Bill Lawrence Admits He Teased a ‘Scrubs’ Reunion So You’d Stop Asking About ‘Ted Lasso.’ But Now, It Might Actually Happen

As a fan of Jason Segel’s work, I find his humility and down-to-earth nature quite endearing. His portrayal of a ‘man of the people’ author navigating through the elite world of academia in this new project sounds intriguing. It will be fascinating to watch him struggle as a fish out of water, much like Ted Lasso did on the soccer field.

Financially speaking, it wouldn’t be ideal for Bill Lawrence, the creator of shows like “Scrubs,” “Ted Lasso,” “Cougar Town,” and “Shrinking,” to film his latest Apple TV+ series “Bad Monkey” in Florida.

As a passionate cinephile, I must admit that shooting the movie under such conditions was no walk in the park. There was no financial relief, making it instantly more costly. The regulations regarding wildlife and our actions were stringent, adding another layer of complexity. It felt like there was a monsoon every 20 minutes, forcing us to halt production frequently. Wildlife roamed freely, presenting unique challenges. However, for Carl, it was worth every hurdle.

“Carl” refers to Carl Hiaasen, Lawrence’s beloved author and renowned Miami-based novelist whose work includes the 2013 book “Bad Monkey.” Before agreeing to the television adaptation of this series, Hiaasen insisted on one crucial condition: The filming must take place in Florida.

Lawrence reflects on the difficulties faced during the production, stating, “Initially, I found it hard to see any value in it, as it was such a challenging experience. Yet, upon reflection, I’ve come to be truly grateful for these trials.” He explains that the obstacles they encountered were integrated into the show’s design. For instance, the red lighting used in the production was not a choice, but a requirement due to turtle hatching seasons on certain beaches, giving the show a noirish aesthetic. Furthermore, when deer and birds interrupted takes, instead of reshooting, they decided to film these interruptions and use them as transitions within the series. In hindsight, Lawrence acknowledges that the hardships were worth enduring, though he admits it was a rough journey.

“The series ‘Bad Monkey,’ debuting on Apple TV+ this Wednesday, features Vince Vaughn as a former Miami cop turned Florida Keys health inspector, yearning to return to active duty. His life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a severed human arm, leading him to hope that this unsolved case might be the key to regaining his badge. Interestingly, a real monkey also finds itself entangled in this intriguing narrative. As with all Hiaasen stories, the eccentricities of Florida and its peculiar inhabitants play significant roles in the plot.”

Lawrence expresses a complex affection-disdain for Florida. His loved ones, including his parents who reside in Orlando, originate from there, which initially sparked his fascination with Hiaasen’s books.

Lawrence mentions that he began reading Carl Hiaasen’s books when he was fifteen years old. He is highly regarded by many, and has significantly influenced Lawrence. There’s a clear connection between Hiaasen’s unique brand of surreal satire and the absurd scenarios found in ‘Scrubs,’ which often involve far-fetched situations and outlandish fantasies.

Over the course of seven years, Lawrence developed a deep-seated passion for transforming “Bad Monkey” into a television series, and he penned the initial script during that time. For almost a decade afterwards, he tirelessly pursued bringing his vision to life.

In reality, Lawrence’s initial gathering with Jason Sudeikis took place some time ago, primarily discussing “Bad Monkey”. However, it was later when Sudeikis proposed “Ted Lasso” that they embarked upon that particular journey together.

Despite “Bad Monkey” initially taking a backseat for Lawrence, it eventually became his main focus. Interestingly, the success of “Ted Lasso” provided Lawrence with the professional push needed to bring this project to life. However, as Hollywood expressed interest in the story, Lawrence understood that Carl Hiaasen, who had been disappointed by past adaptations of his works (including a Mike Nichols production featuring Harrison Ford, now coincidentally starring in Lawrence’s “Shrinking”), was reluctant to embrace it wholeheartedly.

“Lawrence remarks that he has a considerable, well-founded skepticism towards Hollywood. This isn’t surprising, given his not-so-favorable past experiences there. After all, he’s already an accomplished author and environmental activist, having been a journalist for the Miami Herald until recently. When I managed to persuade him to allow me to write several chapters within his book, it felt incredibly surreal. Now he’s my friend, but think about approaching your favorite writer and saying, ‘I admire this book so much that I’d like you to let me insert six or seven chapters of my own in the middle of it.’ That’s quite a leap!”

The successful transformation of Hiaasen’s contemporary works akin to Elmore Leonard’s into shows like “Justified” has contributed to a more favorable viewpoint. Moreover, Lawrence shares that Hiaasen was already a fan of “Scrubs” and “Ted Lasso” prior to their encounter, which undoubtedly played a part in gaining the author’s approval. To maintain respect, Lawrence made it a point to inform Hiaasen about any significant alterations he planned for the original narrative before implementing them.

As a film enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “In the worst-case scenario, he might ask, ‘why?’ and I’d clarify my thoughts. Ideally, though, he’d offer alternative ideas, sparking a creative conversation. Truth be told, it’s been ages since I felt anxious about television work. Yet, I didn’t want to disappoint Carl.”

The importance of Hiaasen to him, as expressed by Lawrence, is significant. He shares that the upcoming project he and fellow executive producer Matt Tarses are developing – a 10-episode HBO comedy featuring Steve Carell – is likewise influenced by this author.

“Steve’s character shares similarities with Carl Hiaasen, according to the statement. Matt and I had the opportunity to meet Carl, who possesses an understated and self-mocking personality, and doesn’t see himself in the same light as we do – as a literary genius. However, Steve portrays a character who is a ‘man of the people’ author. This individual unexpectedly finds himself immersed in the elitist world of an Ivy League college where his daughter teaches. We follow him as he struggles to adapt, like a fish out of water, within this unfamiliar environment.”

Lawrence has been balancing his time between several projects and also the second season of “Shrinking,” the Apple TV+ series that he co-manages with Brett Goldstein. After a lengthy break due to the Hollywood strikes, “Shrinking” returns on October 16th. This year, you’ll see Goldstein in front of the camera. Lawrence hints that while Goldstein’s presence won’t be frequent, his character will be evident from the very first episode. They won’t reveal any spoilers, but they promise it’s quite intriguing.

Similar to how Ted Lasso was envisioned as a three-season series, Lawrence also views Shrinking as a story that unfolds over three seasons. He explains that the first season focuses on grief, the second on forgiveness, and the third on moving forward. When discussing this with actors, he emphasizes the need for at least three seasons to fully tell this particular story. Therefore, it’s planned that Shrinking will conclude in three seasons. However, if Apple is interested in exploring more aspects of the story, and the main players are open to continuing, Lawrence would be more than willing to delve deeper into the narrative.

As a movie enthusiast, when it comes to “Ted Lasso,” there’s been no new developments. Here’s what I find fascinating: discussing the potential future of “Ted Lasso” momentarily distracts from the ongoing speculation about a possible “Scrubs” reboot. However, I must confess that my recent remarks about possibly working on “Scrubs” in the next six months were unintentional; I simply wanted to shift focus away from the ongoing “Ted Lasso” discussions.

After reviving discussions about “Scrubs”, Lawrence feels there’s genuine potential for a comeback. However, there are several challenges ahead – such as the fact that “Scrubs” is a Disney production and Lawrence has a contract with Warner Bros. TV, or that the cast members are currently occupied with numerous projects.

“Lawrence finds it amazing that the love for ‘Scrubs’ has remarkably persisted, and he is thankful for this enduring enthusiasm. Perhaps it’s due to Zach Braff and Donald Faison being close friends off-screen and their podcast, as well as those T-Mobile ads. The fact that none of them require this success might be the main obstacle – everyone is already so accomplished, talented, and likable.”

I’m always delighted by Lawrence’s knack for reuniting talent from his past projects. This time, it’s Zach Braff who’s joining the crew, both as a director – earning an Emmy nod for “Ted Lasso” – and as an actor with a guest role on “Bad Monkey”. He portrays a unique doctor in this series.

“Lawrence explains that he asked him to go to Florida as he wanted to spend time with him,” Lawrence says. “He was given another opportunity to play a doctor, but it’s not the same. He’s quite humorous, yet there’s an undercurrent of sadness. I can’t help but feel proud of him.”

It seems there’s a possibility of a “Scrubs” revival in the future, with him expressing optimism. He finds the idea appealing not only for the chance to reunite with his co-stars, but also for the creative opportunities. He doesn’t want to simply repeat past work, and he’s intrigued by exploring the characters as they age and observing how contemporary medical professionals compare to their younger counterparts, emphasizing the heroic nature of the profession despite not being pursued primarily for wealth.

2024-08-14 21:18

Bill Lawrence Admits He Teased a ‘Scrubs’ Reunion So You’d Stop Asking About ‘Ted Lasso.’ But Now, It Might Actually Happen

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