Since you brought up shows about parallel worlds, I am going to use this as an excuse to talk about Fringe, which my family is in the middle of rewatching (well, first time for our kid). We are now thoroughly into season 3, and I think it's probably my favorite season of any science fiction show ever. The parallel world stuff is done just right, and Anna Torv is giving an amazing, nuanced performance as two different versions of the same person. I hope people rediscover it!
Agree with folks who like the show for its atmosphere. Not sure it properly reflects Keys, but lives up to the Keys of my imagination. That said, I more enjoy just hanging out with the folks. What brought me back to Maverick or Rockford or Justified were not the plots or the season long arcs, but the chance to hang out each week with Bret/Bart/Beau, Jim and Rocky and Raylen, Boyd Art Tim and Rachel (in each case et al.). If you need to burn 10 hours then how about 4 or 5 100 minute episode seasons (50 minute 2-parters?) like many of the British shows - Vera, Endeavour, Lewis, Van Der Walk etc.(or Columbo for that matter). I've always thought shows like NCIS, various Law and Orders, and other procedurals last so long because of keeping up with the regular characters rather than the mystery of the week.
Bad Monkey did not work for me. I made it through part of the second episode before bailing. The jokes didn’t land and the plot was not absorbing. Unfortunately, it’s what I’ve come to expect from post-Scrubs era Bill Lawrence shows.
I haven’t read or watched Bad Monkey but the review flashed me back to Maximum Bob. Perhaps the show would have worked better using the novel as a springboard for a more episodic series set in that world, even for a limited run, instead of stretching its plot through the whole season? Not that such an approach carried Maximum Bob past ten episodes, mind you; also, neither Keen Eddie nor Karen Sisco appear to be streaming, and Reelgood hasn’t even heard of Maximum Bob…
I don't think its quite an expectations thing, but I do appreciate a TV series that doesn't feel like homework. I love a great show like anyone else, but sometimes, I just want to watch something light and enjoyable without having to fully engage. Sounds like I'll give Bad Monkey a try.
Thank you to Alan and the comments, you've convinced me I should stop dallying and give Bad Monkey a try.
Alan, I hope you're devoting a chapter or part of a chapter or a lengthy page to how f'ing cool Rod Serling was, just in his presentation alone. As a Gen X kid watching Twilight Zone reruns on TV, that hair, the well-worn stylish suit, that incredible delivery, his cocked eyebrow and sometimes that cigarette, he was a primary archetype of cool for that time period in my mind. Later I could see him in Don Draper, so I wonder if Hamm used him as an inspiration? Looking forward to your book.
I did a big Carl Hiaasen re-read earlier this summer, after reading (well, listening on audiobook) to most of his books years ago. They hold up! Skin Tight, Skinny Dip, and Basket Case really held my interest, Nature Girl and Sick Puppy weren't my favorites but still fun. Hiaasen is really enjoyable, and I am really looking forward to this adaptation!
A little late and I haven’t watched this show, but I wanted to jump in and acknowledge your “Cabin Boy” reference in the headline. Nice.
Since you brought up shows about parallel worlds, I am going to use this as an excuse to talk about Fringe, which my family is in the middle of rewatching (well, first time for our kid). We are now thoroughly into season 3, and I think it's probably my favorite season of any science fiction show ever. The parallel world stuff is done just right, and Anna Torv is giving an amazing, nuanced performance as two different versions of the same person. I hope people rediscover it!
Fringe is absolutely an underrated gem!
Very much enjoying Bad Monkey so far. Maybe it's the Florida setting but I get a lot of Dave Barry vibes. Vaughn is great in the role.
Really enjoyed Confess, Fletch. Hamm was great. Slightly less snarky as Chevy Chase, but more competent seeming.
And more like the Fletch of the novels. The Chevy Chase versions were too goofy. Loved the Jon Hamm version.
Really digging the vibe of the show. Been waiting for Vince to get back to this type of comedy/performance. Fletch vibes for sure. Awesome.
yeah it made me feel like i was watching a mixture of Fletch and Mad Dogs so i am all in
Agree with folks who like the show for its atmosphere. Not sure it properly reflects Keys, but lives up to the Keys of my imagination. That said, I more enjoy just hanging out with the folks. What brought me back to Maverick or Rockford or Justified were not the plots or the season long arcs, but the chance to hang out each week with Bret/Bart/Beau, Jim and Rocky and Raylen, Boyd Art Tim and Rachel (in each case et al.). If you need to burn 10 hours then how about 4 or 5 100 minute episode seasons (50 minute 2-parters?) like many of the British shows - Vera, Endeavour, Lewis, Van Der Walk etc.(or Columbo for that matter). I've always thought shows like NCIS, various Law and Orders, and other procedurals last so long because of keeping up with the regular characters rather than the mystery of the week.
Bad Monkey did not work for me. I made it through part of the second episode before bailing. The jokes didn’t land and the plot was not absorbing. Unfortunately, it’s what I’ve come to expect from post-Scrubs era Bill Lawrence shows.
I haven’t read or watched Bad Monkey but the review flashed me back to Maximum Bob. Perhaps the show would have worked better using the novel as a springboard for a more episodic series set in that world, even for a limited run, instead of stretching its plot through the whole season? Not that such an approach carried Maximum Bob past ten episodes, mind you; also, neither Keen Eddie nor Karen Sisco appear to be streaming, and Reelgood hasn’t even heard of Maximum Bob…
I don't think its quite an expectations thing, but I do appreciate a TV series that doesn't feel like homework. I love a great show like anyone else, but sometimes, I just want to watch something light and enjoyable without having to fully engage. Sounds like I'll give Bad Monkey a try.
Thank you to Alan and the comments, you've convinced me I should stop dallying and give Bad Monkey a try.
Alan, I hope you're devoting a chapter or part of a chapter or a lengthy page to how f'ing cool Rod Serling was, just in his presentation alone. As a Gen X kid watching Twilight Zone reruns on TV, that hair, the well-worn stylish suit, that incredible delivery, his cocked eyebrow and sometimes that cigarette, he was a primary archetype of cool for that time period in my mind. Later I could see him in Don Draper, so I wonder if Hamm used him as an inspiration? Looking forward to your book.
I did a big Carl Hiaasen re-read earlier this summer, after reading (well, listening on audiobook) to most of his books years ago. They hold up! Skin Tight, Skinny Dip, and Basket Case really held my interest, Nature Girl and Sick Puppy weren't my favorites but still fun. Hiaasen is really enjoyable, and I am really looking forward to this adaptation!