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 Sep 1, 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
As the Short family's lives unfold in four brief stories each week, they try to savor the moments that add up to what life’s all about.
Directed by Jason WinerWritten by Justin AdlerGuest stars Jordan Peele, Susan Park, Exie Booker, Stacie Greenwell, Riley Bodenstab, Mark Berry, Cedric Yarbrough
Episode 2
After Matt walks in on Joan and John being intimate, Joan attempts to lead a group therapy session. Also, Jen hires a breast-feeding consultant couple, Matt and Colleen have the most enjoyable bad date ever, and Heather and Tim move to a new home with the help of a moving company that employs ex-cons.
Directed by Jason WinerWritten by Justin AdlerGuest stars Stephnie Weir, Rhys Darby, Jordan Black, Billy Malone, Sofia Gonzalez, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Fred Maske, Mariano Mendoza
Episode 3
When Matt invites Colleen to brunch with the family, he coaches her through the difficult task of connecting with them. Also, John, Matt and Greg try to prove their masculinity by cutting down a tree in Greg's backyard, Tim has an adverse reaction to espresso, and a sleep-deprived Greg has a run-in with the cops.
Directed by Jeremy GarelickWritten by Brad CopelandGuest stars Bokeem Woodbine, Jonathan Marballi, Taylor Coffman, Jean-Christophe Febbrari, Alison Rich
Episode 4
The siblings congratulate Greg after word spreads that he stood up to Joan for passive-aggressively questioning Jen’s parenting skills. Also, Chad insists on having one last meal with Colleen’s grandmother before heading off to jail, Matt and Greg discourage Tim from beating John at a round of golf and Sophia gets a peanut stuck up her nose.
Directed by Jason WinerWritten by Kirker ButlerGuest stars Jordan Peele, Tonita Castro
Episode 5
Tim and Heather unintentionally make things incredibly awkward for Tyler when he brings his gorgeous new girlfriend, Clementine, to meet the family. Also, Matt and Colleen are caught canoodling at the office by their obnoxious co-worker, Will, Jen and Greg vow not to become germaphobes, and John buys Sophia a cell phone behind her parents' backs.
Directed by Claire ScanlonWritten by Rolin JonesGuest stars Hunter King, Anthony Turpel, Martin Starr, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Ken Marino
Episode 6
When Matt and Colleen catch Chad trying to kidnap her beloved pup, Princess, Chad uses the opportunity to pitch them his new business venture. Also, Jen and Greg try to be intimate for the first time since having a baby, Heather “breaks up” with her longtime hairstylist, Lynette, and Tim ruins Samantha’s birthday party.
Directed by Jason WinerWritten by Lesley Wake WebsterGuest stars Alex Borstein, Jordan Peele, Susan Park, Olivia Sanabia, Bella Shepard, Zylan Brooks, Haley Morgan Carlson, Andrew McKeough
Episode 7
When Jen and Greg interview potential nannies for Lark, they find it difficult to find one they trust. Also, Tim, Matt and Greg go camping, Heather suspects Matt bought Colleen earrings with money she loaned him, and John makes a wooden puppet for Lark that the family has more fun playing with than she does.
Directed by Jason WinerWritten by Elizabeth TippetGuest stars Stephnie Weir, Rhys Darby, Tonita Castro, Matt Corboy, Kevin Linehan, Miranda De Meo, Brandon Gibson, Norma Michaels
Episode 8
Joan invites their recently widowed neighbor, Gary Timpkins, to Thanksgiving dinner, during which everyone has a bad reaction to Colleen’s cauliflower dish. Also, Tim and Sophia try to find a last-minute replacement for Heather’s spoiled turkey, Jen and Greg debate who to name as Lark’s godparent and John takes Samantha to the Harvest Festival, where she sneaks into the corn maze with her boyfriend, Aiden.
Directed by Chad LoweWritten by Maggie MullGuest stars Griffin Gluck, Martin Mull, Mark L. Young, Alejandro Patiño, Hector Bucio, Shaan Sharma, Darsan Solomon, Greg Worswick
Episode 9
When Jen cuts her finger and Greg takes her to the hospital, they finally have the first quality alone time they’ve had in months. Also, John takes Samantha and Sophia to a restaurant where everything is named after feelings, Heather gives Tim a sexy anniversary gift, and Sophia is punished after Heather hears her swearing.
Directed by Fred GossWritten by Alec SulkinGuest stars Jon Daly, Richard Voigts, Phoebe Neidhardt, Tamika Simpkins, Lilan Bowden, Delpaneaux Wills, J.P. Romano
Episode 10
Greg is still bitter over an accident that sidelined a competitive game of ping-pong he and Matt had started years ago, so they decide to finally settle the score. Also, Heather questions herself after urging Tim to get a vasectomy, Jen is stressed about returning to work, and Joan learns her credit card has been stolen after strange packages start arriving.
Directed by Jason WinerWritten by Greg MalinsGuest stars Oscar Nuñez, Jason Rogel, Haneefah Wood
Episode 11
Colleen joins John and his Air Force buddies for his annual tradition of dirty Christmas caroling. Also, Joan tries to hijack Lark’s first Christmas from Jen and Greg, Samantha sneaks out with her friends and is caught when a photo of her and a mall Santa is posted online, and Tyler announces his plans for college,
Directed by Phil TraillWritten by Barbie AdlerGuest stars Hunter King, Bella Shepard, Andrew McKeough, Sean Poolman, Donovan Scott, Ashley Wolff
Episode 12
Heather and Tim finally find another couple they actually like to socialize with, but Sophia and their son don’t hit it off. Also, Greg insists he and Jen take separate flights in case something happens to the plane, Matt and John take Gary out to meet women, and Matt’s ex-wife, Bonnie, surprises him with a visit
Directed by Helen HuntWritten by Justin AdlerGuest stars Martin Mull, Brenda Song, Marshall Faulk, Gillian Vigman, Punam Patel, Todd Sherry, Marcus Anderson, Sage Correa
Episode 13
Greg joins Colleen's gym and goes overboard gearing up to work out. Also, Heather and Jen host a secret garage sale that directly competes with one Joan is having, Tyler and Samantha throw a party while Heather and Tim are away for the weekend, and the family has second thoughts about eating lobster for dinner.
Directed by Ken WhittinghamWritten by Brad CopelandGuest stars Hunter King, Patrick Brammall, Judilin Bosita, Bryan Coffee, Brad Grunberg, Michael Shaun Sandy, Pam Trotter, Isabella Grosso
Episode 14
When Greg and Jen slip away for a couples massage, the afternoon doesn’t turn out to be as relaxing as they expected. Also, Tim, Heather and the kids have a contest to see who can accumulate the least trash, Colleen asks Matt to illustrate a children’s book she is writing, and Jen helps Joan and John with their will.
Directed by Jason WinerWritten by Kirker ButlerGuest stars Noureen DeWulf, Amanda Lund, Kenny Cooper
Episode 15
When Joan's freewheeling nephew, Mikey, comes for a visit, the family members are on edge since nobody really likes him. Also, Tyler brings Clementine, to visit his great-grandmother, Greg and Jen find a solution to their sleeping woes, and Matt takes over for Tim as Sophia's soccer coach.
Directed by Alisa StatmanWritten by Lesley Wake WebsterGuest stars Hunter King, Greg Grunberg, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Richie Cottrell, Jill Johnson, Rawle D. Lewis, Kai Scott
Episode 16
When Tyler and Clementine go to a guitar store, Tyler gets uncomfortable when the attractive salesman, Ian, repeatedly hits on her. Also, Tim’s tattoo artist, Lois makes a spelling error on a tattoo he got as a Valentine’s Day surprise for Heather, Matt’s plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Colleen doesn’t go as well as he hoped, and Greg and Jen discuss whether they should have another baby
Directed by Jason WinerWritten by Alec SulkinGuest stars Hunter King, Josh Groban, Kat Von D, Jordan Hinson, Lola Blanc, Andrew Patrick Ralston, Elsa Ramon
Episode 17
When John starts feeling old, he attempts to make himself look younger, much to the dismay of his family. Also, Heather worries that Sophia’s piano recital will be a disaster; Jen, Greg and Lark go to an over-the-top birthday party full of overachieving parents who make them panic about getting Lark into a good preschool; and Matt meets Colleen’s mother, Mia, for the first time.
Directed by Ken WhittinghamWritten by Elizabeth TippetGuest stars Mercedes Ruehl, Mary Scheer, Jackie Seiden, Morgan Walsh, Jenn An, Richie Cottrell, Nanrisa Lee, Stephanie Maura Sanchez
Episode 18
After realizing that Sophia is growing up faster than he’d like, John buys himself a pet, but it doesn’t get along well with Joan. Also, Heather accidentally sends Tyler a sexy text message, Jen and Greg try to help Samantha win her boyfriend back and Heather and Jen console Colleen and Matt over their break-up.
Directed by Rebecca AsherWritten by Maggie MullGuest stars Hunter King, Amarr M. Wooten, Ashley Wolff, Kelly Albanese, Alek Cole, Mimi Karsh, Lars Slind, Kristen Endow
Episode 19
John and Joan disagree with their neighbors, Jerry and Pam, about who gets to use the hot tub when new property lines are drawn. Also, Greg and Jen invite their exterminator and his wife over for dinner, Matt and Colleen make an effort to be friends, and Tim is terrified to perform minor surgery on John.
Directed by Phil TraillWritten by Greg MalinsGuest stars Martin Starr, JB Smoove, Ayden Mayeri, Pam Trotter
Episode 20
Greg feels threatened by Jen's handsome assistant; Tim and Heather plan a prank.
Directed by Chad LoweWritten by Barbie AdlerGuest stars Davis Desmond, Gregg Sulkin, Amy Hill, River Bleu, J. Michael Evans
Episode 21
Tim thinks wearing a Cinderella dress during March Madness is good luck, so he refuses to take it off in hopes his alma mater will win. Also, Greg fantasizes about what to write in a birthday card for his boss, Tyler goes to prom and must withstand unsolicited advice from his parents and grandparents, and Jen sets Matt up on a blind date with her coworker, Dougie.
Directed by Phil TraillWritten by Joe CristalliGuest stars Hunter King, Ashley Wolff, Jerry Lambert, Fortune Feimster, Meera Rohit Kumbhani, Phillip Jarrell, Jason Heymann, Anthony Holiday
Episode 22
The first season concludes with John and Joan revealing a shocking secret they've kept from their kids for 35 years. Also, Greg quits his job after creating a public funding campaign for his own invention. Heather and Tim try to make up for missing Samantha's Student of the Month Ceremony at school, and Matt's plan to make a big announcement at his and Colleen's book party keeps getting delayed.
Directed by Chad LoweWritten by Justin AdlerGuest stars Hunter King, Susan Park, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Jerry Lambert, Caroline Aaron, Nora Dunn, Damian Gomez
Episode information updated Sep 17, 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
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