Shrinking; Wonder Man

“Such is the surfeit of TV offered up to us in the streaming age that there are whole shows featuring A-list actors that only two of your friends have heard of and even fewer are watching. A case in point: Apple’s Shrinking, a dramedy from the creator of Scrubs and Ted Lasso about a grieving therapist who, rather than merely nodding and looking sad, decides to get brutally honest with his patients. Now in its third season, its brightest star remains Harrison Ford, who plays our protagonist Jimmy’s (Jason Segel) grouchy but good-hearted boss. It’s probably for the best that it isn’t in the big leagues: while Shrinking has its moments of greatness, the series is – by and large – an unapologetically soapy confection best enjoyed, like most sweet things, in moderation.”
Hannah J Davies, The Guardian

“At Shrinking’s heart is the problem that people talking about themselves is tedious, whereas people being themselves is fascinating. For this cynical, emotionally repressed and no doubt permanently damaged Brit, the huggings and key learnings and folks doing prayer hands every other minute make me want to vomit. Harrison Ford, of all people, should never have to say a line like, “You’re afraid to move forward, but you know you should,” as the coffee-shop dad-rock swells up in the background and we all walk away better people. And yet… it’s still very funny, uniformly well put together and full of great turns. I find it a cause of immense cognitive dissonance, and probably need to talk to someone about it.”
Benji Wilson, Telegragh

“Programmes like these even have a name. They are called “hangout” shows and they can be pleasant company if you’re tired and need a lift and some sunshine. But this third and (if reports are to be believed) potentially final run has become so soft and gooey it melted into a sentimental puddle. If only life — and modern day America — were really like this.”
Ben Dowell, The Times

“For those who want more of the superhero stuff, Wonder Man will disappoint. There are moments when we see Simon’s rumbling powers build and occasional scenes when they are unleashed. But the strength of this show lies in its depiction of the relationship between the leads and its interrogation of the effects of art and how it gets corrupted. Forgive me, but it’s a rather clever, tender and altogether wonder-ful thing.”
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian

“This tale of superhuman derring-do in Hollywood plays out like Robert Altman’s Tinseltown satire The Player crossed with The Avengers. Funny, poignant and readily comprehensible to non-nerds, it marks a sharp retreat by Marvel from its previous strategy of pandering exclusively to dyed-in-the-spandex mega-fans. Don’t know your Iron Man from your Metal Mickey? This is the show for you.”
Ed Power, Telegraph