|
By - Joe
Hummel
 Bitty
played the role of Sharona Fleming in the first two and a half
seasons of USA's Monk. A contract dispute with Bitty had Sharona
getting remarried and moving back to her home state of New Jersey.
Originally a nurse for a catatonic Adrian Monk, she became his
full-time assistant after helping him cope with the murder of
his wife, and coping with his 312 known fears. She earned $950.00
a week for the job. (twenty dollars more than Natalie Teeger,
his current assisstant)
Did Bitty think that she'd be talking (and performing) as the
character, 8 years later? "I just thought it was going to
be a TV movie. It was supposed to just be that."
Shortly into the third season, she left the series, and I asked
her if she watched the show in reasearching her return to the
role. Bitty said, "No, I honestly I didn't, but you know,
it had nothing to do with me leaving because when I was on it...
I didn't really watch it because it's hard for me to watch (myself).
Like it's just hard for me to watch anything; I honestly have
never really even watched some other things I've done. So it has
nothing to do with - it's just my neuroses."
When asked about returing to set, almost five years later, she
said, "It was honestly like I never left. I swear, it's exactly
what he said. It's a bizarre phenomenon, but it's true. I mean
I heard that when the Seinfeld thing on Curb Your Enthusiasm came
out, Jason Alexander said it was 'like they never forget, like
riding a bike,' and it's true. It's like you never leave. I mean
honestly it felt like I never left. Even with the crew, with everyone.
It was bizarre, but in a good way. You know, I mean it's good.
It never leaves you, never."
The character of Sharona Fleming was loved by the fans. Now here
she was, years later, reprising the role. Would she like to play
Sharona again?
"You know, I think I capped out on it. You know what I'm
saying? Like if I had a reason, I would be more than happy, you
know, but I think I've explored all I could explore with that
character...
but I would, if I had to go back to it, I love the character and
I love the chemistry and I absolutely love working with Tony because
he knows how much I respect his work and I would have no problem
going back to it if I have to. But I think I've explored what
I had to explore with it.
Tony Shalhoub added,
"I don't know. I never say never, really. I don't know how
likely it is that we'll have the chance to go back to these characters.
I honestly can't say as it's really not up to me. But I never
say never..."
(Continued page 2)
|
