Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence Team Up in ‘Bad Monkey’

In the early 1990s, Vince Vaughn and Bill Lawrence were eager 20-somethings trying to break into show business. They met at a regular poker game hosted by a mutual friend in Los Angeles. Vaughn had not yet made his big debut in “Swingers,” where he famously told Jon Favreau, “You’re so money and you don’t even know it.” Lawrence was also on the cusp of creating the ABC sitcom “Spin City,” starring Michael J. Fox as New York’s witty deputy mayor.

“Some nights, I had to decide if I was going to Subway or if it was going to be noodles in a cup,” Vaughn recalled.

Lawrence, whose new series “Bad Monkey” premieres Wednesday on Apple TV+, and Vaughn, who stars in the series as a well-meaning but bungling police detective, quickly realized they had more than just financial struggles in common. Both had a knack for words, a talent for spinning verbal riffs. In a joint interview, Lawrence remembered one instance when he got up to pay the pizza delivery man, only to hear Vaughn’s voice: “Hey, Bill, does he have a sparkle in his eye? Ask him if he likes musical theater.”

That line is funny now because we can hear it in Vaughn’s recognizable voice, famous from comedies like “Wedding Crashers,” “Old School,” and “Dodgeball.” But back then, it was just a couple of poker buddies goofing around. A few years later, when Lawrence saw Vaughn as the fast-talking Trent in “Swingers,” he felt a thrill of recognition.

“It made me so happy, not just that I had witnessed Vince before, but also because I saw that’s what entertainment could be,” Lawrence said. “You could have a joke with your friends, and it could actually become part of your art.”

Over the years, they crossed paths as both rose to fame. Vaughn became a bankable comedy star and also dabbled in drama with “Brawl in Cell Block 99” and “True Detective.” Lawrence created TV series like “Scrubs” and “Ted Lasso,” showcasing a similar knack for witty banter. Despite this, they never worked together—until “Bad Monkey” brought them together.

Interviewing Lawrence and Vaughn feels more like a conversation. They exchange questions, discuss the risks they took, the jobs they held before making it big (Lawrence painted houses, Vaughn was a telemarketer), and their admiration for Carl Hiaasen, the author of the book on which “Bad Monkey” is based. Vaughn even shared a funny story about how Garth Brooks unknowingly bought dinner for their poker group.

In “Bad Monkey,” Vaughn plays Andrew Yancy, a former Florida Keys police detective turned health inspector after being suspended. When a tourist catches a human arm with its middle finger extended, Yancy suspects foul play involving a ruthless moneygrubber who claims it belonged to her late husband. The story also takes us to the Bahamas, where a local named Neville tries to hold onto his simple life amidst a shady real estate grab.

Yancy manages to find time for romance as well, with Miami medical examiner Rosa and an unhappily married woman, Bonnie. Lawrence remembered early casting conversations with Hiaasen about Yancy, noting that a successful portrayal needed to balance danger and charm. Vaughn fit the bill perfectly.

“He should be imposing and a little dangerous,” Lawrence said, “and he should be somebody that makes bad decisions. He’s acerbic, edgy, and sarcastic, but the show doesn’t work unless you root for him.”

Vaughn, a fan of Hiaasen’s work, was eager to join, especially to finally work with Lawrence.

“Here’s the answer key for television writers,” Lawrence advised. “Write a show where you can hear the lead actor’s voice in your head, not only because of his past work but because you’ve shared moments with him.”

For those unfamiliar with Hiaasen’s novels, imagine a tropical Elmore Leonard. The novels are filled with crime amidst paradise, often committed by unscrupulous characters. The heroes, including Yancy, shine through their engaging dialogue, making Vaughn a perfect fit for the role.

Lawrence and his team had rich material from Hiaasen’s novel to work with and a talented improviser in Vaughn. Vaughn often added fun takes that made it into the show, allowing even more brilliance from the cast.

“There’s a willingness with which he sets up others,” Lawrence noted about Vaughn. “Vince adds material and moments that people later credit to the writers, even though it’s really him.”

Even as “Bad Monkey” leverages the strengths of Lawrence and Vaughn, it allows them to explore new creative avenues. Lawrence is known for half-hour comedies, and Vaughn for frat pack movie comedies. Both wanted to break out of these molds.

“The business out here is built to go, ‘Oh, that’s what you do. You should do that thing forever,’” Lawrence said.

Vaughn agreed, adding, “You want to ride different rides at the amusement park. It’s fun to try to do different things and make an effort to do that.”

Recalling their old poker games, Lawrence and Vaughn remembered how the night’s losers always pushed for one more round while the winners played it safe.

“The guy down $300 wanted to keep going,” Vaughn said. “But whoever was winning would just be counting their chips, while everyone else clamored for more action.”

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

Source: Los Angeles Times