You probably remember Hair Love. It was that gorgeous, tear-jerking short film that won an Oscar back in 2020 and basically took over everyone’s social media feeds for a week. It was simple, sweet, and incredibly necessary. But then Sony Pictures Animation and Matthew A. Cherry decided to expand that world into the Young Love TV show on Max, and honestly, things got a lot more complicated—in the best way possible.
It’s not just a cute show about a dad doing his daughter’s hair anymore.
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The series, which hit streaming screens in late 2023, takes the Young family—Stephen, Angela, and little Zuri—out of the vacuum of a viral short and throws them into the messy, loud, and often expensive reality of modern Chicago. It’s rare to see an animated show handle the "struggle" without it feeling like a lecture. This show manages to be funny while talking about underemployment and the soul-crushing nature of the gig economy.
What the Young Love TV Show Gets Right About Being Broke
Most cartoons feature families who live in giant houses despite having ambiguous jobs. Think The Simpsons or Family Guy. The Young Love TV show rejects that trope entirely. Stephen is a struggling musician. Angela is a stylist coming back from a massive life upheaval—her battle with cancer, which was the emotional core of the original short.
They are "millennial broke."
That means they aren't just worried about bills; they’re worried about their identity in a world that demands they "hustle" 24/7. In one of the early episodes, we see the reality of trying to make it in a creative field while having a kid who needs a stable environment. It’s stressful. You feel that stress. Yet, the animation style—vibrant, warm, and fluid—keeps it from feeling like a bleak drama.
Breaking the "Perfect Parent" Mold
Stephen Young isn't a bumbling sitcom dad. He's competent, but he’s also deeply insecure about his career. Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi) voices him with this specific kind of vulnerability that makes the character feel like a real guy you'd meet at a coffee shop. He wants to be the provider, but the economy isn't exactly handing out checks for indie musicians.
Then you have Angela, voiced by Issa Rae. She’s the backbone, but she’s also recovering. The show doesn't just "fix" her cancer and move on. It deals with the aftermath—the hair regrowth, the fatigue, the fear of it coming back. It’s heavy stuff for a "family" show, but the writers find the humor in the mundane.
The Cultural Impact of the Young Family
There is a specific weight to being a Black family in Chicago that the show doesn't shy away from. It’s in the background noise, the neighbors, and the way Zuri interacts with her world. Zuri is voiced by Brooke Monroe Brown, and she is easily the breakout star. She’s not "precocious" in that annoying TV way; she’s just a kid trying to figure out why her parents are stressed while she’s worried about her own social standing at school.
A Different Kind of Representation
- It moves beyond the "trauma" narrative while still acknowledging real-world hurdles.
- The focus on Black hair remains a pillar, but it's expanded to include general self-worth and body image.
- The supporting cast, including the legendary Loretta Devine, adds a layer of intergenerational wisdom (and comedy) that feels authentic to Black family structures.
People often pigeonhole animated shows into "for kids" or "for adults (with raunchy humor)." The Young Love TV show sits in this middle ground. It’s a "co-viewing" experience. Your seven-year-old likes the cat, Ghibli, and the bright colors. You like it because it’s the first time a cartoon has accurately depicted how annoying it is to deal with a landlord.
Addressing the Critics: Is it Too Different From the Short?
If you go into this expecting the silent, poetic pacing of the Hair Love short, you’re going to be surprised. The TV show is loud. It’s fast-paced. It has a lot of dialogue. Some fans of the original were a bit jarred by the shift, but you can’t sustain a multi-episode series on silence and metaphors alone.
The expansion was necessary.
By giving the characters voices—literally and figuratively—Matthew A. Cherry allowed them to become symbols of a specific generation. We get to see the tension between Stephen's dreams and his responsibilities. We see Angela trying to reclaim her womanhood after a devastating illness. These are high-stakes themes wrapped in a colorful, 2D-animated package.
The Art Style and Animation Quality
The production design is top-tier. Sony Pictures Animation didn't skimp here. The backgrounds feel lived-in. The Youngs' apartment isn't a sterile set; it’s cluttered, cramped, and cozy. This visual storytelling does a lot of the heavy lifting. When you see the pile of mail on the counter or the way the light hits the street in their neighborhood, you understand the environment without a single line of dialogue.
Why You Should Care About Young Love Right Now
In an era where streaming services are cancelling shows left and right, Young Love TV show stands out as a project with actual soul. It’s not a cynical cash grab. It’s an extension of a story that clearly meant something to millions of people.
The show also tackles the "gig economy" in a way that feels incredibly 2020s. Stephen’s various side hustles and Angela’s struggle to rebuild her brand aren't just plot points; they are the reality for a huge chunk of the audience. It makes the "love" in the title feel earned. It’s easy to love each other when things are great; it’s a lot harder when you’re sharing one car and the rent is due.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Watch
Don't binge this show in the background while you're scrolling on your phone. You'll miss the small details. Look at the posters on the walls. Listen to the lyrics of the songs Stephen is working on. The show is densely packed with Easter eggs regarding Black culture, Chicago history, and the music industry.
- Watch the original short first. It’s only six minutes long and sets the emotional foundation.
- Pay attention to the side characters. The community around the Young family is just as important as the family itself.
- Talk about it. Shows like this survive on word-of-mouth.
The Young Love TV show isn't just about hair. It isn't just about a family. It’s a snapshot of a specific moment in time for a specific group of people who rarely see themselves portrayed with this much nuance in animation. It’s funny, it’s frustrating, and it’s genuinely heart-warming without being sappy.
If you want to support more diverse storytelling in animation, the best thing you can do is actually stream it on official platforms. Ratings matter, especially for animated series that don't fit the "sitcom" or "superhero" mold. Take the afternoon to dive into the Young family’s world. You might find that their struggles with career, identity, and family are a lot closer to your own than you expected.
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To truly appreciate the evolution of this story, start by revisiting the Hair Love short on YouTube or Max to refresh your memory on the silent chemistry between the characters. Then, move into the series with the understanding that the "voice" of the show has matured along with its audience. Keep an eye out for behind-the-scenes interviews with Matthew A. Cherry, which offer great context on how they transitioned from a Kickstarter project to an Oscar winner and finally to a full-scale television production.
Actionable Next Steps
- Steam it on Max: The full first season is currently available.
- Follow the Creators: Matthew A. Cherry often shares insights into the production process on social media, which provides a deeper look at the animation industry.
- Check out the Picture Book: If you have kids, the Hair Love book is a great companion piece that reinforces the themes of self-love seen in the series.