Hated the special theme song. Had to fast forward past it. But the episode was fairly solid, though not as funny as the episodes I prefer. Still some good guest appearances and takes on Monk's usual fish out of water.
11 Reviews
Good episode
jeanpirise-9939228 October 2020
The rappers come to Monk's house, introducing themselves as « murderous », « crazy killa » and what not... under a nervous fit Monk changes to a totally cool, relaxed personality, he takes the job, and as they leave he contains himself, let's out « lm glad l said no », to which Natalie replies « Monk you took the job! »... hilarity ensues.
The rest of the episode is ok, semi-cool intrigue, a few jokes and a rap battle at the end. All in all not a bad episode. :)
Fun episode Fo Shizzle
dzafiriou18 October 2022
I never watched Monk when it was new on TV, so I'm late to the party. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I'm not a huge rap fan but do like Snoop Dogg & totally understand Monk. Maybe that's why I enjoy this episode so much. Snoop & Monk are polar opposites but somehow find a connection albeit a tense (& funny) one on Monk's side. The change of the theme song was a fun idea too. Guess it's mainly my eclectic taste in life that allows me to enjoy this episode over other people. If you have are eclectic like me, you should enjoy this episode. Not really a spoiler, but Randy gets to his music career in only the way Randy can. Definitely one of my favorite episodes.
Throughly enjoyed it
twanster-123 March 2024
This episode is good fun, it actually copies quite closely the story of BadBoyRecords P-Diddy and Biggie smalls. Biggie died and many believe it was ordered by his own partner P-Diddy, maybe this was dome accidently who knows but reality aside the episode is fun, Snoop does well in his role, they'd part for me was probably the worst rap verses I've ever heard in my life and that is the scene with the rapper just repeating "its a celebration" its awful but the rest of the music is good, I like the changed theme song for this one too, I'm not writing spoilers but Monk and Snoop make a good pairing and in my opinion it's a shame they didn't include Snoop more in this episode.
It's rap time with 'Monk'
TheLittleSongbird29 August 2017
'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
Why Did They Do This?
Hitchcoc8 April 2020
Just because Rap and hip hop were taking off, does there have to be an episode of Monk addressing it. A big time gangster rapper is killed and Snoop Dog is thought to be the killer. Granted, there is one scene where Monk is introduced to these guys that is pretty funny. The rest of it is ridiculous. Don't bother.
Oh dear!
Aroura6410 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I'm trying desperately to think of something positive to say about this episode, but I can't think of anything.
The episode begins well, with the murder of a Rap star. But things take a nose dive when the usual Monk theme song, is replaced by a rap version. I will admit that I am no fan of Rap music, so it was always going to be a challenge to find something positive to say.
From this point on, I found it difficult to concentrate on the episode. Monk tries to fit in with the rapper's community, by talking their language - it is embarrasing to watch. But this isn't the low point of the episode, this comes towards the end of the episode when Monk launches into his "Heres what happened" speech. I won't spoil it for anyone who has yet to see it, but in my opinion this is one of the worst episodes of Monk.
There's always one
toddmatty-3700017 December 2020
There's always one episode in a long running series that ruins the show. This was it. If they had done this episode very early on in the series I probably wouldnt have kept with it. If you're watching in order skip this episode.
Mr Monk can do better
michaelchikliscares28 August 2019
Overall very flat episode, even killer's face is shown, pretty obvious mistake. I don't think they pulled off this episode with Snoop Dog.
Season 5 and the start of season 6 has not improved. What happened to just solve cases, mysterious ones with character development.
Season 5 and the start of season 6 has not improved. What happened to just solve cases, mysterious ones with character development.
Let Monk be Monk!
safenoe6 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I was looking forward to watching Mr. Monk and the Rapper big time, but I felt let down big time sorry. Monk was uncharacteristically unMonk in the presence of a rapper (played by legendary rapper Snoop Dogg) and it was quite forced at times. I think the script needed a bit of polishing. Still, it had some funny moments, but as respected veteran IMDB reviewer Bethany Cox concludes, this episode was not Monk's finest hour.
Snoop Dogg
longislim25 April 2022
Slumming having this guy on your show. This was a fast click for me. Series started out fun. Each season went down hill as they ran out of ideas. Last episode was Sara Silverman who was terrible. Now they choose to lower the bar with real life pump and criminal Snoop.
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