Bad Monkey, a 10-episode Apple TV+ series, premiered Wednesday. The series follows a disgraced Miami detective turned restaurant health inspector, played by Vince Vaughn, who investigates a mystery involving a severed arm and a Bahamian fisherman whose home is at risk from a greedy developer.
Bad Monkey is a passion project for Bill Lawrence (creator of Scrubs and Ted Lasso) and Vince Vaughn, who are adapting Hiaasen's novel into a series that embraces a madcap vibe and touches on themes like gentrification and corruption.
The series features a talented cast, including Michelle Monaghan and Jodie Turner-Smith, and promises intertwining plots and twists, capturing Hiaasen's unique writing style.
The series follows a corruption investigation after a severed arm is found in the sea, with Natalie Martinez starring as Rosa Campesino, a forensic doctor who teams up with ex-detective Andrew Yancy, played by Vince Vaughn.
Many of Vaughn's lines were improvised, allowing him and Lawrence to step out of their usual genres.
The series is described as colorful, good in a simple, old-fashioned way, and enjoyable in a straightforward manner, with a light, holiday vibe.
The series is based on Carl Hiaasen's 2013 novel of the same name.
Hiaasen, a veteran journalist at the Miami Herald, is known for his extensive knowledge of Florida's flora, fauna and the questionable behavior of its population. He published 15 crime novels with two-word titles, featuring flawed male leads caught up in crime investigations surrounded by colorful supporting characters.
Lawrence, a co-creator of Bad Monkey, was influenced by Hiaasen's storytelling since his teenage years, drawn to the surreal characters and satire in his books.
Lawrence's daughter, Charlotte Lawrence, makes her acting debut in the series at the age of 24.
The series has received mixed reviews and currently has a 92% review rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Martinez praised the show for authentically capturing Miami's culture, sound, and tone.
Crystal the Monkey, a veteran Hollywood actor, plays the capuchin monkey named Driggs in the series.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: LATimes, Forbes, The Guardian, LeMonde, NYPost, Mashable, The Epoch Times, CultofMac, 9to5Mac, DailyCaller, El Universal, Irish Times, Social News, The Knockturnal, The Wrap.