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

[MacRumors]

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.

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

 

[Ar40]

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.

 

[SBlue1]

Chad Smith is an actor?

 

[ericg301]

i liked this when it was called WHAT ABOUT BOB?

 

[now i see it]

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

 

[lunarworks]

i liked this when it was called WHAT ABOUT BOB?

Sounds like it's a reverse What About Bob?

 

[CarpalMac]

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

It is quite funny that he keeps getting cast in stuff.

 

[GDF]

Wish those two could just make a real comedy, instead of their usual movies lately. Too bad...

 

[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!

 

[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.

 

[Ballis]

Love it!

 

[CarlJ]

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).

 

[SDJim]

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

 

[Boatboy24]

And the expected release date is...?

 

[Ar40]

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

Oh! And Brie Larson has a series with Apple too!!! I had totally forgotten about them.

 

[CarlJ]

Oh! And Brie Larson has a series with Apple too!!! I had totally forgotten about them.

The real question is, when will we see Will Ferrell in the MCU?

 

[cmaier]

i liked this when it was called WHAT ABOUT BOB?

This is the reverse of that plot.

 

[Glavin]

The actual story that the Wondery podcast covered was extremely creepy and sad. I don't see this proposed comedy doing justice to the reality of what happened.

 

[Prof.]

Does anyone actually think that Will Ferrell is funny?

 

[Kabeyun]

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?”.

 

[CarlJ]

Does anyone actually think that Will Ferrell is funny?

In Elf, absolutely yes. Plus he’s wonderful in Stranger Than Fiction. And Anchorman and Talledega Nights have a lot of funny bits. His other stuff varies quite a lot.

 

[Analog Kid]

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?”.

I’m with them...

For the life of me, I don’t understand Will Ferrell’s appeal. Maybe I’m just looking at it wrong...

 

[subjonas]

Is that a pic of Will Ferrell in his George W hair and makeup or is that just what he looks like now?

 

[MacBH928]

Apple is trying to buy their way in, just sign big name actors and combine them into a tv show, that will make people join our streaming service.

 

[supertiffany]

they should find a niche and have a target for every demographic

the cheapest would be a teen-flick catered to white teen girls which are the biggest paying consumer in entertainment industry.

that will give them bigger ROI rather than keeping on releasing shows with big paycheck actors.