When Monk first started, it quickly became my favorite show (and, frankly, I didn't watch much television--I watch even less now). It was the one show that I really looked forward to watching. Each of the characters had their own unique contribution to the "feel" of the show. Bitty Schram's character was every bit (no pun intended :D) as important to this feel as Tony Shalhoub's, at least to me. And while I really do like Traylor Howard--especially in the show she did with Ryan Reynolds, I stopped watching Monk altogether after they got rid of Bitty. I guess you could say the "magic" was gone; characters have chemistry, and the new cast just didn't have it.

Having first watch \'Monk\' with Traylor Howard\'s character, I wasn\'t gripped enough to continue watching the remaining episodes of season 3. However, when the BBC (in UK) began broadcasting from the pilot episodes onwards, my family and I were all entertained with the following 2 and a half series. Bitty Schram and Tony Shalhoub were the 2 major reasons why we as a family enjoyed the show. Unfortunately, the new series fail to capture the great spark of chemistry witnessed with Adrian and Sharona. Consequently, the show has lacked a major part of its initial success. Maybe now the production team of \'Monk\' are finally realising the true worth of Bitty Schram and Tony Shalhoub as a double-act. It\'s a shame as \'Monk\' has truly lost its charm and sincerity with the loss of Bitty! Bring back Bitty and all might be forgiven!

I don't know why Bitty left Monk, but I would definitely say it has really changed my enjoyment of the show. Monk and Sharona had a relationship that is unfortunately not paralleled by new comer Natalie. It is not that I don't like the new character, it is just that she does not stack up to Bitty's character, Sharona. I have spoken with other people who watch the show too, and I have not heard one person say that they prefer the show with Natalie more than when Sharona was in it. The way that she was written out was also very disappointing, as we see a strong independent woman return to a man who throughout the show she refers to as an unfaithful man she no longer harbors any affection for.
I say bring back Sharona! She was the second half of the show that made it so enjoyable to watch and the show just isn't the same without her.

Natalie is okay, yes. But something was lost when Bitty Schram left Monk.2 and a half seasons of their INCREDIBLE chemistry made the show a cult hit, and any replacement would have had a hard time filling her shoes.It's difficult for anyone who saw these two on the small screen together to possibly imagine anyone else.