It is likely that the preview of the late January show joined by Lawrence Bill, former showrunner of Ted Lasso, and Jason Segel, will make them cry — but the phone joined by THR later. He is playing a gruff shrink opposite Jason Segel, but there is he. In the small-screen ensemble comedy rolling out on Jan. 27, Indiana Jones star, the incredulous Kent Roy aka Goldstein often wondered if it is true. Jason Segel is playing a gruff shrink opposite the widowed grieving therapist played by Harrison Ford, and co-creator Brett Goldstein insists that the crew and cast were still “asking how is he here”. The production of ten episodes of Apple TV+ comedy Shrinking Grief.
Is it correct that this idea was conceived at a London tavern, as I have read, similar to many other brilliant ideas?
This is really depressing. You can’t write comedy for shit, dude. But remember, I received the idea back and then pitched this, but I have a new kid now and he’s remarried. There was an accident in the other car and he was with his daughter in another car, and his wife, parents, and one of his children. … This is really depressing … And it’s because my great dad who’s on vacation with my neighbor. I wanted something to work on as a TV writer, so I pitched my version of this to Warner Bros. Years ago when Susan Rovner and Peter Roth were running it. Even before Bill Lawrence started it.
BRETT GOLDSTEIN Both of us were working on concepts regarding sorrow, and I believe that my interpretation was significantly more somber.
I’m not sure, Bill’s concept sounds quite gloomy.
My idea started with that moment, in a more neutral place where we smushed them together and got a much darker and kinder Lawrence, who also got much lighter with that place.
Jokes create areas of conflict among individuals. If you enjoy reading about people who have survived the Holocaust, you may find it amusing to hear them talk about it. It is not pleasant to think that life is like that. I always think that it is unfortunate that I am made to feel bad when I watch “You didn’t like Life”. One thing I hate about TV and film is that they are always filled with gloomy and depressing content. However, how do you feel about making a funny show about grief? It is challenging, isn’t it, GOLDSTEIN?”
Then you hire Jason. How did you come across him?
(Laughs.) I just love him. You just love him too. Like, Jason’s funny fucking because he also has an inherent vulnerability. He was the GOLDSTEIN dream.
JASON SEGEL That’s very endearing.
I wasn’t sure how it went, and we FaceTimed with him. So, with this character, GOLDSTEIN And, you can lead him astray or cause him to make poor choices quite extensively.
(Laughs.) “I possess a distinctive skill set,” when he states, I truly felt akin to Liam Neeson in Taken. However, in this particular instance, I am aware that whoever is presenting the opportunity desires their endeavor to be exceptional, and I also create things. Because I express to them, “I believe someone else might be more capable of accomplishing it,” but there have been occasions where I would have greatly enjoyed undertaking projects that were offered to me. And occasionally, I have been presented with opportunities that I would have enthusiastically embraced, but I take the time to contemplate if I am truly the most suitable individual for the role. However, I engage in a behavior that may not be the wisest decision for my career, but I allocate time to ponder if I am genuinely the most suitable person to portray the character, and then I was genuinely attentive, SEGEL.
How so?
That is the adult version of that. Complete nudity was the best I could achieve in terms of raw vulnerability back then. Even Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which I accomplished when I was 25, was [about something] as intense as one might experience at that age, which is losing your girlfriend. And evoking laughter in the face of tragedy is my preferred form of comedy. However, this was a splendid blend of drama and comedy, and I thought, “Alright, I’ve kind of had that encounter.” Because I participated in one [How I Met Your Mother] for nine years, which is an exceedingly lengthy period. It felt like the true area of expertise of what I desired to pursue if I were to create another TV comedy.
What was the attraction of therapy as a backdrop?
LAWRENCE Listen, as individuals from the Hollywood industry, I must warn you in advance that we all shrink in size…
We didn’t want therapy to be a joke. We had many therapists and consultants check everything, and there is inherent comedy and drama in our relationship. They have their own problems in their own lives too, they are people. It’s a strange relationship. I really don’t know much about you paying them. These boundaries are not yet established, and it can go on for years and years, everything is so intimate and they know it all. I also think it’s a unique relationship between their patient and therapist. But without it, we would have been much crazier, and we’re all crazy, I mean, anyone who has access to it, I recommend GOLDSTEIN.
I noticed that on TV, there is always a way to expand the personality of the principal character as a means to shrink the cast and focus on “Mike’s bothering what’s into get we could How” like were We. City Spin on it did I.
Do you train your own therapists for a project like this?
(Laughter.) “I want you to understand that in certain instances, I will simply observe you during these sessions, and you will experience a distinct change in energy,” I informed my therapist as we began the writing process.
So, Harrison Ford. What made you even believe you could acquire him?
Harrison Ford from no a but anything get to prepared ill-was I how was thing real only the Here, around ya see Cool No? This do wanna you, Hey, be can I where things on chances taking and date to trying kid a as at was I wish I that point a to got But hurt it it,”Fuck no,” a was it sometimes and no, a was it and admired or idolized you somebody to out reach you’d when time the all rejected so feel to used I that it as much as sting doesn’t “no” saying people that was recently had I that one but anymore, epiphanies of lot a have don’t I LAWRENCEOutput: I recently had a lot of epiphanies, and one of them was that I don’t have many opportunities to reach out to someone I admire or idolize and feel rejected all the time. It used to sting a lot when people said “no,” but not anymore. I got to a point where I wish I was a kid trying to go on a date, taking chances and being prepared for anything. Here, around ya see? Cool, right? Hey, can I be where you are? Do you wanna do this?
GOLDSTEIN I believe it was akin to a jest. Such as, “Clearly not Harrison Ford, but someone resembling Harrison Ford.”
You will go to the real person heroically, Brett. Then, you can say out loud, “Oh, we’re out to Ford Harrison!” You can offer it to someone like Ford Harrison for a week, like you said, Yes SEGEL.
No, I had anticipated being present to persuade him. Moreover, the conversation was exceedingly brief as he had a strong desire to proceed. I proceeded to his residence to engage in a discussion about it. I was taken aback, exclaiming, “What on earth is going on?” Unexpectedly, I received a phone call, and the voice on the other end stated, “Hello, this is Harrison Ford.” It turns out that I was in London while he was occupied with the filming of Indiana Jones [and the Dial of Destiny].
And there you were likely perspiring.
He is a brilliant and talented actor in the ensemble, Jason Segel. I can’t express enough how much I admire his performance. “It wasn’t just good, it was exceptional.” And if given the opportunity, I would love to meet him and see what he is like. “He wasn’t a diva, contrary to what I expected.” As for the rest, I would like to hear more about it and see where it leads.
He breaks down fast, which is supposed to awe you. He makes you feel like a peer, and when he arrives, something really amazing happens. He is SEGEL.
How does he accomplish that?
Metaphorically speaking, he’s been employed to assist in constructing someone’s ideal residence. And that’s quite impressive. “I’ve been employed to construct a dwelling, and all I desire is for the individuals who employed me to be content with the completed house,” he expressed this sentiment to me. He formerly worked as a carpenter, SEGEL.
So now you’re writing for him. Are there places you’re not sure you can take him, comedically?Output: Therefore, at this moment, you’re composing content on his behalf. Are there any areas you’re uncertain if you can humorously explore with him?
Comedy is not something that Harrison Ford enjoys, as he reacts to comedy by saying, “Oh, he’s doing moves.” When people are being funny in a couple of episodes, he will respond gruffly and everyone will do comedy around him gruffly. Initially, when you’re writing, you thought, “OK, how would they want it to go or what might be good with someone?” You’re doing your best, Lawrence.
I exclaimed, “Wow, this is a new experience for him,” as I witnessed him receiving a great amount of laughter in the room. As I observed the initial run-through of the pilot, I could perceive a sense of joy in his eyes. It was evident that he was extremely enthusiastic about being humorous. GOLDSTEIN.
I believe that each of us has aspects of ourselves that we perceive as hidden, and we desire to be acknowledged.
How does that feel for you, Jason?
When I first started watching Geeks and Freaks, I was like, “Oh, this is just like How I Met Your Mother!”Output: Upon beginning to watch Geeks and Freaks, I thought to myself, “Ah, this is quite similar to my experience with How I Met Your Mother!”
Did you have a similar inclination about this show? And expressed your interest to the other writers, you’ve mentioned that you identified with Roy Kent, and after about five episodes, Brett, you became a writer for Ted Lasso.
It didn’t cross my mind regarding this particular situation. I was extremely delighted with that, as I was composing for these individuals, and it simply had the same impact as Goldstein.
Is it a unique task when you’re composing sentences that you don’t have to present?
When you’re envisioning it, writing involves connecting with the individuals present in this space, contemplating what I am attempting to accomplish and the emotions I am experiencing. Both writing and acting involve pondering questions like, “What are my feelings? What is my objective? How am I connecting with the individuals present in this space?” The only disparity lies in one occurring on camera and the other taking place privately. Personally, I don’t believe there is much difference between writing and acting, GOLDSTEIN.
I agree that writing is difficult for me because I find it hard to imagine putting in the effort required for the work.
GOLDSTEIN Don’t misunderstand me, I absolutely adore it when I engage in such activities.
I really desire him to participate in SEGEL. If we have upcoming seasons, I truly aspire for that.
Are you prepared to make a commitment to that, right here, right now?
GOLDSTEIN Now? (Laughs.) Absolutely. Certainly. I would be thrilled to engage with these individuals.
What knowledge did you acquire from the Ted Lasso chamber that you have brought to this location?
All aspects should hold significance. “Why are you engaging in this behavior? Why are you including this scene? Why is this character behaving in this way?” The choice is, it’s relatively simple to shape the show to be humorous or not, depending on the individuals who possess a sense of humor. I don’t say this casually, I simply mean in terms of purposefulness, creating comedic content is effortless. The most important lesson I gleaned from Jason Sudeikis is. GOLDSTEIN
Marshall Sarah said something very similar to what Apatow Judd SEGEL had said. According to him, “The comedy in this film is hilarious due to the way you perceive the world. It’s a guarantee for me. We can include jokes throughout the entire day, but the only thing that truly matters to people is the drama. If it’s not present, we can keep adding jokes endlessly, but ultimately, it’s the drama that people will focus on.”
What were the largest conflicts or discussions in the writers’ chamber?
It’s hard to be around someone who always says everything goes “way” when your wife just died.
“And it will be more enjoyable if we portray him as unpleasant. I am quite confident that I can restore his likable qualities. If you go too far, I will let you know. You can push him just up to that boundary. “My main concern, which I mentioned to them at the start with a sense of awkward self-awareness, as I often have to write for my own satisfaction, was, “Audiences will perceive him as a decent individual.”
(Goldstein laughs.) “I really enjoy this individual,” doesn’t resonate with the audience, as I don’t believe they perceive him the same way. Additionally, I think it’s important to mention that he keeps a friendly relationship with his neighbors and the hired workers who maintain his swimming pool. Furthermore, in the opening scene, there is a strong indication that he is involved in drug-related activities. If you consider all these factors, it’s quite remarkable to think about.
SEGEL I understand! “Oh, he’s experiencing a difficult period.”
Looking back on the past, what were the remarkable instances in the production of this show, irrespective of whether or not they were incorporated in the ultimate outcome?
Harrison Ford was wearing a coordinated jumpsuit when I arrived the next day, which made me feel extremely embarrassed. When I asked him if he was inspecting my flight suit, Harrison replied, “I sure am, kid.” Although he engaged in conversation with me, his gaze continuously focused on my jumpsuit. As we conversed, he persistently examined my jumpsuit. On the first day, I unexpectedly found Harrison Ford waiting outside my trailer to practice lines. To avoid any similar situations, I had planned to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than my scheduled call time and change in secret. However, I lacked the courage to appear in my jumpsuit where someone might witness it, so I decided to stick to my original plan and arrive early to change in my trailer. Consequently, I started wearing a jumpsuit. This way, I could quickly change into my wardrobe upon arrival, and it seemed illogical to waste energy selecting an outfit for the beginning of the day. As SEGEL mentioned, I also possess a jumpsuit.
Oh wow.
SEGEL Yes, what do you think about that? And now we are closest buddies. (Laughs.)
In episode six, that is the brand new single of my daughter. So, you are already receiving the negative reaction, can I now include one of your songs in the television show? Once she was identified as one, I was fortunate because this entire “nepo baby” phenomenon began. However, I was fortunate because this whole “nepo baby” thing started, and she has appeared on numerous soundtracks. She always used to say, “I do not require any favors,” and my daughter [Charlotte Lawrence] is a successful musician who would never allow me to include one of her songs in my shows. This is extremely self-serving, LAWRENCE.
Interview edited to ensure brevity and clear communication.