Arika Lisanne Mittman creator of NBC’s The Irrational tells us why it makes us think!  

The Irrational is NBC’s latest evening drama series that immerses viewers in the captivating realm of social behavior science. Jesse Martin portrays Alec Mercer, a highly acclaimed behavioral scientist, in the film. He and his team offer their expertise to government agencies, law enforcement, and individuals who seek their distinctive approach to comprehending human behavior.

Viewers are already praising the show as being intellectually stimulating and incredibly original.  

I had the opportunity to interview Arika Lisanne Mittman, the series creator, writer, and executive producer, in preparation for the upcoming premiere of episode 106 on Monday, October 30th. She has gained recognition for her work in psychological and sci-fi series like La Brea, Timeless, and Elementary.

Upon receiving the project, she had no prior knowledge of the book. It was Mark Goffman, an executive producer on the series and a friend of Dan Ariely, who suggested that she should read it. Here’s what unfolded when she delved into the depths of Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decision by Dan Ariely, the source material for the series. “You start looking at people differently, and you start looking at yourself differently,” stated Mittman.  

Arika’s intention was to provoke thoughts with the show. She pointed out that it’s special when a show takes you into a different world, with each episode featuring the same characters. The show provides a reflection of our perceived behavior in various situations versus our actual behavior.  

Arika acknowledged that there was a significant amount of work in the writer’s room and expressed her appreciation for her exceptional team of writers. The series was crafted with meticulous attention to detail, similar to the careful construction of an effective foundation using layers of bricks. She disclosed a secret strategy that writers of new series use to craft the second episode so that it, in some ways, mirrors the pilot. This is performed so viewers like me can gain a clearer understanding of the show’s structure. Then they can gradually push the limits with their characters and plots.

Throughout each episode, you gain insights into various concepts, such as the “cocktail party effect,” “auditory illusions,” and the “Barnum effect,” and how they show up in social situations. These elements are introduced early in the episodes and immediately grab your attention. This makes you question how they relate to your own experiences. This is where the show really engages our minds, right from the start.

“It’s really fascinating to explore how the human mind works,” Mittman replied before we concluded our conversation. She absolutely adores this aspect of the show. Watching an episode will inevitably leave you questioning how rational or irrational you have behaved in certain situations.