In this week’s episode of ⁠Bingeworthy⁠, our TV and streaming podcast host, Mike DeAngelo, ignores all training and ethics when discussing “Shrinking.” The Apple TV+ series follows a grieving therapist who decides to “Jimmy” his way into his patients’ lives. The hilarious and heartfelt series stars Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Ted McGinley, Christa Miller, and more. 
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Joining Bingeworthy to discuss season 2 of the hit comedy series are two of the show’s co-creators and producers, Jason Segel (“How I Met Your Mother,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Winning Time”) and Bill Lawrence (“Ted Lasso,” “Scrubs,” “Bad Monkey”). During the interview, star Jason Segel discussed his character Jimmy and the goals for this season now that the character has gotten his life back to normal. 
“I think that what we’re exploring this year is that you can perform triage and get somebody out of the hole, but now that we’re back to zero, at best, what now? He’s not an immediate danger,” Segel said. “Now it’s time to start dealing with the real stuff, and it will start coming at you. You know, rarely do you get a big break in life? Life keeps life-ing right at you.”
“Shrinking” is packed with heart, humor, and fundamental human moments—something co-creator Bill Lawrence has a ton of experience interweaving into his shows like “Scrubs,” “Ted Lasso,” “Bad Monkey,” and “Cougar Town. “He discussed the difficulty of finding the right balance of those emotions. 
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“I used to say the show ‘Scrubs’ was like ‘M.A.S.H.’ and ‘The Wonder Years’ and’ The Simpsons’ squished together,” Lawrence said. “And I love comedies that are just firing jokes like ‘Veep’ and ’30 Rock.’ I’ve just never been able to nail them myself. I think the balance is tricky. We call it a tonal tightrope because if you veer off it too much – if you’re too dramatic and try to be funny, people are like, ‘What are you doing? You can’t laugh at this.’ And sometimes, we did 9,000 episodes of ‘Scrubs’ as an example. If we were too broad and silly and then tried to make people care about a patient dying, it didn’t work. I think what works on [‘Shrinking’] is that it feels authentic because all the writers and I have all decided to mine our lives. And so all these stories are at least tangentially based on true crap that’s happened to all of us. Even Brett [Goldstein] and I started writing this with Jason [Segel] initially because Brett and I both deal a lot with Parkinson’s in our family. And that was one of the starting things. So I hope it feels authentic because it’s rooted in truth, you know?”
The series has a wealth of hilarious character moments, none more welcome than the comedic revelation of Harrison Ford’s performance as an aging therapist dealing with Parkinson’s disease. Lawrence discussed never quite getting used to Ford’s genius. 
“I was randomly talking to [Harrison Ford] last night. And then I was talking to my wife about it,” Lawrence shared. “And I don’t mean this judgmentally on any actor or actress, but I’m like, we’re not going to see that again. Somebody that was Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and The Fugitive. Do you know what I mean? And ‘hey, get off of my plane.’ It’s a career highlight for me, and I did not expect it to be happening. And it’s an honor to be not only part of this part of his career, but there’s almost nothing we can’t write that he won’t try. And that level of trust with him is crazy pants to me. It’s enjoyable.”
Segel not only leads the series but also co-created it and writes on it himself along with Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”), Neil Goldman (“Community,” “Scrubs”), and more. Segel insists he’s just filling a role that he compares to a specific position on a football team. 
“I think that we have found a lovely Venn diagram of what our strengths are. And, I’m like the quarterback on set,” Segel said. “Like I get the playbook, and I get to make sure I understand it all. And if I don’t understand it all, I ask questions, and maybe we adjust some plays, and then it’s my job to help go out there and make sure it turns out great. But I’m surrounded by the best cast on television. I feel like any one of these characters could be the lead of their show. I feel like our writing staff is just unparalleled. Bill and Brett are geniuses, and so is Neil Goldman, who runs the show. So I know I’m saying a lot of names, but I feel like it’s all to say my job’s pretty easy.”

Everyone and their mother has been chomping for more information since it was revealed that Apple TV+ was looking into renewing cast members for a potential season 4 of their hit comedy “Ted Lasso.” Lawrence, who produced and wrote on that show as well, didn’t have much to say, pointing to one specific person who needed to make the call. 
“Look, the truth is, you have to ask, and you’d be crappy at your job if you didn’t, but I guarantee you, whether it’s someone in the hair department or one of the creators or different cast members, no one’s going to say [anything] until [Jason says so],” Lawrence said. “The first person that hears anything about ‘Ted Lasso’ will hear it because Jason’s ready to tell it. And that’s not because it’s any weird dynamic. It’s because he is the creative heart, passion, and voice behind the show. And, he’s the ship’s captain, and we’re all like, from the start, whatever way he wants to ride, [we ride]. It will be funny because I have no idea which journalist will be lucky enough to be sitting in with him first when he feels like telling everybody.”
The Playlist Presents – Jason Segel & Bill Lawrence’s Film/TV Recommendation Playlist:
1.) “English Teacher” (2024) – Created By Brian Jordan Alvarez (Bill Lawrence’s Pick)
2.) “Shogun” (2024) – Created By Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks (Bill Lawrence’s Pick)
3.) “Breaking Bad” (2008-2013) – Created By Vince Gilligan (Bill Lawrence’s Pick)
4.) “The Great Beauty” (2013) – Written and Directed By Paolo Sorrentino (Jason Segel’s Pick)
5.) “Badlands” (1973) – Written and Directed By Terrence Malick (Jason Segel’s Pick)
Season two of “Shrinking” premieres on Wednesday, October 16th, only on Apple TV+. Listen to the full interview below:
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