Monk first appeared on the USA Network. The mystery-comedy series premiered there on July 12, 2002, introducing Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, a brilliant San Francisco detective whose obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias complicate his investigations.
Although ABC originally developed the project, the network handed it to USA before the series began airing. USA broadcast the show’s original run from 2002 through 2009, covering eight seasons and 125 episodes. The network’s distinctive original-programming lineup helped make Monk one of its signature scripted hits.
A common source of confusion is ABC’s connection to the show. ABC aired repeats of Monk, including broadcasts after the USA premiere, so some viewers remember seeing it there first. However, the series’ original network was USA Network, and its first episode aired on USA.
The pilot, “Mr. Monk and the Candidate,” established the show’s central format: Monk uses extraordinary observation and deductive ability to solve crimes while working around his fears and compulsive rituals.