Yes, Randy Newman, we're gonna miss Monk when he's gone

As if I weren't upset enough about the series finale of "Monk" airing tonight, and the possibility that USA is doing something dastardly with the show's beloved main character, Randy Newman has gone and written a new song for the show that nearly sends me to blubbering every time I hear it.

Newman wrote and performs the current "Monk" theme song ("It's a Jungle Out There"), which for me is the greatest TV theme song of all time. It's funny and upbeat, and fits Monk's personality perfectly. For the finale, Newman penned a somber tune in which he laments, "Though many hearts are broken, we must somehow carry on. I think you're gonna miss me when I'm gone." 

Damn you, Randy Newman and your mournful singing voice! I'm still hoping that by "gone" they only mean "new episodes gone from my TV set," but it's not looking good (read the recap of part one of the "Monk" finale). I like closure, "Monk" writers, but not like that.

Check out this short scene released this week by USA, in which Monk (Tony Shalhoub), from his hospital bed, asks Capt. Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) to show no mercy to Trudy's killer when he's apprehended:

The "Monk" series finale airs tonight at 9pm and again at midnight. I think I might need a drink to get through it.

And don't forget, there's a Trudy Mythology marathon all day today.