Apple TV+ Gains 'The Shrink Next Door' Comedy Starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd

Thursday April 23, 2020 12:31 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today announced that it has given a straight-to-series order for "The Shrink Next Door," an eight-episode limited comedy series starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd.

Apple reportedly acquired the rights to the series for Apple TV+ in a "highly competitive situation" earlier this year.

"The Shrink Next Door" is based on the true events documented in the Wondery podcast of the same name. The show is a dark comedy that follows the bizarre relationship between a psychiatrist to the stars (played by Rudd) and a longtime patient (played by Ferrell).

Over the course of their relationship, Rudd's character, Dr. Isaac "Ike" Herschkopf, slowly takes over the life of Ferrell's character, Martin "Marty" Markowitz, moving into Marty's home and taking over his family business.

According to Apple, the series will explore how a seemingly normal doctor-patient dynamic morphs into an unprecedentedly exploitative relationship filled with manipulation, power grabs, and dysfunction.

"The Shrink Next Door" will mark the first time Ferrell and Rudd have reunited on screen since "Anchorman 2" came out in 2013.

Tags: Apple TV Shows, Apple TV Plus Guide

Top Rated Comments

CarlJ

45 months ago

People want glory in a few weeks.

No, see, I watched the entire first five minutes of one of the shows, and it didn't grab me, so it's obvious the entire streaming service is doomed (in fact, this probably dooms Apple as a whole).

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Kabeyun

Great stuff, and with A-list talent! Apple TV+ comedy offerings have been sparse compared to other genres. Slowly, I’m getting the feeling that Apple TV+ will actually end up being solid. Please, let’s not have comparisons to the likes of Disney, that can come out swinging with Marvel and Lucasfilm. Or Netflix, which made its bones streaming everything before it dabbled in original content. In fact, find me any other streaming service that launched with entirely in-house productions. That ATV+ is even doing passably okay (and won awards it’s first season out) is pretty good. Let’s also not be impatient with the time it takes to establish this kind of service. People want glory in a few weeks. Unless you're offering a large established library it doesn’t work that way.

Does anyone actually think that Will Ferrell is funny?

Yes. Given that he’s very successful I’d think that answer would’ve been obvious. I’m guessing what you actually meant was that you don’t, plus a bit of “who’s with me?”.

now i see it

The funniest thing about it is that Will Ferrel isn't a comedian.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

lunarworks

i liked this when it was called WHAT ABOUT BOB?

Sounds like it's a reverse What About Bob?

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

iRutherford

I am EXTREMELY hyped for this series!! Two of my favorite comedic actors! I love how Apple is quietly building up a stable of series starring MCU actors. First Chris Evans, now Paul Rudd. I hope they offer a serious drama series to Robert Downey Jr. next.

Don't forget Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie!

Read All Comments