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The Kominsky Method
S1.E1
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IMDbPro

Chapter 1: An Actor Avoids

  • Episode aired Nov 16, 2018
  • TV-MA
  • 34m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
Michael Douglas, Alan Arkin, and Susan Sullivan in The Kominsky Method (2018)
ComedyDrama

As Sandy gets to know a new student better, he puts off visiting an old friend who wants to see him. Norman copes with a difficult issue at home.As Sandy gets to know a new student better, he puts off visiting an old friend who wants to see him. Norman copes with a difficult issue at home.As Sandy gets to know a new student better, he puts off visiting an old friend who wants to see him. Norman copes with a difficult issue at home.

  • Director
    • Chuck Lorre
  • Writer
    • Chuck Lorre
  • Stars
    • Michael Douglas
    • Alan Arkin
    • Sarah Baker
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    1.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Chuck Lorre
    • Writer
      • Chuck Lorre
    • Stars
      • Michael Douglas
      • Alan Arkin
      • Sarah Baker
    • 8User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos88

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    Top cast26

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    Michael Douglas
    Michael Douglas
    • Sandy Kominsky
    Alan Arkin
    Alan Arkin
    • Norman Newlander
    Sarah Baker
    Sarah Baker
    • Mindy Kominsky
    Nancy Travis
    Nancy Travis
    • Lisa
    Emily Osment
    Emily Osment
    • Theresa
    Graham Rogers
    Graham Rogers
    • Jude
    Ashleigh LaThrop
    Ashleigh LaThrop
    • Breana
    Melissa Tang
    Melissa Tang
    • Margaret
    Jenna Lyng Adams
    Jenna Lyng Adams
    • Darshani
    Casey Thomas Brown
    Casey Thomas Brown
    • Lane
    Cedric Begley
    Cedric Begley
    • Matthew
    Becky O'Donohue
    Becky O'Donohue
    • Car GPS
    • (voice)
    Susan Sullivan
    Susan Sullivan
    • Eileen
    Jay Tapaoan
    Jay Tapaoan
    • Orderly
    Melody Butiu
    Melody Butiu
    • Waitress
    Ramon Hilario
    Ramon Hilario
    • Alex
    Emily Stern
    Emily Stern
    • Gender Neutral Student
    Raven Armando Astone
    • Sandy's Student
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Chuck Lorre
    • Writer
      • Chuck Lorre
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    7.71.6K
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    Featured reviews

    7Calicodreamin

    Hard hitting first episode

    Well the Kominsky method doesn't hold back, coming out swinging with an emotional hit on episode one. Decent acting and an interesting storyline.
    10tjpierce-45675

    Solid gold

    Jesus this is wonderful stuff! Every actor wannabe will find valuable insights here. Mr. Douglas summons the kind of grungy magic that made Wonder Boys one of the best movies ever. And Mr. Arkin (we once came out of the same show at the Los Feliz Theatre circa 1980 {The Old Gun?} !) is terrific as usual. Solid gold through and through. Watch it, you'll love the damn thing.
    7lassegalsgaard

    Chapter 1. An Actor Avoids

    Chuck Lorre has garnered a reputation as the "king of sitcoms" during this last decade. Having created a wide variety of shows including "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men," it seems like this is one of those creators who is impossible to stop. Now, not all of those shows have worked out and he has seen his fair share of loses during his career. However, at this point in his career, he comes back with "The Kominsky Method" and is straight back on top. And honestly, it's deserved, because with the first episode down, I'm excited to continue with these characters.

    To get two of the best actors to have ever lived in a show about old friends in the business was a genius idea. And with both Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin, it seems like the possibilities are endless. The writers are full of clever jokes to give them, and with their acting prowess, they add a huge amount of gravitas to those lines, even the ones that don't hit. And while the acting is a huge highlight of the first episode, the storyline seems to be going in an interesting direction too. It's not like the silly comedies that Chuck Lorre has been in charge of before, but has a more dramatic hook to pull the audience in. It feels like the show could easily have been a drama, but in order to dampen the heavy nature of the show, he decided to continue his comedy roots, which was a smart move. I don't know if any of this is true, but if it came out that it was, I'd believe it. It's not a perfect episode, but it doesn't have to be. There are some characteristics that seems like they've been pulled out of his other shows, and certain characters need a little more time to grow. That's almost the case with any TV show, and the fact that it doesn't pull down the weight of the episode more is a testament to the good writing. And, obviously, the amazing and magnetic performances from its entire cast, mostly Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin.

    "Chapter 1. An Actor Avoids" is a solid opening for a show that seems like it has something very interesting on its mind. It sets up a show about friendship and how we handle the weight of growing old, which is something that I'm excited to see through the eyes of these two interesting characters.
    8elle-b-x

    EPISODE 1 : laughter and tears

    I've only watched this first episode and already I love it. It's a quirky comedy, that has already touched my heart. I almost forgot I was watching a show as I was so invested in these characters I'd met. Very heartwarmingly funny and sweet. A very real look at modern life and emotions, cannot wait to watch the next episode.
    10mitroi-geo

    Incredible story about love in many ways ...!!

    Stunning point of view for who you love and for the love of acting. At this point in life, these sincerely friends create a fabulous moment when their own love and the love for other people are so genuine. It is a remarkable piece of art played so well by these actors. These are the stories that create moments in cinematography!

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When discussing sitcom work with Norman, Sandy says, "Those little pischers on the 'Big Bang' thing are making a million bucks a week." "Kominsky Method" creator Chuck Lorre is also a co-creator of "The Big Bang Theory."
    • Goofs
      Right after Alex brings Komisky his drinks in the restaurant, the camera switches angles a few times and in each shot, Norman's martini glass switches back and forth between the table and his hand.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Sandy Kominsky: [in front of his class] Before we start, uh, tonight's scene work, I just want to take a moment to talk about our craft. "Acting." So what is acting? I mean, when an actor acts, what is he or she... or they actually doing? Well, on one level, the answer is simple. They're making believe. They are pretending. But on a on a much deeper level, we need to ask ourselves what is really happening? Well, you need to ask me. I think I'm the only one here who doesn't have a roommate.

      [all chuckling]

      Sandy Kominsky: What's really happening - and I want you to listen carefully - what's really happening is that the actor is playing God. Because, after all, what does God do? God creates. God says "Here is a world," and bam! That world exists. God says, "Here's life," and bam again! Life happens. God says, "Here's death," and boom! Darkness. The darkness returns.

      Sandy Kominsky: So what does this mean to us? How do we take this information and bring it into our work? The answer, my dear colleagues, is that, like God, we must love our creations. We must imbue them with life, with character, with hope and dreams and fatal flaws, and then... then we must let them go. Because in the end, true love God's love, is letting go.

      Sandy's student: Yeah, uh, Sandy? Uh, I have an audition tomorrow for a shampoo commercial. How do I love that?

      Sandy Kominsky: Wash your hair before you go.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards (2019)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 16, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • 6365 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, California, USA(The Sandy Kominsky Studio of Acting, exterior)
    • Production companies
      • Chuck Lorre Productions
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 34m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16 : 9

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