Monk’s Bitty Schram seemingly does not regret leaving the show, as it was allegedly due to contractual disputes, more so since she returned for the season finale.
Anyone who was around in the 2000s would know that Monk was one of the funniest and most original sitcom crime drama series on television. The series enjoyed an eight-season run before it concluded in 2009, while still at the height of its popularity.
While most of the title cast stayed on the show until its conclusion, beloved fan-favourite original character, Sharona, played by Bitty Schram, left the show halfway through season three in 2004.
At the time, it was suggested that it was a result of “creative differences.” But it was later speculated to be due to wage negotiations, which would suggest that Schram made the decision not to come back.
What was Monk?
Monk is the hit sitcom from the 2000s which first premiered in 2002 on USA Network. The detective crime series was created by Andy Breckman, who also served as the head writer of the series.
At the time of the show’s real time run, it was considered one of the most original detective crime series, as the premise was, “The series follows Adrian Monk, a brilliant former San Francisco detective, who now consults the police as a private consultant who battles with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.”
Tony Shalhoub played the title character which earned him three Primetime Emmy awards for his performance, before the series ended in 2009.
Did Bitty Schram regret leaving Monk?
Bitty Schram, who was part of the original cast of Monk, played Sharona, who was Adrian Monk’s prickly but lovable assistant.
Though her character showed favourable traits in the series, Sharona left the show midway through season three, with the channel sharing a statement that read, “Monk has decided to go in a different creative direction with some of its characters.”
The network went on to add, “Bitty will not continue with the cast and we thank her for her notable contributions and wish her the very best.”
Schram’s management company also released a brief exit statement that stated, “Bitty Schram and USA Network have amicably decided to go their own separate ways…She wishes everyone connected with the show continued success and looks forward to pursuing the various opportunities before her.”
It was later revealed, however, that her exit was allegedly due to contractual disputes, which, at one point, resulted in an episode being shot without most of its main cast.
Seemingly, while some mutual agreements were made, this was not the case with Schram. Therefore, it is unlikely that she regrets leaving the show.
Bitty Schram returns to Monk
Possibly the biggest reason that fans of Monk believed that Bitty Schram regretted her decision to leave the sitcom during its height was due to her return during the season finale.
In light of her return, fans began to speculate her reason for being apart of the show again.
In response to these speculations, Schram shared what it meant to her to come back to the show, stating, “But for me being back on the show, I was really happy to do it and I thought it ended really, really well. I couldn’t, I just thought it ended the way it should have and I was very, very pleased with it and very pleased to be working with everyone again on that show, I really was.”
Bitty Schram to Sharona’s fanbase
During the promotional run for Monk’s series finale, Bitty Schram was interviewed, and shared foreword to fans of Sharona, stating, “Oh, I would first of all like to thank them so much for their support and for watching and actually liking – it makes me feel like I do my job, so I thank them for that.”
Going on to add, “And I wouldn’t be here without them, so it’s all about the audience that we’re trying to – it’s all about the audience because without them we’re nothing, right? So I’m just very thankful for their support.”
Why did Monk end?
When Monk was nearing its eighth season in 2009, the network suggested that the series was coming to an end, despite still being one of the most popular television shows to watch. Although, insiders suggested differently.
It was speculated that the drop in viewership numbers, along with the fact that the show was becoming expensive to make, with increasing production costs and salaries, made the show more expensive than the returns it yielded.
Therefore, the series was cancelled due to the rising costs it took to make the series compared to the commercial value at the time.
Final Thoughts
Monk is still one of the most original comedic detective crime drama series of the 2000s. However, similarly to most productions of the time, movements like Me Too and Equal Pay had not been public conversations in the media, like they are now.
Therefore, when Bitty Schram left Monk in 2004 due to contractual disputes over wages, she supported the network’s statement suggesting it was an amicable parting of ways.
However, the reason would later be revealed, and considering that she has continued to work afterward, it seems she does not have regrets of leaving.