Netflix's Long Story Short: a time-hopping Jewish American family

Netflix’s Long Story Short introduces a sprawling, time-hopping portrait of a Jewish American family, crafted by BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg. The 10-episode season, released on the streaming platform, follows the Schwoopers—Naomi Schwartz and Elliott Cooper and their children Avi, Shira, and Yoshi—across decades, weaving together a portrait of mid‑century to present-day life in the Bay Area. Critics have praised its balance of humor and heart, noting that the show’s non-linear storytelling ultimately deepens the emotional resonance, even as it delivers sharp comic set pieces.

At the center is a lively, often magnetically contradictory family, with Naomi a forceful, loyal matriarch whose scrutiny and affection anchor the household, and Elliott outwardly relaxed but sometimes overwhelmed by the demands of family life. The siblings—Avi, a music-leaning eldest who navigates marriage, parenthood, and career; Shira, a rebellious, resilient middle child; and Yoshi, the impulsive younger son with a string of schemes—represent distinct paths shaped by their upbringing. The ensemble is completed by a strong supporting cast, including Eva Edelstein as Naomi and Paul...