Shrinking

Since Shrinking premiered on Apple TV+ so early in the year, it might be overlooked when thinking back on popular TV moments, but it was easily one of if not the best shows I watched this year. The cast is incredible, headlined by stars Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, but each member carries their weight and delivers heartfelt and endearing performances across the season. For a show that tackles heavy grief, it does so with such finesse and humor that viewers can seamlessly transition from crying laughing, to flat-out crying. Apple TV+ has produced a surprising number of hits, just look at the success of Ted Lasso, but Shrinking might be the best creation yet.

I would say the emotion that defined this fandom this year would be empathy. At first glance, I wasn't sure how serious or deep this show was going to be, but by the end, I had laughed and cried, and really connected to a story that stripped its characters down to the very core of being human. While the show explored the aftermath and tight grip of grief it is a heartwarming, realistic, and even fun adventure with authentic performances of characters you can’t help but relate to and cheer for.

In the same year that Harrison Ford hung up his hat as Indiana Jones, he showed he’s still here to make us laugh. No one has ever doubted just how iconic of a star Ford is and the highlights of his work are endless, but he was easily the shining star of Shrinking. There is something so special about seeing Ford deliver his classic grumpy performance, that is undercut by his comedic brilliance, and he steals every scene he’s in. He was snubbed of a Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Emmy nomination this year, but with the show renewed for a second season, many more laughs are heading our way.