This Forgotten Legal Comedy Is the Perfect Follow-Up for Monk Fans
Sometimes you finish a show you love, and nothing else feels quite right. If you’re a Monk fan, you know that feeling. Adrian Monk’s awkward charm, sharp instincts, and quirky habits make the show unforgettable. But here’s something most fans don’t realize — another series from the early 2000s delivers that same mix of humor, heart, and oddball genius. And it’s been hiding in plain sight for more than 20 years.
That show is Boston Legal — a legal dramedy that feels like it was tailor-made for Monk lovers.
Why “Boston Legal” Hits the Same Sweet Spot as Monk
“Boston Legal” isn’t your typical courtroom series. Every episode feels polished, clever, and full of personality. Like Monk, the show balances serious situations with witty humor and warm, human moments. It takes heavy legal topics and makes them fun to follow, thanks to unexpected twists and bold storytelling.
If you enjoy Monk’s mix of mystery, comedy, and character-driven emotion, Boston Legal brings that same energy into the courtroom.
The Characters Feel Like Monk’s Long-Lost TV Family
Alan Shore, played brilliantly by James Spader, steals the spotlight as a brilliant but eccentric defense attorney. His wild strategies, strange fears, and unpredictable behavior feel like something Adrian Monk would instantly understand — even if he judged him a little first.
Just like Monk had Sharona and Natalie to keep him grounded, Alan Shore has the iconic Denny Crane (portrayed by William Shatner). And the chemistry between the two is pure TV magic. Monk fans will appreciate how the show reshapes famous actors into surprisingly lovable characters — much like the way Ted Levine transformed from Silence of the Lambs villain into Captain Stottlemeyer.
Alan Shore & Adrian Monk: Two Oddballs Cut From the Same Cloth
Monk’s anxiety, phobias, and meticulous habits make him one of TV’s most memorable detectives. Boston Legal mirrors that same energy through Alan Shore’s quirks. Both characters are sharp-minded, emotionally layered, and constantly wrestling with fears — Monk fears germs and dentists, while Shore dreads clowns and suffers intense night terrors.
- They are different men, but they operate the same way:
- They obsess over their cases.
- They get deeply invested.
- They rely on odd but effective methods.
- And in the end, they’re always the smartest people in the room.
It’s hard not to imagine these two connecting instantly… after a few awkward moments, of course.
A Friendship That Should Have Happened Onscreen
Sadly, Monk and Boston Legal lived on different networks, so the crossover of our dreams never happened. If it had, Alan Shore and Adrian Monk would probably have bonded over their shared discomfort with… well, everything. Tony Shalhoub even joked that Monk never had a comfort zone — a feeling Alan Shore would totally relate to.
And while Monk never popped up in Boston Legal, Shalhoub did appear in David E. Kelley’s earlier hit, Ally McBeal, proving their worlds weren’t that far apart.
Both shows ended almost 20 years ago, but fans can still dream about a hilarious one-off reunion with Shalhoub and Spader playing their iconic roles again.
