Update: official press release from USA with more info, including additional details on series high numbers for "White Collar."
"Monk" ended its eight-season run with a bang, becoming the most-watched hourlong series on basic cable.
The Friday series finale of the USA Network dramedy drew about 9.4 million viewers, 3.2 million of them in the adults 18-49 demographic.
It is the largest audience and demo turnout to date, not only for the show and for a USA scripted series but also for a drama series on basic cable, eclipsing the 9.2 million mark for TNT's "The Closer."
via THR.com.
bravo
Interesting that it got so high – especially given the second last episode was no where near as high! Didn’t it solve some show long mystery though? I never watched it so I don’t know… Begs the question – would the Closer series finale get a higher number than this (probably)?
Impressive numbers and a 3.2 in the demo? Wow, did Ghost Whisperer ever reached the 3.0 zone before?
I guess its ratings was a factor of the lower than usual CBS numbers last Friday
It deserves the ratings, the series finale was amazing.
3.2 million, forg, not a 3.2 rating. 3.2 million viewers in the A18-49 range is about a 2.4 rating, I believe.
The show changed the face of basic cable programming, and throughout the show’s run it was a class act all around. They did a great job with the finale.
Bravo on the ratings! I certainly didn’t expect that much. But glad it got it & the record!
Julia is right. Nice numbers for Monk either way, but definitely “older skewing”. By comparison, Sons of Anarchy’s season finale had 2.99 million adults 18-49, on 4.29 million total viewers.
I loved it, but I was sad, of course.
I’m going to miss the show. Even though it’s had some off seasons, the finale was pretty great.
I especially loved the final montage.
Great numbers. It definitely deserved them.
Very Cool!
It was a well done show and a very well done finale. I’ll miss it!
Thanks for the correction Julia. But 2.4 is still a good number
Wonderful! Monk has been a great series, and it is sad to see it go. At least it went out with a big bang (in the ratings)!
Interesting! A drama series when it suits but it’s always a comedy at the Emmys
Great for Monk! But does anyone know why this was Monk’s last season? Is it because Tony wanted to do something else?
Yea Dennis he is doing broadway now
It’s a mutual decision from Adrian, the producers and USA to end it on its 8th season. Plus, the show’s production is already expensive and even if it still delivers in the ratings, keeping it around for a ninth season would cost a lot.
Monk was ground-breaking for a cable series in that it actually made it to a broadcast network – in repeats! ABC actually ran repeats of the show way, way back in 2002 on Fridays, which drove viewers to it on USA.
I like Monk but it is a show we only get in bits and pieces on one of the local stations.
It is one that I will have to go and look for on-line to watch the finale.
Great! Such a great TV show deserves this kind of ratings ON A FRIDAY.
Glad it went out on a high note. I wandered away in the fifth season, but was a big fan in the beginning and came back to see the end. Perhaps this summer I’ll go back and see what I’ve missed.