 It was written by Dan Schofield and Ben Gruber , and directed by Randall Zisk . Though it was filmed in August , " Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa Claus " is the third annual Christmas special of the series . When the episode first aired in the United States on the USA Network on December 7 , 2007 , it was watched by over 4 @.@ 5 million viewers . Critics gave it mixed reception , with most criticizing how Trudy , Monk 's deceased wife , was mentioned and that no more details were given . 
