Why Netflix's Latest Hit Bypasses The Hype Machine: Inside 'Long Story Short'

Netflix just quietly released something remarkable that deserves way more attention than it’s getting. Long Story Short, an animated series from creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg—the mind behind BoJack Horseman—arrived on August 22 to a puzzling reception: universal critical acclaim (100% on Rotten Tomatoes from multiple reviewers) paired with zero momentum on Netflix’s Top 10 list.

That disconnect tells you something important about the current streaming landscape.

A Better First Season Than BoJack?

Five years after BoJack Horseman wrapped, Bob-Waksberg has delivered what may actually outshine his breakout series right out of the gate. The show operates in a completely different register. Where BoJack leaned into darkness, crudeness, and existential dread, Long Story Short opts for restraint—TV-14 sensibility, minimal profanity, zero graphic content. This accessibility actually strengthens rather than weakens the comedy.

The format itself is ingenious: a family saga that jumps across decades without chronological order. You encounter the same characters at wildly different life stages (ages 5 through middle age), piecing together their arcs as the narrative unfolds. It’s a structure that forces engagement rather than passive consumption.

When a Show Actually Makes You Laugh

Streaming fatigue is real. Most comedies land somewhere between “mildly amusing” and “background noise,” but Long Story Short breaks through that ceiling with genuine, uncontrollable laughter—the kind that felt rare even during BoJack’s run. Over ten 25-minute episodes, the show delivers what feels like a masterclass in comic timing without relying on shock value.

The Voice Cast Carries It

Ben Feldman (from Veep) anchors the ensemble, supported by Max Greenberg channeling his best Tony Hale impression. But the revelation is Lisa Edelstein (House) voicing the family matriarch. Her performance stands as arguably the series’ strongest element—nuanced, funny, and heartbreaking in measure.

Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About This?

Here’s the mystery: despite near-perfect critical scores, Long Story Short hasn’t penetrated the cultural conversation. No one’s chatting about it on social media. It vanished from visibility almost immediately after release. Given that BoJack commanded sustained attention, this gap suggests an algorithm or marketing failure rather than a quality issue.

If this show manages to chart on Netflix’s weekly rankings, that conversation might finally ignite. Until then, it remains a well-kept secret worth unraveling.