8.022 minSeason 1 • Episode 22
LatestWorried that his career is in shambles, Ryan travels to New York with Steven to interview as host of a national show, set up for him by Anne. Meanwhile, the group grumbles they're getting nothing out of their sessions and blame Lauren to such an extent that Yolanda and Sonia make up a big problem for her to fix. When both plans crash, the group finds renewed strength from their failures.
Ryan King, a recent widower and sports talk radio host ready to get back to work after the loss of his wife. Ryan's alpha-male boss, Stephen, has a different plan in store for Ryan, making him attend grief counseling before returning to the air. A reluctant Ryan finds himself in a support group for "life change," where he meets an oddball cast of characters, all with their own backstories filled with varying degrees of loss.
Acting
Perry channels his own pain; it's uncomfortably real.
Writing
Jokes land in the same breath as genuine devastation.
Direction
Balances single-cam intimacy with traditional sitcom rhythm.
Creator
Scott Silveri
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Matthew Perry specifically sought this role after his own struggles; he co-developed the series with Scott Silveri, a Friends writer who understood his rhythms.
Part of NBC's doomed 2012 'Comedy Night Done Right' slate — it aired after The New Normal, which also got axed, leaving Thursday nights a graveyard.
US
