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.

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.

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.

"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.

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!