After a long day of work, some form of exercise, and a (hopefully) delicious dinner, Mr. Handsome and I enjoy curling up on the couch and watching TV. We don’t have TV service, so we either watch shows on DVD, Netflix, or Amazon Instant Video.
Right now, we’re in the middle of Monk, a comedy that ran for eight season between 2002 and 2009. The main character, Adrian Monk, is a brilliant homicide detective who struggles with obsessive compulsive disorder. With help from his assistant, Monk is able to overcome his O.C.D. enough to be an essential asset to the San Francisco Police Department.
Mr. Handsome and I highly recommend this TV series to other adults (as well as teenagers, with parental guidance). While it is not suitable for children, Monk is incredibly entertaining and more appropriate than the vast majority of modern shows. We are currently on season three and look forward to working our way through the series in the coming months.
Have you seen Monk? Would you recommend it?
Anonymous
Monk is amazing! It's one of the very few detective shows off which I know I will have a good laugh. I would definitely recommend it to others. It's also a relief that it's a show where people aren't wearing 19th century prairy-clothes (not that there's anything wrong with that, Little house on the prairy is my favorite show ever!)
nashvillewife@gmail.com
I agree. It's nice to have a modern show that's funny and appropriate. The actor that plays Monk is very good at his role!
Ellie
Anonymous
Monk is amazing it would be nice if they could make some new episodes.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
I know right? We're on season 6, and I'm not looking forward to the day we watch the last episode. Have you ever seen Psych? It's another great TV series with similar humor.
Ellie
Anonymous
Do you guys watch the news? For some reason, I find watching the morning news very calming…
nashvillewife@gmail.com
We don't usually watch the news at home, but it's always on at the gym we go to. I have watched Good Morning America and Today a few times, and I agree that it can be a nice way to start the day (as long as there aren't any sad stories). Do you watch local or national news?
Ellie
Anonymous
Either! Usually local. I don't think we really have anything as big as the Today show here in Canada
Anonymous
Also, did you two watch the Olympics at all? What did you think of it? I enjoyed watching gymnastics and tennis, but as a runner, I definitely enjoyed track!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
We only watched a little bit (the opening ceremonies and swimming). We would have liked to watch more, but our antenna didn't pick the channel up. π Did you catch the closing ceremonies? Were they good?
Ellie
Anonymous
It was very good! I do know that the IOC posts full replays of each event on YouTube. The women's gymnastics final was incredible, they make it looks so easy. Breathtaking flips!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That's good to know. We will have to watch some of the reruns. I heard diving and synchronized swimming were also very good.
Ellie
Anonymous
We do enjoy Monk! We also like the Poirot series. I used to watch it on PBS when I was younger and I think that it is on Netflix now.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
I'll have to look that up. TV show suggestions are always much appreciated (especially when they're on Netflix). π
Ellie
Federica
Poirot is fantastic! All on Netflix.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thanks, Federica!
Ellie
Monica
My husband and I have watched all 8 seasons. They are so good!!! It gets better and better the further you get. There's also books that are really good. They go along really well with the TV series. Hope you continue to enjoy them.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Monica,
I'm glad you mentioned the books. I bought one at a resale shop but haven't read it yet. I figured they couldn't possibly be as good as the show, but I guess I was wrong. Thanks!
Ellie
jm
You're welcome! Which one did you buy?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Mr Monk Goes to the Firehouse. Do you remember that one?
Ellie
Anonymous
Never heard of it before, but it does sound amusing!!! Although I have to ask what makes it inappropriate for younger children? It seems to me that a lot of things that aren't considered okay for the kids really shouldn't be viewed by the adults either (Phil. 4:8).
Anonymous
It's a crime series…why would you have children watch tv about crime? That's why it is inappropriate for kids. And jeez, as adults we have the ability to make decisions for ourselves and I as an adult would not be happy watching veggie tales. There are good shows out there and there is no harm in watching them.
Anonymous
I actually agree that a lot of things not considered appropriate to be viewed by children really aren't great to be viewed by anyone. This show has very little in the way of language, sex/nudity & gore. But as the other comment mentioned it's a crime series. There's usually a murder (not super graphic) in the beginning of each episode. And the show deals with the actions of all sorts of criminals. I think not only could it be scary for children but also inappropriate for those with a less mature concept of some of the harsher realities of life. If you're interested in details you can look up the specifics of content for each episode on IMDB under Parents Guide.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
I agree that many shows that aren't appropriate for kids shouldn't be viewed by adults either, but Monk is different. As the reader above said, the murder scenes aren't super graphic, but i still wouldn't want to subject young kids to them. There is a tiny bit of language in some of the episodes, but it is very mild.
Hope this helps. π
Ellie
Anonymous
I was just thinking something, reading your comments. I'm not a parent (yet) but I'm wondering if it isn't better for children to learn about sad/difficult/important matters in life, such as violence, discrimination, sex, in a safe environment, such as home, with their parents' guidance? Instead of shielding them from everything, which could make for very naives adults, why not showing them what the real world is like, while providing them with the tools to deal with it? π
Alicia Mae
Oh I love the Monk! And echoing the above commenter, the Poirot series is great too.
Anonymous
Ellie I've never seen that show and I also don't have TV service. I haven't had cable TV for about 3 years or more now since my landlord decided to stop including it in everyone's rent. I saw the price and I thought no way i'm not paying that!!My son and I don't miss it at all we have an antenna and a few local channels and we are fine with that. Trust me everyone could live without cable and you'd all get used to it! You really are paying for so many non sense channels with cable TV!
Anonymous
I couldn't part with hgtv (home improvement shows), food network and my hubby would NEVER part with ESPN (sports). lol!
Anonymous
I have Directv and I love it better then Cable Tv.
I could live with out Directv I would miss MLB channel and Yes Network. And UP channel.
Anonymous
Monk is great! Wish it had stayed on longer though. My hubby and I really enjoy forensic files…real crimes depicted by actors showing how the criminals get locked up. Definitely an adult show, but very interesting! We also really like American Ninja Warrior…it's crazy hard obstacle courses that people try to complete.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
American Ninja Warrior sounds neat. Thanks for the recommendation!
Ellie
Anonymous
I loved Monk! Good memories. I had forgotten about it. I love watching Fuller House on netflix. It reminded me of my childhood. I love this show called Just add Magic (its on amazon). It's for kids, but I really enjoyed it. Have you tried Call the Midwife on Netflix?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
I watched a few episodes of Fuller House but stopped because they weren't nearly as good as the original show. Do they get better?
I've heard Call the Midwife is good. Do you think guys would like it?
Ellie
Anonymous
Yes Fuller House gets better.
I love watching Degrassi know it's on Netflix
Anonymous
I don't like Monk. I'm not it to that show. Yuck.
B
Ellie: Yes the close ceremonies of the Olympics was good. I watched Gymnastics,Swimming,Diving, and Tennis. Their was a girl from my hometown in Tennis that made it to the bronze medal but lost.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That's neat! I think we had a swimmer from my hometown go to the Olympics 4 years ago. They did some sort of celebration when she came home, but we didn't go.
Ellie
Anonymous
I've always loved Monk! I was always really into mystery shows and this was one of my favorites!
SuperJames526
Hey! I know a GREAT show for you to watch! It's called Counting On… Oh, wait. You're the one giving us updates on that show. #Oops! ^_^
JK. The only family-friendly show I'm a fan of is Thomas & Friends. I've loved it ever since the Christmas of 1999 when I was 2 1/2.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Lol! Counting On is definitely family-friendly. π
Ellie
Anonymous
Monk is one of my all time favorite TV shows. As the person above stated, it does continually get better. However, I have enjoyed all the books more than the TV show. However, that maybe because if I have a good book I'd much rather read than watch TV.
Anonymous
I havne't seen Monk, but I've heard of it. I'll look into it… maybe our library will have it. Have you seen the TV Series "The Middle?" It's reaaaaally cute. It's about a middle-class family struggling to make ends meet and just the quirks and trials of every day life. I HIGHLY recommend it! It's on it's 8th season — planned to begin in October.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
I haven't head of that, but I'm going to add it to my list of shows to check out. Thanks!
Ellie
Sarah
Ellie, when you're finished with Monk you should also check out Sue Thomas FBI. It's not very well known and sadly there are only 3 seasons but it was a goodie too. It's about a deaf woman who goes to work for the FBI. They solve some big attempted crime in each episode and the story is based on a real person so you get to learn about an incredible woman's life in the process. It's a lot of fun.
Anonymous
So, does it contain any bad language or inappropriate content? So few shows are family-friendly.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
There is some language in some of the episodes, but it's very minimal and mild. Haven't run into any inappropriate content that I can remember, other than some clothing that wasn't family friendly in season 2 episode 8. I would recommend skipping that one.
Ellie
Anonymous
I have a totally off-topic question…have you ever read "The Butterfly & the Violin" or "A Sparrow at Terezin" by Christian (historical fiction) author Kristy Cambron???
nashvillewife@gmail.com
No, I haven't. Are they good?
Ellie
Anonymous
Yes!!! I've actually only read the first book so far (The Butterfly and the Violin), but it was beautiful story about a young Austrian woman and the man she loved, both musicians, in Auschwitz during the Second World War.
Anonymous
Do you think you could write a blog post about your grandmother sometime (the one you're writing a book about)? I'd love to hear more of her story, and see pictures! I absolutely love WWII-era stories, and hers certainly must be interesting having taken place in Nazi Germany.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That's a good idea! π
Ellie
Anonymous
I've been hoping for some time now that you might write a post about her, but since you haven't, I figured it couldn't hurt to ask! π
Anonymous
Hi Ellie,
How do you watch the Duggar and Bates shows without tv service? Can you get them on Amazon Instant Video that quickly after they air? I wonder because you always have such swift re-caps of the shows.
Thanks!
Grace
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Grace,
We have a lovely friend who lets us watch at her house. π
Ellie
Rachel
Not a tv show, but the animated movies Despicable me 1 and 2. They are for kids but I am an adult and enjoyed them immensely. No language or sexual innuendo, no violence and very, very funny. The only brief but questionable scene is a minion photocopying his behind. Aaaaaaand the main character does some not great things at the start but learns a very valuable lesson so it also teaches kids that lying or having selfish motives can really hurt others but that you can fix mistakes if you genuinely are sorry. Suitable for all ages and honestly adults will laugh!
Have you watched them?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Rachel,
We have seen those movies and thought they were very entertaining! Wish Hollywood would make more movies like them.
Ellie
Anonymous
Hi, I've recently started watching the Signed, sealed, delivered series on Hallmark (on a catch up website, because I'm not in the USA)and I thought you would appreciate them because they are made by the same producer as the 'touch of an angel' series and they are a bit like Monk because there is a always a mystery to solve. Heartily recommended for those who like godly, fun TV.
Anonymous
I watched the first few seasons of Monk, but I stopped watching when they changed the actress that was his assistant. Have you watched Leverage? It's a Robin Hood type show where a group uses their skills to help people. Very well written and the actors are great. I also like Gilmore Girls which is about a mother and daughter moving back to a small town for the daughter's education. Very funny and smart writing.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
My in-laws watched Leverage and really enjoyed it. I had forgotten about it. Thanks for reminding me. π
Ellie
Anonymous
Monk is an absolutely brilliant series, one of my all-time favorite TV shows. I have seen every episode at least twice, though I don't think I've ever watched them all in order. Maybe I should do that…
Anonymous
I really enjoyed the reruns of this show over the years. It's a great show!