Despite its familiar trope of a dismissed police detective trying to solve a crime he shouldn’t be anywhere near, “Bad Monkey” on Apple TV+ hits its marks and largely nails its comedic tone. Vince Vaughn, staring as Andrew Yancy, drew me in initially but it’s the show’s supporting cast that manages to keep the show afloat for its 10-episode run. The show — based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name — is witty and good for at least a few laugh-out-loud moments. Fans of “Shrinking” and “Ted Lasso,” also on Apple TV+, shouldn’t hesitate to jump into the warm Florida Keys’ water with “Bad Monkey” when the series premieres on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The cross-over link between “Bad Monkey” and “Shrinking” — which stars Harrison Ford and Jason Segel — is Bill Lawerence, who created both shows. It might not be immediately obvious from the first episode, but as Yancy’s character develops, it’s clear how similar Vaughn and Segel’s on-screen deminers and deliveries are. Both actors can hilariously babble when the script calls for it, each can slide between sarcastic quips and serious tones nearly instantaneously. Segel could have easily been cast in “Bad Monkey” with very few changes needed. Similarly, it makes me think that Vaughn could have been a viable option on “Shrinking” too.
Despite really liking the dramedy tone and quick pacing of “Bad Monkey,” there are a few times throughout the season that Yancy’s dialog becomes exhausting. Similarly, there are a number of scenes where Vaughn’s mannerisms seem forced and unconvincing rather than the more lived-in nature which he does well for most of the show. Those moments never made me question finishing the show, however. I was sold after the first episode but became fully hooked after episode three or four.
Watch the trailer for “Bad Monkey”:
Much like the evolution of all of the characters, the show gradually grows so that by the end it’s in a different place from where it started. In the last few episodes, there’s much less emphasis on Yancy conducting his investigations in an unsanctioned manner — which gives more time for the supporting cast to shine. Seriously, John Ortiz, Rob Delaney, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Natalie Martinez, among others, are fantastic. The detective storyline kicks things off, but it isn’t the bedrock of the show. Instead, the show has a deeper message that it’s trying to sow throughout. In hindsight, it’s easy to see and creates a satisfying-enough ending, I just wish that the point had shown up a little sooner, rather than so abruptly toward the end.
Of course, like most modern shows, the season ends with some wiggle room for a potential Season 2 if the audience response warrants it. The first two episodes of “Bad Monkey” are available to stream on Aug. 14, so I think this officially qualifies as one of this summer’s must-watch shows.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a subscription video streaming service for $9.99 a month that includes high-quality original shows and movies including Best Picture winner “CODA,” popular sitcom “Ted Lasso,” and dramas like “The Morning Show” and “Severance.” Apple TV+ is also home to MLB baseball games on Friday nights and MLS Season Pass.