Monk’s original Girl Friday is returning to bid him adieu.
Bitty Schram has finalized a deal to reprise her role as sidekick to Tony Shalhoub’s obsessive-compulsive detective during Monk’s eighth and final season, sources confirm to me exclusively.
Schram left Monk midway through the show’s third season reportedly due to a contract dispute. Producers, however, insisted at the time that they simply wanted to take the show in a different direction. Whatever triggered her exit, it’s apparently water under the bridge.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to help wrap up the series than with the return of Bitty’s character,” said Shalhoub. “Bringing some closure to Sharona is long overdue.”
Monk explained Schram’s absence by having Sharona move back to New Jersey with her son and ex-husband, Trevor. It’s not clear how she’ll be reintroduced, but a show insider says her visit will be brief: Schram’s only slated to appear in one episode.
What do you think? Happy to be getting one final Sharona fix before Monk signs off for good? Share with the class below!
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Unlike many, I haven’t missed her at all. I thought the character was too abrasive. Traylor Howard works more seemlessly into the fabric of the show. But then, the show is getting a bit old conceptually, too.
This makes me really, really happy. I lost much of my interest in the show after Sharona left, so I’m excited that she’s returning.
I was hoping for Sharona to return in Monk’s final season. I can see her returning in the final episode, when Monk finally solves his wife’s case.
Great news.
ever since it was announced that monk was ending this coming season, i had my fingers crossed that bitty would return as sharona. and looks like i got my wish!
can’t wait!
As much as I hated Sharona, I preferred her to Natalie because at least Sharona didn’t take Monk’s crap. So it will be good to have her back. At least for just an appearance.
Once she left Monk, she didn’t really do much did she? I know she had a small part on Ghost Whisperer this season in 1 episode.
I stopped watching after Sharona left. Looks like they have me coming back for one more episode.
When Sharona left, I stopped watching Monk. Sharona was much more passionate and presence. I will be watching tonight and won’t be surprised ifv ratings go through the roof. Maybe she’ll be in the finale.
Too little too late. Jennifer Espisito would have been nice though.
Loved Bitty, and still miss her.
i am so excited for her to come back! i really liked sharona and the dynamic between her and monk. this will be good closure for the show.
I too stopped watching Monk when she left. I’ll have to watch for this episode.
Traylor Howard is fine, she plays a different character. I loved Bitty Schram too but people seemed angry towards Howard because of the change. I am looking forward to her return visit.
The best nurse he ever had was when Niecy Nash from “Reno 911!” was his nurse for one episode when Sharona needed time to focus on her writing class.
I like Natalie better. I eventually got tired of Sharona’s attitude.
very cool. like many I lost interest in the show when she left…will be interesting to get some closure there and see how they bring her back.
I’ve enjoyed the series from the beginning, including both “gal Friday’s”. My preference is the current one, the tension caused by her buckling under Monk’s eccentricities makes a much richer character than one that is abrasive (not a lot of actual acting required).
I can see why some see the show as being a little stale, but that is more a commentary on mainstream Americans than on the quality of current shows.
We have become such an instant gratification, let me watch “real” people suffer (reality tv) and short attention span people, is more telling of so many of the problems that are endemic today in the US than a realistic assessment of the “quality” of tv programming.
Movies aren’t much better – how much more Seth Rogan must we endure? He and his main sidekick/writer are benefiting this American malaise – why else would he be cast as a one night stand with a Katherine Heigle – much less a continuing part of the movie? Belusi was ugly but didn’t rely on drug jokes alone.
She was the worst part of the show for me.
Im so happy about her return to Monk. Some of the best episodes where when she was on. My being when she and Monk went to Mexico.
I also loved Sharona and just like alot of other posters I stopped watching after she left the show. I will definitely watch her episode this season, though I wish it were more then one episode…
FYI, Lee Goldberg, who writes the MONK tie-in novels, already had this happen in MR. MONK AND THE TWO ASSISTANTS,published about a year ago. I wonder if te show is going to make any mention of that…
I did not like the Sharona character. Way too much attitude and it seemed like she and Monk did not get along; almost like she couldn’t stand him. I like Natalie much better. I don’t even like to watch the re-runs w/Sharona in them. Thank goodness it’s just for one episode.
Sharona turned me off, but I’ll be glad to see her for one last episode.
I actually always liked Natalie better because Sharona got on my nerves – a lot but I look forward to seeing this episode…I wonder if there will be a conflict between the two women…hmmm
I like Natalie, but I always got the biggest kick out of Sharona. She dressed like a hooker (and talked like one too), but she was smart and sassy too. I missed her when she left the show, which I think was probably the BIGGEST mistake she ever made.
sorry the series is ending more!
Good.
I kinda hoped Niecy Nash would take over (or at least sub a time or two more) Bitty’s spot. I like Traylor too.
This is great news, I love Monk for Monk but I have always missed Sharona.
oh, yay! i like natalie fine, but i miss sharona. she was so good. am happy she’s coming back, even just for one episode (although, here’s hoping it’s more than one).
Yes yes yes! Welcome home, baby. Yes, Traylor is good, but the character Sharona (and Bitty’s performance) helped turn the show into a hit because she and Monk were the last two people you would think would get along. And they were so great together.
Haven’t watch Monk since Sharona left. Now I’ll try and catch some episodes.
she was really the worst part, but she was also the best part. The show went downhill after she left. Stop watching it some time ago. I may catch the episode with her and finale (if she’s not in the finale).