TV series
Comedy about one big happy family and their sometimes awkward, often hilarious and ultimately beautiful milestone moments as told by its various members. Of the three siblings, middle child Matt may have just found his true love, his co-worker, Colleen; his coddled youngest brother, Greg, and his wife, Jen, are overwhelmed by the birth of their first child; and the eldest, Heather, and her husband, Tim, are dreading their impending empty nest so much, they're considering having another baby. Their parents are Joan the family's adoring matriarch who would do anything for her kids - as long as she agrees with it - and John, the gregarious patriarch who's searching for ways to soften the blow of turning 70. As the family's lives unfold in four short stories each week, they try to savor these little pieces of time that flash by but stay with you forever, because these moments add up to what life's all about.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Life in Pieces is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Comedy about one big happy family and their sometimes awkward, often hilarious and ultimately beautiful milestone moments as told by its various members. Of the three siblings, middle child Matt may have just found his true love, his co-worker, Colleen; his coddled youngest brother, Greg, and his wife, Jen, are overwhelmed by the birth of their first child; and the eldest, Heather, and her husband, Tim, are dreading their impending empty nest so much, they're considering having another baby. Their parents are Joan the family's adoring matriarch who would do anything for her kids - as long as she agrees with it - and John, the gregarious patriarch who's searching for ways to soften the blow of turning 70. As the family's lives unfold in four short stories each week, they try to savor these little pieces of time that flash by but stay with you forever, because these moments add up to what life's all about.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
When the Short family arrives at their vacation resort in the Yucatan, their accommodations aren’t quite what they expected. Heather is ridiculously overprotective of Sophia during the family activities. Jen and Greg discover that Matt and Colleen have been duping everyone. John and Joan get separated from their tour group in the jungle.
Directed by Jonathan JudgeWritten by Justin AdlerGuest stars Nat Faxon, Alveraz Ricardez
Episode 2
When Colleen and Matt try to impress a potential birth mother, they have a hard time competing against another rich, swanky couple. Jen’s pregnancy takes a toll on Greg; Heather lets John take credit for her housekeeping while Joan recovers from knee surgery. Tim arranges for Tyler to record a demo at a friend’s studio
Directed by Justin AdlerWritten by Barbie AdlerGuest stars Vivaan Bisoi, Joey King, Carla Jimenez, Miles Dausuel, Kayvon Esmaili, Kate Gilligan, Nicholas Walker
Episode 3
While Joan is bedridden recovering from surgery, she persuades Sophia to spend time with her, which she quickly regrets. Jen and Greg select a name for their new baby only to learn that Matt and Colleen chose the same one. Colleen and Matt invite the family over to get to know Morgan. Heather has a new business idea.
Directed by James Alan HenszWritten by Jason BellevilleGuest stars Cassidy Naber, Joey King, Lisa Brenner, Swati Kapila
Episode 4
When Colleen and Matt learn they may not be allowed into the delivery room for the birth of the baby they are planning to adopt, they try to convince Morgan to have the baby at home. Heather is thrilled when Samantha has a falling-out with a friend who was a bad influence. Jen thinks Greg bought her a beautiful present only to discover it wasn’t for her. John encourages Tim to see a cardiologist.
Directed by Natalia AndersonWritten by Ilana WernickGuest stars Andrew McKeough, Ashley Wolff, Joey King, Kate Berlant, Jill Bartlett, Sachie Alessio, Maria Pallas
Episode 5
After Tim has a heart attack, he becomes super clingy and annoys the entire family. Also, Greg and Jen make a pact to keep their baby's gender a secret; Sophia's new pet frog turns out to be a dangerous species; and Matt and Colleen receive news about their impending adoption.
Directed by Linda MendozaWritten by Jordan YoungGuest stars Vivaan Bisoi, Carla Jimenez, Krishna Smitha, Jay Tapaoan
Episode 6
After John befriends the janitor at Sophia’s school, Mr. Sissel, John learns that Sophia and her friends believe a childish rumor about him. Also, Heather pushes Tim and Joan to go for walks together while recovering from their health issues; Matt and Colleen try to tame Dougie’s bad habits; and Jen is desperate to not go into labor during Lark’s birthday party.
Directed by Chad LoweWritten by Brad CopelandGuest stars Cassidy Naber, Vivaan Bisoi, Fortune Feimster, Biff Wiff
Episode 7
Greg scrambles to find Lark when he loses her at the hospital while visiting Jen and the new baby. Also, Heather offers to help Sophia with her math homework but can’t figure out the new teaching method; Matt enrolls his adopted son, Lucas, in a father/son art class; and Colleen organizes a family photo shoot and glams Joan up for the occasion.
Directed by Melissa KosarWritten by David Monahan, Danielle HooverGuest stars Vivaan Bisoi, Pyper Braun, Larry Herron, Tema Louise Sall, John Shartzer
Episode 8
Heather and Tim try not to freak out when they get an emergency text from Samantha to pick her up in the middle of the night; Tim endures an embarrassing public situation; John accidentally walks in on Jen while she's breastfeeding the baby.
Directed by Natalia AndersonWritten by Nadiya ChettiarGuest stars Vivaan Bisoi, Brennan Mejia, Carlos Ragas, Mindy Montavon
Episode 9
When Tim gets a toupee, the family try their best to hide their horrified reactions; Jen fights for face time with her boss; Joan decides to retire; Greg and Matt build a playhouse for the kids.
Directed by Eric Dean SeatonWritten by Joe CristalliGuest stars Vivaan Bisoi, Martin Starr, Andy Buckley, Sarah Baker, Risa Dorken, Claudia Choi, Ray Reynaga
Episode 10
When Matt and Colleen treat Jen and Greg to a fancy dinner as a "thank you" for writing a recommendation letter, Jen and Greg are mortified when they realize they never wrote it; Sophia asks Tim and Heather to get her a pig.
Directed by Jay KarasWritten by Kyle MackGuest stars Paul Dooley, Carol Herman, David Bickford, John Eddins, Chieko Hidaka, Sara Montez
Episode 11
Jen and Greg hire Edna—the cleaning lady who has worked for John and Joan for years—but Jen is horrified at her strange habits. Matt, Heather and Greg race to find the valuable souvenir pens John brought them when they were kids. Lucas is terrified of Joan. When Tim invites Matt over to watch a sporting event on television, it takes a weird turn.
Directed by Natalia AndersonWritten by Max SaltarelliGuest stars Vivaan Bisoi, Mary Pat Gleason
Episode 12
When Matt helps Grandpa Mort efficiently book a family trip to the Bahamas, the family is super impressed, so Greg reserves a cabana at the pool to outdo Matt. Tim saves the life of a fellow hotel guest. Matt and Colleen take an excursion to a private island. John learns some astonishing news about his father.
Directed by Justin AdlerWritten by Justin AdlerGuest stars Paul Dooley, Richard Kind, Ashley Contino
Episode 13
When Tim and Heather realize that being grandparents is very far off in the future, they decide to have another baby. Joan gets frustrated when she keeps getting tasked with watching the grandkids. Jen and Greg decide to look for a new house. Matt gets a job offer in Germany, which is problematic for Colleen and Lucas.
Directed by Alex ReidWritten by Barbie AdlerGuest stars Vivaan Bisoi, Oscar Nuñez, Joni Bovill, Christina Ferraro, Maisie Klompus
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Thomas SadoskiMatt Short
Dianne WiestJoan Short
James BrolinJohn Short
Zoe Lister-JonesJen
Colin HanksGreg Short
Betsy BrandtHeather Short
Dan BakkedahlTim Hughes
Angelique CabralColleen
CBSUnited States
Kapital EntertainmentUnited States
20th Century Fox TelevisionUnited StatesMore shows like Life in Pieces.
