‘Monk’ obsessive-compulsive no more
The season finale of “Monk,” on USA at 10, is called “Mr. Monk Takes His Medicine,” and it promises a funny change of pace that shows why Tony Shalhoub has been so acclaimed for his performance as the obsessive-compulsive detective.
Because tonight he’s obsessive-compulsive no longer.
The right drug is found to lift Monk’s cloud of neuroses.
But it turns him into sort of a jerk, a guy who tools around town in a convertible, wearing an aloha shirt and referring to himself as “The Monk.”
How will this “cure” affect his ability to solve crimes?
Could it be worse than the disease?
Answering these questions will, of course, be more interesting than the shtick.
Olympic Update
NBC’s prime-time festivities start at 8. Tonight’s events should include Michael Phelps and Ian Crocker swimming in the 100-meter butterfly, and platform diving and volleyball. Bob Costas hosts.
There’s also hour upon hour of events coverage on NBC’s corporate siblings, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Bravo and Telemundo. Detailed schedules for all these stations are at nbcolympics.com.
One final note: “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” are both pre-empted for late-night Olympic coverage.
Highlights
Sitcom repeats, ABC at 8: “George Lopez,” “8 Simple Rules,” “Hope & Faith” and “Less Than Perfect.”
NFL football, CBS at 5: Preseason game has the Baltimore Ravens playing at the Philadelphia Eagles.
“The Bernie Mac Show,” Fox at 8: Four repeats, beginning with the one where Bernie takes Jordan to his barber (Charlie Robinson).
Sitcom repeats, WB at 8: “What I Like About You,” “Grounded for Life,” “Reba” and the sketch-comedy show “Blue Collar TV.”
Family Fare
“Lilo & Stitch” (2002), Disney Channel at 8: Tough night for family entertainment other than the Olympics. But you can always plunk the kids down in front of this warmhearted animated film about a little girl and her alien pal.
Cable Cast
“Anaconda” (1997), HBO at 7:30: Looks like there’s an inferior sequel with a no-name cast about to hit the big screen, so you might want to check out this nasty little B movie about the hunt for a giant snake in the Brazilian rain forest.
Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube and Jon Voight top an interesting cast. The snake-phobic, however, might want to not only turn off but unplug the TV tonight.
Rock star flameout “Biographies,” A&E at 8: Hourlong profiles of the late Cass Elliott, the late Janis Joplin and the freebasing, jail-term-serving, liver-transplanting, recently busted for pot and a gun David Crosby.
Charming theme night, really.
Little League baseball, ESPN at 5: Quarterfinals on the way to the World Series.
“Stargate SG-1,” Sci Fi at 9: Teal’c goes undercover, but it gets complicated when there’s a murder. Repeats at 11.
“Stargate Atlantis,” Sci Fi at 10: Is there a weapon that will work against the Wraith? Repeats at midnight.
Late Night Talk
“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Repeat. Detroit Pistons coach Larry Brown, Sean Hayes and musical guests Phish perform on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee.
Since Phish played their “last ever” concert in Vermont last weekend, I guess we know this is a repeat.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Music from the Libertines.
“Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” CBS at 12:35: Rapper Mase.