What I Like About You

I wasn't expecting much. Just another boring, predictable "talking heads" situation comedy. But this show was different. Amanda Bynes has a background of playing broad comedy on Nickelodeon shows. Jennie Garth is best remembered for playing teen angst on "Beverly Hills, 90210". Inside the silly plot of the pilot, which was similar to an RKO short subject comedy of the 1940s or 1950s, physical comedy abounded. Bynes comes off like a teenaged Lucille Ball and Garth is dragged into the action. No, Garth is no straight women; she handles the physical stuff better than expected. The pilot was a good start. Now only if the writers don't allow the show to get soft and sentimental! Keep the physical comedy coming!

The premise and scripting of WILABT are both reasonable, and compared to many comedies out there, they're excellent. However, by the standards of Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond and Frasier, this is a distinctly average show.

What makes me watch it every time it's on are Amanda Bynes and Wesley Jonathon. Jonathon is a great character actor, and livens up what could be a dull character (the "Best Friend"). The part of Henry is excellently written, which surprised me, as the Val and Jeff characters are both weak.

But as I said above, Amanda Bynes makes this a good show. Easily the most talented teen on television, and in the top 10, whatever age, of current times, she's a great asset to the show. Rubber faced, with what could be described as a "beauty in repose", she takes a part that's been poorly-written, with physical humour that could easily look horrible, and makes it funny.

What America may have found here is a true star - not a mildly talented actress like Lindsay Lohan who has the scripting to make her a star, or a "piece of ass" (to quote one critic) like Hillary Duff...but a true superstar. Long make she reign as Queen of Teens.

Holly Tyler (Amanda Bynes)'s father is moving to Japan for his new job. She stays with her strait-laced sister Valerie (Jennie Garth) for a final week before moving. Val has a great life in NYC. Holly is nothing but trouble. Despite the various disasters, Val takes her in. Gary Thorpe is her best friend. Lauren starts out as a competitive co-worker and ends up as Val's best friend. In the 2nd season, Holly finds a new friend in rebellious Tina Haven. The two Tyler sisters find love and heartbreak.

This was when Amanda Bynes was still cute and funny. She's doing broad and sometime slapstick comedy. This has photogenic actors in a perfectly OK blend of single-gal sitcom and teenage comedy. The rotating boyfriend carousel does get tiresome. It's hard to say any of the boyfriends truly stuck. In the end, the best couple is probably Holly and Val although Gary and Tina do find each other. This is a passable cute sitcom with some serviceable laughs.

While I would say I enjoy the show, I expected something completely different from when I first saw 'What I like about you' I expected to find something along the lines of 'All That' (I am not sure if it is going on anymore) but I have to say I do like the show and while i don't classify it as a breakthrough show, it is very charming and I do like the chemistry between the characters as well (including the supporting cast)

I would definitely say that it is great to see Wesley Jonathan back on the screen because I really loved him in City Guy. I had also seen the woman who plays Valerie's friend in Popular and while I think that was an okay show, I do not really like her character in this show because she's just not my cup of tea but she rounds it out pretty well

There are about 3 shows on tv today that I feel are even remotely watchable. The rest are either "reality shows" or just plain crap. Just to clarify; I think reality shows are crap as well. Anyhoo, when I first saw the previews for this show I thought "looks cute" but c'mon, another lame sitcom I'm sure. Well I must admit that I've now seen this show about 3 times and was very surprised while although it does not break any new ground and is not fall off your chair hilarious, or incredibly clever it is a very charming show. Jennie Garth and Amanda Baynes are both great in their roles and work very well as sisters. I wouldn't say it's great, like the greats; news radio, seinfeld...but it is a nice show, well done, well written and nicely acted.