Shrinkingco-creator Bill Lawrence is dedicated to ensuring the show’s depiction of Parkinson’s Disease is authentic and uplifting. During an appearance at “An Evening with Shrinking at PaleyLive,” Lawrence spoke withPeopleabout his and co-creator Brett Goldstein’s connection to the illness: both of their fathers have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Lawrence also citedMichael J. Fox, his “first mentor,” as inspiration for the show’s depiction of the neurological disease. Lawrence said:
“It’s cool to get to write about things you care about now, and Michael J Fox is my first mentor. So we wanted to represent it in hopefully an inspiring and not sad or tragic way.”
“I found the first mentor in my life and career, Michael J Fox, to be so inspiring. The way he took it in stride and continues to work harder than anybody I know. And we want to kind of carry that spirit if we can into the show.”
Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 and publicly disclosed his condition in 1998 (Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination). At the time, he starred inSpin City, which Lawrence co-created alongside Gary David Goldberg; the political sitcom aired on ABC from 1996 to 2002. Fox exited the series following its fourth season before returning for its sixth and final season in a guest role.
Fox continued to act (even appearing in Lawrence’sScrubsduring its third season), and focused on Parkinson’s advocacy. In 2000, he founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. The foundation prioritizes funding research and developing improved therapies and has become the world’s leading non-profit funder of Parkinson’s research.
‘Shrinking’ Explores Parkinson’s with Hope and Honesty
Shrinkingfollows grieving therapist Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) as he navigates life and his relationships with friends and colleagues, including his boss (Harrison Ford’s Paul), coworkers, and neighbors, while coping with the loss of his wife. Ford’s Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson’s during the first season’s concluding episode. In navigating the portrayal of the disease, Lawrence says he thinks his voice as a writer is “hopeful and optimistic.” He said:
“I suck in the inspiring people around me, and I steal from them as much as I possibly can.
During the event, Ford spoke about his role as Paul, and said he takes the task of sharing Paul’s life with Parkinson’s “deadly f—ing seriously.”
“There are people that absorb these kinds of experiences with grace and courage and a little bit of wisdom. It’s just to say that this is a person particularly equipped to communicate what it’s like, and that is something that I feel that is worth sharing with our audience.”
‘Shrinking’ Season 2 Ending, Explained: How Jimmy and Louis Reconcile
Shrinking takes viewers on a funny yet emotional rollercoaster, and the way season two ended is no exception.
Shrinking’s second season debuted on Apple TV+ on December 24, but Lawrence is already looking ahead to the next installment. Lawrence revealed that for the show’s Season 3, he became"obsessed with showing the portrait of living with it [Parkinson’s disease].“Shrinkingstars Segel, Ford, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Christa Miller, and Ted McGinley. It is streaming on Apple TV+.
In this series, a therapist grappling with personal tragedy begins to employ a radically candid approach with his clients and in his personal life. As he navigates his roles as a father, friend, and professional, his newfound method leads to unexpected consequences and self-discovery.
