8.3/10226 votesLoading...#1 - The Twelve Shorts of Christmas
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 12/21/2017
The holiday spirit is alive, well and wildly different for each member of the Short family.
Director: Jeffrey Walker
Writer: Joe Cristalli
8.1/10308 votesLoading...#2 - Godparent Turkey Corn Farts
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/19/2015
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.
Director: Chad Lowe
Writer: Maggie Mull
8.1/10253 votesLoading...#3 - Crytunes Divorce Tablet Ring
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 3/31/2016
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.
Director: Chad Lowe
Writer: Justin Adler
8.1/10238 votesLoading...#4 - Testosterone Martyr Baked Knife
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 11/23/2017
When Heather, Clementine and Jen offer to save Joan from the stress of preparing the Thanksgiving meal, the free time leaves Joan every more frazzled. Also, Greg has a boost of self-confidence after learning he has high levels of testosterone.
Director: Jaffar Mahmood
Writer: Lesley Wake Webster
8.0/10320 votesLoading...#5 - Babe Secret Phone Germs
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/2015
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.
Director: Claire Scanlon
Writer: Rolin Jones
8.0/10235 votesLoading...#6 - Sexting Mall Lemonade Heartbreak
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 2/25/2016
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.
Director: Rebecca Asher
Writer: Maggie Mull
8.0/10267 votesLoading...#7 - Annulled Roommate Pill Shower
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 10/27/2016
In the second season opener, Heather and Tim ask Clementine's parents to convince Clementine and Tyler to get a marriage annulment; Matt moves in with Colleen, much to the dismay of her roommate; John takes the wrong dose of his daily pill, which leads to complications.
Director: Jason Winer
Writer: Justin Adler
7.9/10288 votesLoading...#8 - Nanny Tent Earrings Cheeto
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/12/2015
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.
Director: Jason Winer
Writer: Elizabeth Tippet
7.9/10264 votesLoading...#9 - Hospital Boudoir Time-Out Namaste
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/26/2015
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.
Director: Fred Goss
Writer: Alec Sulkin
7.8/10324 votesLoading...#10 - Sleepy Email Brunch Tree
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2015
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.
Director: Jeremy Garelick
Writer: Brad Copeland
7.8/10259 votesLoading...#11 - Burn Vasectomy Milkshake Pong
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/10/2015
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.
Director: Jason Winer
Writer: Greg Malins
7.8/10219 votesLoading...#12 - Eyebrow Anonymous Trapped Gem
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 11/10/2016
When Tim accidentally shaves off a huge chunk of eyebrow before an important photoshoot, he hopes Jen and Colleen's grooming expertise can fix it. Also, when Gigi passes away, Greg makes an anonymous donation with the money she left him, but later realizes he wants to be recognized for it; John learns firsthand what Gigi's life was like at the nursing home; and Joan honors her mother's memory with unusual jewelry.
Director: Chad Lowe
Writer: Barbie Adler
7.8/10179 votesLoading...#13 - Sonogram Frog Rub Family
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 5/9/2019
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.
Director: Linda Mendoza
Writer: Jordan Young
7.8/10164 votesLoading...#14 - X Box Glimpse Spotlight
Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 6/6/2019
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.
Director: Natalia Anderson
Writer: Nadiya Chettiar
7.7/10235 votesLoading...#15 - Tattoo Valentine Guitar Pregnant
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 2/11/2016
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
Director: Jason Winer
Writer: Alec Sulkin
7.7/10244 votesLoading...#16 - Hair Recital Rainbow Mom
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 2/18/2016
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.
Director: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Elizabeth Tippet
7.7/10226 votesLoading...#17 - Prank Assistant Gum Puppy
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 3/10/2016
Greg feels threatened by Jen's handsome assistant; Tim and Heather plan a prank.
Director: Chad Lowe
Writer: Barbie Adler
7.7/10236 votesLoading...#18 - Cinderella Fantasy Prom Dougie
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 3/31/2016
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.
Director: Phil Traill
Writer: Joe Cristalli
7.7/10216 votesLoading...#19 - Cheap Promotion Flying Birthday
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 11/17/2016
When Colleen teaches Matt her frugal ways, he gets hooked when he realizes how much saving money turns her on. Also, Tim attempts to fire Heather from her receptionist position at his office, John tries to break Sophia's fear of flying by taking her for a quick flight on a small plane, and Jen plans a quiet affair for Lark's first birthday, until the family takes over the celebration.
Director: Alex Reid
Writer: Dave Jeser, Matthew Silverstein
7.7/10209 votesLoading...#20 - Boxing Opinion Spider Beard
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 12/1/2016
John's plan to encourage Samantha to skip her ballet class and take up boxing with his trainer, Troy, behind her mother Heather's back has unexpected consequences. Also, Jen tries to discreetly seek a second opinion when Tim tells her she needs tonsil surgery; Joan constantly scares Matt by hiding spiders around him; and Greg grows a wiry beard that irritates Jen.
Director: Jason Winer
Writer: Lesley Wake Webster
7.7/10204 votesLoading...#21 - Meal Potty Cart Middle
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 11/30/2017
When Tim and Heather go to an expensive dinner to celebrate their anniversary, they are determined to finish every bite of their pricey 20-course meal. Also, Jen and Greg try to quickly potty-train Lark before her first day of preschool; Tyler gets jealous of the attention Clementine is getting at work; and Matt and Samantha team up for a “Middle Child Day” and go to a trapeze school.
Director: Jonathan Judge
Writer: Jordan Young
7.7/10164 votesLoading...#22 - #TBT: House Destiny Introduction Retirement
Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 4/26/2018
The Short family's quirky history is revealed with stories of when Tim met Heather's family for the first time; when Jen and Greg bought their dream home; when Matt got sidetracked after he saw Colleen while waiting for a blind date; and John's last flight before retiring.
Director: Chad Lowe
Writer: Sarah Tapscott
7.7/10167 votesLoading...#23 - Video Piercing Model Hangover
Season 3 Episode 21 - Aired 5/17/2018
Jen and Greg find out a surprising piece of news. Also, Sophia wants to get a second piercing in her ear, to the dismay of Heather and Tim; Colleen and Matt send out a video thank you message for their wedding gifts that irritates the family; and John takes a modeling job but is horrified when he finds out his image is used alongside a product for the elderly.
Director: James Alan Hensz
Writer: Kyle Mack
7.7/10161 votesLoading...#24 - Sixteen Spanish Car Leak
Season 3 Episode 22 - Aired 5/17/2018
Tim and Heather plan a surprise birthday party for Samantha, but the night takes an unexpected turn when she doesn't come home alone. Also, Matt and Colleen learn their surrogate can no longer carry their baby; John and Joan decide to learn Spanish for their next adventure; and Jen and Greg have to find a way to keep their secret from the family.
Director: Justin Adler
Writer: Justin Adler
7.6/10276 votesLoading...#25 - Ponzi Sex Paris Bounce
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/5/2015
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.
Director: Jason Winer
Writer: Lesley Wake Webster
The Best Episodes of Life in Pieces
Every episode of Life in Pieces ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Life in Pieces!
Comedy about one big happy family and their sometimes awkward, often hilarious and ultimately beautiful milestone moments as told by its various members. Of...
Genre:Comedy
Network:CBS
Best Episodes Summary
"The Twelve Shorts of Christmas" is the best rated episode of "Life in Pieces". It scored 8.3/10 based on 226 votes. Directed by Jeffrey Walker and written by Joe Cristalli, it aired on 12/21/2017. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Godparent Turkey Corn Farts".