The Waiting Room: 7 Comedies to Stream While Waiting for “Shrinking” Season 3
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Managing Editor Mike Strayer, who has covered TV and entertainment for over 11 years.
We all know the feeling: You’ve binge-watched every episode of Shrinking, you’ve fallen in love with Harrison Ford’s grumpy mentorship, and you’re rooting for Jimmy to get his life together. But Season 3 isn’t here yet, and you have a comedy-shaped hole in your heart.
If you love the mix of psychological insight, messy protagonists, and laugh-out-loud grief processing, you don’t have to wait. Here are seven shows that scratch that same therapeutic itch—ranging from the classics to hidden gems.
1. “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV)
The vibe: Relentless optimism meets emotional baggage.
Why it fits: Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. “Shrinking” co-creators Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein are the masterminds here, too. While “Shrinking” focuses on mental health professionals, “Ted Lasso” focuses on sports, but the DNA is identical. It’s about broken men, father figures, and the power of radical kindness. If you haven’t seen it, this is your mandatory homework.
2. “Frasier” (Paramount+)
The vibe: High-brow neuroses and slapstick misunderstandings.
Why it fits: Before Jimmy Laird started “Jimmy-ing” his patients, there was Dr. Frasier Crane. If you appreciate the “therapist who can’t take his own advice” trope, this is the gold standard. While “Shrinking” is modern and messy, “Frasier” is witty and theatrical (though one could argue the new seasons of the “Frasier” reboot get pretty dirty), and both delve deep into the comedic side of psychology and family dynamics.
3. “Scrubs” (Hulu)
The vibe: Life, death, and eagle antics.
Why it fits: Another Bill Lawrence classic. If you love the dynamic between Jimmy (Jason Segel) and Paul (Harrison Ford), you need to witness the original blueprint: J.D. and Dr. Cox. “Scrubs” mastered the art of pivoting from a goofy fantasy sequence to a devastatingly sad moment in the blink of an eye. It balances the weight of a medical profession with pure absurdity.
4. “After Life” (Netflix)
The vibe: Cynical grief with a heart of gold.
Why it fits: Jimmy acts out because he is grieving his wife; Tony (Ricky Gervais) does the same thing in “After Life.” Tony decides to punish the world by saying precisely what he thinks. It is darker and more cynical than “Shrinking,” but it explores the same question: How do you keep living when your person is gone?
5. “Loudermilk” (Netflix)
The vibe: Grumpy irreverence in a church basement.
Why it fits: Sam Loudermilk is a substance abuse counselor who is incredibly bad at people skills but oddly good at his job. A CableTV.com all-time favorite, the show centers on a support group of misfits who form a dysfunctional family. If you love the ensemble cast of patients in “Shrinking,” the group dynamics in “Loudermilk” will feel right at home.
6. “The Good Place” (Netflix)
The vibe: Moral philosophy with a side of frozen yogurt.
Why it fits: “Shrinking” is ultimately about people trying to be better. “The Good Place” takes that concept literally. It follows four people trying to navigate the afterlife to prove they are “good.” It’s bright, vibrant, deeply concerned with ethics and self-improvement, and absolutely hilarious.
7. “Somebody Somewhere” (HBO Max)
The vibe: Midwestern melancholy and joy.
Why it fits: This is a quieter, more grounded pick. It follows Sam, who is dealing with a midlife crisis and the death of her sister. She finds her “people” in a local choir practice. It captures the specific “Shrinking” feeling of finding joy and laughter amid profound sadness, highlighting the importance of a “found family.”
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