Fans are ecstatic about the upcoming third season of the hit Apple TV+ comedy series “Shrinking”. The show, which stars Jason Segel as a grieving therapist who decides to take a more unconventional approach with his patients, has quickly become a must-watch thanks to its winning combination of humor and heart.
But at the center of the show’s success is the one and only Harrison Ford, who brings his legendary acting chops to the role of Dr. Paul Rhoades, a senior therapist and colleague of Segel’s character, Jimmy.
“I’m so lucky to work on ‘Shrinking’ with actors, writers, and a crew so talented that they all elevate the material,” said co-creator and executive producer Bill Lawrence. “I’m even luckier that they are people I’d want to spend time with anyway.”
Ford’s performance as the gruff but caring Dr. Rhoades, who is dealing with the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, is a masterclass in subtle comedy and emotional depth. In one particularly memorable scene, Segel’s character accuses Ford’s character of being too “professionally rigid,” prompting Ford to deliver a delightfully deadpan response.
“I never say ‘beep-boop,'” Ford hisses, carefully pronouncing each word as if ensuring a court stenographer captures every syllable. Rather than adding more silliness to the already intentionally goofy line, Ford grounds his character in a persona that aligns closely with the public’s perception of him: pragmatic, allergic to bullshit, and just a little bit grumpy.
This approach is what makes Ford such an integral part of “Shrinking,” which, like most dramedies created or co-created by Lawrence, toggles between sensitive moments and sitcom-style humor. Getting that delicate balance right where the absurdity doesn’t undermine the authenticity is a true challenge.
“I used to say the show ‘Scrubs’ was like ‘M.A.S.H.’ and ‘The Wonder Years’ and’ The Simpsons’ squished together,” Lawrence explained. “And I love comedies that just fire 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.'”
That’s where Ford’s performance comes in. He serves as the stabilizing force that prevents “shrinking” from devolving into schmaltz or self-conscious silliness. His default setting is a delightful sarcasm, perfectly capturing the moments when deflating a phrase is just as funny, if not more so, than inflating it.
Ford says, pausing to look at his co-workers, “We should add it to our sign out front: Rhodes Cognitive Behavioral Center.” The words fall from his mouth with a dry, withering delivery that earns a genuine laugh.
But Ford’s performance isn’t all about the comedy. He also masterfully reveals the gentler side of his character, allowing Paul’s vulnerability to shine through. As Paul grapples with the early stages of Parkinson’s, Ford subtly conveys the physical and emotional toll, whether it’s the slight tremor of his hands or the fleeting moments of genuine emotion with his girlfriend, Julie, played by Wendie Malick.
“There’s almost nothing we can’t write that he won’t try,” Lawrence said of Ford. “And that level of trust with him is truly remarkable,” Lawrence said. It’s enjoyable.”
That trust and commitment from Ford has proven to be essential to the show’s success. As Segel, who not only stars in “Shrinking” but also co-created and writes for it, explains, the ensemble cast is sufficient that any one of the characters could lead their own series.
“I feel like any one of these characters could be the lead of their show,” Segel said. “I feel like our writing staff is just unparalleled. Bill and Brett are geniuses, and so is Neil Goldman, who runs the show. I know I’m mentioning a lot of names, but I feel like my job is relatively simple.
With the announcement of a third season, audiences can look forward to more of the show’s signature blend of humor and heart, anchored by the incomparable talents of Harrison Ford. As one reviewer put it, “Shrinking” is “more than a worthy follow-up to Ted Lasso and a real delight in and of itself.”
And at the heart of that delight is Ford, bringing his iconic star power and undeniable skill to a role that’s a far cry from the larger-than-life heroes he’s portrayed in the past. But in doing so, he’s proving that even the biggest movie stars can still surprise us with their ability to ground a story in authenticity and keep us laughing all the way through.