Carl Hiaasen, known for his grumpy yet passionate stance, has been a strong critic of the wild unchecked growth in his beloved Florida for ages. With over 30 books under his belt, his sharp humor has kept readers entertained and informed for years.
One of his funniest books, Bad Monkey (2013), is now a series on Apple TV+. In an interview with CBS, Hiaasen opened up about how it felt to see his story come to life, sharing a bit about the surreal experience and his lasting bond with the place that inspired it.
Shot in the Florida Keys, Bad Monkey captures what Carl Hiaasen is all about - his deep appreciation for Florida's stunning nature and frustration over how it’s being ruined.
What Carl Hiaasen book is Bad Monkey based on?
Bad Monkey has Hiaasen’s witty and satirical vibe. The story revolves around Andrew Yancy, a police detective who gets knocked down to being a restaurant inspector, and ends up discovering a severed arm in a tourist's fishing gear.
This novel is a classic Hiaasen read, mixing crime, humor, and a love for the environment. It depicts his frustration with how Florida’s beautiful nature is getting paved over, a theme he touches upon in his books.
Yancy’s life in the story mirrors Hiaasen’s journey since he grew up watching Florida change from a stunning paradise to a concrete mess. Hiaasen said that the whole adaptation thing felt a bit surreal, especially with 105 people running around on set.
What kept everything grounded was the nature around them, both in the book and the actual location while shooting, which ties it all back to the heart of his message.
"You have to care about a place to write about it," he said.
For Carl Hiaasen, Florida isn’t just a setting; it’s what gives life to his writing.
Where was Bad Monkey filmed?
Hiaasen said the Keys were the ideal backdrop for his stories because they highlight the mix of Florida's stunning beauty and its wild, absurd reality.
Carl Hiaasen looked back on his childhood in Florida with a lot of affection, remembering it as a time when the state was still mostly untouched.
"Everywhere I went as a kid, hunting and fishing and catching critters, it’s all paved over now. I was pissed off then, and I’m still pissed," he said.
That feeling of loss drives a lot of Carl Hiaasen’s writing, as is evident in Bad Monkey. While filming, the crew ran into classic Florida-style hiccups, like dealing with the little Key deer who loved to snatch their snacks. These unexpected visitors highlighted the fun and unpredictable vibe of life in the Sunshine State.
Is Bad Monkey available on Apple TV?
Yes, Bad Monkey is streaming on Apple TV+. It is produced by Bill Lawrence, the man behind Ted Lasso. The show blends humor, some wacky moments, and delivers an environmental message.
Lawrence has always loved Hiaasen’s work, hence he was all in when it came to bringing Bad Monkey to the screen.
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This series is Hiaasen's first TV adaptation, especially after two movies based on his books, Striptease and Hoot, didn't do well at the box office.
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