Team Shrinking celebrated the conclusion of the comedy’s third season with a wrap party disguised as a panel discussion at PaleyFest LA on Tuesday. (Read our finale recap and cast interviews.)
Taking place at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, the event included a special screening followed by a wide-ranging conversation led by showrunner and co-creator Bill Lawrence and featuring co-creator and star Jason Segel, as well as cast members Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Christa Miller, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley. But it was a surprise appearance by Season 3 guest star Michael J. Fox that really brought down the house.
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Ford described Shrinking as “one of the most pleasurable experiences of my life.” He also discussed his approach to playing someone with Parkinson’s disease, saying he regarded the role with “ambition and pure terror,” but also a responsibility that he took seriously. “Even though [the show] is a comedy sometimes, I don’t want to minimize the difficulty of the disease.”
Jason Segel and Harrison FordThe Paley Center for Media
Fox commended Ford’s performance. “I didn’t have to prove to him that I had Parkinson’s,” the Back to the Future star said. “He had to prove to me that he had Parkinson’s — he nailed it.”
Asked by Lawrence if he’d like to return for Season 4, Fox said, “I would love to do it; it would be my honor.”
One of the biggest laugh lines of the evening came courtesy of sitcom veteran McGinley. “People come by and they have the kindest things to say about Derek,” he said, and then explained the difference between him and his character. “I have a little bit of road rage, and I’m always worried that someone’s going to say, ‘Oh my god, Derek just gave me the finger!’ I can’t help it, I live in L.A.”
Lawrence also sought to clarify his recent comments about what to expect from Season 4. Last week, the prolific TV producer confused Shrinking fans with a tweet that read, in part: “We always pitched a three-season story… so excited to do Season 4 and a new story with the same cast.”
Lawrence clarified that the story he originally conceived has played out, so there will be a time jump next season, but emphasized that the entire cast — including Ford — will return.
The timing of Tuesday’s panel comes as Emmys FYC season begins in earnest. Apple TV is hoping for big things from Shrinking, with the show and several cast members — including Segel, Ford, Williams, Urie, and Fox — expected to score nominations.
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