Long Story Short is a new animated series streaming on Netflix, created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, known for his work on BoJack Horseman. The show shares a creative lineage with both BoJack and its spiritual successor, Tuca & Bertie, yet it shifts its focus from animated animal characters to actual humans, maintaining the emotional depth associated with the earlier works.
The narrative revolves around the Schwooper family, which includes father Elliot (voiced by Paul Reiser), mother Naomi (Lisa Edelstein), and their three children, Avi (Ben Feldman), Shira (Abbi Jacobson), and Yoshi (Max Greenfield). Over the decades, the family dynamic evolves as new characters, such as Shira’s girlfriend Kendra (Nicole Byer) and Avi’s wife Jen (Angelique Cabral), are introduced.
A distinctive aspect of the show is its non-linear storytelling, which moves between various time periods, highlighting significant moments from the 1950s to the present. This structure allows the series to delve into themes such as grief, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and familial relationships, often blending humor with more somber topics. For instance, an episode focusing on Shira’s attempt to recreate her mother’s knish recipe begins with flashbacks to her first meeting with Kendra, providing necessary context for her struggles.
The humor in Long Story Short remains accessible, featuring quirky scenarios like a business selling self-propelling mattresses and a children’s restaurant. Unlike BoJack Horseman, which often tackled darker themes, this new show opts for a lighter yet still sincere approach, emphasizing relatable experiences and the challenges of family life.
As audiences explore the Schwooper family’s journey through time, the series aims to present moments of both laughter and insight, reflecting on the complexities of human relationships.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tv-reviews/763955/long-story-short-review-netflix-bojack-horseman