TRAYLOR HOWARD JOINS THE CAST OF USA NETWORK'S MONK

LOS ANGELES -� September 15, 2004 �- Traylor Howard has been signed to the cast of the Emmy award winning USA series "Monk," it was announced today by Jeff Wachtel, USA's executive vice president, original programming. Production of new episodes is scheduled to begin Thursday, September 23rd.

Traylor joins Emmy award winner Tony Shalhoub and fellow cast members Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Standford as "Natalie," a former bartender and single mom who becomes "Monk's" assistant.

"Every successful series changes over the course of its life. We were fortunate to have Bitty Schram in our cast for two and a half seasons, and we are thrilled to have Traylor Howard join our cast now. Traylor is a wonderful comic actress, and a delightful addition to our accomplished ensemble," said Wachtel.

"We are thrilled to have Traylor aboard playing Monk's new assistant," said executive producer David Hoberman. "We fell in love with her during her audition and we're sure the audience will fall in love with her too."

Traylor Howard has previously appeared in television series including "Bram and Alice," "Boston Common" and "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place." She has also appeared on the big screen in "Me, Myself & Irene" and will next be seen in "Son of the Mask." Howard has been featured in many television guest appearances including "The West Wing" and "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman."

Monk is executive produced by show creators David Hoberman ("Raising Helen," "Bringing Down the House," "The Negotiator, "George of the Jungle") and Andy Breckman ("Saturday Night Live," "Letterman," "Rat Race"), along with Tony Shalhoub and Randy Zisk ("Gideon's Crossing," "NYPD Blue"). Fern Field ("Kane & Abel," "Heartsounds") serves as co-executive producer and Tom Scharpling as supervising producer. Anthony Santa Croce ("Carnivale") and David Breckman are producers. Monk is produced by Universal Network Television in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone Television.

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