TV Review: ‘Bad Monkey’

The new show from ‘Ted Lasso’ co-creator Bill Lawrence finds Vince Vaughn as a cop-turned-food inspector who becomes embroiled in the mystery surrounding a severed arm.

Vince Vaughn in 'Bad Monkey,' premiering August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

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

For ‘Bad Monkey’, he and a producing/writing/directing team that includes Jeff Ingold, Matt Tarses, Marcos Siega, Liza Katzer and star Vince Vaughn skew more towards the dramatic side of either of his previous works, though given that it adapts the work of satirist and Floridian crime expert Carl Hiaasen, also skews comedic 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 Hiaasen’s work to the screen has been a hit-or-miss affair in the past and given that the biggest title spawned from his writing is 1996 Demi Moore-starring drama ‘Striptease’, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s mostly miss.

Still, television feels like a more natural home for his work, and the rambling serio-comic crime caper that is ‘Bad Monkey’ certainly has the time to tell its story, with an Apple TV budget to bring the Floridian visuals to life in all their sun-drenched humidity.

It’s also entertaining to see Vince Vaughn make one of his occasional forays into TV; his last lead role was, let’s not forget, on the benighted second season of ‘True Detective’, and fortunately ‘Bad Monkey’ feels much more suited to his particular comedy 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 as showrunner here leans into the low-key crime style that Hiaasen’s novels for adults have come to rely on. The new show is full of the oddballs that populate his books, usually up to no good –– and the ones who are on the side of the law are just as weird in their own way.

It takes a while for the whole thing to truly get going, but once it established the storyline, there’s more than enough entertainment value to be found watching Vaughn’s character work his way through the twisty mystery.

Zach Braff in 'Bad Monkey,' premiering August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

One subplot, featuring his off-again-on-again lover Bonnie Witt (Michelle Monaghan) never quite gels with the rest, though, and there’s an uncomfortably awkward whiff of creepiness about her character, a teacher who slept with a student years ago. It’s one of the few missteps the story makes.

Directors Marcos Siega (who supervises), Colin Bucksey, Erica Dunton, Liz Friedlander and Sam Jones all bring the required flare to the show while also giving the script and actors room to do their thing.

‘Bad Monkey’: Performances

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

‘Bad Monkey’ boasts a solid ensemble who bring the various characters to life with an ease and charm that works on different levels.

Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy

While it might seem like it takes Vaughn an episode or two to truly hit the right vibe as Yancy –– much as the show itself needs a moment to truly find its groove –– he’s great as the sardonic, witty leading man, a cop on suspension who is making ends meet as a food inspector. His chemistry with the likes of Natalie Martinez in particular is easy and warm, and he can deliver the chewy dialogue without it seeming forced.

Natalie Martinez as Rosa Campesino

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

Rob Delaney as Christopher

Rob Delaney tends to crush it in smaller supporting roles, and here he’s handed a character with more to do than usual, and absolutely nails the sort of nervous-yet-over-confident energy that an unexpectedly criminal type such as Christopher needs. 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 excellent as the needy, pragmatic and often whiny Eve, who masterminds a scheme to make them both rich. Hagner makes her come alive in a way that is both human and horrific and gives her more life than the seemingly one-note character might suggest.

Michelle Monaghan in 'Bad Monkey,' premiering August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

Michelle Monaghan as Bonnie Witt

As mentioned above, the Bonnie character gave me real pause, and aside from a few moments, feels like something that could have been taken out of the story without sacrificing all that much. Still, that’s no fault of Monaghan, who does what she can with the role.

Jodie Turner-Smith as the Dragon Queen

Jodie Turner-Smith, a little like Delaney (but in very different roles), has been doing great work with supporting characters of late, especially in ‘The Acolyte’. Here, she has a more rounded role to bring to life, the mysterious and seemingly powerful sorceress who is in reality very complicated She’s fantastic, projecting supreme confidence when needed and utter vulnerability at other times.

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

Other notable characters

The season is blessed with a solid ensemble, including John Ortiz as Yancy’s former police partner Rogelio and, in true Lawrence fashion, since he loves putting his family in his work, Charlotte Lawrence as Christopher’s daughter (and yes, she avoids the “nepo baby” criticism by being suitably prickly and fun in the role).

‘Bad Monkey’: Final Thoughts

John Ortiz in 'Bad Monkey,' premiering August 14, 2024 on Apple TV+.

It might be called ‘Bad Monkey’ (with Crystal from ‘The Hangover’ playing the titular simian), but this show never really lives up to its title, since the creature plays a very small role in the story at all.

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

‘Bad Monkey’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

Bad Monkey

"The shady side of paradise."

TV-MA1 SeasonsAugust 13th, 2024

Watch Bad Monkey Online

What’s the story of ‘Bad Monkey’?

‘Bad Monkey’ is the story of Andrew Yancy (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 begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.

Who else is in ‘Bad Monkey’?

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