Tony Shalhoub’s long-running police proceduralMonkswitched theme songs after the first season, but the show never explained why. Thanks to all thegreat episodes ofMonk, Shalhoub’s police procedural became one of the most beloved TV shows ever. There are so many iconic elements at play that helped it gain a huge following, from Adrian’s idiosyncrasies to all thefamous guest starsMonkwas able to secure. One of the most memorable parts ofMonk- its theme song - actually changed partway through the show, and the series never explained why.
In the first season ofMonk, the show had a completely instrumental theme written by Jeff Beal. Fans of the show liked the smooth jazz feel of the song, and theMonktheme even won an Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music in 2003. Despite how popular the original theme song was,Monkswitched to a new song at the onset of its second season, and it kept the newer version until the show ended in 2009. It’s one of the few unexplained parts ofMonk’s history, and many viewers still wonder why the show abandoned its original theme song after a single season.
“It’s a Jungle Out There” By Randy Newman Was Used For Monk Season 2 Onward
Both The Original Monk Theme & Newman’s Song Won Emmys For Best Original Theme
At the start ofMonkseason 2, the show switched from its original theme to “It’s a Jungle Out There” by Randy Newman.Unfortunately, no one involved inMonkever explained the decision to switch theme songs. Producer David Hoberman simply approached Newman and commissioned the new song based on Adrian’s anxious personality. “It’s a Jungle Out There” actually helpedMonkmake TV history. In 2004, Newman’s song won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music, the year after the originalMonktheme won the same award. Because of that,Monkwas the first show to have back-to-back wins for best title song.
“It’s a Jungle Out There” was actually very unpopular whenMonkseason 2 began, and the USA Network received complaints.Monkhad a bit of fun with the backlash it received from the change in theme songs, though. InMonkseason 2, episode 12, Sarah Silverman plays a fan of a TV show who desperately wants it to switch back to the original intro song.Multiple characters say that the show was “perfect” and they should have left it alone, and Silverman’s character even tells Adrian to promise that if he ever has a TV show, they will never change the theme song.
Mr. Monk’s Last Case Brought Back The Original Theme Song For The Ending Credits
Both Versions Of Monk’s Theme Song Play In Mr. Monk’s Last Case
While “It’s a Jungle Out There” would beMonk’s theme song until the show’s final season, the original theme wasn’t completely forgotten. In the same episode thatMonkmade fun of shows switching theme songs, it played the original theme just before the credits. Years later, at theend ofMr. Monk’s Last Case, both “It’s a Jungle Out There” and the original theme song play.Newman’s song plays just after the movie ends, but Beal’s original theme plays during the movie’s credits.Mr. Monk’s Last Casewas filled with great references to the originalMonkshow, and the theme songs were one of the best.
