It's Like, You Know...

"It's Like, You Know..." was an extremely funny sitcom that was clearly doomed from the start. The writing was always exceptionally sharp, but its humor was far too sophisticated for general television audiences. For instance, one memorable episode featured a documentary style, a French-speaking nun accompanied by subtitles, demographic pie charts, and repeated references to Lorrie Moore. Not exactly mainstream humor. (And all this in a single episode!) Most of the shows' jokes served to poke fun at the habits of Angelenos, and again, these are regional jokes that most people probably won't understand.

Hey, I loved "It's Like, You Know...," and I watched it every week. It was hilarious, and occasionally it was quite charming. But it hardly came as a surprise to me when the show was canceled. Seriously, there is such a thing as being too clever.

Of course, you have to take into account that I'm a huge Jennifer Grey fan and I really like AJ Langer. The first time I saw this show I thought it was horrible. I've since given it another chance and I really like it. It's quirky, funny, and interesting.

When I first heard about "It's Like, You Know...", I thought it would be terrific. Created by a "Seinfeld" writer and starring Christopher Eigeman, who has been incredibly funny in everything he's been in? A home run for sure. But in the first season the writing was often strained, the women in the cast were weak, and the show was generally uneven. In the second season, though, a new creative spark seems to have invigorated the show, taking it in bizarre and surreal directions. Bickering conjoined twin cop show action stars (who turn out to be unattached twins faking it). Arthur's feeling of claustrophobia in New York illustrated by the walls of his apartment literally closing in on him. The faux documentary of a break-up, with inexplicably changing props in every scene (a different Jennifer Grey movie poster is on the wall each time we see her, Shrug is eating a different entree each time he appears). Shrug falls victim to a soul-sucking succubus (?!?). The most bizarre and funniest occurrence this year had Robbie and Shrug thinking to themselves about two girls they were dating. Suddenly one thought responds to the other, and they proceed to hold an entire conversation without opening their mouths!

"It's Like, You Know..." has become one of the most inventive sitcoms on the air. Sadly, that precise thing seems to be driving viewers away. Check it out before it's too late.

I don't know how we managed to get this show in France (for cable viewers only) since it seems like it did not really meet its audience in the USA. Anyway, I think it is really funny and, although not as well written as Seinfeld its acting is even better... too bad it has been cancelled. I'm glad I taped all the episodes so that I can watch them again and again!

If you have ever lived in LA, then you will understand the bizarre truth underlying this show. You'd find the show hilarious and true, and very smart--a kind of Seinfeld for LA.

Jennifer Gray plays herself, after her plastic surgery when no one recognizes her anymore. There's an independently wealthy bald guy named Shrug who is exactly like someone I knew in LA, a shallow but good looking prouder, and a ditzy, sweet masseuse.

The shows are about getting work, getting dates, plastic surgery and traffic--meaning, it's about LA.

The unhappy New Yorker's view of LA is dead-on, as is the fact that he loves to complain about it, and then gets to like it.

The best episode is when they all had to stop everything they were doing and watch the skycopter follow a high-speed chase. This is also true to life.

Very funny, but probably too hip for the room. Too bad it didn't last. If it's on reruns anywhere, watch it!