The sixth season of the show will begin airing on USA in January. NBC will begin airing the show in March, perhaps seeking to give viewers a break from the glut of reality shows slated for 2008. Does Monk owe its foray into the world of broadcast TV to the writers’ strike?

Yes and no.

The show focuses on the adventures of a private detective (Shalhoub), who solves crimes despite suffering from various phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Funny? Yes, but I wouldn’t call it silly. The show is intelligent and well-written. Critics have generally praised Monk, and Shaloub was awarded an Emmy for best actor.

Is this a sign of things to come? I, for one, hope so. It’s no secret that the most exciting shows can be found on cable. Sure, not all of them have mass appeal, but how many CSIs and Law and Orders can one take without getting an urge to experiment with something new? Here’s to hoping Monk succeeds in a major network’s line-up.