This week’s newsletter brings you a deep dive into the new TV show Bad Monkey, just as my mental image of a disgraced Florida cop wrestling with… well, you’ll see.
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Before we jump into the main topic, a quick update. I’m currently juggling several projects and enjoying the last days of summer, while also immersing myself in the world of Rod Serling for an upcoming biography. This means my reporting this week is focused, and next week’s newsletter might be slightly delayed. Regular scheduling should resume after Labor Day.
Speaking of Rod Serling, two quick notes: 1) The sheer volume of Serling’s work is astounding, and researching it all is a significant undertaking. Expect more Serling-related content in future newsletters as I delve deeper. 2) While exploring Twilight Zone episodes, I watched “The Parallel” from Season Four. It’s strikingly similar to Apple’s Constellation – an astronaut returns to a world almost identical to his own, but with subtle yet significant differences (rank, historical events). It highlights how a concept can be stretched thin; Twilight Zone did it in an hour, Constellation in eight episodes, and was then cancelled by Apple due to insufficient plot for its extended run.
Now, onto the main attraction: my review of Bad Monkey. This Apple TV+ adaptation of Carl Hiaasen’s darkly comic thriller stars Vince Vaughn as a former Florida police officer turned restaurant inspector. He finds himself entangled in a bizarre case involving a severed human arm, a voodoo priestess, a Capuchin monkey (played by the talented Crystal), Rob Delaney, and a host of quirky characters. As a long-time admirer of Hiaasen’s novels, starting with the hilarious Skin Tight, I was immediately drawn in. Vaughn excels in this kind of fast-talking, engaging role. The show, adapted by Bill Lawrence, known for his Fletch movie aspirations (and who cast Zach Braff, in a nod to that, as Israel O’Peele), carries a Fletch-like vibe. And for fans of classic entertainment, there are nods to Tom Petty’s music and Richard Russo’s writing, adding to the show’s rich atmosphere.
Crystal the Capuchin monkey in Bad Monkey, an Apple TV+ show
However, if I criticized Constellation for stretching its plot too thin, I must say the same for Bad Monkey. While Hiaasen’s strength isn’t intricate plotting, this story feels less coherent than usual, and could likely have been condensed. Yet, unlike Constellation, Bad Monkey compensates with sheer entertainment value. If you appreciate the influences mentioned and enjoy Vaughn in his element, you’ll find plenty to love beyond the somewhat meandering storyline.
So, I recommend reading the full review to get a deeper understanding of “where to watch Bad Monkey” and decide if this show, with its unique blend of crime and comedy, is right for you. We’ll likely revisit Bad Monkey as the season progresses.
That’s all for this week! What are your thoughts on Bad Monkey?
Thanks for reading. Feel free to share this review with fellow TV enthusiasts.
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