Last week, The BUZZ had the opportunity to speak with the cast and crew of the Apple TV+ series, “Shrinking,” at the Writers Guild Theater as a part of the Paley Center for Media’s PaleyLive Program. The show, currently airing its second season, was renewed for a third back in October. This diverse cast deals with life struggles including mental health, PTSD, love, family, and friendships.
We spoke with Michael Urie, who plays Brian on the series, about the complexity of Brian’s friendship with Jimmy, to the point where Brian even had to ask himself…”Would Jimmy be friends with him now?”
Read the full interview below as we dove deeper into these topics:
NaVell J. Lee: You really are one of the hardest working men in the business right now!
Michael Urie: I literally did a matinee at 11 AM this morning…
NJL: And now you’re here!
MU: …with 2,000 middle school students.
NJL: Bless your heart.
MU: Bless my heart.
NJL: That’s a Brian-ism waiting to happen.
MU: *laughs*
NJL: I do love the character of Brian, even though not everything goes his way sometimes.
MU: That’s true.
NJL: I have to ask about his friendship with Jimmy (Jason Segel) this season. I don’t want to say that it regressed, but I see that moreso now with Louis (Brett Goldstein) being involved in the story. Brian has not told Jimmy about meeting Louis, just like Jimmy did not tell Brian about Gaby (Jessica Williams), and now he is hanging out with him and Alice at dinner. I feel…this is a lot worse! How do you justify this secret compared to Jimmy’s?
MU: *laughs* That’s a really interesting question. I think that so much of what Brian was going through with Jimmy was less about the secrets being kept but more, to me, about Brian realizing NOW that he is letting his guard down…
NJL: I think we can even go back to the first season with that as Jimmy ghosted Brian for so long.
MU: Yeah, they were estranged. However, when you think about it, the person that Jimmy became friends with, the Brian that Jimmy became friends with, was a different guy.
NJL: Yes! This was said in one of the previous episodes about, “Straight Brian.” Which, in turn, is why Brian asked Jimmy, “Would you be friends with me NOW?” That was very strong dialogue.
MU: Right? It was such a profound idea.
NJL: I am also sitting there, looking at Jimmy, going, “Would he?” It’s such a great question.
MU: Right. And, I think that weighed more on Brian’s heart than this secret. Of course, that does not excuse the hypocrisy of keeping the secret about Louis! *laughs* I will say this: The thing I like about this show is that the most unlikely thing becomes inevitable. Brian, of all people, would be the one to bring Louis into the fold. It’s unlikely yet inevitable. What Brian has learned from his relationship with Jimmy and his change is exactly what gave him what he needs to come help everyone else. It’s such an amazing domino effect on the show.
NJL: On all facets. I am so glad you said that. It does not just affect one person but a multitude of people. The aftermath of Jimmy and Gaby, it affected that friend group. So, really appreciate you bringing that up. Also, what is going to happen with Charlie, Brian, and the baby?
MU: What’s gonna happen?!
NJL: Well…?
MU: Uh… I don’t know. I know what happens this season, but…I don’t know.
NJL: We have to watch. Michael Urie, thank you so much!
MU: A pleasure. Great to meet you!
More interviews with the “Shrinking” cast on the way, including Ted McGinley, Lukita Maxwell, and Luke Tennie.
“Shrinking” can be seen on Apple TV+.
