Netflix’s New Comedy From BoJack Horseman Creator Is One Of The Most Relatable Shows I’ve Ever Seen, Even Though I Don’t Have Much In Common With The Characters

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Note: Some plot details could be revealed if you haven’t watched the animated series ‘Long Story Short’ on Netflix yet.

Or in a more conversational tone:

Just a heads up, if you haven’t caught up with the hilarious animated series ‘Long Story Short’ streaming on Netflix, there might be some spoilers ahead! Enjoy watching!

In simpler terms, “Long Story Short” is the freshly minted animated comedy by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, known for his exceptional work on the critically acclaimed sitcom “BoJack Horseman”. Unlike its anthropomorphic, celebrity-skewing satire counterpart, this production has a more emotional resonance akin to a heartfelt drama like “This Is Us”. While it’s filled with laughter, its narrative structure that traverses through time also gives room for deeper emotions, making viewers feel a part of the troubled Schwooper family.

I was confident that I’d enjoy this show, primarily due to Bob-Waksberg’s involvement, as well as the star-studded and comedic cast consisting of Abbi Jacobson, Max Greenfield, Ben Feldman, Angelique Cabral, Nicole Byer, Paul Reiser, and Lisa Edelstein. Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many episodes resonated with me surprisingly well, even though my upbringing and family structure are quite distinct from what’s portrayed in the show.

Long Story Short Is Vastly Different From BoJack, But With A Similarly Embattled Emotional Core

In a distinct approach unlike any other series airing in 2025 television lineup, “Long Story Short” unfolds captivating episodes revolving around crucial life events of the Schwooper family. The narrative skillfully navigates through different timelines – childhood, teenage years, middle age, and beyond – highlighting pivotal moments and essential character traits that resonate deeply. While maintaining a humor reminiscent of “BoJack Horseman” with clever wordplay and recurring jokes, the show maintains a unique thematic and aesthetic identity, distancing itself from the world of Hollywoo.

Essentially, Long Story Short occasionally seems like a less dismal continuation of BoJack’s personal family drama, offering a more empathetic perspective on the characters, including fleeting glimpses into Naomi’s past that might mirror the Horseman family’s history more closely than we’d prefer to consider. However, by toning down the show’s dark and damaged humor, it becomes more accessible and relatable to a wider audience, not just fictional horses-turned-actors like BoJack.

I Technically Have Little In Common With The Schwoopers, But I Easily Relate To Their Emotional Journeys

As a film enthusiast, let me tell you, my life bears little resemblance to the Schwoopers’ in many aspects. For instance, I hail from the Southern region of the United States, which means I don’t share their Jewish heritage or any known Jewish ancestors. Bar/bat mitzvahs, a significant rite of passage within Judaism, are unfamiliar to me, more so as they relate to Orthodox Judaism.

I am an only child, unlike the Schwoopers, but I do have a sibling – my sister. We both have built our own families, each with two children, but neither of us is part of an interracial couple. Neither has anyone in my immediate family undergone In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments.

Another striking difference lies in the fact that I lost my father at a young age. I never had the opportunity to witness the beautiful journey of aging together with my parents, as they did. This list goes on, showcasing how our lives have followed different paths.

Although there may be numerous variations under a microscope, the main themes of this show’s title stories can essentially be reduced to the fundamental and universal idea of family, a topic that resonates deeply with many people, whether biological or not. Given this, I can certainly relate to feeling a range of emotions – joy, disappointment, frustration, shock, and more – towards family members, a sentiment mirrored in the characters of Long Story Short. They often react to each other with a mix of emotions all at once.

I Do Know What It’s Like To Have (And Love) An Outspokenly Judgmental And Demanding Mother

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I must admit that Lisa Edelstein truly shines in her portrayal of the character Naomi. Her unrelenting knack for sharp, sometimes biting critiques, even when they’re not quite welcome or well-timed, is simply captivating and deserves recognition.

Naomi, in many ways, navigates the “Jewish TV mom” tropes that she herself might label as overly simplistic. Yet, instead of insisting on separate, distinct voices for each actor to speak individually, the series Long Story Short embraces a dynamic where cast members often overlap in their conversations. This can be quite intense, reminiscent of the times my own mother, at around 80-85% of her formidable self, would engage in similar high-spirited debates. (Apologies for the comparison, dear mom!)

I completely understand the feeling of discussing sensitive topics with a sibling regarding how best to share difficult news with our mothers, in order to minimize negative reactions. It’s familiar to me when receiving compliments that are often sandwiched between constructive criticisms. Despite this, I’ve never had any doubt about the deep love hidden beneath her critical remarks, as it stems from a place of concern and care, much like Naomi’s need for attention not being fueled by malice. She’s just a mother doing what she thinks is best for her children.

Long Story Short Is A Hilarious And Stressful Reminder To Make The Best Memories Possible While You Still Can

Choosing your friends and romantic partners is something you can do, but you can’t choose your family, and as the show Long Story Short illustrates, our choices in this regard aren’t always perfect. It’s essential to keep in mind what truly matters. The Season 1 finale drives home the point that life frequently goes against our expectations and wishes, and can even make challenging situations like grief even more unbearable, such as during a global pandemic.

This paraphrase maintains the original meaning while making the language more natural and easy to read for an audience.

In my opinion, not every animated comedy leaves you yearning to reach out to loved ones, reminding them how much they mean to you. Yet, there aren’t many shows that manage to do this exceptionally well, which sets “Long Story Short” apart from the crowd. While I may not feel an immediate urge to reconnect with past relationships over awkward memories, if it leads to discovering a new fond memory, then I am all for it. After all, life is short, and there’s no way to rewind it.

It’s encouraging to see that other animated projects might follow in the footsteps of the revived ‘King of the Hill’, which updated its characters’ ages. This approach demonstrates that viewers can still connect with and understand animated characters, even as they age. In fact, this method seems more straightforward, although it could be due to my own maturing perspective.

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If you haven’t already seen it, Long Story Short is now available for streaming on Netflix. Let’s keep the show running for many seasons to come; what do you think?

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2025-08-26 23:46