Grime Problem

What about the sexual tension between Monk and his nurse Sharona (Bitty Schram)? Will they ever get it on?
I certainly wouldn't rule it out, but it would be my preference that we stay away from that. I think it's been shown in television that when you have a tension between two people and they finally get together you paint yourself into a corner. You have about a year and a half after that before people are finished with the series. But I do see romances developing for Sharona, which Monk will meddle with and fixate on, and possibly some romance for Monk once he gets over the death of his wife.

Your USA network season finale is coming up on Oct. 18. Any clues as to what we can expect during the rest of the season?
We just finished filming an episode with Willie Nelson. He plays himself, and he gets implicated in a murder. He also performs on the show, which was terrific. And in the final episode of the season, Mr. Monk will have to travel cross country on an airplane, and there will be a surprise guest appearance. It's someone from my past, and that's all I'll say.

Is it exhausting spending so much time in an obsessive compulsive's head?
It's an ugly place to be because it's so intense all the time. It's rare that Monk's brain ever shuts down and just coasts for a while. But I'm going on vacation soon, and I'll be able to get him out of my system. A mud bath would do the trick, but just hanging around my kids will do it. That's enough of a mud bath.

Monk is afraid of germs, heights, and milk. Tell us: Is he getting enough calcium?
You know what? I think that's his problem. He's calcium deficient. It's the root of all his neuroses. I'm going to pitch that at the next meeting. He starts taking calcium regularly and all of a sudden he becomes perfectly normal but can't solve crimes. Perfect!

On a more serious note, the climate towards Arab Americans has become increasingly hostile since Sept. 11. As a Lebanese American, do you feel pressure to present a positive image?
I hope I am a positive influence. I try to bring those qualities to what I do, and stay away from movies that perpetuate stereotypical or negative images, regardless of what my own role might be like. I hope the climate is getting better, though.