I enjoy watching Shrinking and I’m certainly very happy to see both that there are new episodes of the show and that it has been renewed for a fourth season…
But…
I never feel comfortable recommending it or even speaking too openly about my enjoyment of the show. At times it is a really dopey hang-out comedy. That part of the show I’m happy to recommend. It has also brought a mainstream credibility to Ted McGinley, an actor I have always really liked, but he has understandably never had a filmography to be hugely proud of (Married With Children, The Love Boat, those final seasons of Happy Days).
What stops me from ever wanting to get out there and beat the drum for this show is that at every turn the show makes terrible decisions. It keeps returning back to the early series story engine with Jason Segel’s character fully embracing a really problematic strategy in his work as a psychologist. It keeps getting back to wallowing in misery around the death of Segel’s late wife. And it continues to double down on Christa Miller and Michael Urie’s characters who are among TVs most annoying creations (how are we supposed to believe these people function in the world?).
In retrospect, maybe I’m just watching it because Jessica Williams is my new sun and I’ll happily orbit around her for as long as she’s on my TV.
Also, Wendie Malick and Harrison Ford are such a wonderful on-screen pairing that one can’t help but wonder how that hasn’t happened before, until you remember that Malick has long been a creature of TV and that Harrison Ford is slumming it on telly right now.
It’s back this week on Apple TV.
Meanwhile there’s Wonder Man on Disney+. All of the conversation around it is to the effect of: “Guys, it’s really good and is barely even really a superhero show at all,” and that’s fine except:
If you need to be sold on a Marvel show not being all that much about superheroes, why are you watching a Marvel show? Just press play on an episode of Barry.
A show called Wonder Man is not going to draw a crowd burned out on superhero shows/movies.
What can I tell you about the show? Mostly that it’s really good and is barely even really a superhero show at all.
Returning TV
Shrinking (s03), School Spirits (s03), Bridgerton (s4), Death in Paradise (s15), Yo Gabba GabbaLand! (s02)
New TV
Wonder Man — Disney+
Who’s in it: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, X Mayo, Zlatko Burić, Ben Kingsley, Arian Moayed, Joe Pantoliano, Byron Bowers, Josh Gad (booooo)
What it’s about: Hollywood actor Simon Williams is thrust into the world of superheroes as he gets powers of his own, and becomes the new superhero Wonder Man.
Memory of a Killer — ABC (US)
Who’s in it: Patrick Dempsey, Richard Harmon, Odeya Rush, Peter Gadiot, Daniel David Stewart, Michael Imperioli
What it’s about: Losing one's memory is a devastating hammer blow for anyone, but for Angelo, the stakes couldn't be higher. His hit man job would be perilous enough, but there's an added pressure: Angelo lives two totally separate lives -- fearsome NYC hitman, and sleepy upstate Cooperstown photocopier salesman and father. Having built and maintained a brick wall between his two worlds, Angelo has seamlessly juggled and compartmentalized for years. But now that's all about to change, because Alzheimer's is a foe he can't outrun, and he knows too well how this ends, as his older brother is already lost to the condition.
Under Salt Marsh — Sky Max [UK] | Binge [Aus]
Who’s in it: Kelly Reilly, Rafe Spall, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Yang, Harry Lawtey
What it’s about: A detective-turned-teacher investigates a shocking crime in her small town. As a massive storm approaches, she must work with her estranged ex-partner to solve the case before evidence disappears.
New Movies
The Wrecking Crew — Prime Video
Who’s in it: Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista
What it’s about: Estranged half-brothers Jonny and James reunite after their father’s mysterious death. As they search for the truth, buried secrets reveal a conspiracy threatening to tear their family apart.
That’s the newsletter for this week.
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