What a great show! I stumbled into it, had no expectations one way or another, and was sucked in. The two main characters, the shrink and the patient, are likable, very human, and very relatable. The humor is Canadian - wry, a bit self-deprecating, on point. The two leads, the shrink and the patient have messy lives --- because life IS messy. There's a U. S. show,"The Patient" - in which the patient is a sociopath. Gets very strange. This t.v. Show is sociopath-free. It's fun watching characters dip into each other lives. I trying to avoid revealing too much. "Workin' Moms" is another Canadian workplace comedy which is also highly successful (in terms of convincing me love it).
13 Reviews
A Hidden Canadian Gem
TvIsForMe25 July 2017
I've read at least one review that has said this show makes fun of mental illness, anxiety, phobias, etc. I disagree wholeheartedly. With the scenes that immerse you into the panicked situation that Michael is in, like the elevator for instance, you can really get a sense of what this is like for people who live with it everyday. It does make jokes, but they need light-hearted breaks from the tension. You can always find humour, even in some darker things, and I respect the show for its take.
My favourite aspect of the show is the narration, which is insightful and painfully true, and is never stated eloquently. Dr. Storper speaks it as a train of thought, with all pauses, corrections, and improper wording included. As a writer who often tries to sit and make sense of my thoughts, I can appreciate its realism. I also love the endings of each episode, specifically their subtlety.
I love finding Canadian shows, and this one certainly is a hidden gem! I definitely recommend!
My favourite aspect of the show is the narration, which is insightful and painfully true, and is never stated eloquently. Dr. Storper speaks it as a train of thought, with all pauses, corrections, and improper wording included. As a writer who often tries to sit and make sense of my thoughts, I can appreciate its realism. I also love the endings of each episode, specifically their subtlety.
I love finding Canadian shows, and this one certainly is a hidden gem! I definitely recommend!
Good stuff from the Slings and Arrows and Twitch City folks *minor episode spoilers*
thepowell20991 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
We're only 3 episodes in, but in reply to the horrid User Rating - what gives? - I thought I'd provide a counterpoint.
As is typical for a Don McKellar comedy, the humour is a mix of trademark sitcom and really, really strange. Detailing the interactions between ultra-neurotic Michael (Watts) and his semi-neurotic therapist (Martin), each episode tends to focus around a psychological problem Michael is tasked to address with "homework." In the first episode, it's talking to a stranger, and in the third, it's vomiting. The latter is a good example of the bizarre humour: there's something strangely funny about two guys on a park bench outside the Parliament Buildings, pretending to vomit to see if anyone will notice.
LEGACY: Anyway, all you really need to know is that these folks are many of the same ones behind the critically acclaimed Slings and Arrows, Twitch City, and (Tony-winning musical) Drowsy Chaperone. If you liked any of that, be sure to at least check this out.
As is typical for a Don McKellar comedy, the humour is a mix of trademark sitcom and really, really strange. Detailing the interactions between ultra-neurotic Michael (Watts) and his semi-neurotic therapist (Martin), each episode tends to focus around a psychological problem Michael is tasked to address with "homework." In the first episode, it's talking to a stranger, and in the third, it's vomiting. The latter is a good example of the bizarre humour: there's something strangely funny about two guys on a park bench outside the Parliament Buildings, pretending to vomit to see if anyone will notice.
LEGACY: Anyway, all you really need to know is that these folks are many of the same ones behind the critically acclaimed Slings and Arrows, Twitch City, and (Tony-winning musical) Drowsy Chaperone. If you liked any of that, be sure to at least check this out.
A must see, this show should be much more popular!
psguy1 October 2022
I first heard about Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays through the CBC Comedy Awards in 2012. Michael led the nominations with seven! I meant to check it out but never got around to it until 2017 when season two was released under the name Michael: Every day. I watched that and was immediately hooked, the critical acclaim was well deserved! I then went back and watched the first season and was blown away, what a hidden gem indeed! Very cleverly written to say the least, it has a compelling storyline which is coupled with very clever dialog. While the humour could be described as deadpan there are more than a few LOL moments, some of which are flat out hilarious.
It was nominated for best ensemble cast and I can see why, there are no weak links. Most of the cast may not be house hold names but for those who require star power the show features a great performance by Ed Asner. Also appearing are Sandra Oh and Samantha Bee. You can even see Michael Mando, Nacho Vargo on Better Call Saul, in a small but entertaining part, he is nothing like Nacho!
It was nominated for best ensemble cast and I can see why, there are no weak links. Most of the cast may not be house hold names but for those who require star power the show features a great performance by Ed Asner. Also appearing are Sandra Oh and Samantha Bee. You can even see Michael Mando, Nacho Vargo on Better Call Saul, in a small but entertaining part, he is nothing like Nacho!
Seinfeld: Nothing happens, nobody changes... Michael: Hold my beer, eh?
The_late_Buddy_Ryan30 October 2022
Charming, profound, bingeworthy Canadian series written and performed by a couple of veteran sketch-com guys, Bob Martin (as Dr. Storper) and Matt Watts (who gets a credit for "neuroses") as Michael. Sorry to say that it stiffed on the CBC 10+ years ago, a promised third season never materialized, and it isn't getting a whole lot of love on this forum right now, tbh. My clever wife discovered it on Netflix and we gobbled it up just like that.
Dr. Storper's a cognitive behavioral therapist, which means he nudges his "multiphobic" patient into real-life situations that trigger his anxiety, a technique that's not all that different from improv, it seems to me. When that vein's played out, subplots involving Dr. Storper's efforts to cash in on Michael's shaky recovery with a self-help book, plus some workplace stuff where Michael gets sabotaged by a rivalrous normie, are both quite entertaining. Scripts are consistently well worked out; jokes are delivered with deadpan Canadian subtlety, and the supporting cast (including a recurring role for Ed Asner and cameos by Sandra Oh and Samantha Bee) is first-rate. Cougarish Jennifer Irwin ("Eastbound and Down") returns to her Canadian roots as Storper's very hands-on editor; horror-show stalwart Tommie-Amber Pirie gets to stretch as the doctor's ditsy receptionist and Michael's on-and-off GF, on the well known theory that a 30-something protagonist who's a 5 at best deserves at least an 8 as his love interest.
Dr. Storper's a cognitive behavioral therapist, which means he nudges his "multiphobic" patient into real-life situations that trigger his anxiety, a technique that's not all that different from improv, it seems to me. When that vein's played out, subplots involving Dr. Storper's efforts to cash in on Michael's shaky recovery with a self-help book, plus some workplace stuff where Michael gets sabotaged by a rivalrous normie, are both quite entertaining. Scripts are consistently well worked out; jokes are delivered with deadpan Canadian subtlety, and the supporting cast (including a recurring role for Ed Asner and cameos by Sandra Oh and Samantha Bee) is first-rate. Cougarish Jennifer Irwin ("Eastbound and Down") returns to her Canadian roots as Storper's very hands-on editor; horror-show stalwart Tommie-Amber Pirie gets to stretch as the doctor's ditsy receptionist and Michael's on-and-off GF, on the well known theory that a 30-something protagonist who's a 5 at best deserves at least an 8 as his love interest.
Average
reachkiramurphy30 September 2018
This show was pretty good at first. Felt like it maybe got canceled too soon before it could really find the right groove. When it came back it just was not good at all. I'm not sure if it is still on the air or not. The psychologist character is the best part of the show. Decent writing and story.
Fantastic Show!
chris-chasely5 December 2011
Really well done. A show full of reality without the unnecessary entertainment gimmicks. In Michael one gets to see the suffering and how he tries to overcome his fears with the help of his doctor. The doctor-patient relationship is wonderful and so real. I found the cast brought on that reality. From Michael, to Dr. Storper and Claire and all the way to Mr. Renn acting with so much ease on his scooter-that couldn't have been easy! This cast must have been chosen with everything in mind. The perfect chemistry between Michael and Clair, the trick played by Dr. Storper were the highlights. Direction by Don Mckellar, our Canadian hero, is second to none. Honestly, he has done an amazing job to bring the cast together. An excellent, excellent production which I hope will continue like the US soaps. This is what we need to watch not the reality dance shows!
Kind of Boring
fembot10004 September 2018
This show is kind of boring. I think the stories are decent but the jokes just aren't very funny and the characters aren't very good either. I like the psychiatrist actor a lot, seen him in a lot of things, but the other guy just isn't very good and so much of the show is on him it is hard to get past it. The writing and acting (except the psychiatrist) are not very good.
If you're not depressed before watching this, you will be afterwards
gdump18 January 2017
Depression is not funny. Shows about depression are even less funny.
Some people must get some kind of sick, vicarious thrill out of watching somebody's life go down the toilet. I'm not one of them. This turkey has apparently managed to run for 2 seasons (where?). I was ready to pull the plug after 15 minutes, but I didn't -- because I foolishly thought that it must have some redeeming value since it did last for 2 seasons.
I was wrong.
And if the depressing story isn't bad enough to make you want to shoot yourself, it presents us with a cast of cartoon-like stereotypical characters to fill out the other roles.
Don't watch this -- you deserve better.
Some people must get some kind of sick, vicarious thrill out of watching somebody's life go down the toilet. I'm not one of them. This turkey has apparently managed to run for 2 seasons (where?). I was ready to pull the plug after 15 minutes, but I didn't -- because I foolishly thought that it must have some redeeming value since it did last for 2 seasons.
I was wrong.
And if the depressing story isn't bad enough to make you want to shoot yourself, it presents us with a cast of cartoon-like stereotypical characters to fill out the other roles.
Don't watch this -- you deserve better.
A Contest in Boredom
ronnieyearwood31 July 2018
Clever, a niche classic!
dr-deborahbarry29 October 2011
This is a great situation and it's cleverly written! Matt Watts stumbles around as the key patient apparently needing therapy yet actually living quite a good life. Matt has his struggles, but he somehow pulls off the important things and finds success all around him. The therapist, however, is comically inept at everyday life! Fortunately, he can bounce things off his supervisor, Ed Asner (in shorts). The other characters are either competent in their personal lives or in their professional lives, but few master both. ~~~ The writing for this series is tight and not overly predictable. The acting is understated and credible. I absolutely RAVE about this series! I introduced my neighbours to this series and now we arrange to get together each week so we can watch it together (on demand).
I Don't Like It
eatcrowepls4 August 2018
I found this show to be incredibly boring with unlikable characters. The psychiatrist is a decent actor at least but Michael is not a good actor and also just a terrible character to try to root for or care about. The stories were poorly written and unfunny. Just nothing I can recommend about this show at all.
Below Average
coles_notes7 June 2022
Michael is a depressed, anxious patient with more fears than he can count. Dr David Storper has been his twice a week psychiatrist going on 15 years. This series tells the stories of Michael's treatment and recovery, and David's struggles to write a book detailing the whole thing. Created by and starring both Bob Martin (Slings & Arrows) and Matt Watts (The Newsroom), I can definitely feel the influence of both those previous shows on this, it has a lot of the same tone and comedy. No laugh tracks, mostly deadpan, self-deprecating humour and sarcasm, I never really laughed throughout the series, but did breathe out of my nose heavily once or twice. I quite related to Michael's anxiety issues, while he's an extreme case it was good representation, however David is an absolutely terrible psychiatrist, the series really doesn't do well for advocating proper mental health (imo). Neither Michael or Davids character's really get any depth over the series split two season run, and while some phobias are conquered I wouldn't say either character really changes or grows. The series also fails the Bechdel test miserably, its quite bad considering its from 2011. The second season was only a short 6 episode run in 2017, 6 years after the original series ran, and CBC changed its name to Michael: Every Day, I guess to better fit the plot of that season. Either way, only the second season (labeled as the first) is available on Gem, although I have to say I think the original 2011 first season is better, but not by much. You can probably pass on this one.
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