Mr. Monk and the Airplane

Last updated

"Mr. Monk and the Airplane"
Monk episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 13
Directed by Rob Thompson
Written by David M. Stern
Production code#T-1111 [1]
Original air dateOctober 18, 2002 (2002-10-18)
Guest appearances
Brooke Adams as Leigh Harrison
Tim Daly as Himself
Garry Marshall as Warren Beach
Carl Marotte as Stefan Chabrol
Jennifer Dale as Barbara Chabrol
Robin Duke as Aunt Minn
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Mr. Monk and the Red-Headed Stranger"		Next →
"Mr. Monk Goes Back to School"
Monk season 1
List of episodes

"Mr. Monk and the Airplane" is the first season finale of the American comedy-drama detective television series Monk , and the show's 13th episode overall. The series follows Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistant Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram). In this episode, Monk is obligated to fly with Sharona and is faced with a murder case on the airplane.

Contents

The episode was written by David M. Stern and directed by Rob Thompson. It guest starred several actors, including Brooke Adams, Tim Daly, and Garry Marshall. When the episode first aired in the United States on USA Network on October 18, 2002, it was watched by 4.2 million viewers. "Mr. Monk and the Airplane" was well received by critics, and earned Shalhoub a Primetime Emmy Award in 2003.

Plot

Practical nurse Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) leaves to fly to New Jersey to visit her aunt. Her client and detective Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is forced to go with her, as he fears not being able to live without Sharona. While at San Francisco International Airport, a woman named Barbara Chabrol (Jennifer Dale) stands on her toes to kiss her husband Stefan (Carl Marotte).

Aboard the plane, an annoying extension cord salesman named Warren Beach (Garry Marshall) does little to assuage Monk's fears. Monk quickly becomes suspicious of Stefan Chabrol after he notices that Barbara no longer needs to stand on her toes to kiss him, has "forgotten" that she ordered the vegetarian meal, knows nothing about air travel despite a frequent-flyer lapel, and claims to have "forgotten how to" speak French when an old family friend, Bernard, meets them on board. More digging convinces Monk he is on to something. Monk quickly annoys everyone and a fellow passenger informs Stefan of Monk's suspicions.

Meanwhile, Bernard appears dead, probably because of a heart attack but Monk cannot guarantee it. So Monk asks Sharona to steal Bernard's wine glass and, with a lighter borrowed from Beach, proceeds to burn away the wine to reveal a mysterious liquid at the bottom. However, the flight attendant, Leigh Harrison (Brooke Adams), is alerted to Monk's use of a lighter on board, and confiscates both the lighter and the glass, dumping the liquid down the sink.

Monk calls Lieutenant Disher and explains what he thinks happened. Stefan and his mistress murdered Barbara and the mistress disguised herself as Barbara. Stefan, being a pilot, then used his valid identification card and its virtually unlimited access to hide the body at a construction site at the airport. The construction workers poured concrete over the corpse, unwittingly destroying the evidence.

When Monk and Sharona's flight lands at Newark Liberty International Airport, Monk stalls Stefan's connecting flight to Paris by wittingly saying that the captain of the Paris flight is drunk. This allows Disher and the construction crew to excavate and find the body. The Newark Police Department shows up, and Stefan and his mistress are led away in handcuffs.

Production

Shalhoub's former Wings co-star Tim Daly guest starred as himself TimDaly95.jpg
Shalhoub's former Wings co-star Tim Daly guest starred as himself

"Mr. Monk and the Airplane" was written by David M. Stern and directed by Rob Thompson. [1] Both were credited for the second time in the series, [2] [3] as Stern previously worked on "Mr. Monk and the Other Woman" and Thompson on "Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale". [4] [5] There were various discussions between series creator Andy Breckman and writer Tom Scharpling with USA Network's producers over the setting for the episode. [6] The network required to have only half of the scenes on the plane, but the writing staff wanted it to be completely set on the plane. [6] There was also discussion over the repetition of a "Pete and Repeat" joke; ultimately, USA's executives "were crying from laughing so hard" and agreed to include the scene. [6]

Tim Daly guest starred as himself; [1] he and Tony Shalhoub were in the NBC TV show Wings . [7] To further explore the in-joke of his casting, Monk's comment about Wings—"Never saw it. Was it good?"—was added. [6] Another guest star, Garry Marshall himself created Warren Beach's trademark line—"If it doesn't reach, call Warren Beach"—as he was allowed to improvise; Breckman further stated, "He was improvising all the way". [6] Marshall appeared in the episode after telling Monk's producer David Hoberman that it was his wife's favorite show. [8] Brooke Adams, the real-life wife of Shalhoub, also starred in this episode as the flight attendant Leigh. [1] [7] Breckman appeared as the passenger who enters the plane just ahead of Monk and Sharona, just as his credit as executive producer appears on screen. [9]

Reception

"Mr. Monk and the Airplane" was first broadcast in the United States on the USA Network at 10 pm EST on October 18, 2002. [1] According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was viewed by an estimated number of 4.25 million viewers with a 2.5 household rating. [10]

Jason Gray-Stanford listed "Mr. Monk and the Airplane" among his three favorite episodes of the series. [11] Moreover, it was positively received by critics. In The Futon Critic's ranking of the fifty best episodes of 2002, it was placed 32nd, with Brian Ford Sullivan stating, "The title of the episode says it all for us." [12] New York Daily News 's David Bianculli declared "It seems that lots of people are getting on board with Monk, which is as it should be", referring to the guest stars of the episode. [13] The guests were said to be one of the "many subtle and silly pleasures" of the episode by Kevin McDonough, a critic for the United Feature Syndicate, [7] while a TelevisionWeek reviewer praised Marshall's performance as a "tour de force guest shot". [8] Austin Smith of the New York Post deemed it "a true classic" and said it put "Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan" "to shame". [14] Chris Hicks from Deseret News qualified it as "perfection," [15] and Bianculli stressed "the writing team for Monk made the most" of it. [16] On the other hand, Joy Press of The Village Voice called it "a Seinfeld -like device" in which Monk's fear of flying was explored "to the point of exhaustion." [17]

At the 55th Primetime Emmy Awards, Shalhoub won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for this episode. [18] [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Shalhoub</span> American actor (born 1953)

Anthony Marc Shalhoub is an American actor. His breakout role was as Antonio Scarpacci on the sitcom Wings from 1991 to 1997. He later starred as Adrian Monk in the USA Network series Monk from 2002 to 2009, winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. For his supporting role as Abe Weissman on Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Monk is an American police procedural comedy drama detective mystery television series that originally ran on the USA Network from July 12, 2002, to December 4, 2009, with 125 episodes broadcast over eight seasons. It follows Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistants Sharona Fleming and Natalie Teeger. Monk works with the San Francisco Police Department in solving unconventional cases while investigating his wife's unsolved murder. The show also explores the main characters' personal lives and struggles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Monk</span> Fictional American private investigator

Adrian Monk, portrayed by Tony Shalhoub, is the title character and protagonist of the USA Network television series Monk. He is a renowned former homicide detective for the San Francisco Police Department. He has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and multiple phobias, all of which intensified after the murder of his wife Trudy, who died in a car bomb, resulting in his suspension from the department. He works as a private police homicide consultant and undergoes therapy with the ultimate goal of overcoming his grief, taking control of his phobias and disorder, and being reinstated as a police detective. Monk solved over 100 homicide investigations.

Bitty Schram is an American actress best known for playing Sharona Fleming in the television series Monk and Evelyn Gardner in the film A League of Their Own (1992).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Monk and the Candidate</span> 1st and 2nd episodes of the 1st season of Monk

"Mr. Monk and the Candidate" is the two-part pilot episode of the American comedy drama detective television series Monk. It introduces the character of Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistant Sharona Fleming, as well as police officers Leland Stottlemeyer and Randy Disher. In this episode, Monk investigates an assassination attempt on a mayoral candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan</span> 1st episode of the 3rd season of Monk

"Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan" is the first episode of the third season of the American comedy drama detective television series Monk, and the show's 30th episode overall. The series follows Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistant Sharona Fleming. In this episode, Monk travels to New York City in an attempt to discover his wife's killer, but may solve the case of the death of the Latvian ambassador.

<i>Monk</i> (soundtrack) 2004 soundtrack album by Jeff Beal

In 2004, following the popular success and numerous awards and nominations for the cable television series Monk, Varèse Sarabande released an official soundtrack on compact disc.

"Mr. Monk and the Actor" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American comedy-drama detective television series Monk, and the show's 62nd episode overall. The series follows Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistant Natalie Teeger. In this episode, Monk has to link two different cases while an actor hired to play him in a film emotionally disturbs him.

"Mr. Monk and the Three Pies" is the eleventh episode of the second season of the American comedy-drama detective television series Monk, and the show's 24th episode overall. The series follows Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistant Sharona Fleming. In this episode, Monk's brother, Ambrose, is introduced to the series and requests Monk to investigate his neighbor, whom he suspects of murder.

"Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa Claus" is the tenth episode of the sixth season of the American comedy-drama detective television series Monk, and the show's 87th episode overall. The series follows Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistant Natalie Teeger. In this episode, Monk is labeled by media as a social pariah as he is accused of shooting a man dressed in Santa Claus apparel, and must prove his innocence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Monk and the End</span> 15th and 16th episodes of the 8th season of Monk

"Mr. Monk and the End" is the two-part series finale of the American comedy drama detective television series Monk. It consists of the fifteenth and sixteenth episodes of the eighth and final season, and the 124th and 125th episodes of the series overall. The series follows Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistant Natalie Teeger. In the finale, Monk finally solves his wife Trudy's murder after twelve years, concluding an eight-season long arc.

<i>Monk</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from July 12 to October 18, 2002, which consisted of 13 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford were introduced as portraying the main characters. Tony Shalhoub portrayed Adrian Monk, the title character, an OCD homicide detective from San Francisco, who was removed from the force after the murder of his wife. A DVD of the season was released on June 15, 2003.

<i>Monk</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from June 20, 2003, to March 5, 2004. It consisted of 16 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford reprised their roles as the main characters. A DVD of the season was released on October 11, 2004.

<i>Monk</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from June 18, 2004, to March 4, 2005. It consists of 16 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford reprise their roles as the main characters, and Traylor Howard joins the cast. Bitty Schram left the show due to a contract dispute during the Winter hiatus. A DVD of the season was released on July 5, 2005.

<i>Monk</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from July 8, 2005, to March 17, 2006. It consisted of 16 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford reprised their roles as the main characters. A DVD of the season was released on June 27, 2006.

<i>Monk</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from July 7, 2006, to March 2, 2007. It consisted of 16 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford reprised their roles as the main characters. A DVD of the season was released on June 26, 2007.

<i>Monk</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from July 13, 2007, to February 22, 2008. It consisted of 16 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford reprised their roles as the main characters. A DVD of the season was released on July 8, 2008.

<i>Monk</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of Monk was originally broadcast in the United States on USA Network from July 18, 2008, to February 20, 2009. It consisted of 16 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford reprised their roles as the main characters. A DVD of the season was released on July 21, 2009.

<i>Monk</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth and final season of Monk originally aired in the United States on USA Network from August 7 to December 4, 2009. It consisted of 16 episodes. Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford reprised their roles as the main characters. A DVD of the season was released on March 16, 2010.

<i>Mr. Monk Gets on Board</i> 2014 novel by Hy Conrad

Mr. Monk Gets on Board is the seventeenth novel based on the television series Monk. It was published on January 7, 2014. Like the other novels, the story is narrated by Natalie Teeger, Monk's assistant. It is the second novel in the series to be written by Hy Conrad.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mr. Monk and the Airplane – Credits". USA Network. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  2. ↑ "David M. Stern". AllMovie . All Media Network. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Rob Thompson". AllMovie. All Media Network. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Mr. Monk and the Other Woman – Credits". USA Network. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale – Credits". USA Network. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Erdmann, Terry J.; Block, Paula M. (June 27, 2006). Monk: The Official Episode Guide Excerpt. ISBN   0312354614.
  7. 1 2 3 McDonough, Kevin (October 19, 2002). "'Monk' wraps up 1st season". Times-Mail. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "The Insider". TelevisionWeek. Crain Communications. October 21, 2002. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  9. ↑ David M. Stern (writer), Rob Thompson (director) (October 18, 2002). "Mr. Monk and the Airplaine". Monk. Season 1. Episode 13. USA Network.
  10. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni (October 30, 2002). "Dud series scores in a duller TV week". Media Life Magazine. Archived from the original on November 1, 2002. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Monk Cast Favorites Marathon". USA Network. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  12. ↑ Sullivan, Brian Ford (January 7, 2003). "The 50 Best Episodes of 2002 - #40-31". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  13. ↑ Bianculli, David (October 16, 2002). "'Monk' debunks old programming habits". New York Daily News. Daily News. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014.
  14. ↑ Smith, Austion (June 13, 2004). "'Monk' doesn't make it in Manhattan". New York Post. News Corp. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  15. ↑ Hicks, Chris (July 9, 2004). "'Monk' on DVD is good, sanitized fun". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  16. ↑ Bianculli, David (June 17, 2004). "Miss that touch of 'Monk': Witty show flat in season debut". New York Daily News. Daily News. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014.
  17. ↑ Press, Joy (June 24, 2003). "Don't Lick His Queen". The Village Voice. Voice Media Group. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  18. ↑ Griffin, J.R. (August 13, 2003). "Road to the Emmys: Comedy Actor". Variety . Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Monk". Emmys.com. Television Academy. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.