RIOTUS

From the creators of BoJack Horseman comes Long Story Short, which tells the story of the Schwooper family over the decades with animated finesse. Skipping along years and eras, each episode tackles growing pains, relationship dynamics, and generational traumas at a particular moment in time. 

The family consists of matriarch Naomi Schwartz (Lisa Edelstein), patriarch Elliott Cooper (Paul Reiser), and their three Schwooper kids, Avi (Ben Feldman), Shira (Abbi Jacobson), and Yoshi (Max Greenfield). Along the way, they’re joined by Avi’s partner Jen (Angelique Cabral) and Shira’s partner Kendra (Nicole Byer), with Danny (Dave Franco) and Hannah (Michaela Dietz) rounding out the main circle. Through the lens of bar mitzvahs and anniversaries, kids and grandkids, divorces and funerals, and everything in between, Long Story Short covers life at all its stages by finding the funny side to things.

The jokes go a mile a minute and dive deep into the crevices of the ugly truths of growing up & growing older, all while cementing each episode within the year it’s in—from 2000s pop culture references to modern day remote learning struggles to the pandemic (which, contrary to popular belief, is far from over). The series takes stereotypical jokes about Jewish family life and makes them their own, while also asking questions about what the “traditional” family unit means. And each character has their own way of showing their love, as well as their own way of moving through the world—and how their upbringing influences that. 

The voice acting is sharp and distinct, complementing the vibrant and off-beat animation and endearing you to the characters. Yes, you will have a favorite, and yes, it will probably change as the series progresses. The humor may not always charm you, but the characters’ tangled mess of emotions powers every action. That means sometimes it hurts when you recognize your own family dynamics, right before it reminds you why family shenanigans make for the best stories. 

It’s a little kooky, it’s a little rocky, it’s a lot of fun—Long Story Short, you’ll have a good time.