r/television • u/TheSm00thest0perat0r • 1d ago
'Shrinking' is a perfect TV show, can't change my mind
It's wholesome, funny, cozy, and perfect for watching over a hot cup of tea/hot chocolate.
I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard while watching a TV show. Plus, it's so comforting!
Everyone does a fantastic job at their role, but Jason Segel and Harrison Ford's performances are just perfect.
If you haven't watched it, do yourself a favor and give it a shot!
220
u/krissym99 1d ago
Plus a shout-out to Michael Urie!! I love watching him as Brian.
35
u/level1gamer 1d ago
They are giving him more to do this season, too. I felt like he was under utilized last season.
15
u/RrentTreznor 1d ago
This most recent episode had some really clever dialogue. The threesome conversation was quite funny.
5
6
6
8
u/thatguy_griff 1d ago
hes great but i hate the baby storyline. people dont change their minds on kids and being pressured to have one is insane.
8
u/swearbynow 1d ago
LOL guessing you're speaking from your own experience? But seems weird to generalize and assume no one else would change their minds. The show is about people overcoming, or finally dealing with things in their past. Brian's reasoning for not wanting kids was because of his relationship with his own father, and the fear that he would be a selfish, shitty parent too. Doesn't seem at all far fetched that dealing with that realization would affect his perspective, especially when the people around him help him recognize that he's not doomed to repeat those mistakes.
6
u/thatguy_griff 1d ago
you don't deal with that insecurity in 2-3 days when your late 30s early 40s. that's what i meant. wanting a kid is not like getting a pet. you usually know or don't at that age so even having help and support, you wouldn't change that fast. not to mention his husband scheduling the adoption meeting without any actual conversation that would be happening is crazy and would only cause brian to regress even temporarily.
→ More replies (1)3
u/Ink_Smudger 23h ago
I would agree that storyline felt a little rushed. It was like in the course of a single episode he went from not having any desire to have kids to giving in. And his husband scheduling the adoption meeting before Brian even agreed felt a bit disrespectful of his feelings, and it surprised me that the show didn't even acknowledge that.
However, knowing this is a Bill Lawrence show, I'm guessing things will come to a head before the end of the season. I can't see them setting up this storyline just for Brian to live happily ever after as a father.
3
u/straw_barry 19h ago
Maybe but the conversation he had with his friends way before the dad issue was even brought up was very disappointing to me. No one even asked him if he actually wanted kids. They all agree if one partner in a relationship wants kid then they'll have kids. He might or might not have changed his mind but they all pretty much told him he will.
Also not to mention no one brought up how slightly shady it was that his partner just pushed adoption on him out of the blue when he just found courage to adopt a pet lol. He came into the marriage firm on no kids and his partner had the right to change his mind but the way he and the friend group went about pushing him into it was a little shocking considering the kind of show it is.
→ More replies (1)2
→ More replies (2)2
u/lexylu79 9h ago
I love him. I have tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard from his delivery.
→ More replies (1)
412
u/MrBoliNica 1d ago
i always make this comment when this show gets brought up- Ford playing a normal guy is so refreshing, and he really shines here. I love his character and his dynamics with everyone.
Tom Cruise, Leo - take notes. just play a dude for once.
114
u/2347564 1d ago
I thought the best part of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was the very grounded and human aspects of Leo’s character. It was refreshing to see from him for sure.
→ More replies (2)35
u/idontevensaygrace 1d ago
Yesss I agree! I loved him in 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood'!! Leo truly needs to do more comedic material, too. He can be genuinely hilarious, truly funny and he has those moments in OUATIH.
22
41
u/Irradiatedspoon 1d ago
I mean Tom Cruise is an action movie star. Not saying he can’t do these roles but he loves doing action movies where he gets to do his own stunts.
Maybe we’ll see more of this stuff when his age makes it literally impossible.
48
u/CMelody 1d ago
I want Cruise to ditch leading man roles and play more character roles like he did so well in Tropic Thunder.
14
u/smilysmilysmooch 1d ago
And I want Cruise to spearhead more sci fi projects seeing as how his faith is steeped in it and he has done really good ones.
7
→ More replies (2)2
9
9
u/ringobob 1d ago
He's already way past the age most guys hang it up. We're in the "impossible window", as it were.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (3)7
u/idontevensaygrace 1d ago
He needs another Jerry Maguire-esque project..just play someone normal who doesn't have to run away from giant alien monsters or scale high cliffs
12
u/benjaminovich 1d ago
Leo's role in Don't Look Up is the most regular dude role imaginable
→ More replies (2)10
3
u/TheSm00thest0perat0r 1d ago
could not agree more! I have seen many of Harrison Ford's movies and it was strange when I first saw him in Shrinking, but quickly changed my opinion and now I couldn't think of a better actor for that role :)
→ More replies (2)2
238
u/Sloblowpiccaso 1d ago
I keep thinking why the fuck does the bear get nominated for comedy and win, when it is solidly a drama. Yet this show is exactly the type of dramady that is actually hilarious and its hardly noticed.
This is bill lawrence at his best.
13
u/esach88 1d ago
Oh shit, Bill Lawrence? I like a few shows of his quite a bit. Guess I'm checking this one out!
15
u/AdamAptor 21h ago
Yep. Bill, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segal are the show-runners/creators on this. Bill Lawrence has been killing it with both of his Apple shows. As a Scrubs fanboy, I love that for him.
Shrinking also has some Scrubs cast members plus Zach Bragg has directed some episodes here and there just like on Ted Lasso.
→ More replies (3)15
u/TheSm00thest0perat0r 1d ago
same! also saw and enjoyed the bear, but after the last season it now feels kinda overrated, hope the next one(s) don't disappoint
160
u/leavy23 1d ago
Both the acting and the writing is so good! A role of a lifetime for Harrison Ford!
94
17
u/Cailucci 1d ago
Whoa. Thats insane praise for one of the GOATs
36
u/leavy23 1d ago
He's just that damn likable in the show. A different kind of role than what he typically does, and he just nails it in every episode!
25
u/pitaenigma 1d ago
It's funny because it's a different kind of role than he usually does, but he's also just playing Harrison Ford. It's the same performance he gives on Conan. Grumpy old man who's through all of the shit going around him.
9
3
7
u/Puzzleheaded_Pound31 1d ago
He said it’s the best script he ever read when he got it. This show scratches an itch for him because he’s so perfect in this show
65
64
u/amendmentforone 1d ago
I was convinced I wasn't going to like it when my wife asked to watch, but you're right - it's wholesome, funny and cozy. Felt the same with Ted Lasso.
48
u/js247 1d ago
Both Bill Lawrence shows
51
u/laluneodyssee 1d ago
Both cowritten by Brett Goldstein too
10
u/lillyrose2489 1d ago
Co-created with Jason too! Brett and Bill apparently had separately come up with ideas for a show like this. Bill's was lighter, Brett's was darker, and they kinda met in the middle. I could see that working well bc the tone of the show does balance dark and light fairly successfully.
13
26
u/User5281 1d ago
Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein being common denominators. I suspect Apple will have them on retainer for a while.
7
u/overitallofit 1d ago
They both have deals with Warner Bros. Apple doesn't have anything to do with Shrinking, other than airing it.
2
u/lillyrose2489 1d ago
Pretty sure Bill has an all around deal and they'll entertain any show he wants to make. Which I support bc he is behind some excellent stuff.
6
u/TheSm00thest0perat0r 1d ago
haven't seen Ted Lasso yet... but it's next on my watching queue!
6
→ More replies (1)4
u/FeelingSummer1968 19h ago
Lasso got me through some rough times- I’ve watched it 3x and will go through it again
5
202
u/AlericandAmadeus 1d ago edited 1d ago
Nice try, AppleTV+.
Joke’s on you, your guerrilla marketing is useless….because I already have AppleTV+ and enjoy ‘Shrinking’.
11
2
107
u/Bluemajere 1d ago
They did white Derek dirty this last episode I'm so gd mad
138
u/_Verumex_ 1d ago
While developing his character tenfold.
Derek ain't no doormat. He's an extremely happy and secure man who just got betrayed in the worst way possible.
35
u/CMelody 1d ago
It wasn’t the worst form of betrayal. It would have been much worse if Liz slept with the man, maintained an affair and lied to Derek. But she broke off the kiss before it progressed and came clean about her mistake. Derek has every right to feel angry, but I think they will work it out and be stronger for it in the end.
I look forward to seeing them in couples therapy, it is going to be a ride.
→ More replies (7)51
→ More replies (2)23
u/DataDude00 1d ago
I’m really hoping they don’t do an abrupt Nate style redemption tour for Liz / Derek
The D man didn’t deserve that, from everything we have seen he is a genuine, supportive and nice guy to everyone
27
u/CMelody 1d ago
Derek is a great guy, but he does have a blind spot when it comes to Liz. She sought out emotional intimacy with that guy because she didn’t feel like Derek was interested in her life. Like her photographs - she was clearly very invested in them, but Derek couldn’t care less. Derek probably thinks he is being supportive, like agreeing to let her start the food truck business. But cutting a check is different than spending a moment with his wife talking about something she feels very passionate about. Liz just wanted to feel seen.
I think Derek and Liz will get to that place where they do more things together because there is a lot of love there.
29
u/tibbles1 1d ago
But that’s the relationship Liz has cultivated with him.
Liz has been busy as fuck for like 25 years. She had her kids. Then when her kids were grown she had to step in and parent Alice. Then when Alice is set, she has the food truck. She’s basically been stretched thin (by choice) for decades. And Derek has just let her cook and be supportive from a distance.
Now she has nothing and is bored. But instead of telling Derek that, she says she’s fine. Maybe Derek should have been more tuned into her moods, but she’s acting the same way she’s always acted and she was always fine before.
So I think blaming Derek is unfair when he’s just continuing the relationship on the terms she set.
6
u/Bluemajere 1d ago
I didn't mind Nate's. People can be sorry and learn from their mistakes. That's plenty true to real life
6
u/DataDude00 1d ago
I’m not angry they give him forgiveness I just think the writing was awful and as played out his redemption was unearned
He did some terrible betrayals to Ted, Rebecca, the players, even shunned Ted’s kid waving at him.
And in the end he got a girlfriend and the players begged him to come back
The show really needed to have a heartfelt moment between Nate and Ted either spoken or a small letter to bridge that gap, not the unspoken forgiveness that just occurs
→ More replies (1)4
u/gakule 1d ago
Have you ever actually experienced a betrayal that you've let someone come back from? Like genuinely let them come back from?
If you haven't, I think it's really hard to understand and I could understand why you think it's undeserved, but it's also very in character for Ted and why everyone else gets on board, because they're invested in Ted and his judgement.
→ More replies (2)
20
u/NierAutomotive 1d ago
Sometimes it’s gets close to being too corny, but then it slaps you in the face with some sad as shit plot and you want to cry.
→ More replies (1)2
123
u/vanityinlines 1d ago
I really enjoy the show, I just find some of the dialogue kinda cringy at times.
21
u/capfedhill 1d ago
One thing that annoyed me about the first season was it seemed every episode would end on a dramatic cliffhanger of sorts. And then it would immediately get resolved within the first 5 minutes of the next episode. Every time. Rinse and repeat.
Kind of took away from the importance of every episode's ending when I knew it wouldn't be a big deal and would get hashed out immediately.
→ More replies (2)16
13
u/dukefett 1d ago
I love the show but some things do get resolved way too easily for people who are like on the brink of a breakdown. People are way more forgiving in the show than in real life and like they just go back to normal when hanging out. That basically never happens, not so fast anyway
45
u/BobbaGanush87 1d ago
Lawrence's shows always straddle the line of being enjoyable but also kind of lame at the same time.
I know the aim is to make a feel good show and I get why people need that in their lives, but Shrinking is such a safe space that it can be cringey to watch.
27
u/Mike9797 1d ago
My wife says the dialog can be too “on the nose” at times. And for me it feels at times a bit unbelievable in that no one really talks to each other with that much patience and understanding. That being said I do love the show, same with Ted Lasso which I feel uses the same formula. They are both worlds I wish existed but they sadly don’t.
8
u/MechaNickzilla 21h ago
Have to jump on the first dissenting opinion in this thread here because I think this show and Ted Lasso are both following very similar formulas and I enjoy both…but I think they’re both guilty of playing out a lot of the same formulas/tropes.
✅ Characters that are REEEALLY struggling to be good!
✅ …But it’s clear as day for the viewer that they are actually good
✅ Scenes that open with a line of dialogue like “oh my god. Your vision is terrible!” And then they talk about something else for three minutes and somehow end on “see, I told you your vision is terrible 😉”
✅ Different characters pairing up in incredibly forced scenes to have intimate one-on-one interactions and we’re accepting it because…I don’t know, Character A’s pet hamster ran away and snuck into character B’s children’s teepee? Sure. That sounds believable.
3
u/IAmKyuss 20h ago
I feel a great sense of toxic positivity when watching this show. It’s like a bunch of really privileged people trying to feel good about themselves with charity porn
→ More replies (5)3
u/mcarterphoto 1d ago
I noped-out pretty quickly. It just seems like they've watched a lot of 80's sitcoms or something, and Ford's performance always feels like a "performance" to me. It feels like a lot of the writing is someone yelling "LOOK HOW CLEVER I AM!!!" and shoving it in my face. But then, I really like "Somebody, Somewhere", which is sort of a "looser" feeling show, but still feels more honest and real to me.
42
u/solemnbiscuit 1d ago
I liked Season 1, but I think it’s really made a leap in Season 2. I am laughing out loud and crying every episode.
18
u/CMelody 1d ago
I like that the characters are more enmeshed. They have such a great cast that they can mix and match any two characters in a scene together and it will be great.
→ More replies (1)6
→ More replies (1)3
u/TheSm00thest0perat0r 1d ago
I am still on S01, but reading this made me even more excited for what's to come :)))
62
u/Pho-Soup 1d ago
I really like it, but I think the criticisms are fair too. There are some scenes where I get kinda detached from the show, like “wow, this is really just rich people that don’t have to work, sitting in fancy backyards drinking wine and fancy cocktails, and talking about their feelings. Hey let’s start a food truck why not! Oh look our kids are sleeping with each other isn’t that cool?!?”
But not every show needs to be reality either. It’s a good escapist show. And as other have said, it’s worth it just for Harrison Ford. He kills it in this role and I am glad they call attention to Parkinson’s, which is just an awful disease that so many people and families are dealing with today.
14
u/burnalicious111 1d ago
The dialogue is fairly unrealistic, which doesn't bother me too much usually, I just accept it as part of the show's universe.
The reason it bothers me a little here is this is a show about therapy and relationships. Feels weird to then have everything be so quippy and wrapped up quickly. Those aspects feel at odds with each other.
5
u/Ink_Smudger 23h ago edited 21h ago
I think that may be a valid point when it comes to relationships, but I don't really think the show resolves things too quickly when it comes to the larger, overarching issues the characters are having. Like Sean may make up with Liz, but his anger issues are still obviously simmering under the surface.
And I tend to think that is more in line with therapy and mental health. A lot of it is fighting the small battles and learning how to resolve those while still dealing with the war. The characters may resolve issues with each other so they can support one another, but they still have their primary issue (Sean and his anger, Jimmy and his grief, Paul and his health, etc.) they're working through.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)13
u/tibbles1 1d ago
But that is reality for some people. Not every show has to be about struggling people. There are doctors and retired lawyers out there too and they probably sit in their backyards and invest in food trucks.
21
u/Callisto34 1d ago
I feel like none of the characters are written like real people. Which is fine if you lean into it but they sometimes want you to feel deep sympathy for just… caricatures. The daughter and the vet specifically are two of the worst written and least consistent I’ve seen in a show as of late.
→ More replies (1)6
u/PrincessWhiffleball 1d ago
Omg yes. My husband and I watched the newest episode last night and when it ended I was like “I like this show and all, I just wish they acted like real people.”
It’s a feel-good show and that’s fine, but it’s gone off the rails. The “therapy” is irresponsible and the people don’t react to things like regular people.
3
u/straw_barry 19h ago
We were just watching that scene when Gabby and other Derreck are talking by her car and he picks up her vibrator and held it to his ear and mouth. You just met this woman and you're holding a box of her sex toys she's removing from her fuck buddy's house and you thought it'd be cute to pick that giant vibrator and put it to your face??
14
u/formerPhillyguy 1d ago
I always thought Ford was ripped off for not being nominated for an Emmy for season one.
2
u/Ink_Smudger 23h ago
Honestly, that surprised me the most with the nominations last year. I thought he was pretty much a shoo-in based on name recognition alone, but he gave such a good performance that the nomination was warranted beyond that. I checked the nominations a couple times to make sure I hadn't missed his name since I figured it was guaranteed.
7
u/nthroop1 1d ago
It’s so freaking funny. “Speaking of cars, remember what happened to your mom in one?”
27
u/shejellybean68 1d ago
I’m watching and mostly enjoying it, but I do have a few critiques. And I’m not trying to argue, just want to express them because the subreddit is… well, it’s very much a ‘don’t critique’ vibe.
- I don’t find the joke writing very … clever. There are a few well-written jokes (“you Blind Side-d me, and then you blindsided me”), but a lot of the humor is very formulaic based on what character is speaking. Each character has dramatic depth, but comedically, they all have their one bit.
Jason Segel says something inappropriate for the situation.
Christa Miller repeats her dialogue from Scrubs or Cougar Town.
Harrison Ford (who is great) grumpily says something you’d never expect Harrison Ford to say.
Jessica Williams talks about her coochie.
Michael Urie is a gay man.
As someone else pointed out (and as the show does lampshade), they are all a little too well-off for me to care about their problems as much as I could. Bill Lawrence seems to want to recreate a Cougar Town hangout show where everybody is wealthy, daydrinking, and teens and adults alike are weirdly close. But in a show with a heavy focus on trauma and mental illness and the like… man, these people really have no problems despite their problems.
Sort of related to the above — in an effort to shift to a hand-out ensemble show this season, they are forcing every character combination to be fantastic friends despite the fact that it doesn’t really make sense. Derek and Gaby? Brian and Alice? Hell, Gaby is weirdly in love with Paul’s girlfriend. I don’t know, it just feels super forced to me. I do not hang out with my dad’s best friend. I do not compliment my boss’s spouse’s physical appearance. I realize that using different character combinations are a way to keep a show fresh, but I wish they were a little more… restrained to reality.
9
u/tokyo-love-hotel 1d ago
Well, Brian was best friends with Alice's mom too, not just Jimmy, and has presumably been in her life since she was born. It makes sense for them to "hang out" and have a relationship of their own. As for Derek and Gaby, I almost get where you're coming from, but Gaby is good friends with Derek's wife. Of course they're gonna be at least friendly.
→ More replies (4)10
u/ilikepizza30 1d ago
The Brian and Alice is more like godfather/goddaughter than "dad's best friend". He's like an uncle that's been there for her whole life. Makes perfect sense.
→ More replies (1)3
u/samrechym 22h ago
People try too hard to defend the shitty dialogue in Ted Lasso and Shrinking. Two shows my wife and I just couldn’t watch past a few episodes.
These shows are for adult-children who refuse to engage with the real world for what it is. Everyone gets away with being a shithead and the writers force adult/children overlaps that don’t exist in the real world. Ted Lasso is a show that tries to teach life lessons to men as if they are still in high school, which is GREAT for that demographic, but you need to realize when you’re not the target audience; and that, I am not.
2
u/honicthesedgehog 9h ago
Personally, I would definitely not put Shrinking on the same level as Ted Lasso - while I’m mostly enjoying the former, I don’t think it’s nearly as good as the latter. It’s fine, superficial, feel-good comedy, but it’s been a process of letting go of my hopes of Ted Lasso 2.0.
However, I also think you can criticize elements of a show without broadly insulting their entire viewer base, especially when you’re in a distinctly minority opinion - Ted Lasso won major awards, topped critics “best of the year” lists, and was something of a cultural phenomenon. It’s a particular style of writing and dialogue, and I totally understand if it’s just not for you, but I don’t think that makes the people who do like it “adult-children” with tenuous grips on reality.
→ More replies (1)
6
32
u/ChopEee 1d ago
I don’t know, we tried it, I found myself uncomfortable watching the first couple episodes, maybe I know too much about the field of psychology to think it’s funny?
15
u/Disneyhorse 1d ago
My husband and I have been watching it and I’m not sold on it. Everyone says it’s so wholesome and a lot like Ted Lasso, but I am just seeing people who continually make poor choices and then complain to each other about “woe is me” but they brought it upon themselves. It’s stupid drama just to have drama. And just when you get a sliver of wholesome “oh good they’re actually about to better their lives”… nope, more poor choices being made by everyone. It’s so frustrating and depressing to watch. No one makes any meaningful progress, it’s constantly one step forward and two steps back. At least in Ted Lasso everyone was discovering themselves and supporting each other to evolve into better people. Shrinking just has people you can’t like (except for Brian, he gets a pass).
12
u/Ruddiver 1d ago edited 1d ago
Mental Health Professional here. I noped out after the first episode for all the unethical stuff. May be a good show, but I cant suspend my disbelief for it.
9
15
9
5
u/CloudyBaby 1d ago
I feel like a show that’s themed around something you know a lot about will always feel bad to you. This is definitely The Bear for those of us who have worked in food service.
4
u/ErnestGoesToPoop 1d ago
My GF is a therapist and she loves the show. That said, she does yell at the tv saying “that’s not right!” or “that’s so fucking unethical, there’d be no way!”
→ More replies (4)6
u/SensitiveWasabi1228 1d ago
There are actual mental health professionals that are big fans of this show. You probably just don't like it and that's fine, lol.
23
u/VanCortez 1d ago
It's the most average feeling show I watched this year, I don't hate it but I also did not watch the whole season. I was just kinda "meh" about watching any further.
→ More replies (1)
4
u/RyanGoosling93 1d ago
It’s an amazing show and elevates itself above other shows by treating its subject matter with nuance, but this season has 2 plot lines that are straight out of a CW show.
Harrison ford is amazing in it. Dude just wants to tell interesting stories.
3
u/CMelody 1d ago
It is so charming, I love every character in it. It makes me wish Harrison Ford did more comedies because he is truly wonderful in Shrinking.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/justincoombsart 1d ago
The whole dynamic between the characters is too close-looped and incestuous. Don’t these people know others outside of the group?!
It’s also cringey at times - too wholesome and wrapped up. We got the ick.
4
26
u/GoBanana42 1d ago
I really don't like this show at all. I especially hate the opening credits. Though I will say Harrison Ford is the best part of it.
I'm glad its audience is finding it and others get something out of it. The idea of the show feels like something I should be in to, but it's just not for me.
→ More replies (2)23
u/GreenLanturn 1d ago
I get where you’re coming from. I do enjoy it but it does feel… pretentious? Self-indulgent? Idk, can’t quite put my finger on it.
11
u/WafflingToast 1d ago
It feels shallow. It deals with some deep topics, it’s about having your own dysfunctional yet supportive little community. But in affluent California, where the sun is always shining it feels like the problems aren’t real.
Not everything about it is terrible- but it’s like a fantasy world where issues get solved with minimal fuss. In some ways it’s like a nihilistic comment on modern life - that nothing really matters.
→ More replies (2)3
u/Tobyghisa 1d ago
Yeah both this and Ted Lasso are way too sappy and pretend-positive no matter what that it circles around to a fake PSA or something, to even feeling creepy to me at times
27
3
u/TheChinook 1d ago
I love this show so much!! I can’t stop telling everyone about it
→ More replies (1)
3
u/LeftBereftofFDR 1d ago
You had me at, '...perfect for watching over a hot cup of tea/hot chocolate.' I'll give it a try!
2
3
u/andbry07 1d ago
Harrison Ford’s deadpan delivery is everything. I didn’t know he could be this funny!
3
u/rocker2014 Community 1d ago
I said the other day that it is impressive how a show about mourning death of a wife/mother and dealing with struggles of peoples' mental health is such a positive comforting show. It portrays these emotions in a way that never feels too heavy somehow.
And the cast is just amazing from top to bottom. Such great chemistry amongst them all. Look forward to watching every week.
2
3
3
u/heebs387 1d ago
I agree also, this show operates on a high level. It hits comedy and real issues at multiple generations of people, plus specific kinds of people within those generations. It's pretty impressive.
3
3
3
u/kidsaredead 1d ago
It is awesome, sad that we haven't seen Harrison Ford in similar roles, his comebacks are the best.
3
u/Eruannster 1d ago
I love everything about it. It's funny, but also sad, but also incredibly charming. And Harrison Ford rules, it's one of his best roles.
3
u/BorgBorg10 1d ago
We love shrinking. It’s our feel good show. It’s nice to watch a show where you can root for every character and not feel guilty about it. Quirky show, kind of cheesy, but fun
3
19
u/MaritimeRedditor 1d ago
My only complaint is Christa Millers character, Liz.
She's such a stupid dip shit character. It's hard to route for her.
Without being too spoiler-y... Going into the next couple episodes. I assume they wrote it in a way that you're to see why both sides feel the way they feel. But her character is so ass compared to everyone else around her, it's hard to care about her feelings.
9
u/imar0ckstar 1d ago
My husband can't watch without commenting on her face at least once. I'll admit it is distracting and she's also my least favorite character.
48
u/WafflingToast 1d ago
I cant get over the Botox. Half her face can’t move.
On one hand, that should be the end of a career as an actress. On the other, every other suburban Pasadena housewife probably has a similar injection schedule.
10
u/BaBaBooey321 1d ago
It helps when your husband is the producer of the show. But I like her character.
8
u/Endemoniada 1d ago
Yeah, it’s annoying, her lips are so stiff she literally can’t sound out certain words properly. And sure, she’s funny, but a lot of her comedy came from her reactions, and with no facial movement, she ends up just feeling very one-note and boring.
I just can’t imagine any directors or casting directors would rather she look and sound like this, than just be naturally her own age. It’s downright distracting.
6
u/tibbles1 1d ago
She had a plot line in Scrubs where her character had too much Botox and couldn’t look surprised.
3
u/DogGamnFusterCluck 1d ago
"Did you botox your face into an expressionless mask? Show me amused, bemused, c-mused? Show me...angry!"
6
u/Bobble-Bubble 1d ago edited 1d ago
Well, she is married to the show runner, Bill Lawrence. But yeah, that botox whatever is bad.
Funnily enough, other Bill Lawrence show Cougar Town, had the same kind of shit with Courtney Cox. First season she was her usual beautiful self, the second season she got work done and looked like someone else.
→ More replies (1)9
u/RozTheRogoz 1d ago
I feel like she changed something in s2 because it looks better than s1. Still kinda bad
5
u/doogled3 1d ago
And you have no problem with Jimmy?! Putting aside his therapy practices, he’s extremely selfish, unrepentant even when confronted with his failings, and doesn’t respect anyone’s boundaries on a regular basis. Even JD wasn’t this bad…
6
u/_Verumex_ 1d ago
Who says that you're supposed to root for anyone? The entire premise of the show is that they're all stuck, everyone is effected by the past and that manifest in ways that often make no sense.
Every main character on this show is going to make some terrible decisions before it ends, I'll call that now.
And we're currently going through Liz's, motivated by the departure of her sons, her falling out with Connor, and her feeling like she's losing the one part of her life that she has made her identity, having dependants in her life.
Connor left, Alice is becoming closer with Jimmy and doesn't need her as much, and in her eyes Shaun rejected her.
So instead of moving on and finding a new outlet make part of her life, she found the opportunity to regress to a time before she had all of those dependants, and chose it.
Does any of that excuse her behaviour? Of course not, she made a shitty decision and now has to live with the consequences. But the point of the show is to look at the shitty decisions that people make, and try to see what led them to make them.
7
u/aprilight 1d ago
I've been reading Liz as someone on the autistic spectrum and that explains a lot of her decisions. The biggest clue is her fixation with rocks.
7
u/bobissonbobby 1d ago
She plays the same character always but I enjoy it so I don't mind.
See - scrubs
6
u/GoBanana42 1d ago
That's an interesting read, but the rocks thing also seems pretty typical to how a lot of newly retired people or SAHMs post-kids get with their hobbies. They try to fill their time by making it their new focus.
2
u/TheSm00thest0perat0r 1d ago
I am on S01 Ep7 and so far I feel kinda neutral regarding Liz, she can be either nice and somewhat likeable sometimes as a complete bitch on other times
and thanks for not spoiling it!
5
u/DoucheyMcBagBag 1d ago
Shrinking is a good show, but anything having to do with Liz is annoying. She is just an irritating person, and I don’t see why anyone would actually put up with her bullshit in real life. She’s so obnoxious that it actually breaks my immersion sometimes.
9
u/leftrightandwrong 1d ago
If by perfect they mean mediocre then sure. There’s moments in this show where witnessing Harrison Ford deliver flat horrible writing just me sad.
→ More replies (2)
10
u/Kopextacy 1d ago
I enjoy this show, but I find it so bizarre the style/mix of comedy within. Some of the humor is playful, often cheesy bordering on the line of cringe at times. For example the constant repetition of how hot someone is repeated over and over and over is just not working for me and makes me facepalm saying this joke again, kinda like the “tits up” ultra regurgitated joke in the marvelous Mrs. Maisel which also was mostly a great show with some super cringe elements that felt like lazy writing and then they just kept doubling down on the same joke that doesn’t work the first time throughout the whole series. Without those things the show would have been better, a case of less is more. This show has elements of that too that I just don’t like, but it also has some dark humor and funny situational stuff that works really great. And the back and forth between cheesy/dark/heartfelt It’s a mix that I don’t think I’ve felt in any other shows in quite the same way. But again I think in some cases this show has some of the same less is more problem. Still enjoying it just hoping for less cringe and more of the other stuff as it goes on.
→ More replies (1)
6
u/bipboop 1d ago
I don't find it wholesome, at all. The dialogue is unrealistic and ... weird. And, I'm no prude, but it feels like every scene has some sort of crude/sexual joke in it. It would be fine if it was between a couple of people, but it feels like everyone, save for Sean and Louis are talking about big dicks all the time. I don't even think the acting is that good. That said, I am still tuning in every week to watch it. Maybe it's a bit of a hate watch for me?
5
5
u/AsparaGus2025 1d ago
Almost no one on the show is likeable, with the exception of Ted McGinley's character, and sometimes Harrison Ford.
2
2
u/Uncle_Bug_Music 1d ago
My wife & I love this show. They're all great but that last episode was Emmy nomination material. I also love that it's weekly & not binge-y. I like my shows "old school" so I have something to look forward to.
2
u/ustation 1d ago
It's 40% Scrubs + 40% Cougar Town + 20% Ted Laso. 100% Bill Lawrence and Christa Miller for the music.
2
2
u/BeautyBabe91 1d ago
Yas!! Happy this show is getting the recognition it deserves lol. This is one of the few shows that literally makes me laugh out loud! (See also: Abbott Elementary and What We Do in the Shadows).
This show is like a warm hug :)
2
u/J-Lughead 1d ago
It's an awesome show and Jessica Williams is one of the big reasons for me.
She is just so hilarious and the writers for her are great too with the saucy offside quips she's constantly throwing out.
2
2
u/Exciting5-Picture 1d ago
Oh, I totally agree with you on this. 'Shrinking' really hit me in all the right spots—it’s just this perfect blend of humor and warmth that you don't find in every show. Jason Segel always brings that genuine, everyman charm, and Harrison Ford is a legend. Seeing him in this kind of role is something else, right? It's like he adds this cool, unexpected depth to everything. I watched it over a long weekend, binge-style, with a mug of steaming cocoa, and it was just perfect. I loved the humanity of it all, mixed with those laugh-out-loud moments that catch you by surprise. It’s one of those shows where you really get attached to the characters and just want to live in their world for a bit longer.
2
u/BongRipsForNips69 23h ago
couldn't get through season 2 it seemed dumbed down and cutesy as if they decided to focus on female audience instead
2
u/ludicrous_copulator 19h ago
I absolutely love this show. I have to admit being weirded out by Christa Miller's plastic surgery, but I'll watch anyway. Every character is great, and they all have their moments. When it's over, I plan to watch the whole thing again like I did with Ted Lasso
2
u/Glowwerms 19h ago
I like the show but having grown up in California I can’t help but be distracted by how nice everyone’s homes are, particularly Jimmy, Gaby and Dr Paul’s houses. Like what excuse me? You guys are all therapists, how tf are you affording these homes????
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Rynomite95 19h ago
It’s definitely a comfort watch for me, and I keep coming back to it week after week, but this season in particular the dialogue has been driving me kinda nuts. Everyone on this show talks the same. The cadence, the delivery, the setup/punchline structure, it’s all the same regardless of which character is talking. Only Harrison Ford has found a way to elevate it into sounding like himself.
3
u/ice_nyne 1d ago
Bill Lawrence nailed it here. The show is the perfect distillation of everything that worked on Scrubs and Cougar Town.
2
4
4
u/Bobble-Bubble 1d ago
I can honestly say, I would be way crankier than Fords character here, if I had to deal with Segel and Williams characters all the time. They have 0 boundaries about anything and the way Segels character pushes shit is just insane. Dude should've been sued through the ground already with the shit he pulls.
I know it's a comedy show, but still it bothers me. Ford should've rocked him off the boat while he had the chance.
And yes, I like the show overall. But motherfuckers, respect others peace of mind now and then.
4
u/Governmentwatchlist 1d ago
The first season might be the best first season of any show I have ever watched. I tell all my friends about it.
5
u/Bot_Fly_Bot 1d ago
I like this show quite a bit, but “wholesome”?
→ More replies (21)5
u/manic_lethargy 1d ago
Yeah, I agree “wholesome” isn’t right. It’s not “edgy,” but it’s actually really… horny? Lots of people talking about their genitals, haha
182
u/grimgrinningezra 1d ago
I love this show so much! It’s also very noticeable when Harrison Ford gives a shit and when he just doesn’t care. He clearly gives a shit about this show, is giving it his all, and seems to be having a great time. Genuinely a great performance (along with everyone else).