# TV series similar to Monk **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 9, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951 "2012-01-09T18:50:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/21 "2012-01-10T00:35:38Z")
I quite liked _Life_, and it hits some similar notes to\* Columbo\* and _Monk_. _Raines_ only did a few episodes, right? I think I saw one, it was OK. I don’t think these all have the same “light” feel, and in fact _Life_ became sort of an action movie at the end (though not with big explosions), but they’re worth a shot. _The Mentalist_, though, that might be up your alley. Or _Castle_ if you like more romance. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/22 "2012-01-10T00:53:59Z")
> [@Ultraviolet](#): > > I really enjoy watching Monk. I find it to be like “comfort TV” for me, nice and gentle (not gory or disturbing), and quite funny at times. I’ve seen almost all of them and would like something similar to try next. Any suggestions? Depends. Are you looking for a show about a detective, or a show about a person who has crippling mental-health problems and still manages to work? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/23 "2012-01-10T04:32:40Z")
No love for Quincy, M.E.? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/24 "2012-01-10T04:48:51Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > No love for Quincy, M.E.? You get to see how little technology forensic pathologists had to use in the '70s! It is totally cool! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/25 "2012-01-10T05:16:43Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > No love for Quincy, M.E.? Yea, that one’s largely forgotten for some reason. I hadn’t thought about it in years, but it’s probably a good suggestion for the OP, if it’s available anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/26 "2012-01-10T05:24:53Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > Definitely _Castle_, especially the first season. Watch it from the beginning. > > Maybe _[The Rockford Files](http://www.hulu.com/the-rockford-files)_ or _[Raines](http://www.hulu.com/raines)_. You can watch them for free on [Hulu.com](http://Hulu.com). Not the same kind of humor as _Monk_, but funny nonetheless. _The Rockford Files_, yes! A very different, and very good, detective show. Jim Rockford didn’t so much solve mysteries as survive them. I think half of his clients were criminals themselves who were lying to him in order to use him or set him up in some way. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/27 "2012-01-10T07:29:04Z")
Royal Pains. It’s about a doctor from New York who sets up a concierge practice in the Hamptons. His quirky brother is his accountant and handles PR. Henry Winkler is a semi-regular as their dad. They have a very hot physician’s assistant. It’s starting its new season very soon on USA. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/28 "2012-01-10T11:21:30Z")
Since two of my favourites _Psych_ and _The Rockford Files_ have already been mentioned how about [Jonathan Creek](http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/jonathancreek/welcome.shtml)? Precis: Magician solves baffling crimes with the help of a spunky female sidekick. The [BBC site](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008jg9q) makes it look creepy but it’s really quite a cosy show. You might want to try _Sherlock_ too but there are only a few episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/29 "2012-01-10T17:57:55Z")
> [@Small\_Clanger](#): > > [Jonathan Creek](http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/jonathancreek/welcome.shtml)? Precis: Magician solves baffling crimes with the help of a spunky female sidekick. That reminds me of two similar American shows that may be hard to find, but are worth looking for. [The Magician](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKxDBG0lFV0): Bill Bixby as a stage magician who was once wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, and now uses his talents (and considerable wealth) to help others in trouble. It ran for two seasons, and often featured professional magicians as guests. It also had some really catchy theme music. “All of the magic you are about to see was performed without trick photography of any kind, by Bill Bixby – the Magician!” [Blacke’s Magic](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g0jiuG9A04): Hal Linden as a professional magician and Harry Morgan as his irrepressible ex-con man father, who somehow stumbled into a new mystery every week. Lasted only 13 episodes. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/30 "2012-01-10T18:30:57Z")
Seconding the _Poirot_ suggestion. It seems much more like an earlier version of _Monk_, as Poirot himself is neat and picky and old-fashioned. And the series is soothing and un-jarring while not skimping on the mystery aspect. David Suchet is the absolute personification of the Poirot character. I love the supporting cast, too: Captain Hastings, Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon. And I like seeing all the old clothes, accessories, cars and houses from the 1930s as well. But you’ll have to get it from Netflix or some other source, as it’s an English series from the early '90’s. I get it from a public TV station here in the bay area. ---
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/31 "2012-01-10T20:46:46Z")
Thanks for the suggestions! I love Columbo and The Rockford Files, I’ll have to rewatch some episodes as it’s been years. I’m going to try Castle and Psych as well. Jonathan Creek also sounds like a definite possibility, as I love British shows. I haven’t managed to get into Poirot in the past, but I’ll give him another try, too. ---
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/32 "2012-01-10T20:47:54Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Depends. Are you looking for a show about a detective, or a show about a person who has crippling mental-health problems and still manages to work? I’m looking for a detective series with a similar “cozy” feel to Monk. Not stressful or disturbing, just good before-bed watching. ---
**Author:** ![Roadfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/33 "2012-01-10T23:04:03Z")
> [@Ultraviolet](#): > > I’m looking for a detective series with a similar “cozy” feel to Monk. Not stressful or disturbing, just good before-bed watching. Then definitely Columbo and Murder She Wrote. Other than being a bit dated, they fit that desire perfectly. and the dated part can be fun sometimes. Imagine how the plot would have to be changed if they had cell phones. Or play “He looks so young” with the guest stars. Make fun of the leisure suits . . . ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/34 "2012-01-11T00:48:48Z")
> [@Ultraviolet](#): > > Thanks for the suggestions! I love Columbo and The Rockford Files, I’ll have to rewatch some episodes as it’s been years. I’m going to try Castle and Psych as well. Jonathan Creek also sounds like a definite possibility, as I love British shows. I haven’t managed to get into Poirot in the past, but I’ll give him another try, too. Then Midsomer Murderswould fit the bill perfectly, I suspect. ---
**Author:** ![priapus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@priapus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priapus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/35 "2012-01-11T00:56:03Z")
I always had a fondness for “Pushing Daisies”. it was “different”. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951/36 "2012-01-11T01:14:59Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Yea, that one’s largely forgotten for some reason. I hadn’t thought about it in years, but it’s probably a good suggestion for the OP, if it’s available anywhere. The first three (out of 4) seasons are on DVD. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-similar-to-monk/608951.md?page=1)