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)