Christmas Episodes of Monk and Dead Zone

Tony Shalhoub's performance in this episode will likely lead to his fourth Emmy nomination and, possibly, his third win.

In a truly strange turn of events, two of the most delightful and disarming Christmas-themed programs of the season look to be special one-shot presentations of USA Network's crime comedy Monk (Friday, Dec. 2) and paranormal drama The Dead Zone (Sunday, Dec. 4), two series not typically known for generating holiday cheer.

Of course, fans might be wondering why new episodes of these shows are running in the first place, because Dead Zone and Monk are both between seasons at the moment. And yet, USA has scheduled one lone original episode of each series, each in its usual time period. This is a bold and exciting move that challenges the accepted scheduling strategies of most television series, even on basic cable.

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With some exceptions, the model for scripted basic cable series programming calls for approximately thirteen original episodes each year. Sometimes, as with FX's Nip/Tuck and The Shield and USA Network's The 4400, full seasons of shows play out week after week without significant interruption. But the presentation of others series, such as Monk, The Dead Zone and Comedy Central's South Park, toss traditional definitions of a television season out the window. Throughout the year these shows appear in brief bursts, typically consisting of 5-7 original episodes per cycle, followed by a few months of reruns. But the scheduling of a single new episode, months away from other originals, is generally unheard of.

In a smart approach to generating much-needed awareness for two shows that aren't even supposed to be on, the Monk and Dead Zone Christmas shows have been presented as holiday treats in network promos, on USA's Web site and even in mailers to television critics. DVDs containing the Christmas episodes were sent in a special eye-catching folder with pictures on the front and back covers of Monk star Tony Shalhoub and Dead Zone star Anthony Michael Hall holding giant red and green Christmas ornaments. When one receives as many as ten or twenty program screeners per week, it is no small trick to make shows that might not otherwise seem particularly urgent stand out in the ever-growing pile.

Still, it's one thing for screening copy covers to stand out. It's another for the shows inside to justify special attention, but both of these shows do. The Dead Zone episode, titled A Very Dead Zone Christmas, is so warm and uplifting that it would be at home on The Hallmark Channel or the CBS Sunday Night Movie. It is easy to forgive the masterful manipulation with which it generates warm and fuzzy holiday cheer -- right down to the sudden Christmas Day snowstorm at the end.

Even without the holiday trappings, this episode would be worth noting simply because it features the always appealing Jennifer Finnigan, who returns in her recurring role as Alex Sinclair, a psychic who works well on all levels with Johnny (Anthony Michael Hall), the psychic at the center of the show. (It is hoped that Finnigan can continue to make semi-regular appearances on this series in addition to her work on CBS' Close to Home.) Together they unravel a mystery surrounding a strange man dressed as Santa Claus and help three delinquent street kids find happiness -- and, in a perfectly schmaltzy, perfectly pleasing finale, they all end up at Johnny's house for a festive Christmas dinner. With its simple, straightforward, non-sensationalistic approach to storytelling, The Dead Zone continues to deliver the kind of traditional, escapist television series entertainment many of us grew up enjoying and still appreciate -- when we can find it.

As for Monk, the Christmas episode, titled Mr. Monk and the Secret Santa, is a similarly enjoyable holiday pleasure, despite the fact that the story revolves around a murder. It is certainly a bummer when a detective drinks poison wine intended for Captain Stottlemeyer and tragically drops dead in the middle of the precinct's Christmas party, but the investigation that follows is both humorous and dramatic in the best Monk tradition.

It is Tony Shalhoub's skillful performance as the title character -- consistently amusing even under the most dramatic circumstances -- that earns this series nominations in the comedy categories every year at the Emmy Awards, and his work in this episode will likely lead to his fourth nomination and, possibly, his third win for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Shalhoub as Monk has never been funnier than he is here in a scene that finds him posing as a shopping mall Santa Claus, forced to endure the indignities (and potential health issues) that come with having dozens of eager little children climb into his lap and make their Christmas requests.

When one child inquires about Mrs. Claus, Monk -- remembering his own late wife -- tops even Debbie Downer of Saturday Night Live with his response: "Santa's wife is dead. She was killed by a car bomb."

When another child asks not for a bicycle or hi-tech device or video game but for a "rock polishing kit," Monk's heart opens for the first and only time during his ordeal. "You're Santa's favorite," he warmly tells the boy. (This character is listed as "Monkish Boy" in the closing credits.)

Monk also takes particular pleasure in one of his Christmas gifts -- a dustpan and brush, and he happily declares that they are "fantastic."

Mr. Monk and the Secret Santa and A Very Dead Zone Christmas are don't miss episodes of often missed series. A new batch of Monk episodes begins January 13. USA has yet to announce the start date for the next season of Dead Zone, but it can't come soon enough.