Web Therapy
{{about|the original web series|the Showtime TV series based on it|Web Therapy (TV series)}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| camera = Single camera
| runtime = ~3–15 min
| creator = Lisa Kudrow
| writer = Lisa Kudrow
Don Roos
| director = Don Roos
| starring = Lisa Kudrow
| endtheme =
| country = United States
| network = LStudio.com
| first_aired = {{Start date|2008|09|22}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2014|12|04}}
| num_seasons = 6
| num_episodes = 133 (List of episodes)
| related = Web Therapy (TV series)
}}
Web Therapy is an improvised online series starring Lisa Kudrow as Fiona Wallice, a therapist who has conceived of a new form of therapy, the titular "web therapy". The series debuted on LStudio.com on September 22, 2008.
Synopsis
Fiona Wallice is a therapist who has conceived of a new "modality" of therapy: the titular "web therapy". In her estimation, the traditional "50-minute hour" version of therapy gives people too much leeway to talk about irrelevant things. By dramatically shortening session time, she hopes to get results more quickly. Her sessions take place via webcam over the internet using Skype.[http://blogs.skype.com/tag/lisa-kudrow/ lisa kudrow Archives | Skype Blogs] They are taped in the hope of attracting investors into promoting her new technique as a worldwide therapy option.
A dark comedy, much of the humor revolves around Fiona's obvious self-interest and how it overshadows her legitimate ability to determine people's issues quickly and effectively. (For instance, in "Sibling Ribaldry," she manages to completely clarify a couple's romantic emotional issues in thirty seconds but does so only to bring them around so she can then film them discussing more trivial sexual issues that are more shocking.)
TV series
{{Main|Web Therapy (TV series)}}
In April 2010, Showtime announced plans to adapt the online episodes for broadcast on television with extra scenes being shot. The series premiered on Showtime on July 19, 2011, and ran for 10 episodes. In December 2011, Showtime renewed Web Therapy for a second season of 11 episodes, which premiered on July 2, 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/web-therapy-season-2-showtime-lisa-kudrow-meryl-streep-269604/ |title=Lisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' Gets Second Season on Showtime |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 5, 2011}} On November 16, 2012, Web Therapy was renewed for a 10 episode third season by Showtime.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/16/web-therapy-renewed-by-showtime-for-season-3/158050/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119230642/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/16/web-therapy-renewed-by-showtime-for-season-3/158050/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 19, 2012 |title='Web Therapy' Renewed by Showtime for 10 Episode Season 3 |publisher=TVbytheNumbers.com |date=November 16, 2012}} On January 14, 2014, Showtime renewed Web Therapy for a fourth season,{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2014/01/14/web-therapy-renewed-season-4-showtime/ |title=Web Therapy Renewed, Revenge Actress Promoted, New Today Host? and More |publisher=TV Line |date=January 14, 2014}} that ran for 12 episodes. On August 11, 2015, Showtime cancelled the series after four seasons.{{cite web|last1=N'Duka|first1=Amanda|title=Lisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' Cancelled By Showtime After 4 Seasons|url=https://deadline.com/2015/08/lisa-kudrows-web-therapy-cancelled-showtime-4-seasons-1201497293|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811232628/http://deadline.com/2015/08/lisa-kudrows-web-therapy-cancelled-showtime-4-seasons-1201497293/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 11, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=31 March 2016}}
Awards and nominations
Guest stars
The series has featured appearances by a number of prominent comedians and actors including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bob Balaban, Rashida Jones, Selma Blair, Tim Bagley, Dan Bucatinsky, Jane Lynch, Molly Shannon, Lily Tomlin, Rosie O'Donnell, Conan O'Brien, Craig Ferguson, Alan Cumming, Natasha Bedingfield, Minnie Driver, Courteney Cox and Darren Criss. Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep guest starred in three special episodes that were made after the third series had been completed.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2010/11/web-teaser-meryl-streep-in-web-therapy-81551/ |title=Web teaser: Meryl Streep in 'Web Therapy' |publisher = Deadline Hollywood |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva| date= November 4, 2010}} It was announced on the show's Facebook page that guest stars for the second series will include Selma Blair, David Schwimmer and Victor Garber.
=Lisa Kudrow's connection to guest stars=
- Courteney Cox
- Former main cast member on Friends and star of Cougar Town on which Lisa Kudrow guest starred and also is a good friend.
- Dan Bucatinsky
- Production partner and former cast member on The Comeback.
- Bob Balaban
- Guest star on Friends (he played Phoebe Buffay's father).
- Drew Sherman
- Played the cameraman (Dan) in a The Comeback featurette.
- Alan Cumming
- Co-star in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.
- Meryl Streep
- Both alumnae of Vassar College, where they both currently serve on the board of trustees.
- David Schwimmer
- Former main cast member and director on Friends and Schwimmer is a good friend of Kudrow.
- Matt LeBlanc
- Former main cast member on Friends and LeBlanc is a good friend of Kudrow.
- Matthew Perry
- Former main cast member on Friends and Perry is a good friend of Kudrow.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.canaltbs.com/ Official website LATAM]
- [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1343865/ Internet Movie Database]
- Volmers, Eric (June 16, 2011). [https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/movie-guide/evolution+Lisa+Kudrow/4954280/story.html "The evolution of Lisa Kudrow: Friends star finds success in online show Web Therapy]. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
Category:2008 web series debuts
Category:American comedy web series