Shortbus

Right now you can watch Shortbus in the US on Philo and YouTube TV — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 589 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Watch it for Sook-Yin Lee — stay for everyone else around them. Available now on Philo — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Shortbus earns its spot. The jokes in Shortbus land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. In post-9/11 New York City, an eclectic group of citizens find their lives entangled, personally, romantically, and sexually, at Shortbus, an underground Brooklyn salon infamous for its blend of art, music, politics, and carnality. Sook-Yin Lee and Paul Dawson lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2006. What keeps Shortbus from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Shortbus respects your intelligence. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Sook-Yin Lee anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.