other shops: $6.99
Mr. Monk in Outer Spaceby Lee Goldberg Signet; Published: 2008-06-03; Paperback; BookBest price: $3.15Price in other shops: $6.99
Mr. Monk and the Two Assistantsby Lee Goldberg Signet; Published: 2008-01-02; Paperback; BookBest price: $7.99
|