Is Bad Monkey, the Death in Paradise-style show from Ted Lasso boss any good?

As a lifelong fan of quirky, offbeat comedies with a dash of mystery, I found myself drawn to Bad Monkey like a moth to a neon-lit Florida Keys bar. The series starts on a high note, with a honeymoon gone awry and a severed arm that would make even Columbo do a double take.

“Bad Monkey” sets sail on a picturesque day off the Florida coast, during a honeymoon fishing trip. A snippet of conversation hints at the groom being boorish, reminiscent of characters from ‘White Lotus’. The voyage proceeds as one might anticipate given the circumstances. However, things take a grisly turn when a severed arm, complete with mischievous rigor mortis, is reeled in, and then matters only worsen.

Discovering a limb that had been fished out, Miami detective Andrew Yancy (played by Vince Vaughn) is spurred into investigating the Florida Keys for a potential murderer. The Apple TV+ series draws inspiration from Carl Hiaasen’s acclaimed novel (not among his lesser-known works), with some unique adjustments to the format similar to Death in Paradise.

The ten-part series divides its narrative into two intertwined stories: Yancy’s disorganized inquiry and a side plot about the process of gentrification in the Bahamas, as narrated by Neville (played by Ronald Peet). His peaceful life centered around fishing and enjoying his catches is disrupted when Rob Delaney’s ruthless property developer buys the land beneath Neville’s shack without his knowledge.

The show takes us through various scenes, guided by its rugged narrator and captain of the honeymoon cruise, Tom Nowicki.

The captain is located in the commentary room, guiding us as we navigate the waters between the Keys and the Bahamas. It seems like an unseen director from Apple TV+ is constantly switching channels, as changing our course feels somewhat abrupt. Regrettably, the series Bad Monkey could benefit from a more streamlined narration, as the voiceover frequently provides information that we can already observe ourselves.

The narrator acknowledges that the story jumps around a bit, finding it frustrating. Yet, we’re urged to exercise patience as the connection between these parts will eventually be clear, and so will the role of Crystal the Monkey, famously known from Night at the Museum. Whether this wait is worthwhile remains to be seen.

In a less-than-polished Bahamian tone, Peet’s Neville falls short compared to Vaughn and Jodie Turner-Smith in terms of charm. However, it’s Jodie who lends a hand to make this side of the narrative more compelling. She portrays the Dragon Queen sorceress with cunning and ethereal grace, capable of casting spells on people. Notably, her Bahamian accent is far more convincing than Peet’s.

In the Keys, Vaughn adopts his characteristic witty and sarcastic demeanor, a trait fans have come to expect from much of his career. However, he introduces a new catchphrase: “f**knuts”. His partner from the Miami morgue, Rosa (Natalie Martinez), adds humor to the series, though the romantic aspects between them may not be essential to the plot.

As a gamer, I found Michelle Monaghan to be underutilized in her role as an unstable, whimsical love interest who only briefly hooks up with Yancy and doesn’t significantly impact the storyline. In the series, Zach Braff, known for his role on Scrubs, makes a brief appearance in about two out of ten episodes, fittingly portraying a doctor – albeit not an exceptionally competent one.

The series, titled “Bad Monkey,” originates from the mind of Bill Lawrence, who previously co-created “Scrubs” and most recently collaborated on “Ted Lasso” for Apple TV+. While maintaining the upbeat vibe seen in his previous works, this production seems to struggle with its overall tone, presenting a chaotic mix instead. The show aims for black comedy, and there are indeed humorous segments, but it also contains instances of tragedy that feel hurried or misplaced. A particularly questionable moment involves an attempt at humor surrounding a statutory rape case.

Some appealing segments are present, including an episode that starts with a instrumental rendition of 50 Cent’s ‘P.I.M.P.’, a delight for fans of Anatomy of a Fall, though the shared audience might not be extensive. Additionally, there’s an abundance of beautiful behind-the-scenes footage to enjoy, featuring playful dolphins making guest appearances.

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the creative twist the show has taken in portraying the unique quirks of Floridians. Take Heather on TV weather broadcasts for instance, her predictions might be off, but she sure is a visual treat (a nod to BBC Scotland’s Heather Reid and BBC Northwest’s Heather Stott who paved the way). Then there’s the deckhand flaunting his massive gold pendant, quite the charmer if you catch my drift. Lastly, the restaurant where patrons seem unfazed by the kitchen infested with roaches and rats – now that’s an intriguing gaming scenario!

In terms of solving a murder mystery, Bad Monkey isn’t particularly engaging, as the case itself lacks intrigue and even the victim’s daughter appears indifferent about his disappearance. However, if you’re looking for a relaxing spot to unwind, Bad Monkey is definitely worth considering. Vaughn’s witty dialogues are sure to amuse you, and there’s just something undeniably captivating about the unique quirkiness that Florida is famous for.

The first two episodes of Bad Monkey are available to stream on Apple TV+.

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2024-08-14 10:49