Mr. Monk and the Big Game
- Episode aired Jul 21, 2006
- TV-PG
- 44m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Monk coaches basketball while trying to solve a murder case.Monk coaches basketball while trying to solve a murder case.Monk coaches basketball while trying to solve a murder case.
Molly McCook
- Emily J.
- (as Molly Mccook)
Christine Fry
- Bee's Head Basketball Coach
- (uncredited)
Kristine Lacap
- Basketball Player
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe fire takes place in Dratch Valley. Daniel Dratch is the producer of the show and brother of actress and former SNL cast member Rachel Dratch who had appeared in Mr. Monk and the Missing Granny (2004).
- GoofsDespite having evicted Natalie from the game, the referee walks by her at least twice after she takes off her Cougars mascot disguise and doesn't react.
- Quotes
Adrian Monk: [sitting in Principal Franklin's office] Ah, this brings back memories. Sitting in the principal's office.
Natalie Teeger: You? I can't picture you being sent to the principal's office.
Adrian Monk: I wasn't sent. I used to go there on my own. To report on the troublemakers, I was Mr. Campman's eyes and ears. That's what he called me.
Natalie Teeger: Ummm, so you spied on other kids?
Adrian Monk: I was keeping the study hall safe for people like you. You're welcome.
- ConnectionsFeatured in There's Something About Movies: Episode #2.4 (2019)
Featured review
Monk the basketball coach
'Monk' has always been one of my most watched shows when needing comfort, to relax after a hard day, a good laugh or a way to spend a lazy weekend.
While not quite as good as the previous two Season 5 episodes "Mr Monk and the Actor" and "Mr Monk and the Garbage Strike", "Mr Monk and the Big Game" is a hugely entertaining watch. The mystery aspects are fairly obvious from the outset (especially with the basketball coach), apart from the motive, but while not quite as memorable as the character moments and the coaching scenes the story is engaging and paced well. It was also interesting to see how the three crimes were tied together and solved.
Particularly great in "Mr Monk and the Big Game" is the character moments. Loved the priceless basketball coaching scenes with Monk being a basketball coach and failing spectacularly and hysterically so, basketball has rarely been more hilariously depicted on television, and the parts with the whistle and the one minute silence are hilarious and classic 'Monk'. The trophy part is very sweet and one feels happy for Monk.
As said many times, one of the best things about 'Monk' has always been the acting of Tony Shalhoub in the title role. It was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching.
Natalie is down to earth, sympathetic and sassy, also being sensitive to Monk's needs and quirks which Traylor Howard does well bringing out. Felt sorry for her a little too. Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford have fun as Stottlemeyer and Disher as ever. The supporting cast are solid, and it was great to see more of Julie.
It's not just the cast or story though. Another star is the writing, which is also essential to whether the show would be successful or not and succeed it does here. The mix of wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done, particularly the last one. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.
Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. While there is a preference for the theme music for Season 1, Randy Newman's "It's a Jungle Out There" has grown on me overtime, found it annoying at first but appreciate its meaning and what it's trying to say much more now. Oh and a good job is done with the different opening credits sequence to accommodate the changes made.
In conclusion, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
While not quite as good as the previous two Season 5 episodes "Mr Monk and the Actor" and "Mr Monk and the Garbage Strike", "Mr Monk and the Big Game" is a hugely entertaining watch. The mystery aspects are fairly obvious from the outset (especially with the basketball coach), apart from the motive, but while not quite as memorable as the character moments and the coaching scenes the story is engaging and paced well. It was also interesting to see how the three crimes were tied together and solved.
Particularly great in "Mr Monk and the Big Game" is the character moments. Loved the priceless basketball coaching scenes with Monk being a basketball coach and failing spectacularly and hysterically so, basketball has rarely been more hilariously depicted on television, and the parts with the whistle and the one minute silence are hilarious and classic 'Monk'. The trophy part is very sweet and one feels happy for Monk.
As said many times, one of the best things about 'Monk' has always been the acting of Tony Shalhoub in the title role. It was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching.
Natalie is down to earth, sympathetic and sassy, also being sensitive to Monk's needs and quirks which Traylor Howard does well bringing out. Felt sorry for her a little too. Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford have fun as Stottlemeyer and Disher as ever. The supporting cast are solid, and it was great to see more of Julie.
It's not just the cast or story though. Another star is the writing, which is also essential to whether the show would be successful or not and succeed it does here. The mix of wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done, particularly the last one. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.
Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. While there is a preference for the theme music for Season 1, Randy Newman's "It's a Jungle Out There" has grown on me overtime, found it annoying at first but appreciate its meaning and what it's trying to say much more now. Oh and a good job is done with the different opening credits sequence to accommodate the changes made.
In conclusion, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•610
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 18, 2017
Details
- Runtime44 minutes
- Color
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