So you've just wrapped up the third season of "Shrinking," and now you’re staring at your watch list, wondering what could possibly fill that gap until the season 4. Don't panic — even though the Apple TV Plus comedy is one of a kind, we've found some shows like "Shrinking" you can watch in the meantime.
"Shrinking" strikes a balance between laugh-out-loud humor and some seriously emotional situations. It follows a grieving therapist (Jason Segel) who starts getting more involved in his patients' lives at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center. And the best part of the show might be Harrison Ford, who's hilarious as a grumpy mentor.
There are other shows that hit emotional notes with a plentiful helping of jokes, even if they approach them from different angles. To help you make your choice, we’ve rounded up the four best shows like "Shrinking" to watch. You'll probably want to see them all, so cancel your plans for a few weeks.
'Platonic'
This sharp, fast-moving comedy about friendship chaos in your 40s will be familiar to anyone who's maintained connections with friends over the course of their lives. Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne star as former besties Will and Sylvia, who reconnect after years of not speaking and quickly realize that growing up doesn’t have to actually mean Growing Up.
Their new bond echoes throughout their adult lives and proves that the emotional maturity they thought they had is just an illusion. Still, they're important as ever to each other as they work through uncomfortable situations and explore their relationships as platonic besties, for better or for worse.
Stream "Platonic" on Apple TV now
'Ted Lasso'
This fish-out-of-water sports comedy is a silly, quirky series at first, but it becomes something much deeper as it progresses. Jason Sudeikis is Ted, an endlessly optimistic American football coach hired to manage an English soccer team. There's just one problem: he knows absolutely nothing about the sport.
It starts out as a joke, but things change fast as Lasso actually comes into his own and does his best to learn about the sport. The show also touches on heavier topics like mental health, connecting with others, and living life out loud while being kind to others. But don't worry, it's going to make you laugh first. Plus, it comes from the same creators as "Shrinking."
Watch "Ted Lasso" on Apple TV now
'Nobody Wants This'
"Nobody Wants This" puts its own spin on the romantic comedy by leaning hard into some of the emotional awkwardness that can stem from real-life relationships. Kristen Bell is Joanne, a blunt, sex-positive podcast host who unexpectedly falls for Noah, a newly single rabbi played by Adam Brody.
Their relationship is instantly complicated by cultural norms as well as their families' expectations. As they grow closer, they have to work hard at maintaining their connection, as it seems like those around them aren't so hot on their pairing. But they're determined to make it work, and that'll inspire you to stick with them for the long haul.
Watch "Nobody Wants This" on Netflix now
'The Good Place'
Where do you go when you live a life free of sin? The "good" place, of course, instead of the "bad" place. "The Good Place" starts as a high-concept afterlife comedy and evolves into something else, with what many call one of the most satisfying endings in TV history. Kristen Bell plays Eleanor Shellstrop, who dies and goes to the show's version of heaven — except she doesn't think she really belongs there. The solution? Fake 'til she makes it.
As she tries to hide all of her shortcomings, Eleanor gets to know the other souls who have been sent to "The Good Place" with her, and becomes a better person because of what she learns. There's still something off, though, and she can't quite put her finger on it. Simply put, this show is "forking" good.
Watch "The Good Place" on Netflix now
