Opening Theme: MATLOCK

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

Legal drama Matlock (NBC 1986-1992, ABC 1992-1995) starred Andy Griffith as folksy defense attorney Ben Matlock. The format of the show, not unlike that of Perry Mason (1957-1966) often found Matlock identifying the murderer in the courtroom and confronting him or her on the stand.

Over the years, Matlock's circle of helpers included daughters Charlene Matlock (Linda Purl) and Leanne MacIntyre (Brynn Thayer), legal partner Michelle Thomas (Nancy Stafford), and private investigators Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday), Conrad McMasters (Clarence Gilyard), Cliff Lewis (Daniel Roebuck), and Jerri Stone (Carol Huston).

Matlock led to the spin-off Jake and the Fatman (1987-1992), starring William Conrad and Joe Penny. That show also had a spin-off -- Diagnosis Murder (1993-2001) starring Dick Van Dyke -- on which Andy Griffith guest-starred in one episode as Ben Matlock.



Matlock (TV series) - Wikipedia

More themes:
BARNABY JONES
PERRY MASON
JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE
LAW & ORDER: UK
QUINCY
THE EQUALIZER
HARRY O
MANNIX
NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)
THE ROCKFORD FILES

Watch the MONK finale online!

USA Network's Monk says farewell in a two-part episode. Starring Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford.

Mr. Monk and the End, Part 1
Monk is called to a crime at the location where he first heard the news of his wife's murder and begins the most important investigation of his life.


Mr. Monk and the End, Part 2
Monk pursues the killer of his wife in the series finale.


Related:
Mr. Monk is Online
Mr. Monk and Season Seven on DVD
Shalhoub on MONK: 'Everything does come to an end'
The stars shine for MONK 100
MONK therapist Stanley Kamel found dead
ADRIAN MONK: The face of OCD
Mr. Monk And The Continuity Police
Mystery TV Themes: MONK
TV-TO-BOOK: MR. MONK

[Castle ABC] Save Castle... Again! How To Save A Show [The Fray]

You don't want Castle canceled, so you're probably wondering... how to save a show?

[Castle ABC] Save Castle... Again! How To Save A Show [The Fray]


Related links:
Castle: "Space Cowboy" (Firefly/Serenity)
Watch CASTLE on ABC
Publishing news (July 10) (ABC's fictional sleuth Richard Castle writes a book, a long-lost whodunit by Graham Greene, and Wonder Woman vs. domestic violence)



Watch CASTLE free on Hulu!

Castle: "Space Cowboy" (Firefly/Serenity)

Well, these are a hoot for fans of actor Nathan Fillion and writer/producer Joss Whedon ...

Castle: "Space Cowboy" (Firefly/Serenity)


[Castle ABC] Sneak Peek at 2x06 "Vampire Weekend:" It's Just A Theory! [Oct 26 2009]


Related links:
Watch CASTLE on ABC
Publishing news (July 10) (ABC's fictional sleuth Richard Castle writes a book, a long-lost whodunit by Graham Greene, and Wonder Woman vs. domestic violence)

Mr. Monk is Online

Earlier this month, novelist/TV writer Lee Goldberg and MONK writer/producer/director David Breckman participated in an interactive live interview webcast, where fans were allowed to question them about the adventures of TV detective Adrian Monk on screen and in print.

Here are all three parts of the interview from YouTube, available in one handy playlist. Recorded live Oct 4, 2009:

LEE GOLDBERG MONK WEBCAST




Related links:
MONK final season begins tonight
Mr. Monk and Season Seven on DVD
Shalhoub on MONK: 'Everything does come to an end'
Mr. Monk and the Finished Manuscript
ADRIAN MONK: The face of OCD
Mr. Monk And The Continuity Police
Mystery TV Themes: MONK
Q&A: LEE GOLDBERG (Monk, Diagnosis Murder)

MONK final season begins tonight

From USA Network:

EIGHTH AND FINAL SEASON OF MONK PREMIERES FRIDAY AUGUST 7
Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG award winner Tony Shalhoub returns August 7 as the obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk in the 8th and final season of the hit comedy series Monk. With 16 brand-new laugh-inducing episodes, the final season promises to be a memorable one for all Monk fans. So tune in to USA Network Friday, August 7 at 9/8C and watch one of the most successful series in basic cable history give its final farewell.

TONIGHT'S EPISODE: When an attempt is made on the life of a former child star who recently published a tell-all biography, Monk is thrilled to act as her bodyguard -- until he learns exactly how different she is from her TV alter ego. Elizabeth Perkins and Rena Sofer guest star in "Mr. Monk's Favorite Show" tonight at 9/8C only on USA Network.

WATCH LAST SEASON'S FINAL FIVE EPISODES ONLINE!

More crime TV news:
Crime TV on DVD (Jul 28)
Mr. Monk and Season Seven on DVD
Shalhoub on MONK: 'Everything does come to an end'
T.J. Hooker: "Terror At The Academy" (Minisode)
T.J. Hooker: "Vengeance is Mine" (Minisode) (Leonard Nimoy!)
'Monk' returns for final season Aug 7
Mr. Monk and the Final Season
Crime TV on DVD (Jun 4)
The next 'Level' of thriller fiction
Watch WALLANDER online

Crime TV on DVD (Jul 28)

Upcoming DVD releases of detective and crime TV shows, including several British entries, a Charlie's Angels 'best-of', complete series sets from Homicide: Life on the Street and The Unit, and more. Updates on TVShowsonDVD:

The Beiderbecke Tapes (mini-series) Sequel Mini-Series Comes to DVD

Bones
Box Art Appears for Season 4: Body Bag Edition on DVD and Blu-ray
4th Season Release Date and Details for Blu-ray Disc and DVD Formats

Cagney & Lacey Finalized Press Release for The Menopause Years Box Set

Charlie's Angels Immediate Re-Release for 5-Episode Best of Charlie's Angels DVD

Criminal Minds Early Details on Season 4 Bonus Material

C.S.I. A Better Look at Blu-ray and DVD Box Art for The 9th Season

C.S.I.: Miami Lots of Extras on the Season 7 Set

C.S.I.: NY Bonus Material for Season 5 Uncovered

Dollhouse A Preview of 'Epitaph One'

Flashpoint
New Details, Possible Cover Art for The 1st Season on DVD
The Canadian Show, Starring Enrico Colantoni & Amy Jo Johnson, Comes to North American DVD

Foyle's War
Packaging Picture of the From Dunkirk to VE-Day: Sets 1-5 DVDs
' From Dunkirk to VE-Day' Collector's Edition Compiles All 5 Previous DVD Sets

Harper's Island
Packaging Finalized for Harper's Island - The DVD Edition, Starring Christopher Gorham
Details on Extras Emerge for Harper's Island

Homicide: Life on the Street Repackaged Release of The Complete Series Coming this Fall

The Middleman Shout! Factory Leaked Some Sneak Preview Video Clips for The Complete Series on DVD

Midsomer Murders
Get a Gander at the Package Art for Acorn's Set 13 Release
Acorn Media Announces Set 13, with 4 More British Mysteries on DVD

The Sopranos Could a Canadian Amazon Listing Show a Season 1 Blu-ray Release Date Good for the USA?

Traffik (mini-series)
Box Art is Now In for Acorn's Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition DVD
Original '89 Mini-Series is Getting a Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition DVD

The Unit
Box Art Debut for Season 4 DVD & Blu-ray; Full Press Release for Season 4 and Complete Series
Package Art Scoop for The Complete Series Gift Set on DVD
Fox Informs Retailers to Expect a Complete Series Gift Set on DVD

Van der Valk '70s Mysteries Series Crosses the Pond from the UK to the USA & Canada

More crime TV news:
Mr. Monk and Season Seven on DVD
Shalhoub on MONK: 'Everything does come to an end'
T.J. Hooker: "Terror At The Academy" (Minisode)
T.J. Hooker: "Vengeance is Mine" (Minisode) (Leonard Nimoy!)
'Monk' returns for final season Aug 7
Mr. Monk and the Final Season
Crime TV on DVD (Jun 4)
The next 'Level' of thriller fiction
Watch WALLANDER online
Watch CASTLE on ABC

Mr. Monk and Season Seven on DVD

Fans of "defective detective" Adrian Monk preparing for his final season can catch up on past adventures with the DVD release of Monk: Season Seven, in stores today (July 21). The set features all sixteen episodes, including guest stars Brad Garrett, David Strathairn, Eric McCormack, Sarah Silverman, Hector Elizando, John Turturro ... not to mention the all-star 100th episode, "Mr. Monk’s 100th Case!"

Bonus materials include: "Mr. Monk Buys a House" Video Commentary with Creator/Co-Writer Andy Breckman, "Mr. Monk Gets Lotto Fever" Video Commentary with Writer Hy Conrad, "Mr. Monk Is Underwater" Video Commentary with Writer Jack Bernstein, "Mr. Monk Falls in Love" Video Commentary with Writers Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan, "Mr. Monk's 100th Case" Video Commentary with Writer Tom Scharpling, "Mr. Monk Gets Hypnotized" Video Commentary with Writers Tom Gammill and Max Pross, plus "Monk P.I." and Anatomy of an Episode.

The eighth and final season of Monk kicks off August 7 on the USA Network.



Related links:
Shalhoub on MONK: 'Everything does come to an end'
'Monk' returns for final season Aug 7
Mr. Monk and the Final Season
Mr. Monk and the Finished Manuscript
The stars shine for MONK 100
ADRIAN MONK: The face of OCD
Crime TV on DVD
The next 'Level' of thriller fiction
Watch WALLANDER online
Watch CASTLE on ABC

T.J. Hooker: "Vengeance is Mine" (Minisode)

Leonard Nimoy guest stars as Hooker's old partner!

T.J. HOOKER "VENGEANCE IS MINE" (Minisode)


Bonus: BEST MANN FOR THE JOB (Trailer) 1:59


TV Opening Credits:
AGATHA CHRISTIE'S GREAT DETECTIVES
BARNEY MILLER
CHECKMATE
DRAGNET
THE EQUALIZER (w/ CALLAN)

Shalhoub on MONK: 'Everything does come to an end'

Actor Tony Shalhoub talks to Hollywood Exclusive about filming the final season of USA Network's Monk:

"We've all agreed there’s only so much you can mine out of this character. Nobody wants to move into the area where it starts to feel stale or the quality starts to drop. Since everything does have to come to an end, we want it to happen in the right way, where we’re in control of it, not a situation where the plug gets pulled. I think it honors the audience this way."

Full story: With 'Monk's' Days Numbered, Shalhoub Getting Nostalgic/Is Series Work Losing Its Luster for Neil Patrick Harris? (Creators Syndicate)

Related:
'Monk' returns Aug 7
Crime TV on DVD
Watch WALLANDER online
The next 'Level' of thriller fiction
Mr. Monk and the Final Season
Watch CASTLE on ABC

Crime TV on DVD

Updates from the folks at TVShowsonDVD.com:

The Mentalist
Simon Baker Slyly Smiles on The Complete 1st Season Cover Art
Press Release Reveals Specific Release Date & More for Season 1 DVDs

NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Release Date for The 6th Season of the CBS Series on DVD

C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation
Laurence Fishburne Joins the Cast with The 9th Season on DVD

The Untouchables
Release Date for Season 3, Volume 1 of the Classic Robert Stack Series

Lie to Me
Did Amazon Lie To Me? CORRECT Date, plus Details/Extras/Box for DVD & Blu-ray
Release Date Revealed for DVD and Blu-ray Disc Season 1 Sets

The F.B.I. Files
Hi-Res 3D Package Art for Most Wanted: The Best of Seasons 1 & 2

Wiseguy
Mill Creek Picks up Cannell Shows

Prison Break
Fox's Official Press Release for The Final Break on DVD & Blu-ray Disc

Simon & Simon
Details, Pricing and Package Art for Shout!'s Season 3 DVDs
Season 3 DVD Set Will Heat You Up Late This Summer!

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Box Art Now Available for the First DVD Release of HBO's Series Starring Jill Scott

Ironside
Shout! Sub-Licenses to Mill Creek; Early Eps Planned for Single-DVD Release

Adam-12
...1-Adam-12, 1-Adam-12: See the Man About Season 3 Package Art
We've Copped to a Street Date for Shout!'s 3rd Season DVDs

Dollhouse
Fox's Official Press Release Gives Disc-by-Disc Contents for Season 1 DVD & Blu-ray

Charlie's Angels
HOT Box & Press Release for the 4th Season, Including Farrah's Final Episodes
Long-Awaited Season 4 is Finally Coming to DVD, with a Love Boat Crossover!

Zorro
The Original '57 Black-and-White Series Coming in 2 Walt Disney Treasures Limited Ed. Tins

The Sopranos
Be a Wise Guy: Place Your Pre-Order Now for a Fall Season 1 Blu-ray Release

Armchair Thriller
The Classic British Show, Seen on PBS's Mystery, Comes to DVD

Marple
Series 4 DVDs in August, starring Julia McKenzie as Agatha Christie's Sleuth

Early Edition
2nd Season Formally Announced: Specs and Package Art Revealed!

Steve Canyon
Delayed Volume 2 Release Finally Winging Your Way!

Kenneth Branagh is WALLANDER

In a bucolic but brutal seaside town in Sweden, Detective Kurt Wallander spends his time battling crime and his own demons. Kenneth Branagh stars as author Henning Mankell's brooding detective in Wallander, on PBS "Masterpiece Mystery."

Spotlight on World Mysteries Wooed by Wallander and author Henning Mankell? MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! introduces you to 11 other notable mystery writers from around the world.

Henning Mankell Interview In a rare interview, the Wallander author opens up about his early influences and what makes Wallander tick.

PREVIEW

The next 'Level' of thriller fiction

USA Today reports that CSI creator Anthony Zuiker has partnered with crime writer Duane Swierczynski for a series of thrillers augmented by "cyber-bridges," dramatic online videos with actors playing characters from the novel. Level 26: Dark Origins, published by Dutton this September, stars a rogue investigator who hunts serial killers. Zuiker says the dual-media format, dubbed the "digi-novel," will launch a "revolution in publishing for the YouTube generation." Swierczynski also shares details on his blog.

Tonight on CASTLE (May 11)

Next on CASTLE (ABC, Monday night, 10/9c)
A Death in the Family: While investigating the brutal murder of a plastic surgeon, Castle and Beckett threaten to upend a federal case in order to find the killer.
Watch free episodes online at Castle on ABC.com

Tonight on CASTLE (May 4)

Next on CASTLE (ABC, Monday night, 10/9c)
Little Girl Lost: Castle contends with Beckett's ex-boyfriend, a handsome FBI agent investigating the disappearance of a little girl.
Watch free episodes online at Castle on ABC.com

Tonight on CASTLE (Apr 27)

Next on CASTLE (ABC, Monday night, 10/9c)
Ghosts: A murdered woman found drowned in a tub of motor oil leads to a maze of lies and revenge for a horrendous crime committed years earlier.
Watch free episodes online at Castle on ABC.com

Tonight on CASTLE (Apr 20)

Next on CASTLE (ABC, Monday night, 10/9c)
Home Is Where The Heart Stops: When a wealthy socialite is found brutally murdered and stuffed inside a wall, the home invasion investigation leads Beckett into Castle's high society world.
Watch free episodes online at Castle on ABC.com

Next time on CASTLE (Apr 13)

Tonight on CASTLE (ABC, Monday night, 10/9c)
Always Buy Retail: When a bizarre murder scene points to a ritualistic killing, Castle and Beckett must capture the killer before he finds his next victim.
Episode guide, character info, and free episodes online at Castle on ABC.com

Next time on CASTLE (Apr 6)

Tonight on CASTLE (ABC, Monday night, 10/9c)
A Chill Goes Through Her Veins: A cold case heats up when Castle and Beckett find the frozen body fo a missing woman at a construction site.
Episode guide, character info, and free episodes online at Castle on ABC.com

Mr. Monk and the Final Season

This summer, USA Network starts airing the eighth and final season of Monk. Obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) returns for 16 brand-new episodes, the return of Sharona (Bitty Schram), and the long-promised resolution of the only case Monk has never been able to solve: The murder of his beloved wife, Trudy. Updates at usanetwork.com/series/monk.

Meanwhile, Season Seven comes to DVD July 21 (Info at TVShowsonDVD). And the latest tie-in novel in stores is Mr. Monk is Miserable, by Monk writer Lee Goldberg.

Related links:
MONK ends with season eight
Mr. Monk and the Finished Manuscript
The stars shine for MONK 100
MONK: New therapist, new episodes
ADRIAN MONK: The face of OCD