Ep 5. Shrink

Jimmy James, the eccentric owner of WNYX radio, has a recurring problem: he likes to hire shady characters. One such employee is Matthew Brock, a news anchor who frequently has run-ins with his colleagues and spends much of his time making wacky bets. In season 2, episode 5 of NewsRadio, entitled "Shrink," Matthew's antics take a serious turn when he starts to see a therapist and confide in her about his problems.

The episode begins with Matthew shouting at his coworkers in the middle of the newsroom. He's upset because Lisa, another news anchor, has beaten him in a trivia game and he's convinced that his knowledge of obscure facts is his only valuable trait. When Dave, the station's news director, suggests that Matthew might benefit from seeing a therapist, he initially resists. However, after some gentle prodding from Dave and Joe, the station's engineer, Matthew agrees to see Dr. Bernice Halper, a psychologist who has an office not far from the station.

Matthew's therapy sessions become a topic of fascination for the entire staff, who can't resist speculating about what he might be discussing with Dr. Halper. Dave wonders if Matthew is confessing his fears about being an inadequate journalist, while Lisa thinks he might be sharing his struggles with alcoholism. As it turns out, Matthew is mostly talking about his oddball behaviors - his love of making bets, his tendency to say inappropriate things - and the underlying anxiety that seems to fuel these actions.

The episode is structured around Matthew's interactions with Dr. Halper, who is played with caustic wit by guest star Mary Tyler Moore. Although she seems compassionate at first, Dr. Halper quickly reveals herself to be judgmental and unhelpful. She constantly belittles Matthew, suggesting that his problems are the result of immaturity and a lack of talent. When Matthew asks her how he can change his behaviors, she tells him he should just stop being himself altogether.

Despite Dr. Halper's dismissive tone, Matthew continues to see her, hoping that she can provide some guidance. Along the way, he confides in some of his coworkers about his sessions, including Bill, the station's eccentric handyman, and Beth, the receptionist who harbors a crush on him. Both of them offer Matthew some sage advice - Bill tells him to embrace his quirks and use them to his advantage, while Beth reminds him of all the positive qualities he possesses.

By the end of the episode, Matthew has come to a realization about himself. He tells Dr. Halper that he's not sure he wants to change who he is, because he thinks his oddities are what make him unique. Dr. Halper, predictably, scoffs at this idea, but Matthew seems more self-assured than he did at the beginning of the episode.

In classic NewsRadio fashion, "Shrink" balances its comedic moments - there are plenty of scenes that showcase the show's signature zaniness, such as when Matthew bets Joe that he can't eat an entire jar of peanut butter - with its dramatic ones. There's an underlying sadness to Matthew's character that becomes more apparent in this episode, and the way that his colleagues rally around him is touching. They may be a dysfunctional bunch, but they genuinely care about each other.

Overall, "Shrink" is a strong episode of NewsRadio that showcases the series' unique blend of humor and heart. At the center of it all is Matthew, a character who could easily become a caricature in lesser hands, but who is given nuance and depth in the hands of actor Andy Dick. Whether he's planning a ridiculous stunt or opening up about his insecurities, Matthew is one of the show's most memorable creations.