Celebs Line-up for Monk's 100th Episode

USA Network's award-winning hit series, Monk, will air its 100th episode this summer during its seventh season on the network. The special episode will feature an all-star guest-cast, including many who have previously appeared in some of the show's most memorable episodes. Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Tony Shalhoub stars as the titular obsessive-compulsive detective in a series that has cleaned up as a ratings performer at USA since its premiere in 2002. On the verge of reaching its 100th episode - a nice, round number that would meet with Adrian Monk's approval - the program has cultivated a loyal following of fans and critics alike. The landmark episode will air on Friday, September 5 at 9/8c. The announcement was made by Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president, USA original programming & co-head, original programming, Universal Cable Productions.

In addition to attracting a fanatically loyal viewing audience, Monk has been a virtual launch pad for guest star Emmys, with four nominations and two wins over the past three seasons. In the 100th episode, aptly named "Mr. Monk's 100th Case," a magazine news show, "In Focus," covers Adrian Monk's handling of a serial killer case where four people are murdered. When the gang, including Stottlemeyer, Disher and Natalie gathers for a viewing party to watch the serial killer segment, Monk sees the interviews of his closest friends and adversaries and realizes that something about the case leaves him unsettled.

Guest-starring in the episode are Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, The Andromeda Strain) as "In Focus" reporter James Curry and Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives, The West Wing) as Monk's former babysitter. Returning in their recurring - and memorable - roles are John Turturro (who won an Emmy for his role) as Monk's agoraphobic brother, Ambrose; Jarrad Paul as Monk's neighbor Kevin Dorfman; and Tim Bagley as Monk's nemesis Harold Krenshaw. Some of Monk's favorite criminals returning from behind bars are Sharon Lawrence as Stottlemeyer's killer ex-girlfriend Linda Fusco; Andy Richter as Hal Tucker; David Koechner as Joey Krenshaw; Ricardo Chavira as Jimmy Belmont; and Angela Kinsey as Arlene Boras. Also appearing in the episode are returning guest-stars Howie Mandel as former cult leader Ralph Roberts; Sarah Silverman as Monk's biggest fan Marci Maven; and Brooke Adams as Leigh Harrison, a flight attendant Monk encountered on his travels.

While most shows see ratings erosion with age, Monk has remained a vibrant cornerstone of USA's schedule, evident in its series-high ratings in total viewers for the sixth season finale. Although the show has been on since 2002, Monk's latest season delivered +16% more P18-49 viewers, +12% more P25- 54 viewers and +21% more total viewers than the series average. Through the conclusion of season six, Monk has averaged an audience of 2 million in P18- 49, 2.5 million in P25-54 and 5 million total viewers.

Tony Shalhoub ("Big Night," "Wings," Men in Black) has earned three Emmy Awards (with six nominations), a Golden Globe Award and two SAG Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Adrian Monk, a brilliant detective who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Monk's psychological disorder costs him his position as a legendary homicide detective on the San Francisco Police Force. Due to the tragic unsolved murder of his wife, Monk has developed an abnormal fear of germs, heights, crowds and virtually everything else, which provides an unusual challenge to solving crimes ... not to mention his day-to-day existence. Traylor Howard (Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, Me, Myself & Irene), Ted Levine (Heat, "Moby Dick") and Jason Gray-Stanford (Taken, Flags of Our Fathers) also star.