Screen Queen TV Reviews: Bad Monkey, Guy Mont Spelling Bee, Thank God You’re Here and Emily In Paris

Bad Monkey

Wednesday, streaming on Apple TV Plus

I’ve always been a sucker for anything set in steamy, subtropical surrounds. Give me a bayou, some mangroves, maybe a croc or two or a cane field and I’m there.

There’s something about the saturated light, the incessant chirp of cicadas, and the claustrophobic dank of muddy swampland with its menacing promise of what lurks beneath that lends particularly well to the telling of a ripping crime yarn.

And there have been plenty told: Dexter, True Blood, Bloodline, the first season of True Detective, and more recently Australia’s own Black Snow and Troppo — all great in their own way, all quietly menacing, most with the appearance of a croc or two (winning!).

This latest series from the executive producers of Ted Lasso, Shrinking and Scrubs, and based on the book by Carl Hiaasen, might just turn out to be my new favourite.

It stars Vince Vaughn (remember him?) as ex-police detective Andrew Yancy, a man who’s been dishonourably discharged from the Miami police department, but who finds himself slap-bang in the middle of a thickening mystery when a man’s severed arm ends up in his orbit.

His ex-police colleagues want it to disappear (thankfully there’s a hungry croc lurking nearby who’s up to the task), but Yancy can’t leave things alone. Before long he’s knee-deep in an unfolding investigation that stretches all the way from the Florida Keys to The Bahamas.

Joining Vaughn is a superb cast, including Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rob Delaney — and is that Zach Braff we spy? — all of whom pop up as quirky supporting characters.

There’s also the eponymously named Bad Monkey, played by a particularly hilarious animal actor — the trailer shows him stealing pretty much every scene he’s in.

This looks like it has it all — and we can’t wait.

Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee

Wednesday, 8.30pm, ABC

Check my Google search history and you’ll find it’s mostly me typing “how do I spell . . .” over and over again — I’m not much chop.

Turns out comedians aren’t very good at spelling either, and it’s hilarious to watch them go head-to-head in this new quiz show format from NZ comedian Guy Montgomery.

It’s most certainly not your average spelling bee, tailor-made for Wednesday nights on the ABC with all its quirky offbeat humour (Aaron Chen co-hosts), hilarious banter and madcap silliness. It’s also tremendously educational, especially if your spelling skills leave a lot to be dezired, desed, desererd . . . Ah, you get it.

Just watch this, OK?

Secret Lives Of Our Urban Birds: Perth

Tuesday, 8.30pm, ABC

I’m firmly ensconced in my bird-watching era. It’s like I passed the age of 45 and suddenly discovered a latent passion for twitching — weird. Needless to say, I’m entirely here for this delightful one-off program, which takes a look at our most beguiling feathered neighbours. Bird fanciers: assemble.

Thank God You’re Here

Wednesday, 7.30pm, Ten

Celia Pacquola is back helming this comedy fave, which sees established and emerging Aussie comedians pass through its famous door for a bit of improv Russian roulette. Still heaps of fun.

Emily In Paris, S4, Part 1

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is not a good show. I’m not even sure why I watch such merde. And yet four series in and I’m just as obsessed with Emily and her ridiculous life. Inhaling this.