TV Review: 'Bad Monkey'

Vince Vaughn in ‘Bad Monkey’ premieres August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

Launching with its first two episodes on Apple TV+, ‘Bad Monkey’ represents the latest show from ‘Scrubs’ creator Bill Lawrence, who recently hit paydirt with ‘Ted Lasso’ and also produced the Jason Segel drama series ‘Shrinking’ .

For ‘Bad Monkey,’ he and a producer/writing/directing team that includes Jeff Ingold, Matt Tarses, Marcos Siega, Liza Katzer and star Vince Vaughn lean more toward the dramatic side than any of his previous ones, though it fits the satire. And the work of Floridian crime expert Carl Heassen, also sprinkles in comedy when needed.

Does ‘Bad Monkey’ investigate a decent case?

(L to R) Vince Vaughn and Natalie Martinez in ‘Bad Monkey,’ premiering August 14, 2024, on Apple TV+.

Bringing Carl Heassen’s work to the screen has been a hit-or-miss affair in the past and you’d be forgiven for thinking the biggest title from his writing was the 1996 Demi Moore-starrer Striptease. .

Still, television feels like a more natural home for his work, and with the Apple TV budget to bring the Floridian visuals to life, ‘Bad Monkey”s rambling serio-comic crime caper certainly has time to tell his story. Their sun-drenched moisture.

It’s also fun to see Vince Vaughn do one of his occasional attacks on TV; His last major role, in the benighted second season of ‘True Detective’, is not to be forgotten, and luckily ‘Bad Monkey’ feels much more suited to his particular comedic stylings.

‘Bad Monkey’ Season 3: Script and Direction

(L to R) Meredith Hagner and Rob Delaney in ‘Bad Monkey,’ premiering August 14, 2024, on Apple TV+.

Lawrence here as showrunner leans toward the low-key crime style that Heassen’s novels for adults have come to rely on. The new show fills its books with things that aren’t usually good –– and those who side with the law are just as weird in their own ways.

The whole thing takes a while to really get going, but once it establishes the storyline, there’s enough entertainment value in Vaughan’s character working through the twisty mystery.

Zach Braff in ‘Bad Monkey’ premieres August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

A subplot, in which his lover Bonnie Witt (Michelle Monaghan) doesn’t quite mesh with the rest, though, and there’s an uncomfortably awkward bent to her character, a teacher who slept with a student years ago. This is one of the few mistakes in the story.

Directors Marcos Siega (who oversees), Colin Baksi, Erica Dunton, Liz Friedlander and Sam Jones all bring the necessary flair to the show and give the script and actors room to do their thing.

‘Bad Monkey’: Acting

(L to R) Charlotte Lawrence and Meredith Hagner in ‘Bad Monkey,’ premiering August 14, 2024, on Apple TV+.

‘Bad Monkey’ boasts of a solid ensemble who bring to life various characters with ease and appeal that work on different levels.

Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancey

While it may seem like it takes an episode or two for Vann to really get the right feel as Yancey –– just as the show itself needs a moment to really find its groove –– he’s a wry, witty leading man, great suspension as a cop who’s made Acting as a food inspector. His chemistry, especially with the likes of Natalie Martinez, is easy and warm, and he can chew dialogue without it seeming forced.

Natalie Martinez as Rosa Campesino

Martinez Rosa is a Miami pathologist chafing against the depressing brutality of her job who finds herself drawn into Yancey’s investigation and soon develops a relationship with him that spills over into the personal. As a foil for Vaughn and a character in general, Martinez is great in the series, bubbly and spiky when needed, dealing with his family and with just the right amount of sarcasm to match Vaughn’s energy.

Rob Delaney as Christopher

Rob Delaney tends to crush it in small supporting roles, and here he’s handed a character with more to do than usual, and perfectly nails the neurotic-yet-overconfident power of the unexpectedly criminal type as Christopher. He’s both in over his head and nasty when called upon, yet always watchable.

Meredith Hagner as Eve

The dominant force in Christopher’s life and his partner in crime, Meredith Hagner is superb as the needy, pragmatic and often brooding Eve, who masterminds a scheme to make them both rich. Hagner brings him to life in a way that is both humane and terrifying and gives him more life than a seemingly one-note character would suggest.

Michelle Monaghan in ‘Bad Monkey’ premieres August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

Michelle Monaghan as Bonnie Witt

As mentioned above, the Bonnie character really gave me pause, and aside from a few moments, it felt like something that could have been taken out of the story without giving up so much. Still, that’s no fault of Monaghan, who does what he can with the role.

Jodie Turner-Smith as the Dragon Queen

Jodie Turner-Smith, a bit like Delaney (but in a very different role), has been doing great work with supporting characters of late, especially in ‘The Acolyte’. Here, he has a more rounded role to bring to life, the mysterious and seemingly powerful wizard who is actually so complex he’s brilliant, projecting supreme confidence when needed and utter vulnerability at other times.

Jodie Turner-Smith in Bad Monkey premieres August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

Other notable characters

The season is blessed with a solid ensemble cast, including Yancey’s ex-cop partner Rogelio, and in true Lawrence fashion, as he likes to use his family to his advantage, Charlotte Lawrence as Christopher’s daughter (and yes, she avoids the “Nepo Baby” role) is a fitting thorn in the side. and criticism by being funny).

‘Bad Monkey’: Final Thoughts

John Ortiz in ‘Bad Monkey’ premieres August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

It might be called ‘Bad Monkey’ (with Crystal from ‘The Hangover’ playing the titular simian), but the show doesn’t really live up to its title, as the creature plays a very minor role in the story.

Don’t let that put you off though –– this is a twisty, funny, dramatic and chaotic comedy drama and a successful attempt to bring the work of Carl Heassen to the screen.

‘Bad Monkey’ has 8 out of 10 stars.

“Shady Side of Heaven.”

TV-MA1 season13th August, 2024

What is the story of ‘Bad Monkey’?

‘Bad Monkey’ is the story of Andrew Yancey (Vince Vaughn), who has been bounced from the Miami Police Department and is now a health inspector in the Keys.

But after stumbling upon a case that began with a man caught fishing by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove the murder, he’ll be back. He just has to get past the Floridian oddball and a mean monkey.

Who else in ‘Bad Monkey’?

The cast of ‘Bad Monkey’ also includes L. Scott Caldwell, Rob Delaney, Meredith Hagner, Natalie Martinez, Alex Moffat, Michelle Monaghan, Ronald Pitt, Jodie Turner-Smith and Charlotte Lawrence.