As a longtime fan of Bill Lawrence‘s work, I find myself continually amazed by his ability to create such diverse and captivating comedies. From the golden days of “Spin City” and “Scrubs” to the modern masterpieces like “Ted Lasso,” “Shrinking,” and now “Bad Monkey,” Lawrence has consistently shown an uncanny knack for pushing boundaries and taking risks that other networks or platforms might shy away from.
When considering Apple TV+’s standout shows, it’s Bill Lawrence, a well-known producer, who contributes two notable titles – “Ted Lasso” and “Shrinking”. Now, he’s working on another humorous series for the streamer titled “Bad Monkey”. I was curious to learn more about these shows, especially given their differences from his past successes like “Spin City” and “Scrubs”. To my surprise, he explained why it wouldn’t have been possible to create these shows in the past.
During a TopMob interview about the upcoming premiere of “Bad Monkey” in 2024, I queried Lawrence about lessons learned from working on “Ted Lasso” and “Shriking” that he applied to his latest project. He acknowledged that the shows were distinct, making creative comparisons challenging. Nevertheless, he elaborated on how all these comedies take significant risks, particularly when contrasted with conventional sitcoms. The showrunner initiated his response by referring back to “Spin City”.
As someone who has been in this industry for quite a while now, I must say that the opportunities and experiences we have today are truly astounding. Compared to my days working on Spin City, where I was just another face in the crowd, it’s mind-blowing to be part of projects that involve big names like Michael J. Fox and the mayor’s office. The evolution of my career has been nothing short of amazing, and I am grateful for every step of this journey.
In the realm of timeless sitcoms, both “Spin City” and “Scrubs” showcase Lawrence’s exceptional talent as a creator, similar to how “Shrinking,” “Ted Lasso,” and “Bad Monkey” do as well.
Nonetheless, during the late ’90s and early ’00s, a project like “Shrinking” might not have been approved. The producer went on to describe it in much the same manner as he had explained “Spin City”, highlighting its key aspects.
If I had walked in and said something like, “I’m considering a comedy where the main character is a young father whose wife tragically passed away. He then starts associating with sex workers, abusing substances, and neglecting his 17-year-old son. What are your thoughts?” I can imagine them responding quickly, “Thanks, but no thanks!” or simply saying goodbye.
As someone who has spent years immersed in the world of television, I can confidently say that the unique blend of humor and introspection found in “Shrinking” is a breath of fresh air. Coming from someone who has seen countless series come and go, I have to admit that I was initially skeptical about a comedy centered around therapists, especially one that starts with one going rogue following the death of his wife. However, having followed the show since its debut on Apple TV+, I can attest that it’s not only hilarious but also deeply moving in its exploration of grief.
Regarding his upcoming Apple TV+ project, “Bad Monkey”, showrunner Bill Lawrence has expressed a similar sentiment. This series is an adaptation from Carl Hiaasen’s novel, and Lawrence characterized it as a Florida-set whodunnit that veers towards satire and even the absurd. Balancing the tonal aspects might be challenging, as it doesn’t neatly fit into a single genre category, as he clarified.
Essentially, Apple is renowned for providing opportunities to experiment with storytelling, much like Bad Monkey, a series not typically found in today’s lineup, yet reminiscent of summer blockbusters. In fact, it’s a nostalgic throwback. Carl Hiaasen’s work, being satirical and bordering on the surreal, requires authenticity as it’s inspired by real characters he studied in Florida.
In essence, Bill Lawrence emphasized during our chat that Apple TV+ offers him the freedom to explore creative realms and develop distinct shows. He’s managed to produce a sports comedy, a therapy and grief-themed comedy, and now a humorous murder mystery featuring Vince Vaughn. Not many platforms would grant him such creative liberties, which is why he shared with me that this is one of the reasons he appreciates Apple TV+.
It seems to me that Apple has been quite encouraging as I venture into some unconventional paths. To put it simply, when discussing the success of Jason Sudeikis and his show Ted Lasso, I’ve always made it clear that Apple is the only one who bought the series, let alone showed any interest in our pitch.
→ To watch Ted Lasso, Shrinking and Bad Monkey, all you need is an Apple TV+ subscription.
→ You can stream Scrubs with a Hulu subscription, Peacock plan or Disney+ subscription.
→ If you want to throw it back to Spin City, you just need an Amazon Prime subscription.
Reflecting on things now, it’s hard to believe that Ted Lasso didn’t appeal to anyone initially. Yet, in the past, a sincere and uplifting narrative about an American football coach transitioning to manage a soccer team in England seemed unpopular except for Apple.
Absolutely, numerous networks and digital platforms have ventured into seemingly unusual directions that turned out to be highly successful. For instance, Michael Schur transitioned from creating workplace mockumentaries such as “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” to the thought-provoking comedy series “The Good Place” on NBC. This shift is not common, but it’s worth noting that streaming platforms often have fewer limitations, allowing for more creative freedom.
In essence, Bill Lawrence shared with me that Apple TV+ provides him an avenue to create unique and offbeat series, and this approach has yielded positive results. Shows like Ted Lasso and Shrinking are testament to its success, and we’re eagerly awaiting the premiere of Bad Monkey on August 14 to see if he continues this winning streak!
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2024-08-14 06:37