Shrinking (TV series)

American comedy series

Shrinking

Genre| Comedy drama
Created by|

* Bill Lawrence
* Jason Segel
* Brett Goldstein

Starring|

* Jason Segel
* Jessica Williams
* Luke Tennie
* Michael Urie
* Lukita Maxwell
* Christa Miller
* Harrison Ford
* Ted McGinley

Theme music composer| Benjamin Gibbard
Tom Howe
Composer| Tom Howe
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 2
No. of episodes| 20
Production
Executive producers|

* Bill Lawrence
* Jason Segel
* Brett Goldstein
* Neil Goldman
* Jeff Ingold
* Liza Katzer
* James Ponsoldt
* Randall Keenan Winston
* Annie Mebane
* Rachna Fruchbom
* Brian Gallivan

Producer| Kip Kroeger
Cinematography|

* Jim Frohna
* John Brawley

Editors|

* James Renfroe
* Katie Abel
* Missy Hernandez
* Peggy Tachdjian
* Sarah Lucky

Running time| 29–37 minutes
Production companies|

* 3 Chance Productions
* Corporate Mandate
* Doozer Productions
* Warner Bros. Television

Original release
Network| Apple TV+
Release| January 27, 2023 (2023-01-27) –
present (present)

Shrinking is an American comedy drama television series created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein. The series stars Segel as a grieving therapist who decides to become drastically more involved in his patients' lives. Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley also star.

The series premiered on January 27, 2023, on Apple TV+. It has received positive reviews, with praise for its performances, writing, humor, and examination of grief. It was renewed for a second season in March 2023. The second season premiered on October 16, 2024; the series was renewed for a third season a day later.

The first season received two nominations at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Segel and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Williams. Ford received nominations at the Critics' Choice Awards and the TCA Awards for his performance, along with nominations for the series itself. For its second season, the series was recognized as one of the top ten television programs of the year by the American Film Institute.

## Premise

[edit]

A therapist, Jimmy Laird, dealing with severe grief after his wife's death, begins to breach ethical barriers by telling his patients what he really thinks, resulting in massive changes to his and their lives.

## Cast

[edit]

### Main

[edit]

* Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird, a therapist who works at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center, and is grieving the death of his wife
* Jessica Williams as Gaby, a fellow therapist working with Jimmy at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center
* Luke Tennie as Sean, a patient suffering from anger management issues who has sessions with Jimmy
* Michael Urie as Brian, Jimmy's best friend who is a lawyer
* Lukita Maxwell as Alice Laird, Jimmy's teenage daughter with whom he has a strained relationship
* Christa Miller as Liz, Jimmy's next-door neighbor who also helps with looking after Alice
* Harrison Ford as Dr. Paul Rhoades, a senior therapist and colleague of Jimmy's at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center who has Parkinson's disease.
* Ted McGinley as Derek (season 2;[1] recurring season 1), Liz's husband

### Recurring

[edit]

* Heidi Gardner as Grace, one of Jimmy's patients
* Lilan Bowden as Tia, Jimmy's wife and Alice's mother who died in a car accident
* Devin Kawaoka as Charlie, Brian's fiancé
* Rachel Stubington as Summer, Alice's best friend at school
* Kenajuan Bentley as Tim, Sean’s estranged father
* Lily Rabe as Meg, Paul's daughter
* Wendie Malick as Dr. Julie Baram, a neurologist treating Paul's Parkinson's disease with whom he eventually begins a romance
* Kimberly Condict as Wally, one of Jimmy's patients who has obsessive–compulsive disorder
* Tilky Jones as Donny, Grace's abusive husband
* Gavin Lewis as Connor, a son of neighbors Liz and Derek, and friend of Alice
* Mike C. Nelson as Dan, one of Jimmy's patients
* Brett Goldstein as Louis Winston (season 2),[2] the drunk driver responsible for Tia's fatal car accident
* Courtney Taylor as Courtney (season 2), Gaby's sister[3]
* Vernee Watson as Phyllis (season 2), Gaby's mother[3]
* Josh Hopkins as Mac (season 2), Liz's ex-boyfriend who reenters her life

### Guest

[edit]

* Asif Ali as Alan, one of Jimmy's patients
* Miriam Flynn as Pam, Jimmy and Liz's heavily disliked neighbor
* Neil Flynn as Raymond, one of Paul's patients
* Brian Howe as Kip, Brian's father
* Damon Wayans Jr. as Derrick #2 (season 2), Derek's friend who hits it off with Gaby[3]
* Kelly Bishop as Susan (season 2), Paul's ex-wife and Meg's mother[4]
* Meredith Hagner as Sarah (season 2), Louis' former fiancée
* Tanner Zagarino as Dylan (season 2), Alice's classmate with whom she goes on a casual date
* Claudia Sulewski as Ava (season 2), a pregnant mother who interviews Brian and Charlie for adopting her child
* Cobie Smulders as Sofi (season 2), a woman who Jimmy and Derek look to purchase a car from[5]

## Episodes

[edit]

### Series overview

[edit]

Season| Episodes| Originally released

|
|

First released| Last released
1| 10| January 27, 2023 (2023-01-27)| March 24, 2023 (2023-03-24)
2| 12[6]| October 16, 2024 (2024-10-16)| December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25)[6]

### Season 1 (2023)

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
season| Title| Directed by| Written by| Original release date| Prod.
code

|
|
|
|
|
|

1| 1| "Coin Flip"| James Ponsoldt| Bill Lawrence & Jason Segel & Brett Goldstein| January 27, 2023 (2023-01-27)| T12.17451

Jimmy Laird, a therapist grieving his wife Tia's death from a car accident, has grown weary of his patients' inability to solve their own problems. He begins intervening in their lives to help them expedite the changes they desire. He convinces one patient, Grace, to leave her abusive husband, and enrolls Sean, a veteran prone to violent outbursts, in mixed martial arts training. Jimmy's approach initially seems successful, but he keeps it secret from his fellow therapists Gaby and Paul, aware there are ethical violations. Jimmy, whose relationship with his daughter Alice has strained since her mother's death, goes with Sean to her soccer game. Grace's husband, Donny, finds him there and assaults him, and Sean beats Donny in retaliation. Alice thanks Jimmy for coming to her game; Jimmy admits his struggle to be more present in her life owes to how much she reminds him of Tia.

2| 2| "Fortress of Solitude"| Ry Russo-Young| Brett Goldstein| January 27, 2023 (2023-01-27)| T12.17452

Jimmy bails out Sean from the police station, and gets his best friend Brian, an estate lawyer, to successfully defend Sean from a lawsuit launched by Donny. Brian invites Jimmy to play pickleball; Jimmy declines, leading Brian to barge into one of his sessions and berate him for his yearlong absence as a friend. Paul, meanwhile, encourages Alice to reciprocate Jimmy's desire to be a better parent, but she inadvertently reveals the fight at her game to him. A furious Paul confronts Jimmy over his lapse in ethics. Gaby, meanwhile, asks Jimmy's neighbor Liz – who has largely been raising Alice since Tia's death – to step back in her caretaking, offending her. Jimmy, unaware that Alice has brought dinner home to have with him, visits Brian for pickleball, and the two reconcile. Alice opts to have food with Paul at his house.

3| 3| "Fifteen Minutes"| Ry Russo-Young| Brian Gallivan| February 3, 2023 (2023-02-03)| T12.17453

Jimmy allows Sean to stay with him and Alice, since Sean's parents kicked him out of his house after his fight with Donny. Gaby reveals to Jimmy that she is divorcing her husband Nico, and admits to missing her close friendship with Tia. Alice and Sean become closer; Liz, feeling suspicious, tells Paul, who thereby learns about Sean living in Jimmy's house. He chastises Jimmy for moving a patient into his home and cuts off contact with him, even though Jimmy is grateful to Paul for helping Alice through her grief. While on a walk, Jimmy spots Grace with Donny, realizing she got back together with him.

4| 4| "Potatoes"| James Ponsoldt| Rachna Fruchbom| February 10, 2023 (2023-02-10)| T12.17454

Jimmy struggles to get Sean to open up about his postwar PTSD. Brian is revealed to have been overseeing Paul's estate; Paul confides that he has not told his daughter Meg about his Parkinson's disease. Meg visits Paul, where Paul once again neglects to mention his illness. Alice and Gaby tell Jimmy that Alice lost her virginity to Liz's son Connor. Jimmy, overwhelmed, lashes out at Liz for overly involving herself in his daughter's life; he also angers Sean when he tries forcing him to tell him about his PTSD. Jimmy later reconciles with Connor, who has come to visit, and enjoys drinks with Gaby and Liz before also reconciling with Sean. That night, he overhears Alice admit her feelings for Sean.

5| 5| "Woof"| James Ponsoldt| Bill Posley| February 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)| T12.17455

Jimmy and Paul continue not to speak to one another. Jimmy encourages Sean to get over his resentment for his father, but Sean is shaken when his father gives him a war medallion and praises him as a hero. He and Alice go for a walk; Alice becomes concerned for Sean when he recklessly climbs a water tower. Brian tells Jimmy and Gaby he wants to propose to his boyfriend Charlie; they dismiss it, as Brian has brought up the idea several times without committing to it, and Brian later confides to Gaby his fear of taking risks ever since coming out to his parents. Gaby urges Paul to make up with Jimmy; Paul visits Jimmy's house while Jimmy is trying to persuade Sean not to leave, and helps Sean open up about his trauma. Paul later calls Meg to tell her about his Parkinson's diagnosis.

6| 6| "Imposter Syndrome"| Randall Keenan Winston| Annie Mebane| February 24, 2023 (2023-02-24)| T12.17456

Brian buys a wedding ring for Charlie, and makes plans to propose at a party at Jimmy's house. Jimmy is apprehensive about throwing the party, since it reminds him of the strain in his and Tia's marriage in the months leading up to her death. Paul is anxious about Meg's plans to come oversee his care, feeling guilty over her investment in his wellbeing given his absence as a father during her childhood. Liz helps him see the situation with gratitude instead. Jimmy gets heavily drunk at the party and throws up, but Brian's proposal is still a success. Alice tries to kiss Sean, but he becomes uncomfortable due to their age gap and leaves. Gaby assures Jimmy that Tia still loved him despite the difficulties in their marriage; Jimmy thanks her for her friendship, and the two impulsively have sex.

7| 7| "Apology Tour"| Randall Keenan Winston| Brett Goldstein| March 3, 2023 (2023-03-03)| T12.17457

The morning after the party, Jimmy is consumed with guilt over sleeping with Gaby, but she helps him resolve his discomfort, assuring him their friendship is perfectly intact. Alice regrets attempting to kiss Sean, and is also comforted by Gaby. Liz's husband Derek tells her he has earned the right to enjoy living at home once he retires, and encourages her to go out and adopt new hobbies of her own. Meg comes to care for Paul, and Paul attempts to make up for years of lost time with her. However, he is unable to accept her invitation to move to the East Coast to stay with her and her family, causing her to leave angrily. At Gaby's suggestion, Jimmy has an imaginary conversation with Tia where he apologizes for becoming intimate with Gaby; however, Alice overhears him.

8| 8| "Boop"| Zach Braff| Wally Baram| March 10, 2023 (2023-03-10)| T12.17458

Jimmy and Gaby make a fumbling apology to Alice for sleeping together. Alice attempts to vent her frustrations to Paul, but he rebuffs her self-centered attitude, still reeling from his argument with his daughter. Alice disappears that night; Paul thinks she is at a party with her friends, and Jimmy and Brian bring him along to search for her. On the way, Brian tells Jimmy that he and Charlie do not want him officiating their wedding, angering Jimmy. The trio eventually find Alice with an older college student and bring her home. Paul convinces Jimmy to assert himself to others despite his own personal regrets, and so Jimmy grounds Alice for her misbehavior. Meanwhile, Gaby brings Liz and Sean to her ex-husband Nico's art exhibition, but lashes out at him publicly when she sees him pass off his new girlfriend as his "muse".

9| 9| "Moving Forward"| Randall Keenan Winston| Sofi Selig| March 17, 2023 (2023-03-17)| T12.17459

Paul learns he is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the APA in Las Vegas, but is uninterested in going in light of his strained relationship with Meg. Gaby discovers Paul is in a relationship with his doctor, Julie. Jimmy encourages Paul to take Julie to accept his award; Paul instead takes her to surprise Meg by attending her son's school play. Gaby reconciles with Nico and nearly sleeps with him, but instead has sex with Jimmy again. Brian agrees to let Jimmy officiate his wedding, while Liz agrees to finance Sean's catering business. On Tia's birthday, Jimmy visits her gravesite. Alice later realizes she forgot her mother's birthday and blames herself.

10| 10| "Closure"| James Ponsoldt| Neil Goldman| March 24, 2023 (2023-03-24)| T12.17460

Alice gets upset with Jimmy for packing up Tia's belongings out of a desire to move on. Liz asks to become more involved with Sean's catering business, which he happily accepts. Jimmy asks Brian's father to be best man at his wedding to Charlie. Paul thanks Jimmy for his help in reconciling with Meg, but Liz chastises him for not putting in the work to write a recommendation for Gaby's professorship. Paul then personally visits Gaby's interview for the position to advocate for her. Jimmy uncovers Tia's belongings for Alice to reminisce. He delivers a passionate speech at Brian and Charlie's wedding, making Gaby realize she may have feelings for Jimmy. Meanwhile, Grace, recalling Jimmy's advice about not putting up with Donny's abuse, snaps when Donny insults her while on a hike and pushes him off a cliff.

### Season 2 (2024)

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
season| Title [7][8]| Directed by| Written by [9]| Original release date [6]| Prod.
code

|
|
|
|
|
|

11| 1| "Jimmying"| Randall Keenan Winston| Rachna Fruchbom| October 16, 2024 (2024-10-16)| T12.18201

Grace is arrested for nearly killing Donny; Jimmy tries hiding his regret, making Alice worry he will fall into the same self-destructive patterns he exhibited after Tia's death. Paul tells Jimmy to revert to conventional therapy for the time being. Gaby has continued having sex with Jimmy for months in hopes of a serious romance, despite Liz's attempts to dissuade her. Paul and Julie confess their love for one another. Sean is hesitant to visit Jorge, an old army friend, due to fear of triggering his PTSD; Jimmy spars with him at the gym in exchange for him going, leading Paul to admonish Jimmy to stop seeing Sean as a patient due to their dual relationship. When Jimmy realizes Sean is lying to him about having seen Jorge, he convinces Sean to switch to Paul as his therapist. Jimmy is shocked when Louis, the drunk driver who killed Tia, visits his office to apologize, and angrily kicks him out.

12| 2| "I Love Pain"| Randall Keenan Winston| Annie Mebane| October 16, 2024 (2024-10-16)| T12.18202

After some hesitation, Jimmy tells Alice he got a visit from Louis; Alice pens an imaginary letter to Louis as a therapeutic exercise. Paul is forced to let go of his longtime patient Raymond to make room for Sean, but later joins Raymond for a drink after Jimmy tells Paul his therapeutic boundaries are too rigid. Liz is ecstatic to learn that a blogger wants to cover the food truck she and Sean are running, but Sean sours on the idea after learning that the article will focus on his veteran past. To help Sean through his anxiety about how to express his feelings to Liz, Paul gives him a mental tool, the "reversal of desire", to help him confront and embrace pain. Sean's conversation with Liz ultimately goes well. Gaby tells Jimmy she wants to end their sexual relationship; Jimmy later visits her, and she berates him for selfishly continuing to have sex with her despite knowing she caught feelings for him. Alice is seen spying on Louis.

13| 3| "Psychological Something-ism"| Zach Braff| Brian Gallivan| October 23, 2024 (2024-10-23)| T12.18203

Grace's charges are dropped due to Donny's abusive past, but she goes back to him, feeling like she deserves punishment. Brian collects character witness statements from Grace's friends and reads them to her in front of Jimmy and her sister, convincing Grace to finally leave Donny and move in with her sister in Vancouver. Sean's estranged father Tim visits the food truck, having once wanted to start a similar business with his son; Liz, feeling selfish, sells her shares of the business to Tim, enraging Sean. Paul's anxiety over his Parkinson's strains his relationship with Julie. After Jimmy and Brian fight over not really knowing each other's lives, Jimmy visits Brian and his husband for dinner to invest more in their friendship. Against Paul's advice, Alice tracks down Louis and has an angry outburst at him, accidentally leaving her wallet. Seeking comfort, she kisses Liz and Derek's son, Connor, despite having set him up with her best friend Summer.

14| 4| "Made You Look"| Zach Braff| Sofi Selig| October 30, 2024 (2024-10-30)| T12.18204

Alice and Connor are revealed to have slept together; Alice immediately regrets it the morning after and makes Connor promise not to tell Summer. Sean's anger issues resurface over having to share his food business with his father. He eventually confides in Jimmy that he resents his father for ignoring his postwar PTSD and kicking him out of the house instead of offering help, only to take credit for his eventual success. Paul urges Jimmy not to keep playing therapist with Sean, but later admits to feeling jealous of Sean's trust in Jimmy, as well as afraid of the effects of his Parkinson's on his job. Liz encourages Brian to consider fatherhood after Charlie expresses interest in adopting a child. Gaby hits it off with Derek's friend Derrick (AKA "Derrick #2"); Derek sets them up on a date, but Gaby is forced to leave upon hearing that her mother got in a car accident. Brian finds Louis outside the Laird home trying to return Alice's lost wallet; rather than rebuff him, Brian assures Louis that the Lairds are doing better, and asks him how he is doing.

15| 5| "Honesty Era"| Jamie Babbit| Zack Bornstein| November 6, 2024 (2024-11-06)| T12.18205

Summer is furious with Alice after Connor admits to sleeping with her. To cheer her up, Jimmy takes Alice to get matching tattoos of Tia's initials. Paul is anxious upon getting a visit from his ex-wife Susan, who he cheated on; Susan later tells him she heard about his Parkinson's and simply wants to spend time with him while she can, and the two reconcile. At her sister Courtney's urging, Gaby talks her mother into finally getting a cataract surgery following her car crash. Gaby, who was forced to take care of Courtney during her addiction struggles, has since made Courtney take care of their mother as penance; Jimmy helps Gaby let go of her resentment, and she lets him join her family for dinner. Jimmy lets slip that Liz ran into her ex, Mac, who Derek is insecure about; Liz's resulting tension with Derek causes her to lash out at Jimmy. Paul advises that Sean open up to his father Tim from a place of goodwill, but Tim responds harshly to the idea that he let his son down. Sean later provokes a group of hostile construction workers into beating him up.

16| 6| "In a Lonely Place"| Randall Keenan Winston| Brett Goldstein| November 13, 2024 (2024-11-13)| T12.18206

Sean is hospitalized following his beating; Tim is nowhere to be found. Jimmy and Paul find Tim fishing in a river, feeling guilty. The two confide in their own failures as fathers, and Tim admits he didn't know how to help Sean upon his return from war. Tim finally visits Sean in the hospital and the two reconcile. Gaby releases Courtney from her obligation to solely look after their mother. Brian convinces Alice to come meet Louis; Louis confides his guilt and depression following Tia's death, and Alice, at Louis' request, shares a story about Tia. Alice decides to forgive Louis, feeling it is what Tia would have done. Connor returns to college; Liz, feeling unfulfilled and directionless as an empty-nester, secretly spends more time with Mac.

17| 7| "Get in the Sea"| Randall Keenan Winston| Kyra Brown & CJ Hoke| November 20, 2024 (2024-11-20)| T12.18207

Gaby and Derrick #2 go on their first date, only to be interrupted by a last-minute request by Gaby's student to go over her thesis. Their next date is cut short by Brian, who feels hugely unprepared to raise a child so soon, but afraid to admit this to Charlie; Derrick #2 suggests they all swim in the beach to release tension. Jimmy has his patient Dan join him throughout the day to help overcome his social anxiety, and the two join Derrick #2, Gaby, Brian and Charlie in the water, where Charlie also admits his fear of fatherhood; he and Brian decide to wait a few months before they are ready to adopt a child. Jimmy and Dan also convince Sean to reconnect with Jorge. Alice reconciles with Summer. Paul catches Liz talking to Mac. Liz and Mac later kiss; Liz confides this to Paul, who recommends that she come clean to Derek. Derek, however, is devastated upon hearing the news. Jimmy spots Alice and Brian having dinner with Louis.

18| 8| "Last Drink"| James Ponsoldt| Sasha Garron| November 27, 2024 (2024-11-27)| T12.18208

Flashbacks show Jimmy and Louis spending time with their respective loved ones leading up to the car crash. In the aftermath, Louis breaks up with his fiancée Sarah, feeling she will only remind him of his guilt, while Jimmy numbs himself with drugs and prostitutes, leading Alice to seek solace with Liz's family. In the present, Brian and Alice catch up with Jimmy and explain why they reached out to Louis; Alice suggests to Jimmy that he too forgive Louis. Derek goes to stay at Gaby's house, leaving Liz despondent over his absence. Derek goes to confront Mac, only to realize it is futile, and Gaby helps him see that he was inattentive to Liz's depression as an empty-nester. Derek forgives Liz and surprises her by inviting their three sons over for dinner. Jimmy visits Louis and tells him he forgives him, but then orders him to stay away from him and his friends and family. Paul decides to quit drinking at his doctor's urging, and shares his final drink with Jimmy. Jimmy tells Paul he still has not forgiven himself for failing as a father to Alice; Paul tells him he hopes he can.

19| 9| "Full Grown Dude Face"| Anu Valia| Bill Posley| December 4, 2024 (2024-12-04)| T12.18209

Gaby learns that Courtney is joining the army; she is supportive, but worried that she will now be responsible for taking care of her mother, who expects to move in with her. Paul advises Gaby to exercise boundaries, but Gaby still ends up allowing her mother to stay at her house. Brian and Charlie have an adoption meeting with a pregnant mother who is deciding between them and another couple; Brian successfully overcomes his anxiety during the meeting, allowing him and Charlie to connect well with the mother. Nevertheless, she chooses the other couple. Alice goes on a date to a party, but is put off by everyone there feeling sorry for her over Tia's death. Jimmy tells her to use humor to reclaim ownership of her grief and put others at ease around her; Alice takes his advice and returns to the party, where she ends up enjoying herself. Jimmy is grateful that he was finally there for his daughter when she needed him.

20| 10| "Changing Patterns"| James Ponsoldt| Ashley Nicole Black| December 11, 2024 (2024-12-11)| T12.18210

Alice tells Paul that she is ready to take a break from therapy, which he is proud to hear. After Julie's husband dies, she sells their house and stays with Paul; Gaby convinces Paul to have Julie move in with him. Paul in turn urges Gaby to be honest with her mother about not wanting her to move in with her; Gaby eventually tells her mother, who is heartbroken. Liz has been noticeably more fawning and deferential to Derek out of lingering shame over her infidelity, which even he is put off by; Brian and Gaby encourage her to go back to being herself. On Alice's 18th birthday, Jimmy surprises her with a Mini Cooper similar to the one Tia owned; he buys the car from an attractive divorced mother named Sofi, with whom he immediately connects. Louis texts Alice suggesting they no longer speak, prompting Alice to visit him; Louis admits Jimmy forbade him from speaking with her, and an enraged Alice tells Jimmy he ruined yet another birthday for her.

21| 11| "The Drugs Don't Work"| TBA| Neil Goldman| December 18, 2024 (2024-12-18)| TBA
22| 12| TBA| TBA| Bill Lawrence & Neil Goldman & Brett Goldstein| December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25)| TBA

## Production

[edit]

Season 1 poster featuring Harrison Ford and Jason Segel

It was announced in October 2021 that Apple TV+ had ordered a ten-episode season for the series, which would star Jason Segel, who co-created alongside Brett Goldstein and Bill Lawrence.[10] In April 2022, Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, and Lukita Maxwell joined the cast, with James Ponsoldt joining the production as a director and executive producer.[11][12][13][14] Production began in April 2022.[15] The first season has a total of ten episodes.[16] The series theme song "Frightening Fishes" was written by Ben Gibbard and Tom Howe.[17]

During a 2023 interview with Harrison Ford for The Hollywood Reporter, author James Hibberd reminded Ford that he had said in 2002 that he was content to work only once per year and asked him why he had accepted the offer to play Dr. Paul Rhoades. Ford replied that he wanted to try new things after a period of not doing as much work as he wished due to the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitments to the titular role of the long-delayed Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. As with his role in 1923, Ford accepted the Shrinking role despite there not being a script at the time, trusting that Segel, Goldstein, Lawrence and Brian Gallivan would deliver him a good script.[18]

In March 2023, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a second season.[19] In June 2024, Ashley Nicole Black joined the second season as a writer and a cast member in an undisclosed capacity.[20] The season filmed from January to June 2024.[21] Ted McGinley, who had a recurring role in the first season, was promoted to series regular for the second season.[1] The show was pitched to Apple as a three-season-show, but the creators are open to continue if a fitting story emerges.[22] On October 17, 2024, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a third season.[23]

## Release

[edit]

Shrinking was released on January 27, 2023, with the first two episodes premiering together and the rest releasing on a weekly basis on Apple TV+.[24] The second season premiered on October 16, 2024.[25]

## Reception

[edit]

### Critical response

[edit]

Critical response of ShrinkingSeason| Rotten Tomatoes| Metacritic

|
|

1| 91% (93 reviews)[26]| 68 (34 reviews)[27]
2| 97% (46 reviews)[28]| 75 (16 reviews)[29]

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 91% approval rating with an average rating of 7.65/10, based on 93 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Shrinking has darker ideas on its mind than its earnest approach can often translate, but Jason Segel and Harrison Ford's sparkling turns make these characters worth close analysis."[26] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 68 out of 100 based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[27]

Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series a B+ and described the series as "a funny, brainy grief-com about the power—and dangers—of radical honesty."[30] Chicago Sun-Times's Richard Roeper gave a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars and said, "You never know what goes on behind the scenes, but one gets the feeling Ford is having a great time on this show. We're sure having a great time watching it."[31] Writing for The Wall Street Journal, John Anderson stated, "The overall sense is a little like laughing at a funeral; the human impulses are familiar, a little perverse and somehow comforting."[32]

The second season has received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a 97% approval rating with an average rating of 8.3/10, based on 46 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus states, "Settling into a hangout comedy that's content to luxuriate in these lovable characters' company, Shrinking's appeal only continues to grow in this big-hearted second season."[28] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 75 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[29]

### Accolades

[edit]

Award  | Year  | Category  | Nominee(s)  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

American Film Institute Awards | 2024  | Top Ten Television Programs  | Shrinking | Won  | [33]
Astra TV Awards | 2024 | Best Streaming Series, Comedy  | Shrinking | Nominated  | [34]
Best Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy  | Jason Segel | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy  | Harrison Ford | Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy  | Jessica Williams | Nominated
Best Directing in a Streaming Series, Comedy  | James Ponsoldt (for "Coin Flip") | Nominated
Best Writing in a Streaming Series, Comedy  | Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel and Brett Goldstein (for "Coin Flip") | Nominated
Astra Creative Arts TV Awards | 2024 | Best Main Title Design  | Shrinking | Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards | 2024 | Best Comedy Series | Shrinking | Nominated  | [35]
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Harrison Ford  | Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Jessica Williams  | Nominated
2025 | Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Michael Urie | Pending  | [36]
Golden Globe Awards | 2024 | Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Jason Segel  | Nominated  | [37]
2025 | Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Jason Segel  | Pending  | [38]
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Harrison Ford  | Pending
Primetime Emmy Awards | 2024 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Jason Segel  | Nominated  | [39]
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Jessica Williams  | Nominated
TCA Awards | 2023 | Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Shrinking | Nominated  | [40]
Outstanding New Program | Shrinking | Nominated
Individual Achievement in Comedy | Harrison Ford  | Nominated
Venice TV Awards | 2023 | Best Comedy  | Shrinking | Won  | [41]
Writers Guild of America Awards | 2024 | New Series | Wally Baram, Rachna Fruchbom, Brian Gallivan, Neil Goldman, Brett Goldstein, Bill Lawrence, Annie Mebane, Bill Posley, Jason Segel, Sofia Selig  | Nominated  | [42]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah (October 2, 2024). "Shrinking Creator Wants You To Know This Character Is Officially A Series Regular In Season 2". Screen Rant. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
2. ^ Cordero, Rosy (March 26, 2024). "'Shrinking' Co-Creator Brett Goldstein Joins Season 2 Cast". Deadline. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
3. ^ a b c Baldwin, Kristen (October 15, 2024). "Shrinking review: Jason Segel's therapy-com makes good progress in season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
4. ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (November 1, 2024). "Kelly Bishop joins Shrinking as Harrison Ford's ex-wife in exclusive first look". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
5. ^ Jackson, Dory (December 6, 2024). "Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders Have a Legendary How I Met Your Mother Reunion on Shrinking: First Look! (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
6. ^ a b c "Shows A-Z – Shrinking on Apple TV+". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
7. ^ "Shrinking". Apple TV+ Press. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
8. ^ "Watch Shrinking". Apple TV+. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
9. ^ "Shrinking - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 13, 2021). "Jason Segel To Star In Shrinking, Apple TV+ Comedy Series From Ted Lassos Bill Lawrence & Brett Goldstein". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
11. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 4, 2022). "Harrison Ford To Star In Shrinking Apple TV+ Series From Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence & Brett Goldstein". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
12. ^ Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (April 6, 2022). "Jessica Williams Joins Shrinking Apple TV+ Series; James Ponsoldt To Direct & Exec Produce". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
13. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 8, 2022). "Christa Miller Joins Shrinking Apple TV+ Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
14. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 18, 2022). "'Shrinking': Michael Urie, Luke Tennie & Lukita Maxwell Join Apple TV+ Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
15. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 11, 2022). "Ted Lasso Boss Bill Lawrence Closes New Nine-Figure Overall Deal at Warner Bros. TV". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
16. ^ Galluchi, Nicole (January 27, 2023). "'Shrinking' Episode Guide: How Many Episodes in Harrison Ford's Apple TV+ Series?". Decider. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
17. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (January 27, 2023). "Hear Ben Gibbard's Theme For New Jason Segel & Harrison Ford Series Shrinking". Stereogum. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
18. ^ Hibberd, James (February 8, 2023). "Harrison Ford: "I Know Who the F*** I Am"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
19. ^ White, Peter (March 9, 2023). "'Shrinking' Renewed for Season 2 at Apple". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
20. ^ Patten, Dominic (June 11, 2024). "Ashley Nicole Black Joins 'Shrinking' Season 2 & Vince Vaughn's 'Bad Monkey' On Both Sides Of The Camera". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
21. ^ Boyle, Kelli (July 24, 2024). "'Shrinking' Season 2 Wraps Filming: When Will Jason Segel Comedy Return?". FOX41. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
22. ^ Weintraub, Steven (August 18, 2024). "Bill Lawrence Talks More 'Ted Lasso,' 'Shrinking's Three-Season Plan, and 'Bad Monkey'". Collider. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
23. ^ White, Peter (October 17, 2024). "'Shrinking' Renewed For Season 3 At Apple". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
24. ^ Rice, Lynette (November 30, 2022). "'Shrinking': Apple TV Drops Trailer, Announces Premiere Date, for Series Starring Harrison Ford, Jason Segel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
25. ^ Petski, Denise (August 5, 2024). "'Shrinking' Sets Season 2 Premiere Date At Apple TV+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
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27. ^ a b "Shrinking: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
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## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Shrinking at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Apple TV+ original programming

Television

| Current|

* Acapulco (since 2021)
* Bad Monkey (since 2024)
* Bad Sisters (since 2022)
* Before (2024)
* The Buccaneers (since 2023)
* The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin (since 2024)
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* Dark Matter (since 2024)
* Dr. Brain (since 2021)
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* For All Mankind (since 2019)
* Foundation (since 2021)
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* Friday Night Baseball (since 2022)
* Hijack (since 2023)
* Invasion (since 2021)
* Jane (since 2023)
* Land of Women (since 2024)
* The Last Thing He Told Me (since 2023)
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* Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (since 2023)
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* Pachinko (since 2022)
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* Platonic (since 2023)
* Prehistoric Planet (since 2022)
* Presumed Innocent (since 2024)
* The Reluctant Traveler (since 2023)
* Severance (since 2022)
* Shrinking (since 2023)
* Silo (since 2023)
* Slow Horses (since 2022)
* Sugar (since 2024)
* Surface (since 2022)
* Tehran (since 2020)
* Trying (since 2020)
* WondLa (since 2024)

|

Ended|

* The Afterparty (2022–23)
* Amazing Stories (2020)
* Amber Brown (2022)
* Becoming You (2020)
* The Big Cigar (2024)
* The Big Door Prize (2023–24)
* Black Bird (2022)
* Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker (2023)
* Calls (2021)
* Central Park (2020–22)
* The Changeling (2023)
* City on Fire (2023)
* Constellation (2024)
* The Crowded Room (2023)
* Dear... (2020–23)
* Dear Edward (2023)
* Defending Jacob (2020)
* Dickinson (2019–21)
* Disclaimer (2024)
* Doug Unplugs (2020–22)
* Earth at Night in Color (2020–21)
* Echo 3 (2022–23)
* El Deafo (2022)
* The Essex Serpent (2022)
* Extrapolations (2023)
* Five Days at Memorial (2022)
* Franklin (2024)
* Ghostwriter (2019–22)
* Greatness Code (2020–22)
* Harriet the Spy (2021–23)
* Hello Tomorrow! (2023)
* Helpsters (2019–23)
* High Desert (2023)
* Home (2020–22)
* Home Before Dark (2020–21)
* Interrupting Chicken (2022–23)
* Lady in the Lake (2024)
* The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (2022)
* Lessons in Chemistry (2023)
* Lisey's Story (2021)
* Little America (2020–22)
* Little Voice (2020)
* Long Way Up (2020)
* Losing Alice (2021)
* Manhunt (2024)
* Masters of the Air (2024)
* Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend (2024)
* The Me You Can't See (2021)
* The Mosquito Coast (2021–23)
* Mr. Corman (2021)
* My Kind of Country (2023)
* The Oprah Conversation (2020–21)
* Oprah's Book Club (2019–21)
* Physical (2021–23)
* Pinecone & Pony (2022–23)
* Pretzel and the Puppies (2022–23)
* The Problem with Jon Stewart (2021–23)
* Roar (2022)
* Schmigadoon! (2021–23)
* See (2019–22)
* Servant (2019–23)
* Shantaram (2022)
* Shape Island (2023)
* Shining Girls (2022)
* The Shrink Next Door (2021)
* Slumberkins (2022)
* Snoopy in Space (2019–21)
* The Snoopy Show (2021—23)
* Still Up (2023)
* Stillwater (2020–23)
* Strange Planet (2023)
* Sunny (2024)
* Surfside Girls (2022)
* Suspicion (2022)
* Swagger (2021–23)
* Ted Lasso (2020–23)
* Time Bandits (2024)
* Tiny World (2020–21)
* Truth Be Told (2019–23)
* The Super Models (2023)
* Visible: Out on Television (2020)
* Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson (2021)
* WeCrashed (2022)
* Wolfboy and the Everything Factory (2021–22)

Continuations|

* Carpool Karaoke: The Series (season 5; 2022–23)

Upcoming|

* Dope Thief (2025)
* Prime Target (2025)
* The Studio (2025)
* Your Friends and Neighbors (2025)
* Chief of War (TBA)
* Down Cemetery Road (TBA)
* Firebug (TBA)
* Government Cheese (TBA)
* The Last Frontier (TBA)
* Murderbot (TBA)
* Rambler & the Birdie Machine (TBA)
* The Savant (TBA)
* Untitled Vince Gilligan TV series (TBA)

Films

| Released|

| 2019|

* The Elephant Queen
* Hala

|

2020|

* The Banker
* Beastie Boys Story
* Dads
* Greyhound
* Boys State
* Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You
* On the Rocks
* Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds
* Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special
* Wolfwalkers

2021|

* Palmer
* Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry
* Cherry
* The Year Earth Changed
* Fathom
* CODA
* 9/11: Inside the President's War Room
* Come from Away
* Blush
* The Velvet Underground
* Finch
* Swan Song

2022|

* The Tragedy of Macbeth
* The Sky Is Everywhere
* Cha Cha Real Smooth
* Luck
* Sidney
* The Greatest Beer Run Ever
* Raymond & Ray
* Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
* Causeway
* Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me
* Spirited
* Emancipation
* The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

2023|

* Fursat
* Sharper
* Tetris
* Ghosted
* Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
* The Beanie Bubble
* Stephen Curry: Underrated
* Flora and Son
* Killers of the Flower Moon
* The Pigeon Tunnel
* Fingernails
* Napoleon
* The Family Plan

2024|

* Argylle
* Girls State
* Bread & Roses
* Fancy Dance
* Fly Me to the Moon
* The Instigators
* Napoleon Director's Cut
* Wolfs
* The Last of the Sea Women
* The Bloody Hundredth
* STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces
* Blitz

Upcoming|

* The Gorge (2025)
* F1 (2025)
* Echo Valley (TBA)
* Fountain of Youth (TBA)
* High and Low (TBA)
* The Lost Bus (TBA)
* Mayday (TBA)
* Outcome (TBA)
* Way of the Warrior Kid (TBA)

* Apple TV
* tvOS
* Apple TV app
* channels
* Apple Studios

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*[Ref.]: Reference(s)
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