There aren't many network TV programs worth watching these days but every now and then a good one comes along.

Several weeks ago, on a Friday night, I was in the home office toiling away at the keyboard, computer that is, I heard my wife erupt in laughter. Since she was in the family room I figured that she couldn't be laughing at me, so I investigated.

She was viewing a show featuring a fuzzy little character who suffers from Obsessive-compulsive behavior. Within seconds I was laughing along with her at "Tony Shalhoub's" antics and returned to the office room and tuned the TV to The USA Network.

In the show, which has been nominated for 4 Emmys for 2004, Shalhoub plays a widowed, ex-police detective, now sort of private-eye, sad-sack character named "Monk."

If you enjoy well-executed mysteries with a huge dose of comedy, this is the show for you.