Michael: Every Day

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.

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.

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!

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!

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).