Long Story Short is a Netflix adult animated comedy-drama created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, his first new animated series since the acclaimed BoJack Horseman. Trading Hollywood satire for something more intimate, the show is a warm, melancholy, and very funny portrait of a single family told across the sweep of its members' entire lives.
The series follows the Schwooper family, jumping freely and non-chronologically through the decades, from childhood and adolescence to marriage, parenthood, and old age, so that a character might be a squabbling kid in one scene and a weary adult in the next. This restless time-hopping structure lets the show explore how families carry their history with them, how old wounds and inside jokes echo across generations, and how small moments accumulate into a life. Its voice cast includes Abbi Jacobson, Ben Feldman, Lisa Edelstein, Paul Reiser, and Nicole Byer.
Rooted in Bob-Waksberg's own Jewish American upbringing, Long Story Short earned strong reviews for balancing sharp comedy with genuine emotional depth, the same alchemy that made his previous work resonate. It is streaming on Netflix.
Imagine having millions, and being a charitable type, decide to spread your wealth around a bit. How can you go about giving some of your wealth away without appearing like a phony? Do it through a network television program designed to help people on both sides of the "street". ABC takes viewers along as true life millionaires enter poverty stricken areas to live among the local citizens and upon getting to know them, donate part of their millions to one or more deserving folks or projects in the area. It's a fascinating concept and most of us wish we could be on the receiving end of that concept. Some of us actually belong to the giving, generous portion of the population and love the idea of giving to those in need. But, determining who is actually needing and deserving can get complicated because greed makes many of us deceptive. That's why these secret millionaires infiltrate the poor community and try to make good decisions based on how they perceive the needs and those who deserve. Don't miss this inspiring television program that has been produced in the UK, Australia, and the U.S.
Who says symbiosis cannot be funny? Co-dependency typically is tragic; reciprocity generally is wistful and romantic. "Peep Show" affords viewers a rare and privileged glimpse into perfect coincidence and complement. "Peep Show" pairs the proper and respectable, reasonably successful but socially inept Mark Corrigan with Jeremy Lisbourne, an unemployed musician who makes-up in narcissism and self-confidence what he lacks in musical talent. Of course, Jeremy's irrepressible optimism complements Mark's relentless pessimism. Of course, Mark's cynicism and lassitude provoke Jeremy's vaguely manic enthusiasm. Of course, women terrify Mark, encouraging Jeremy to tutor him in the subtle arts of grace and seduction. One could not survive without the other; and in this intricately inter-dependent environment, "Peep Show's" comedy flourishes. Early in 2011, "Peep Show" earned the title "longest-running sit-com on British Television's Channel 4." To the best of our knowledge, they award no nifty statuette for that, but it represents a considerable honour"”at least as big as the show's BAFTA awards. "Peep Show's" style showcases its writers' talents, because it features point of view shots with Mark and Jeremy's thoughts revealed in voice-overs.
When the son finds he must "man up" after his father is incarcerated for some rather shady accounting practices, life becomes a roller coaster ride for the entire family. Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) is a widower who has a thirteen year old son and finds the entire family needs his support (and common sense) to survive. Mom (Lucille) lives in a penthouse by herself but cannot afford her chosen lifestyle. Michael has two brothers, Buster and GOB, in addition to a sister Lindsay and her husband Tobias plus a daughter called Maeby. They each must learn to cope with their sudden alternate financial dilemma. Seems the family financial assets have been "frozen" due to dad's shifty money handling. Each member of this rather dysfunctional family needs to learn how to cope with limited finances after living a rather pampered existence before dad went off to prison. The show is narrated by a familiar voice (Ron Howard) who is also an executive producer. This "riches to rags" story shows how selfishness and materialism can create some rather unpleasant personality conflicts but a sense of humor will prevail. And there is plenty of humor on this show.
As Larry David developed "Seinfeld," he openly and unabashedly acknowledged it was "a show about nothing." Now, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Larry David's show about Larry David similarly is a show dedicated to complete dramatization of practically nothing. Somehow, it manages to be funny anyway. Larry David stars as Larry David, who is a fictionalized version of Larry David. No narcissism in that set-up. The coincidences persist through the rest of the cast: Cheryl Himes plays Cheryl, Jeff Garlin plays Jeff, and Susie Eastman plays Susie, making it much easier to play along on the home version. A semi-retired television writer, David has trouble adapting to the social conventions in Los Angeles, and he devotes a great deal of time and energy to correcting or making-up for his mistakes"¦except when he correcting other people's rude or outrageous behaviour. In its way, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" testifies to David's and the cast's comic genius, because he outlines the plot for each episode, but the actors improvise all of the dialogue, keeping their own enthusiasm well under control.
When a British couple find success with Lyman's Boys, a sitcom they have written for the BBC, they are encouraged to take it to Hollywood in the US. When they remake the show to suit an American audience they run into problems leading them to hire Matt LeBlanc as a cast member. But LeBlanc ends up damaging the show and the Lincoln's reputation as well. With their marriage on the line Beverly and Sean Lincoln need to make some change not only in their scripts but in their lives as well. Matt LeBlanc is brought in to replace the lead and he brings along a laundry list of wants few actors would dare request. Further problems are seen when Merc Lapidus (Hollywood network big shot) decides to make some changes to the hit show Episodes. Conflicts and cultural differences are displayed in a humorous way and even though the Lincolns are worried that their success will end in the US they struggle to keep creative control. Wonderful acting and a delightful chemistry between each make this show one to look for every week.
If bad guys forced you to choose only two programs for viewing during a long captivity, you wisely and happily might choose USA's new series "Fairly Legal." Engaging, engrossing, elegant, and electric, "Fairly Legal" is one of those shows you wish would go on and on and on. If only USA had made more than eight episodes. Sparkly, sassy, stylish, and seductive, Sarah Shahi plays Kate Reed, a once-upon-a-time lawyer who officially has resigned from the professional ranks to become a full-time mediator"”hence the two elements in the title, "legal" and "fair." Kate's goal: avoid costly and ugly litigation by finding settlements that meet everybody's needs. Kate's favourite phrase: "Win-Win." Of course, the show has sexual t4ension between Kate and her ex-husband, a district attorney; it has family tension between Kate and her newly widowed young step-mother; and it has just enough ongoing mystery and suspense in the sub-plot to sustain it from episode to episode. Having San Francisco as the setting doesn't hurt either. No one at "Law and Order" need feel threatened, though, because "Fairly Legal" is far too flirty and fun to harbour any criminal intent.
Kenny Powers can play baseball with the best of them but when his career as a professional pitcher is on the downslide he decides to go back home to Shelby, North Carolina and become a physical education teacher. Some may wonder where those coaches come from and this might be a clue. Plenty of pro athletes return to their roots when they find there are only so many positions to go around and lots of excellent potential superstars to fill them. Helping mold and train those brilliant young athletes is what coaching is all about and Kenny Powers plans on doing his best to help build the best. Danny McBride stars as Powers and this Will Ferrell produced television show made for HBO is excellent programming that shows the difficulty and rewards of becoming the best that you can be. The trip back to his middle school and home town give this burned out ball player a new lease on life and is an inspiration for young athletes and physical education in general.
