Mr. Monk and the Rapper
- Episode aired Jul 20, 2007
- TV-PG
- 42m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Monk, in a nervous stupor, agrees to help a rapper accused of murdering a rival. The problem is, Monk thinks he might have done it.Monk, in a nervous stupor, agrees to help a rapper accused of murdering a rival. The problem is, Monk thinks he might have done it.Monk, in a nervous stupor, agrees to help a rapper accused of murdering a rival. The problem is, Monk thinks he might have done it.
RonReaco Lee
- Denny Hodges
- (as Ronreaco Lee)
Damani Washington
- Young Rapper
- (as Damani)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Volvo next to the blown up limo (after the explosion when the police and bomb squad are on scene investigating) is the same model and even bears the same license plate as Sharona's.
- GoofsThe sole witness in a homicide (no matter what the circumstances) would not be left in intensive care without having some form of police protection, especially after Stottlemeyer pointed out his existence to Murderuss, who is the primary suspect in Extra Large's death. In fact, this discussion would have been a good setup to catch the killer: to have police posted at the victim's hospital room.
- Quotes
Murderuss: My name is Murderuss.
Natalie Teeger: Murderuss. I've heard of you. I've taken your records away from my daughter.
- ConnectionsReferences The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986)
Featured review
It's rap time with 'Monk'
'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.
Liked the season opener "Mr Monk and his Biggest Fan" but "Mr Monk and the Rapper" was a let down for me and one of my least favourite 'Monk' episodes. And no, it is not just my indifference, but not prejudice (there are exceptions out there that provoke thought, move, are catchy and well performed and not repetitive, preachy and lacking coherence) towards rap, there is much more wrong with this episode than not liking rap. It has good things but just didn't do it for me.
Tony Shalhoub does a fine job as Monk as always, he always threw himself into the part and always made Monk a character easy to empathise quirks and flaws and all, his balance of humour and pathos beautifully balanced. Traylor Howard is sassy and sensitive as Natalie, am not of the opinion that the character is dull or annoying and that she has settled in well.
Jason Gray-Stanford is amusing, Disher is comic relief here and goofy comic relief at that but it's funny rather than obnoxious or childish. His parts, as well as Monk's "motive, yo" and the summation are the highlights of the episode.
Snoop Dogg is a credible guest star, that the character doesn't work is not his fault but the writing and the way the character is written. The episode is slick and stylish as always visually and there are amusing and thought-provoking moments and a pretty decent mystery (apart from the killer's motivations not making sense).
Sadly, "Mr Monk and the Rapper" is a case of too much focus on the guest star and not enough Monk. Monk is enjoyable enough but should have had more to do and his chemistry with Snoop Dogg better balanced. It did feel too that the episode was too written around Snoop Dogg and not him being written in, that way we miss what makes 'Monk' such a great show in the first place. These include the character interaction, the obsessions and quirks, the balance of humour, quirks and drama and Monk's motivations and what he strives it.
Most of them lost in the episode's focus on Snoop Dogg's credibly played but cartoonishly written character, far too unlikeable to root for (the sexism leaves a bad taste in the mouth) and doesn't work when pitted against Monk, and the potentially interesting but shallow and trivial look at the rap industry that still leaves those who don't care about rap unconverted.
While "Mr Monk and the Rapper" has moments of good humour, the quirks and tender easy-to-relate-to drama came over to me as non-existent. Stottlemeyer is underused and unmemorable, a sad and unforgivable waste of Ted Levine who still does his best. Lastly, the remix of the theme song, that was a cheap embarrassment, didn't fit at all and screamed of "vanity project". The mystery is mostly pretty good actually with a clever if not tough to figure out solution, but over-shadowed by how unbalanced the episode's focus is.
In conclusion, had its good parts but really not 'Monk's' finest hour. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Liked the season opener "Mr Monk and his Biggest Fan" but "Mr Monk and the Rapper" was a let down for me and one of my least favourite 'Monk' episodes. And no, it is not just my indifference, but not prejudice (there are exceptions out there that provoke thought, move, are catchy and well performed and not repetitive, preachy and lacking coherence) towards rap, there is much more wrong with this episode than not liking rap. It has good things but just didn't do it for me.
Tony Shalhoub does a fine job as Monk as always, he always threw himself into the part and always made Monk a character easy to empathise quirks and flaws and all, his balance of humour and pathos beautifully balanced. Traylor Howard is sassy and sensitive as Natalie, am not of the opinion that the character is dull or annoying and that she has settled in well.
Jason Gray-Stanford is amusing, Disher is comic relief here and goofy comic relief at that but it's funny rather than obnoxious or childish. His parts, as well as Monk's "motive, yo" and the summation are the highlights of the episode.
Snoop Dogg is a credible guest star, that the character doesn't work is not his fault but the writing and the way the character is written. The episode is slick and stylish as always visually and there are amusing and thought-provoking moments and a pretty decent mystery (apart from the killer's motivations not making sense).
Sadly, "Mr Monk and the Rapper" is a case of too much focus on the guest star and not enough Monk. Monk is enjoyable enough but should have had more to do and his chemistry with Snoop Dogg better balanced. It did feel too that the episode was too written around Snoop Dogg and not him being written in, that way we miss what makes 'Monk' such a great show in the first place. These include the character interaction, the obsessions and quirks, the balance of humour, quirks and drama and Monk's motivations and what he strives it.
Most of them lost in the episode's focus on Snoop Dogg's credibly played but cartoonishly written character, far too unlikeable to root for (the sexism leaves a bad taste in the mouth) and doesn't work when pitted against Monk, and the potentially interesting but shallow and trivial look at the rap industry that still leaves those who don't care about rap unconverted.
While "Mr Monk and the Rapper" has moments of good humour, the quirks and tender easy-to-relate-to drama came over to me as non-existent. Stottlemeyer is underused and unmemorable, a sad and unforgivable waste of Ted Levine who still does his best. Lastly, the remix of the theme song, that was a cheap embarrassment, didn't fit at all and screamed of "vanity project". The mystery is mostly pretty good actually with a clever if not tough to figure out solution, but over-shadowed by how unbalanced the episode's focus is.
In conclusion, had its good parts but really not 'Monk's' finest hour. 5/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•1225
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 29, 2017
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content