Bad Monkey

I love Carl Hiaasen's writing, particularly the Andrew Yancy novels. I'm also a fan of Bill Lawrence. To an extent. Scrubs could be grating, Ted Lasso meandered once he left, Shrinking is... I don't know.

But as far as the first two episodes go, they've nailed the tone of the book and the casting is really good. I never would've picked Vince Vaughn as Yancy, but he's perfect. The world weariness, the sardonic self loathing, it's all there.

You can tell that Lawrence is a huge Hiaasen fan and he's been thinking about this for a while. It's been a few years since I read the book but I like the additions that have been made to pad the story out. Again, I'm basing this off two episodes. I really hope this series is successful and we get a Razor Girl adaptation.

And I think the narration, sort of a lackadaisical Floridian version of Sam Elliot in Big Lebowski. It keeps things wry and offbeat. The only issue I have so far, and maybe just because I know the eventual outcome, is the big reveal in the book works because there isn't a visual element involved and you've been too distracted to think that hard about it. I would be surprised if most people didn't guess what's going on right away. But boy, what a fun beautiful time.

The show is funny and it keeps you interested in what's going to happen next. Vince Vaughn is as charming as he has ever been and the cast has really good chemistry. The supporting characters do a good job and the types of characters in the show are relatable even though they're over the top.

If you can just sit back and enjoy a funny murder mystery then you may enjoy this one. I don't have much more to say. It's fun, it's unpredictable, it's like Fargo but in the Florida Keys. It has good energy and actors who do their best to entertain you.

Trying to think of something I don't like... the color grading I guess? It's a bit like an Instagram filter. Other than that, it's great.

Someone decided to remake Fletch, and they actually did a pretty good job. It's a fun ride with a quirky mix of crime, comedy, and the bizarre that keeps you entertained from start to finish. Vince Vaughn nails the laid-back, wisecracking lead, and the Florida setting adds a nice touch of sun-soaked weirdness. It's not something I'd rush to rewatch, but it definitely makes for a solid night in front of the TV. And let's just say the voodoo lady might haunt your dreams in ways you didn't expect. Overall, it's a decent watch if you're in the mood for something offbeat and just a little twisted...

I am a huge fan of Carl Hiaasen's novels. This serialized version of Bad Monkey, which I reread not too long ago, is very well done. The few changes I noted in passing were logical and made the tv version better than it would have been. I would give the casting and photography high ratings. I'm not particularly a fan of Vince Vaughn, but I think he does well in this show. I like the narrator part, too.

I didn't see Natalie Martinez's name so it was great surprize to recognize her in this. I first saw her in a thing called "Under the Dome", not a very good series. Her performance in "Kingdom" was remarkable. She's good in this one, too.

I hope someone, Apple or not, takes some of Hiaasen's numerous other works for tv or cinema. "Strip Tease" was a pretty good movie as far as I recall. I'm usually not impressed with Apple's tv output, but this one hits the mark!

Bad Monkey feels like a classic Vince Vaughn film when he was in his prime. He shines here as the lead of another great Apple TV show. Is it the best show you'll watch this year? No. But it still very good and worth your time to watch. If you like Vaughn then you'll like this and vice versa if you don't like him. He does his classic fast talking, tongue in cheek comedy that he's famous for. This show is based off Carl Hiaasen's best seller. It almost feels it was written for Vaughn, that's how good he is here. The show is also beautifully shot, making the most of the sun filled settings in the Bahamas and Florida. Besides the comedy and action there are plenty of twists and turns to hold your attention.