Jason Segel gets brutally honest in new Apple TV+ show ‘Shrinking’
Co-creator and Co-writer Bill Lawrence, Actors Christa Miller and Harrison Ford and co-creator and actor Jason Segel during the premiere of “Shrinking.”
February 6, 2023
The first two episodes of the new comedy series “Shrinking” premiered on Apple TV+ on Jan. 27.
Created by Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs,” “Cougar Town” and “Ted Lasso”), Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”) and Jason Segel (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Get Him to the Greek”), “Shrinking” follows Jimmy (Segel) as he attempts to continue his career as a cognitive behavioral therapist while still grieving the death of his wife and trying to repair his relationship with his teenage daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell).
The true catalyst for this show, however, is Jimmy’s decision in the first episode to take a new approach with his clients. He decides that instead of sitting back and passively listening to their problems, he needs to be brutally honest with them and take a more proactive stance. This change leads to hilarious and emotional moments in the first two episodes.
For example, after having spent months listening to one of his clients talk about her emotionally abusive husband, Jimmy finally breaks down and tells her she needs to leave him immediately. She agrees, and of course there are entertaining consequences for Jimmy.
“Shrinking” features a stellar supporting cast including Harrison Ford as Jimmy’s mentor and colleague, his other colleague Gabby (Jessica Williams), as well as Christa Miller (“Scrubs,” “Cougar Town”) who stands out as Jimmy’s neighbor and a new maternal figure for his daughter.
I found the first two episodes to be thoroughly enjoyable. The distinct comedic styles of writers Bill Lawrence and Jason Segel have combined effectively to create a show that’ll make you laugh, cry and everything in between.
I think if the writers flesh these characters out more and take full advantage of the show’s captivating premise, “Shrinking” has the potential to be one of the best shows to premiere this year. It’s difficult to judge a show based solely on its very first episodes, but it’s safe to say this particular show is off to a fantastic start and I look forward to seeing how it progresses over the course of the season.
“Shrinking” is now streaming on Apple TV+.
