It's Like, You Know...

Having just caught a midseason episode of "It's like, you know . . .", a show I was probably predestined to like a great deal, and not just because they use an ellipsis in the title, I am continually amazed at the level of writing available on this half-hour gem. Very fast-paced and idea-filled, the scripts depend on none of the typical crutches of sitcom writing such as stupid misunderstandings and slapstick arguments. Instead, you hear hilarious discussions of . . . well . . . just about everything. And it's all done without that sense of solipsistic meanness so apparent in Seinfeld. Plus the show has a character named Shrug. Great writing and a character named Shrug. How much greater can it get? What is so good about the writing, you might ask. It builds throughout each episode, usually reaching a very nice and very funny climax at the end. The characters seem to be genuinely intelligent and creative people. The subplots are as interesting, or more interesting than, the main storyline of each show. And the choice of plots is as diverse and interesting as real life can be, without all of those stupid puns and slapstick misunderstandings usually written into most sitcoms. I very much hope it manages to find an audience.

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.

Aside from its off putting title, this show deserves its comparison to Seinfeld-the funny years. The great laughs contained in well crafted intersecting storylines that end up being thematically linked is terrific.

With episodes like "The Documentary," it shows there are still new ideas in the traditional sitcom format.

This show had the potential to be the next Seinfeld, unfortunately like Seinfeld, it needed the time to build an audience that would appreciate it. This is not a show for everyone (neither was Seinfeld) and if you are the type that likes to do other things while the TV plays in the background then you aren't going to get this show. It was clever (as a previous viewer noted, sometimes too clever) at times silly, and always worth the half hour.

A couple of things doomed it. It was preempted, and eventually removed to make room for five days a week of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, which of course flamed out quickly with that much exposure. The other was some of the humor that if you know L.A. you'll think is hilarious, but if you don't it will take time to learn how they are. I hate to keep referencing Seinfeld, but for those unfamiliar with New Yorkers it took awhile for people to understand how important a parking spot was. That's the way this show was. If you are unaware of the way police chases are televised daily like soap operas you won't be amused by them gathering by the TV. Likewise if you are unaware of "the valley" then the "safari" to the valley will be lost. All and all a really amusing show and a real shame it was never given the chance to build an audience.