Monk is a great TV show. It is funny, clean, and family-friendly. Season 1 has lots of great episodes. It is a good introduction to Monk and the entire cast of characters.

Warning: Only watch Monk if you want to get hooked! The writing for this series is some of the best that I have seen on TV in years. The character is very relatable and brilliantly played by Tony Shalhoub. I literally watched almost the entire first season in one day when I bought it on DVD. If you are someone like me, I hadn't even watched one episode before I bought the first season. I knew it was popular, my friends liked it and that Tony is a brilliant actor. That's all you need to know to start watching now. It's popular for a reason, and that is reason is because it's good. So, if you have any doubts, at least buy the first season. You will be hooked! I warned you.

The Monk DVD that I received is GREAT!! I received it on time. I had purchased the DVD from a chain of stores but unfortunately it got lost and I had to replace it. That's when I went on Amazon to repurchase the DVD.. and got it for HALF THE PRICE!!I AM SO HAPPY I DID.. I have recieved all 6 season from Amazon. I will NO LONGER purchase my DVD's from a chain of stores..Thanks Amazon :)

Tony Shaloub brings Adrian Monk, a brilliant former police detective, to life with his performances of the OCD investigator and received a well deserved Emmy for his role.

The scripts are well written with a pefect mix of humor and mystery combined and seems more of a throwback type of series, think of mixing of Murder She Wrote with Columbo bought up to date - no over the top violence, effects or graphics just a mystery solving series.

Shaloub is surrounded by a very good cast, including his nurse and psyhciatrist.

Monk is a breath of fresh air in the crime/mystery genre on television and I highly recommend it.

I love this show. It has everything and Tony Shaloub and Bitty Schram are simply brilliant. I was sad to see sharona go and the show managed to stay pretty good till the 5th season. Now, it is almost a parody....So sad, but seasons 1 and 2 are a knock out!

This is a wonderful series. Monk to me is just like Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, but turned modern. Poirot was once a policeman, like Monk, before he became a private detective. Poirot has a lot of the same quirks as Monk, or I should say Monk has a lot of the same quirks as Poirot. The Monk stories are interesting though not nearly as complex as Agatha Christie's writings. Another thing I like about this series is that it is only mildly violent with no adults-only scenes, so we can watch this as a family. We are enjoying having this first season as part of our dvd collection.

Here's a great cast, an interesting concept, and a treatment of OCDs that is not exploitative or cruel. And yet I waited this long to watch the first season! Go figure.
Tony Shalhoub is note-perfect as the title character, whom you can't help but feel sorry for since the murder of his beloved wife. This trauma apparently exacerbated the already existent OCDs, requiring his assistant, played by the wonderful Bitty Schram, to accompany him almost everywhere.
Ted Levine does a fine job as well, playing Monk's police chief. He is often taken aback by the troubled detective's behavior but also knows that nobody can solve a case better than Monk can.
I have just started the second season, and it looks very promising as well.

I love the tv series and wanted to DVD so I can watch it again and again. No one beats Monk for detective work with a flair. Love the DVD.

Monk is an obsessive compulsive savant of a detective. I love Tony Shaloub in this series. His portrayal of Monk is nothing less that Academy style. The way he pieces together minute clues makes you take a closer look at the world around you.

Losing his wife Trudy sends the man over the edge and his compulsions seem to get the better of him. It is worth continuing the series because the first few seasons are focused on his detective skills. 4 and 5 brink his true personality to life as he begins to cope with his wife's death.

The subtle humor of this masterful series makes it a must watch.

"Monk" is the first American detective/crime series in years that I have enjoyed - comedic or otherwise. Shows like "CSI" and other slick, new crime productions fall flat compared to their British counterparts, with too much shoot-em-up violence, lame dialogue and all the lead actors looking like they stepped out of a Calvin Klein ad.

The fact that "Monk" is comedy-based doesn't at all retract from it's being a valid detective show. It works on all levels. Both Tony Salhoub and Bitty Schram do fabulous jobs. A real must-see.

Monk is great! This season one disc set is 4 DVDs, with a total of 12 episodes (that's 3 per disc). The last disc contains a few special features, which I haven't watched yet - Mr. Monk and His Origins, Mr. Monk and His O.C.D., Mr. Monk and His Fellow Sufferers, Mr. Monk and His Emmy Award-Winning Performance, and Mr. Monk and His Partners in Crime. I loved Mr. Shalhoub is Wings, and Monk does not disappoint! I think there's alittle O.C.D. in all of us (some more than others ~cough~ lol). I can't wait to get my gf the rest of the seasons, so I can watch 'em too!

the person who gave this show just one star i want to say "you suuuck" !!!!!!!!!!!! it is a wonderful show to watch and enjoy it. you are not perfect,so-called "a detective writer"...hee-hee-hee....

Excellent series, even better without the long commercials! A must have for any present or future Monk fan.

I'm still working on Season One, although this is sometimes difficult to get through. The show's great; don't get me wrong, but I'm watching it as part of exposure and response prevention therapy on my doctor's advice. If you have OCD, this show WILL trigger you!!! They get all the little things exactly right, to a rather disturbing degree. Remember when Monk HAD to get those keys back and fished them out of the coffin with a paper clip on a string?? Trust me, there's NOTHING overexaggerated about that; I've done MUCH crazier things. That being said, we NEED more characters with OCD out there in our media, and Monk is a great one. Highly recommended.

Wonderful programs to watch over and over. Clean and entertaining. I can watch this with my grandchildren.

What makes this show different from the other crime shows is that the main character is controlled by his phobias, fears, and obsessive compulsive behavior. His attention to details, which is a blessing ... and a curse, will help him to catch things that others miss. If you like detective/mystery shows, then this is right for you. While other crime shows are mainly dramas, this one is a comedy. You will be laughing throughout every episode.

I gave this to my husband for Father's Day and it was a big hit. We actually let our 7 and 10 year old boys watch it. Next year he's getting season 2!

I love this show and watch every show of every "season" (if you can call 6 shows a season).

But when I rented this and watched the Extras explaining Monk's Origins, colleagues, etc.,
NO AUDIO!

WHAT GOOD IS THAT?

P.S. Bring Sharona back!!

My wife, Jen, likes to wash her hands. Let me explain further. Every time we eat, touch a stray cat, lick the trashcans, or just plain hug, she likes to wash those cute little nubbins of hers with anti-bacterial soap. Strange? How about this personal story. Dented cans. Heard of them? Well, every time we are at the grocery store, when it comes to the cans, we must inspect, feel, and insure that no dents are hiding for fear of a little disease known as botulism. These are the things I love the most, but I wouldn't call them crazy - to her face at least. With these little idiosyncrasies in place, we have been itching to see a TV series that has been awarded several accolades through its already planned six seasons, aptly titled "Monk". It is a simple show, or at least the first season is, in which a highly intelligent detective overcomes his phobias (as far ranging as they are) to solve crimes and give us the classic "Scooby-Doo" ending, where Monk typically pulls the mask of some unsuspecting criminal. As stated before, this is a simple show, not your run-of-the-mill "CSI" where bodies co-exist with blood and scantily clad women, this is more along the PG rated level, but please, don't be discerned, this is smarter, funnier, and more exciting than Grissom saying, "There is always a clue". In my eyes, there is always a Monk.

Tony Shalhoub, who typical stands behind the leading man in most films, takes helm of this originally small series, and transforms it into a masterpiece. He masters the mannerisms of someone that may be experiencing the phobias and compulsions that do exist in the modern world. Alas, he at times does over-push the limits, but it works because it isn't some big name star trying to outwit himself each time. There is a heart to Shalhoub's character, which, in my eyes, makes for better watching than gritty realism. This first season doesn't even begin to scratch the surface on the possibilities that Monk has in store for us. What brings this series into full swing, and pulls the viewer closer to Monk is the unknown of his past. Through each episode we are given small nibbles of the past; how he lost his wife, the birth of his condition, and his reasoning for being discharged from the force. We grow with this in the first episode, and it only gets better in time ... I mean with each episode.

If I were to complain, it would be a very small two - meaning I only have two small issues with the show. The first being the change of structure from the original premiere. Originally, we didn't see the culprit until the very ending, allowing Monk to bask in the glow of his own discoveries - I liked this opportunity. It allowed me to solve the clues with Monk and see if his eyes were similar to mine. The second has to do with continuity, and I feel that this may be an issue with my own personal preference, but I would have liked to have smaller sub-plots which would have led to a surprising cliffhanger of a season finale. I loved the story of Monk and his lost wife, but I wanted more to do with this, more meat to go with the potatoes of the show. There was one episode, "Mr. Monk meets Dale the Whale" in which we are given a glimpse of the darkness surrounding the events leading to Monk's wife's death, but that is it. It was almost as if that episode went too far, and afterwards they pulled back too quickly. Again, those were small issues compared the the impressiveness of this first season. It has plenty of room to grow, and I think each of our main central characters, Disher, Stottlemeyer, and even Sharona will continue to impress as we grow with them.

Overall, I am eager (yet, oddly, not jumping) to begin the next season. I wanted a stronger finisher than what was presented, but with "Monk" it isn't about the bells and whistles, it is about solving crimes and overcoming obstacles that maybe are normal challenges in our lives. The bombardment of celebrity involvement near the end (Willie Nelson, Amy Sedaris, and Tim Daly) only shows the growth and popularity that this program was already beginning to see near the end of the first season. Again, I am excited, but not "Lost" excited about our next season. I want to see "Monk" grow - it has the potential - let's see if the creators take it to that next level.

Keyboards kinda gross - Monk would be disappointed.

Grade: **** out of *****

As a latecomer to the Monk phenomena, I was thrilled to be able to catch up by purchasing the first season. These are some of the best and go a long way to establishing all the quirks that make Monk so wonderfuly...Monk. I could watch these several times and always find something new to laugh about. Tony Shaloub is such a multi-dimensional actor. He packs so much detail in even the shortest scene.

I love Adrian Monk. Oh, not romantically. No, Adrian is like your first cousin on your mother's side who is admired by the family for his great mind, but is pitied because he has that 'little problem'. Being just a tad OCD myself, I can identify with his need for things to line up straight...most of the time. I adore Monk because he's still 'married' even though Trudy has been dead for several years. His loyalty may not be the best thing for him, but it's strong and true. The series often has poignant moments that make me want to cry for him, but for the most part, Monk is a peppy, fun show that I keep on hand to make the world go away. Let's not forget Sharona. She's the best, and along with Leland and Randy, what could be more perfect?

They arrived on time when promised. The programs were great. Able to here and see everything well. But the bonus features with the producers, actors and others that are the meat of this wonderful program are inaudible. The music is there (very softly) but no spoken words can be heard. I was very disappointed.

I have always loved watching mystery series, personally being a big fan of suspense stories and especially the symbolic players in this arena such as Sherlock Holmes, Poirot and of course Columbo. After watching MONK I was extremely impressed with its quality and effort. Combining the talents of the actors and the stories make this a very memorable series.
The structure of MONK is surprising and engaging in its own way, highlighted by the superb acting talents of its main actors including Tony Shalhoub and Bitty Schram. The stories themselves also provide a fresh outlook on the crime-solving process, and often surprises its audiences with its outcomes and ingenious methods.
An important element of MONK which set it apart from previous crime series would be the action and humor integrated into its plot. This reflects characteristics of modern film, thus making this series much more modern and engaging for audiences of a new generation. Despite minor drawbacks in quality amongst very few episodes, I am pleased to say that I have not been disappointed so far by this series. I highly recommend MONK to all mystery fans or even just for those in for a suspenseful surprise, this is a must-see.

We love Monk and being able to watch Monk episodes one right after the other is totally awesome! We can't wait to get season 2!

I am a latecomer to this great series. I happened upon it while they were running a marathon of shows on a holiday. I watched for hours. Now, it's even better - NO Commercials!!! It is so nice to watch very talented actors ply their craft(!)and know that there is consistency in the writing, acting and directing of this very funny show. Each episode, while staying true to form, contains enough twists to forward the characters and enough comic gems to keep it fresh.
I want to add that I really appreciate how Tony Shaloub portrays Monk not as a pity case or a mystic freak but as a talented man with a problem. Ok, a really BIG problem, but nonetheless, like the rest of us,he has human aspirations and failings beyond the ocd.
Invite these people into your living room. you'll be glad you did.

I absolutely enjoy each episode. Monk is so funny with all of his quirks and fears. We all have the fears but he just displays his more openly than most. I also love his ability to see the minute detail. I love when he says, "It is a blessing and a curse."

This is the first season of Monk that I watched, so I decided to catch up on previous seasons. I'm glad that I did. The first season explains a lot of the things I really didn't understand. The cast is really good and Tony Shaloub is outstanding. I liked this DVD set enough to invest in Season 2.

Monk is always so funny and I would recommend any "Monk" for anyone who loves pure comedy without sex, violence, filthy language.

As with all starter seasons, this set features the birthing and growing pains of what we all now know and love as Monk. A solid set, to say the least, but long time watchers will find subtle nuances that vary from our persona of the main character. Rest assured, this set will not fail to impress, but subsequent seasons will yield more Monk as, well, Monk.

I love Monk, let me start off saying that. The DVD set is wonderful, and I could watch the entire thing time and time again--definitely worthy of 5+ stars.....however...

I was so disappointed when I wanted to view the bonus material on disc 4, and found that all I could hear was background music...no voices or commentary. Even the closed captioning did not work (I thought at least I could READ what they were saying). Amazon gave me a replacement, but it had the same exact problem with the audio on the extra material.

So, my recommendation: buy the product--it is well worth the price. But, be aware that the bonus material is useless unless you can read lips. I think it is a widespread problem from what I can see from other reviewers.

Good product. Enjoy watching programs without commercials. Bought as a gift for someone who is very much like "Monk".

I've been watching Monk for years now, and it's one of my favorite shows ever!

It's about a man (Adrian Monk) who is an ex-cop. He has a nurse/assistant, Sharona Flemming, who helps him out (and gives him wipes after he shakes hands with people). Monk still loves solving mysteries, and the police department turns to him when they have a really baffeling case. He can see things that nobody else notices. The word "observant" is nothing to what Monk is. Noticing so many things helps Monk solve mysteries really easily.

This is such a good show! The murders and crimes aren't too gruesome or scary. It's an overall super show!

Monk is a wonderful show...it was one of my favorites when we had TV. We only watch DVDs now and have TVG. I was so excited about the fact that Monk has the closed captioning. It was to be a Christmas present for the entire family........only after getting it, we find out that Universal Studios uses a different CC format than the rest of the world and TVG will not work on it! Amazon has been great about it. The TVG people should really warn on their front page that their product will not work with Universal Studios!! I would NEVER give Monk a 3 star rating. It deserves a 5 star rating. Universal Studios deserves a ONE star rating for their non-conformity to standard CC signals! So that is why the 3 star. I hope Universal gets with the program and changes their format!

Harassingly funny and just plain out right good clean comedy. You can't help yourself, you just have to laugh out loud. Monk can put sunshine in a rainey day. Sometimes I watch it more than once and still laugh just as hard.

it was very entertaining. i watched each show twice! it makes
me want to buy season 2.