Like a good obsessive-compulsive, Tony Shalhoub is at
it again. And you'd be crazy to think that the actor
isn't focusing on what the new season of the USA hit
detective series MONK holds for his psychologically
challenged genius investigator, Adrian Monk.

Of course, he is happy to go back to story lines
established in the first season--his ongoing quest to
get reinstated into the San Francisco police force,
his search for the truth about his wife's murder.
He'll also continue to unravel baffling scenarios,
including the murder of the world's oldest man, a
victim who seemingly drowned in mid-air while
parchuting, and a string of murders committed by a man
in a coma.

Yet Shalhoub would also like to see Monk do some
investigating into his own past. "I'd like to see more
interaction between Monk and (his psychiatrist)," he
admits, "so we could look more into the root of his
problem and explore his upbringing, such as parents or
siblings."

Shalhoub is also busy on the big screen these days. He
joins Meg Ryan and Omar Epps in the boxing flick
AGAINST THE ROPES; stars with Matthew Broderick,
Calista Flockhart and Alec Baldwin in PROVIDENCE; and
is trying to get his directorial debut, MADE UP, into
theaters. At least he isn't completely obsessed with
MONK."