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.

Web Therapy
Created byLisa Kudrow
Written byLisa Kudrow
Don Roos
Directed byDon Roos
StarringLisa Kudrow
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes133 (List of episodes)
Production
Camera setupSingle camera
Running time~3–15 min
Original release
NetworkLStudio.com
ReleaseSeptember 22, 2008 (2008-09-22) –
December 4, 2014 (2014-12-04)
Related
Web Therapy (TV series)

Synopsis

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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.[1] 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

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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.[2] On November 16, 2012, Web Therapy was renewed for a 10 episode third season by Showtime.[3] On January 14, 2014, Showtime renewed Web Therapy for a fourth season,[4] that ran for 12 episodes. On August 11, 2015, Showtime cancelled the series after four seasons.[5]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result
2009 Streamy Awards[6] Best Female Actor in a Comedy Web Series Lisa Kudrow Nominated
Webby Award[7] Special Achievement: Outstanding Comedic Performance Won
Best Writing Series Nominated
2010 Streamy Awards[8] Best Female Actor in a Comedy Web Series! Lisa Kudrow
Best Guest Star in a Web Series Courteney Cox
Webby Award[7] Best Individual Performance Lisa Kudrow
Best Writing Series
Comedy: Long Form or Series Won
2011 Best Individual Performance!!! Lisa Kudrow
Comedy: Long Form or Series Series
Banff World Media Festival[9] Award of Excellence in Digital Media Lisa Kudrow
2012 Emmy Award[10] Outstanding Special Class-Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs Web Therapy Nominated

Guest stars

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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.[11] 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

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ lisa kudrow Archives | Skype Blogs
  2. ^ "Lisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' Gets Second Season on Showtime". The Hollywood Reporter. December 5, 2011.
  3. ^ "'Web Therapy' Renewed by Showtime for 10 Episode Season 3". TVbytheNumbers.com. November 16, 2012. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012.
  4. ^ "Web Therapy Renewed, Revenge Actress Promoted, New Today Host? and More". TV Line. January 14, 2014.
  5. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (31 March 2016). "Lisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' Cancelled By Showtime After 4 Seasons". Deadline Hollywood.
  6. ^ "Streamy Award Nominations 2009". Streamys.com. 2009. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  7. ^ a b "Webby Nominations 2009". WebbyAwards.com. 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
  8. ^ "Streamy Award Nominations 2010". 2010. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  9. ^ "The Interactive Rockies Special Achievement Awards". banffmediafestival.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  10. ^ "Outstanding Special Class-Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  11. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 4, 2010). "Web teaser: Meryl Streep in 'Web Therapy'". Deadline.com.
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