Outline for an Original Series for Television
The Accidental Therapist
Episode 1: “Who is Dr. Adam Fink?”
TEASER
1. EXT. BOOKSTORE – DAY
A line of people wrap around the block. Eagerly awaiting entry into a large chain bookstore.
2. INT. BOOKSTORE – MAGAZINE SECTION – DAY
A diverse assortment of major newsprint magazines; Time, Newsweek, People. Playboy, GQ, Forbes, Fortune, Psychology Today. Readers Digest. Each one features the same man on the front page. Late 40s. White. Looks pleasant.
We don’t see his name as a sea of hands rip every single copy fly off the shelves. Then we see what is behind the shelves. The man from the magazines. Seated. Signing autographs. People are so happy to see him. To be near him. They’re lined around the block waiting to see him.
3. EXT. COMPUTER SCREEN
Google hits show he is the most searched man on the internet. His website is the number #1 website in the world. He is the most popular man on Myspace.com.
4. EXT. STREET – DAY
An enthusiastic reporter asks the camera, “Who is he to you?” Then turns the camera on various people of diverse age ranges and diverse ethnicities and let’s them answer…
Two teenage girls jump up and down screaming, “He’s a DILF.” A young hug each other – “He helped us make a commitment.“ A middle aged couple interlock hands – “He saved our marriage.“ A young boy “he saved my dad.“ A grandmother, “my grandson.“ A gay man, “my partner.“ A smiling man dressed all in black – “He saved my life..“ A Rastafarian girl holds up two fingers – “He saved me life TWICE.“
A dirty man says “He helped me recover from OCD…“ A middle aged woman “PMS.” A soldier says “PTSD.“ A stoner says “STD” He explains, “Got the Clap, he sent me to a Cock Doc. Now I’m up again.” A devoutly religious man – “he’s a gift from God.” An even bigger fan – “He is God.” His friend, “thought you were an Atheist?” His reply? “I was.”
5. EXT. TELEVISON SCREEN
He brokers peace between Al Qaeda and the United States, Israel and Palestine, Kanye West and Taylor Swift.
6. EXT. HIGHWAY – BILLBOARD
The billboard shows the popular man on the inside of a drive through. He wears a headset as offers a drive up customer a package. Only it’s clear that he’s not dispensing burgers. Instead, he’s offering various packages – SUCCESS, HAPPINESS, STABILITY, THE CURE – to a happily smiling customer. The advertisement says, “DRIVE THRU THERAPY: The Answer to Your Problems.” Storm clouds overhead. It begins to rain.
7. EXT. TELEVISON SHOW
Geraldo Rivera interviews an unseen guest on his talk show. “So you’ve been following his wild success story since the beginning. When did you suspect something just didn’t add up?” The onscreen picture shows the once popular man.
8. EXT. STREET – DAY
A concerned reporter asks the camera, “Who is he to you?” Then turns the camera on various people of diverse age ranges and diverse ethnicities and let’s them answer…
Two sour teenage girls look disgusted, “He’s an asshole.” A young hug each other – “He‘s a failure.“ A middle aged couple interlock hands – “He‘s a phony.“ A young boy “he‘s a bad man.“ A grandmother, “an evil, wicked man.“ A gay man, “he‘s a disappointment.“ A frowning man dressed all in black – “He ruined my life..“ A Rastafarian girl holds up two fingers – “He ruined my life TWICE.“
A dirty man says “He didn‘t help me. He‘s a D.I.C.K“ A middle aged woman “a C.U.N.T” A soldier says “T.R.A.I.T.O.R“ A stoner says “he‘s the S.U.C.K” A devoutly religious man – “he’s the spawn of the Devil.” An even bigger fan – “He is the Devil.”
9. EXT. CHOPPER (MOVING)
We follow a white bronco as it moves slowly along the freeway. The television news anchor asks, “Is he doing what I think he’s doing?” “Indeed Bob. It looks like he’s pulling an O.J.” Police cars follow him. The camera zooms in until we can make out exactly who it is – it’s the once popular man.
10. EXT. HIGHWAY – BILLBOARD
A billboard employee begins disassembling the Drive Thru-Therapy advertisement. Then begins putting up a new poster. It features the same man – only as the picture is revealed we see that is a picture of wearing an orange jumpsuit. He’s behind bars. The copy reads, “FRAUD. The inside story of…” We don’t see his name.
11. EXT. TELEVISION STUDIO
Oprah addresses the audience, “This is his first television address since his incarceration. Let’s bring him on out.“ She motions to bring the out of sight guest into the open. Everyone holds their breath. A well-dressed man in his early 50s walks out – the man from the magazine covers, media interviews, and billboards. The entire live television audience boos loudly. Some cup their hands and curse at him. Some shake their fists. Other throw waded up pieces of garbage. They do not like this man.
Covering his face, he starts to STEP back but Oprah motions for two extra large Security Guards to block his retreat. Having no other choice, the frightened man heads back towards the angry audience. As if in a combat zone, he shields himself from the onslaught of hateful rhetoric as he makes his way to the empty stool next to Oprah.
She motions for the crowd to calm down. They reluctantly obey her. He hesitantly sits down on a high stool. (Someone angrily yells, “Don’t Swivel!“) His eyes blinded by the powerful beam of the television spotlight. Oprah waits for dramatic silence. She says there are so many questions to ask, but she wants to ask the most important question first. “Who is Dr. Adam Fink?”
Dr. Fink thinks for a moment. Then turns back to Oprah and replies, “Dr. Adam Fink is the Accidental Therapist.”
END TEASER