'Bram and Alice' Star Howard Takes 'Monk' Vow

(Wednesday, September 15 03:44 PM)
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) Traylor Howard, who's starred in such shows as "Boston Common" and "Bram and Alice," is joining the cast of USA Network's "Monk."

She'll play a single mom and former bartender named Natalie who becomes neurotic detective Adrian Monk's (Tony Shalhoub) new assistant. Howard essentially replaces Bitty Schram, who left the show a couple of weeks ago.

"Every successful series changes over the course of its life," says Jeff Wachtel, head of original programming at USA. "We were fortunate to have Bitty Schram in our cast for two and a half seasons, and we are thrilled to have Traylor Howard join our cast now."

Executive producer David Hoberman pronounces himself "thrilled" to bring Howard aboard: "We fell in love with her during her audition, and we're sure the audience will fall in love with her too."

"Monk," which is one of USA's top-rated shows (originals draw about 5 million viewers a week), resumes filming its third season next week.

In addition to "Bram and Alice" and "Boston Common," Howard starred in the ABC sitcom "Two Guys and a Girl" and the feature film "Me, Myself and Irene." She also appears in the sequel "Son of the Mask," set for release in February.

I actually think that this is a good choice. Not only is she very similar in the looks department to Sharona, but I have liked her in the past in the shows that I have caught her in, like Two Guys and A Girl and Boston Common.

Still not really sure about this bartender bit though...

I have no idea who she is. I didn't watch any of those shows. I did see Me, Myself and Irene (didn't like it) but have no clue of her part in that. She's better be good to replace Schram who I thought was great.

She was the original wife of Jim Carey in it that runs away with the limo driver, Tony Cox (the short guy).

I liked her in those two sitcoms, this may be okay. She's certainly cuter than Schram. I guess time will tell.

nah.

Damnit. I'm so against getting rid of Sharona but I've always had a thing for Traylor Howard. Guess I'll wait and see how it works out. At least I'll enjoy looking at her if nothing else.

She's a similar type (i.e., cute and goofy) and that's not usually such a good idea. Your best bet (usually) is to replace someone, if you must, with someone who is rather different. Otherwise, you probably will get a Darren Stephens situation.

Having said that, I've always liked TH, so this won't automatically put me off. But this last season, even before this problem, was a real letdown and I think this show might be leaking air.

I like Traylor so this is much better then I thought they would do. It won't matter who they cast if the writing doesn't pick up soon, that's the real problem with the show.

I agree that TH is actually a good choice and this won't end up being the thing that hurts the show. Though if they don't quickly address the writing it will cement the show as being mockery of itself.

She is definitely better looking than Sharona.

The bold is the only thing I have a problem with, as it sounds like they're making a character too close to Sharona. Why another single mom? Why not bring a new dynamic in there? And the former bartender part makes it seem like they're going for another street-smart tough chick like Sharona was. I know the idea is that this is the antithesis of Adrian, but still...

Otherwise, I don't have a problem with the news.

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/...462/ptitle.jpg

I have a great idea for a new sitcom...

It shoulda been Ted McGinley...

Hiring Traylor ALMOST makes me forgive them for firing Bitty. Almost.

She is as good a choice as I could have ever hoped for, but I still am not a big fan of dumping the Sharona character. Here's hoping the show doesn't suffer...

Minimal script rewrites. Just load the script into your word processor, change "Sharona" to "Natalie" and you're done!

Damn...I had written off Monk because it couldn't be the same show without Sharona...but I'm a huge fan of Traylor Howard!

Damn you Monk exec producers for making an awesome choice!!!!!