Movies

Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence have a gift for gab. In ‘Bad Monkey,’ they finally join forces

BBG News

Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence have a gift for gab. In 'Bad Monkey,' they finally join forces

As a long-time fan of Carl Hiaasen’s quirky and captivating novels, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the new TV series “Bad Monkey.” Having grown up in Florida myself, I can relate to the unique blend of paradise and crime that permeates Hiaasen’s stories. The characters are as colorful as the tropical landscapes they inhabit, and their dialogue is so rich and witty that it feels like a feast for the ears.

In the 1990s, before Vince Vaughn became famous in “Swingers” and before Bill Lawrence created the hit ABC sitcom “Spin City,” they were both aspiring entertainers struggling to make it in Hollywood. They first crossed paths at a weekly poker game hosted by a common friend in Los Angeles.

On certain evenings, Vaughn found himself pondering between heading to Subway or opting for instant noodles in a cup, he reminisced.

Lawrence and Vaughn, who are both set to appear in the upcoming Apple TV+ series “Bad Monkey,” discovered they shared more than just modest finances – they both had a knack for eloquent speech. They could charm with their words, tell captivating stories, as if they were born storytellers. In a joint interview, Lawrence reminisced about an occasion when he stood up from the poker table to settle the pizza bill, and heard Vaughn’s voice following him: “Bill, does he have a twinkle in his eye? Ask him if he’s fond of musical theater.”

Today, what makes it amusing is mainly due to the distinctive, seemingly tireless tone of voice by Vaughn, a sound we’ve grown accustomed to from comedies like “Wedding Crashers,” “Old School,” and “Dodgeball.” However, at that time, it was merely two poker buddies having fun. A few years down the line, when Lawrence encountered Vaughn as the chatty Trent in “Swingers,” he experienced a delightful sense of recognition. There was his old friend, excelling on the big screen.

Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence have a gift for gab. In 'Bad Monkey,' they finally join forces

Lawrence expressed great joy, not only from seeing Vince again, but also because he realized that entertainment could be this way. It’s like having a fun moment with friends during playful interactions, and unexpectedly, those moments can turn into something meaningful and artistic.

Over the years, they frequently crossed paths in town as they both achieved success, with Vaughn becoming a prominent figure in comedy and even venturing into drama through projects like “Brawl in Cell Block 99” and Season 2 of HBO’s crime anthology “True Detective.” Meanwhile, Lawrence made his mark in television by producing shows such as “Scrubs” and “Ted Lasso,” which showcase a knack for comedic dialogue. However, despite their shared professional circles, they never collaborated until the opportunity presented itself through the production of “Bad Monkey.”

During an interview with Lawrence and Vaughn, it’s not as if you’re extracting information from reluctant individuals. At some point, they switch roles and begin asking each other questions. They engage in discussions about the importance of taking risks, their past jobs (Lawrence used to paint houses, while Vaughn worked as a telemarketer), their admiration for Carl Hiaasen (a well-known Florida crime novelist who wrote the 2013 book that inspired “Bad Monkey”), and even shared an amusing story about a famous country music artist picking up the tab for their poker group, although it wasn’t exactly a full meal.

Vaughn reminisced about a friend of ours who worked at ASCAP. He’d often have meals charged to the company and I’d express gratitude. He’d reply, “Don’t thank me, thank Garth Brooks.” In simpler terms, my friend, who was employed by ASCAP, would frequently pay for our dinners and attribute it to Garth Brooks when I expressed appreciation.

Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence have a gift for gab. In 'Bad Monkey,' they finally join forces

As a film enthusiast, I found myself immersed in “Bad Monkey,” where I stepped into the shoes of protagonist Andrew Yancy, portrayed by Vaughn. To my surprise, this character has a knack for chatter that’s almost unparalleled! He also seems to relish in creating obstacles for himself, such as his self-destructive tendencies that got him demoted from a Florida Keys detective to a health inspector.

In addition to his busy schedule, Yancy manages to cultivate relationships with two women: Rosa, a medical examiner from Miami who finds him endearing despite his age and talkative nature; and Bonnie, who is married but unhappy and on the run from the authorities, though their circumstances have no connection.

1

Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence have a gift for gab. In 'Bad Monkey,' they finally join forces

2

Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence have a gift for gab. In 'Bad Monkey,' they finally join forces

1. Rosa (Natalie Martinez), one of Andrew’s romantic interests. (Apple)

Lawrence reminisced about his early discussions with Hiaasen, who served as a consulting producer on the series, regarding Yancy’s casting. They both felt that “he needed to be intimidating with a hint of danger, capable of making questionable choices, and someone who could instill a sense of unease. He was sharp-tongued, edgy, and sarcastic, but the show wouldn’t succeed unless you found yourself rooting for him, wanting him to triumph, and wishing you could spend time with him.”

Essentially, he needs to resemble Lawrence’s former poker companion, a rather large individual (or, as his character in “Made” put it, “a tall, refreshing drink”), who might have a few rough spots but is swift at disarming people with his witty talk. Vaughn was quite eager, given that this opportunity meant at last collaborating with Lawrence, being a Hiaasen’s fiction admirer as well.

“Lawrence provided the answer guide for TV writers, suggesting they create a show that resonates deeply. Not just due to the actor’s extensive repertoire and comedic finesse, but because they had the fortune of sharing casual conversations over a beer with him back in their youth.”

Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence have a gift for gab. In 'Bad Monkey,' they finally join forces

If you’re unfamiliar with Hiaasen’s literary landscape, visualize a tropical version of Elmore Leonard’s works. In Hiaasen’s novels, both drinks and violence run side by side, creating an intriguing balance. The allure of paradise is marred by the scent of criminal activities, often orchestrated by cowardly masterminds. Characters like Yancy, who appears in Hiaasen’s books such as “Bad Monkey” and its follow-up “Razor Girl,” released in 2016, are gifted with vivid, substantial dialogue that is relished by the characters in the new series. In the latest installment, Bonnie poses a question to Yancy: “Have you ever choked while masturbating?” To which Yancy responds: “Once, but it wasn’t intentional. I was wearing a tie and then I stumbled.”

In Hiaasen’s novel, Lawrence and his writing crew had an abundance of material to craft. Additionally, they benefited from having an ingenious ad-libber like Vaughn, who was agile enough to become a main character in the later episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” On the set of “Bad Monkey,” it wasn’t unusual for the actors to recite their lines as written, only to be followed by Vaughn’s prompt: “How about one for amusement?”

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “I, Lawrence, found that many of those ‘fun’ scenes we shot ended up in the series. Vince, you see, has a knack for giving others their moment to shine too. He’s always ready to set up his co-stars with great material and moments. So when people praise those funny bits later on, I simply thank them, all the while knowing it wasn’t me who made it hilarious. It’s just a joy to work in such an environment where talent like Vince is shaping television.”

Despite “Bad Monkey” showcasing the strengths of its creator and lead actor, it also offers them an opportunity to experiment with fresh ideas. Lawrence rose to fame through half-hour sitcoms, while Vaughn is more known for his roles in “frat pack” film comedies, albeit having ventured into television as well.

Similar to how Lawrence is constantly offered script ideas that echo the upbeat positivity seen in “Ted Lasso,” Vaughn found himself overwhelmed with scripts aiming to capture the essence of “The Wedding Crashers.”

Lawrence remarked, “This enterprise is designed to make people think, ‘That’s interesting! It seems like something you should continue doing indefinitely.'”

This, of course, can get boring.

Vaughn mentioned, “You’re planning to experience various attractions at the amusement park.” He went on to explain, “That’s when you get going, and there are moments when it’s a tad thrilling, even a bit daunting. It’s exhilarating to attempt new things and sometimes requires a bit of effort.”

In those poker games, Lawrence and Vaughn remembered, the night’s losers would frequently ask for another shot as the winner, playing cautiously, kept folding their hands repeatedly until it was time to leave.

Vaughn stated, “The fellow who was $300 in debt wished to continue playing.” He added, “So we’d agree to make one more lap around the table. However, whoever was ahead would simply tally their chips. The others would urge, ‘C’mon, buddy, let’s play!'”

Today, Vaughn and Lawrence are getting the action together. And they’re holding the good cards.

Read More

2024-08-14 13:33

Previous post Will Atwater get the promotion he deserves in Chicago PD Season 12?
Next post Formula 1: The completely unfair issue Kimi Antonelli could fall victim to