It’s not often a show comes along that captivates the masses quite like Ted Lasso has. Yes, Jason Sudeikis’ charm as the titular Ted has captured hearts the world over, but I would argue his performance would be nothing without the supporting cast and the heartwarming and funny-yet-tender sports story Ted is at the center of. Truly, the Ted Lasso creators have struck gold and made one of the closest things I’ve ever seen to a perfect television show, and we are all lucky to be alive on the planet at the same time it’s airing. And no—I don’t care how dramatic that sounds, Ted Lasso really is that good.
So yeah, you could say I’m a bit of a Ted Lasso fan. If you asked me a few weeks ago if I ever thought a show would come anywhere near it in my top rankings, I would have laughed in your face. I would have been wrong, though, as Shrinking has now premiered on Apple TV+ and, I’m absolutely thrilled to report, is shaping up to be damn near as good as Ted Lasso. If you’re anxiously counting down the days until Lasso graces your screen again, Shrinking is the show you should be queuing up ASAP.
What Shrinking is all about
Where Ted’s charm is the unwavering positivity he introduces to us in minute one, Shrinking’s lead, Jason Segal’s Jimmy, is at rock bottom. Seriously, in the opening episode we meet him drunk and entertaining two young women in his pool while his neighbors struggle to sleep through the loud music the trio are playing. We soon learn that Jimmy is grieving, and what follows is a series of events that help him get his life back on track.
Why we’re loving Shrinking (and you will too)
First things first, Bill Lawrence, one of the creators of Ted Lasso, and Brett Goldstein, who you probably know and love best as Lasso’s Roy Kent, are the masterminds behind Shrinking. I don’t know about you, but that fact alone convinced me to watch episode one at the very least. From there, Shrinking’s dry (and at times dark) humor and tenderness captured my heart almost instantaneously. Not ten minutes into the premiere I looked over at my husband, said “Yeah, I’m in,” and then lamented the fact that I’d have to wait a full seven more days to watch another episode.
Pretty much everything I love about Ted Lasso can be found in Shrinking. A main character who’s more than what he seems on the surface? Check. A supporting cast who have their own stuff going on and don’t exist solely to propel the main character’s story forward? Check. Sweet, heartwarming moments that make me grin from ear to ear? You get the idea. The spirit of Ted Lasso is so evident it feels like Shrinking is part of its extended universe—and yes, I am starting a petition for a crossover episode (or even just a scene of Jimmy watching a Richmond game, please?), thank you for asking.
This isn’t to say Shrinking is just a carbon copy of Ted Lasso. Shrinking is already emotionally deep in a way that Lasso really only began exploring in season two. From the very beginning, we’re made aware of just how deeply depressed and lost in grief Jimmy is, to the point where his job as a therapist can only be seen as ironic—he should 100% be sitting in the patient’s chair, not the other way around. That said, when Jimmy starts pulling himself out of his depression, with the help of a stellar supporting cast led by the ever-charming Harrison Ford, the show’s emotional heart is revealed. This is a show about a group of people who, despite dealing with their own shit, start to realize they don’t have to go through it alone. Shrinking explores the idea that when you heal your community, you heal yourself beautifully.
In Shrinking, truly laugh-out-loud funny moments and sweet ones that will make you say “Aww!” are punctuated by moments of soul-crushing emotional depth. You’ll get whiplash, yes, but you’ll be so glad you came along for the ride and will count down the days until the next episode drops.
I’m not alone in my love for Shrinking either, two other Everygirls weighed in with their takes, too:
What other Everygirls are saying
“Each episode of Shrinking is a gentle reminder that it’s OK not to have everything together because honestly, no one does. From experiencing grief to navigating failing relationships and more, each episode touches on the importance of working through your issues without being too hard on yourself and why, along the way, you need a group of people who support you no matter what.” —Hailey Bouche, Assistant Editor at The Everygirl
“If Brett Goldstein, aka Ted Lasso‘s Roy Kent and an executive producer on Shrinking, is involved I will watch it. It’s also great to have Jason Segel back on TV, he walks such a fine line between comedy and sentiment that it really makes the show heartwarming and funny at the same time. I also just get such a kick out of Harrison Ford’s amazing deadpan dry comedic delivery. 10/10.” —Roberta Correia, Editor-in-Chief at The Everymom
Convinced? You can stream Shrinking on Apple TV+ right now.
