I've figured out the prized role for an actor if you can't be a regular character on a show but you want to at least be a recurring character.... Shrink.
Bringing a psychotherapist in is an easy way for the writers to explain a character's motivations or sum up a story line, and everyone's got problems, especially characters on TV, so you'll always have work. It may be months or years even between episodes, but they will bring you back.
As long as you're a good psychologist and stay neutral you won't be in danger of getting written off. Rarely does anyone on TV or in real life end a relationship with a therapist permanently. People are much more likely to end relations with or kill lovers, even family members. Therps are safe. Look at Lorraine Bracco on The Sopranos. She played Dr. Jennifer Melfi throughout the series run. Not many characters on that show survived til the end!
Here are a few other examples of actors steadily working as shrinks...
Patricia Wettig played Dr. Judy Barnett on Alias for 12 episodes over 3 years. 3 in season 1, 4 in season 2, and 5 in season 3. That'll keep the bills paid, right?
Jane Lynch plays Boston Legal's "sexual surrogate" (a sex therapist with benefits) Joanna Monroe. She has been in 4 episodes over 3 years.
Jane Lynch has also been playing Dr. Linda Freeman the last 4 years on Two and a Half Men. She has counseled Charlie in a total of 8 episodes.
I'm sure there are more. Anyone wanna help me out? Comment with your favorite TV therp.....
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