'MONK'-EY BUSINESS Shalhoub likes his 13-episode show the way it is

Talk about being punished for your success: ''Monk,'' the new series about a detective with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), was doing so well on the USA network that ABC picked it up to run against the competition's hottest shows -- NBC's ''Friends'' and CBS' ''Survivor: Thailand'' -- in the ultra-competitive Thurs. 8 p.m. slot. (''Monk'' also runs in its original Friday 10 p.m. slot on USA).

But not to fear. So far, ''Monk'' is holding its own -- not an outright hit, but a cult and critical favorite. EW.com caught up with ''Monk'' star Tony Shalhoub (''Men in Black 2'') to find out about the show's unusually short season, his character's OCD quirks, and why Monk doesn't like to wear a tie.

You've filmed a 13 episode season for USA, but networks usually require close to 26 episodes per series. Would you be willing to commit to a longer season for ABC?

I think I would prefer to keep it at 13. That's one of the reasons this job appealed to me in the first place, because I like to think I have a film career that's alive. Doing 24 or 26 episodes of an hour long series chews up a lot of time, maybe 10 and a half months a year, which leaves a very narrow window of time to do movies. And by doing fewer episodes, I think you can do a better job. It's something we've already found to be true with ''Six Feet Under'' and ''The Sopranos.''

Have any fans with OCD wanted to shake your hand? Or offer you antibacterial wipes?

After so many months of doing this role I'm wanting less and less to shake peoples' hands. In spite of myself I've found myself thinking, "I don't know where they've been and what they were doing last." You just don't even want to go there.

So why doesn't Monk ever wear a tie?

When we first started creating the look for this guy, we wanted to keep everything tight fitting. The shirts were a half size too small, and the jackets were structured and tight around the middle. Then the question of the tie came up. I thought it would be impossible for a man like that to stop fidgeting with it. The knot is either crooked or the rest of the tie is hanging down askew, and it would be tiresome to watch somebody constantly fidgeting with that. I also liked that look of being buttoned up and closed in. It's almost kind of retro not wearing a tie, but not in a nerdy way.

How much more are we going to see of Monk's disorder?

He's not just a germaphobe. He has a checking disorder, which means he's constantly checking light switches and knobs on the stove. And right now a counting disorder is developing. We're kind of looking under that rock right now. I think it's endless all the things we can find. We also know Monk has a fixation with lamps, especially gooseneck lamps. They're very hard for him to resist

''Monk'''s star talks about the surprise hit series

What about the sexual tension between Monk and his nurse Sharona (Bitty Schram)? Will they ever get it on?

I certainly wouldn't rule it out, but it would be my preference that we stay away from that. I think it's been shown in television that when you have a tension between two people and they finally get together you paint yourself into a corner. You have about a year and a half after that before people are finished with the series. But I do see romances developing for Sharona, which Monk will meddle with and fixate on, and possibly some romance for Monk once he gets over the death of his wife.

Your USA network season finale is coming up on Oct. 18. Any clues as to what we can expect during the rest of the season?

We just finished filming an episode with Willie Nelson. He plays himself, and he gets implicated in a murder. He also performs on the show, which was terrific. And in the final episode of the season, Mr. Monk will have to travel cross country on an airplane, and there will be a surprise guest appearance. It's someone from my past, and that's all I'll say.

Is it exhausting spending so much time in an obsessive compulsive's head?

It's an ugly place to be because it's so intense all the time. It's rare that Monk's brain ever shuts down and just coasts for a while. But I'm going on vacation soon, and I'll be able to get him out of my system. A mud bath would do the trick, but just hanging around my kids will do it. That's enough of a mud bath.

Monk is afraid of germs, heights, and milk. Tell us: Is he getting enough calcium?

You know what? I think that's his problem. He's calcium deficient. It's the root of all his neuroses. I'm going to pitch that at the next meeting. He starts taking calcium regularly and all of a sudden he becomes perfectly normal but can't solve crimes. Perfect!

On a more serious note, the climate towards Arab Americans has become increasingly hostile since Sept.

11. As a Lebanese American, do you feel pressure to present a positive image?

I hope I am a positive influence. I try to bring those qualities to what I do, and stay away from movies that perpetuate stereotypical or negative images, regardless of what my own role might be like. I hope the climate is getting better, though.

(Posted:10/07/02)