Acting superb on USA’s ‘Monk’
Tony Shalhoub eminently deserves his nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy Series, one of four received by USA’s “Monk.” If you haven’t checked out this witty series about the obsessive-compulsive detective, tonight might be a good night, because there sure isn’t much else on.
The new episode airing tonight at 10 is called “Mr. Monk and the Godfather” and finds our neurotic hero caught in the middle of a gangland war. (Why do mobsters often shoot each other in barbershops? Just wondering.)
There’s even a “Sopranos”-inspired scene in which a meat cleaver and a cutting board are used for dramatic emphasis.
But, as always, Monk himself is the real action in the story.
When assigned a burly minder by the godfather, he says, “I haven’t had a baby sitter since I was 19.” Leading sidekick/nurse Sharona (Bitty Schram) to interrupt, “You had a baby sitter when you were 19?”
Highlights
Sitcom reruns, ABC at 8: “George Lopez,” “Married to the Kellys,” “Hope & Faith,” “Life with Bonnie.” ABC is melting, meltinggggg.
“Joan of Arcadia,” CBS at 8: Repeat of the pilot episode, when Joan first tries to get her head around the fact that God is talking to her.
“The Bernie Mac Show,” Fox at 8: Funny repeat as Bernie and Jordan take on a nasty neighbor (Greg Germann).
“Dateline,” NBC at 8.
“What I Like About You,” WB at 8: Repeat of Holly and Vince’s first kiss.
“Method & Red,” Fox at 8:30: New episode finds the lads hosting a hip-hop beauty contest from neighbor Nancy’s porch.
“Grounded for Life,” WB at 8:30: Taking the title literally in this repeat, as Lily wakes up with a hangover and a very badly parked car.
“JAG,” CBS at 9: Repeat. Mac discovers she’s being stalked by the terrorist who almost killed her in South America.
“The Jury,” Fox at 9: Did the co-owner of an Indian casino in Connecticut arrange the murder of a business partner?
“Reba,” WB at 9: Back-to-back repeats, including Brock’s dream of becoming a pro golfer.
“48 Hours Investigates,” CBS at 10: Fatal porch collapse in Chicago. Repeat.
“Las Vegas,” NBC at 10: Repeat features a blackjack player with a bomb strapped to his chest and a visit from rocker Everlast.
Family Fare
“The Fairly Odd Parents,” Nick at 8: A 90-minute special finds Timmy wishing for a magic remote control that will allow him to time-travel through the tube.
Cable Cast
“Stargate SG-1,” Sci Fi at 9: A member of the team brings a bad virus — or is it a virus? — into the base. Repeats at 11.
“Entourage,” HBO at 9:30: Repeat of Sunday’s premiere episode of this series about a hot young actor and his posse from back home.
“Tony Danza’s Brooklyn,” Travel Channel at 10: A “dese, dem and dose” kinda guy, he used ta be. Now he’s like this Hollywood guy, see?
“Stargate Atlantis,” Sci Fi at 10: One bad move could lead to problems for the whole city.
Late Night Talk
“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Brittany Murphy and Paula Poundstone.
“Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC at 11:35: Christina Applegate and musical guests Five for Fighting.