Why the Creator of BoJack Horseman Made a Very Jewish New Show

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Raphael Bob-Waksberg realizes that in his latest Netflix animated series, Long Story Short, he has struck a remarkably nuanced and instantly familiar chord for those knowledgeable about Jewish American identity.

During a July Zoom meeting, he expressed that there might be elements which may not resonate with non-Jews. He added that he feels this endeavor is unique, yet he’s unsure about finding the right words to convey its significance.

However, Bob-Waksberg, recognized mainly as the mastermind behind “BoJack Horseman“, expresses concerns about potentially underestimating the show’s impact. He clarifies with a chuckle that it also appeals to a wide audience, albeit not an incredibly obscure one. In other words, it may not be as niche as some might think.

In brief, the series titled “Long Story Short” premieres on August 22. It jumps between different time periods to depict the Schwoopers family, a group consisting of Naomi Schwartz’s children: Avi, Shira, and Yoshi. Avi is a music-loving introvert, Shira is intense and a lesbian, while Yoshi is a lost soul dealing with burnout. The fusion of their last names reflects the Boomer-hippie lifestyles of their parents, played by Lisa Edelstein and Paul Reiser.

Differing from Bob-Waksberg’s past Netflix success, the characters in this series are not animal-like creatures. Instead, they possess distinct human characteristics, and under the direction of supervising producer Lisa Hanawalt, they are rendered with designs that evoke a warm, almost hand-drawn feel on screen.

The series consists of 10 episodes, although not in their actual sequence, that span from the early 2000s up to nearly the present day. They narrate the romantic journeys and heartbreaks experienced by the Schwoopers family, with a significant focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Bob-Waksberg puts it, “It seems like popular culture has created an odd void around this topic where we’re not discussing it much.

The series, it’s worth noting, isn’t just animation in the literal sense, but it’s also incredibly humorous. For instance, Yoshi sells mattresses that burst out of their boxes, comically speaking. Avi pursues wolves, Shira becomes fixated on making knishes to win over a school for her children, and Elliott develops an infatuation with a hot tub.

The series we’re discussing is not just animation in the traditional sense; it’s filled with humor too. Here are some examples: Yoshi sells mattresses that explode out of their packaging, which is quite amusing. Avi goes after wolves, Shira prepares knishes to impress a school for her kids, and Elliott gets carried away with a hot tub.

Bob-Waksberg casually mentions that the concept for the new show was born out of needing another project to keep his assistant busy after “BoJack” concluded its six-season run in 2020. However, a more sincere explanation is that the idea stemmed from his personal experience of becoming a father.

I have been contemplating various aspects of family, as well as time and personal identity. For me, this encompasses being Jewish-American, but also a son, brother, husband, and father.

Although the program doesn’t primarily focus on his personal family, he was contemplating what values and experiences he wished to impart, acknowledging that in twenty years, his children might still compile a list of mistakes he made, despite his best efforts.

Initially, Bob-Waskberg envisioned that the series would jump through different time periods in the life of the Schwoopers. In the first episode, we find college-aged Avi introducing his new girlfriend Jen (played by Angelique Cabral) at Yoshi’s Bar Mitzvah. The subsequent episodes then progress, with Avi and Jen being married and having a child, while Shira requests Avi’s sperm for artificial insemination of her partner Kendra (portrayed by Nicole Byer).

From the start, the central idea revolved around the passage of time, observing how these characters matured, and contemplating how our past experiences shape us in the current moment,” he explains.

The Schwoopers are portrayed as traditionally observant Jews, adhering to Kosher practices at home and taking their Jewish heritage seriously. However, as time passes, their behaviors may change subtly – for example, Avi chooses to bring up his child without religious belief. Regardless, their early upbringing significantly influences the manner in which they conduct their lives.

In simpler terms, “Bob-Waksberg” aims to demonstrate that not every Jew adheres solely to the cultural aspects of Judaism. He clarifies that these individuals are deeply religious, not just culturally Jewish, although it’s not necessarily about believing in God or having a personal faith journey. Instead, it revolves around exploring and understanding religious practices and beliefs, which can be distinct from one’s belief in a higher power.

As a passionate moviegoer, let me clarify that while “Long Story Short” offers a unique perspective, it doesn’t fully encapsulate the day-to-day experiences of being Jewish in today’s world. It’s important to remember that one movie can’t carry such a vast expectation. For example, the intricate debates around Israel that frequently occur within Jewish communities might not be depicted on screen, and that’s a deliberate artistic decision.

Bob-Waksberg points out that discussing Jewish themes is certainly part of the experience, but in this specific instance, he felt it might overshadow the main focus of their work. They aimed to avoid creating an issue that could attract unwanted attention from viewers who didn’t watch the show.

The subject, although not currently being discussed, remains open for future consideration, he notes. Moreover, after the popular series “Long Story Short” gets renewed for another season before its debut, it’s evident that Netflix has faith in the show’s potential, and this supports Bob-Waksberg’s claim that the program doesn’t cater to a limited audience.

It’s important to note that the show “Long Story Short” may stir discussions among Jewish viewers, as creator Bob-Waksberg skillfully explores and challenges stereotypes. Initially, Naomi is portrayed as a typical overbearing Jewish mother, but as the story unfolds, her character reveals more complex dimensions to her personality.

The speaker expresses a delicate balance in creating this character. He wanted to avoid making her seem like a stereotypical or predictable character, yet he didn’t want to distance himself completely from traditional archetypes either. Moreover, he aimed to avoid portraying a mother who didn’t feel Jewish at all, as she was supposed to be Jewish. In the end, he embraced the challenge and decided to fully explore this complex dynamic, but felt a sense of responsibility to ensure that the character would appear well-rounded and multi-dimensional.

Although the series “Long Story Short” is indeed quite Jewish, its creator, Bob-Waksberg, believes it has the potential to resonate with people beyond those familiar with Jewish customs like shiva and Shabbat.

He expresses that he never wants to undervalue an audience’s capacity to connect with a narrative that appears personal and authentic. In other words, if he could get individuals invested in a story about a talking horse, then he believes he can engage them with any other subject matter.

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2025-08-22 16:06