It's Like, You Know... (1999–2001) User Reviews

LA sitcom

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 10 July 2017]

New York magazine writer Arthur Garment (Chris Eigeman) moves to L.A. for 2 months to write a book about his hatred of the city. "Living in LA. How can you stomach it?" His rich friend Robbie Graham (Steven Eckholdt) lives in the guest house of lay-about trust fund guy Shrug (Evan Handler). Jennifer Grey (the real Jennifer Grey) is their next door neighbor. Arthur falls for flighty masseuse Lauren Woods (A.J. Langer) on the plane coming over.

For the most part, I like the cast. Jennifer Grey as her real self is meta fun and forward thinking for its time. Her nose job jokes are pretty funny. She needed to do more as a struggling actress. There is humor there that remains unused. Chris Eigeman is a functional neurotic New York Jew. A.J. Langer is an adorable ingenue. Arthur needs to push harder for Lauren to heat up the romance. It's a little flat by slow-rolling it. It's also problematic to have two rich slackers in the cast. They basically doubled up on the same character. The LA jokes work some of the time. The best episode is Walking Tall where Robbie starts dating a pedestrian. It satires the walkie-driver relationship as the race relationship. It's funny and smart. The funnier thing is that the show was canceled and that episode remained unaired.

Surprisingly funny!

[macgyver-5 · 8/10 · 16 April 1999]

One of the few new sitcoms this year that I may actually watch regularly. Sure, it seems like "Seinfeld" in L.A., but so what? If it remains funny, I'll continue to tune in.

Very LA, very funny

[danielwill · 16 June 2001]

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!

I miss and think about this show often

[calgal84 · 9/10 · 13 October 2012]

One of the best written comedy shows ever on TV but it was not allowed to develop it's audience. It wasn't a Seinfeld wannabe - it was a West Coast original. And maybe that was the problem. The humor was definitely West Coast. As a LA native living in Georgia, this show was like a life line. Acting, writing, humor was sharp and funny. Jennifer Grey as herself was hilarious with that little tinge of sadness for what happens in LA to even talented people. The whole cast worked so well together with that Los Angeles laid back ease, but with a little self deprecating humor all native and long time Californians have. As for the title - a previous poster got it wrong. I still say "It's like, you know", when there's just nothing more you can say. It's a California thing. And, now that I'm in the south, to those that didn't get the humor of this show, I say "Well, there you go".

It's Like Hilarious!!

[dataconflossmoor · 10/10 · 19 September 2007]

This show was so funny! I thought Steve Eckholdt was the best part of this series and he has been a staple for guest appearances on T.V. Shows and movies as well as a regular on some hit series for so long now that his talent is almost taken for granted!! I thought "It's Like You Know" was so hysterically funny that I am extremely surprised that it lasted only two seasons!! Many programs are just thrown out there as test cases which makes the audience nothing more than guinea pigs who vote thumbs up or thumbs down on a program!! I give this show a resounding thumbs up, and reward it with my approval.. Perhaps a petty consolation prize in this instance, however, success and failure are based on audience research reports which reflect the auspicious or negative reactions from the television audience!! My final estimation of the television series "It's Like You Know" .. I am glad they made it!! Wonderful!!

L.A. Seinfeld

[aschachte · 10/10 · 23 May 2006]

Let's face it. Seinfeld was over and it left a pretty large gaping hole in the comedy lineup. But then this quirky new show comes out of nowhere on another network. Let's give that a try. It looks different. But it wasn't. It was more Seinfeld. There was a different cast, but it was definitely Seinfeld. There were two Jerry's, two Elaine's, and one guy who was a cross between George and Kramer (Shrug). No, I wasn't shrugging my shoulders. His name was Shrug. No other explanation given.

In the first season, they made a point out of someone somewhere saying, "It's like you know." It just always came up somehow in conversation. It reminded me of the second season of Get A Life (another funny show cut short) where Chris died at the end of every episode. Yet somehow it all worked.

As nearly every reviewer has mentioned, this show was very much like Seinfeld. Obviously the people who made the show knew of the similarities, because in one of the episodes, Arthur (the guy from New York who was like Seinfeld #1 in the show) went back to his old apartment in New York. You guessed it. It was Seinfeld's apartment. It even had the bicycle hanging up and everything. It was the same set! This was one of the best situational sight gags ever, because it would make no sense at all if you never watched Seinfeld. Hey, some people didn't.

Now as far as I know, Jennifer Grey (Elaine #1) is only the second person ever to play themselves as a regular in a TV role. Jerry Seinfeld did it and later Tori Spelling did it in So Notorious. And before you say Drew Carey, he really didn't. He played Drew Carey the cubicle worker, not Drew Carey the stand-up comic. Jerry Seinfeld played himself – a stand-up comic who previously hosted the Tonight Show some times in the past. And Jennifer Grey played herself, the actress from Dirty Dancing. Joel Grey came on for an episode and played her father, which he really is. But he wasn't a regular, so he doesn't count.

OK, enough comparisons to Seinfeld. This show was good on its own. Given a longer run, it would have been great. Seinfeld also had poor ratings at the start and look where it ended up. Dang it!

It's Like You Know never stopped being funny. The car chase episode was funny. The one with Joel Grey was funny. Even the last few episodes were funny. One in particular was where Robbie and Shrug took off to go see America. So they left Los Angeles and drove to America. The humor didn't stop there. They started thinking weird thoughts. And then they started hearing each other's thoughts and talking via mental telepathy. "Hey, we can read each other's minds. Do you believe this?" "How can I? It's not believable."

Sadly, this series died with less than a whimper. They never came out and said it was canceled. It just wasn't there anymore. If you recall, they were just starting up the new "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" game show, which was the hottest thing to hit ABC since… ever. It seems It's Like You Know was canceled to make room for yet another run of Millionaire 30 times a week. This eventually proved to be a major mistake for ABC as they took a massive ratings plunge once viewers lost interest in Millionaire. But the damage was already done. Would ILYK return now? The answer would not come from ABC. It came from the other networks as those actors started popping up on other shows.

Regis Philbin killed It's Like You Know.

Too clever and witty to last

[console-6 · 10/10 · 17 January 2007]

This was a clever and witty satire of US, particularly LA, lifestyle. Way better than Seinfield, whose humor could only come from nasty petty barbs at people. "It's like you know" never stooped so low and therefore never insulted your intelligence. For goodness sake Seinfield even advertised itself as a series about nothing! What a rip off of the American viewer! This series deserved a longer run, it reminded me of My World and Welcome to it, based on the writings of James Thurber. Comedy series which hold a mirror up to the American people do not seem to do well unless they relentlessly keep assuring the audience that everything is wonderful in America. Woe betide them if they suggest that the US is entertainment for the rest of the world. Isn't it about time America grew up and started laughing at it's acidities? WHERE is the DVD of this series? No one seems to know and no answer seems to be forthcoming - with all the old series out on DVD you would think that it would be easy for a relatively recent series to be brought out on DVD.

Really Funny

[mka-18 · 10/10 · 5 January 2007]

It might be that I am living in Europe, but I really love this comedy. It has just started two days ago and we just go ogled Jennifer Grey, since she looks really different to her famous movie dirty dancing. I believe that the cast is really funny. Elliot and his car problem, the New Yorker who seems to see the word as we see them in Austria. And after all the bald headed guy who we know from sex and the city. I wish that the episodes will come all of them to our country, so that I can watch the all. Well, 10 Lines are a lot when English is not your native language and you have only seen 2 episodes yet. I tried even to write in German, but it did not work. Enjoy and come to visit beautiful Vienna!

It's Like, Y'Know, BAD.

[Asteri-Atypical · 2/10 · 26 August 2001]

More banality not worth wasting many words on.

The same inspiration for this show must have been the same inspiration which caused Ms. Grey to transform herself with surgery from a very attractive woman with looks of character to a commonplace "Plain Jane".

Just like Jennifer Grey's appearance has become commonplace and plain, so is this show. Not bad, but just another show, and another face, in the crowd. Nothing special.

I keep changing my mind on this show.

[tomthedog · 8 November 1999]

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.

Better Late than Never review - FANTASTIC !

[mnsensei · 2 August 2004]

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.

Fine, short-lived satire of Lalaland.

[Donny_Stay · 23 February 2003]

"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.

Funniest show around

[EnnBee · 20 October 1999]

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.

The writing gets better and better . . .

[tergenev · 6 May 1999]

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.

Not enough time to develop before they killed it

[spiveym · 28 June 2000]

This was a show from the creators of Seinfeld, and like Seinfeld, it was slow getting off the ground. I liked "it's like, you know...." and I thought it was becoming funnier as the characters settled in and story lines developed. Making fun of L.A. life IS funny to people outside of L.A. Unfortunately ABC killed it before it could reach it's full potential.

It's Like, You Know... funny as hell

[WOHargan · 7 September 1999]

I finally figured out the title... it's muttered by someone atleast once an episode (usually the worst joke of the episode... but still) but it seems so fake. When I first saw an ad for this, I thought it looked stupid and pointless, but I watched an episode anyway... and I found I couldn't stop, it was the best written show sence M*A*S*H and the best cast sence NewsRadio, and is the best show sence "The Simpsons". It has the same setup as Seinfeld (Punchline before the explanation). And haven't we always wondered why "Q" is in the middle of the alphabet? The best new show of 1999, followed closely by "Futu

Funny with great actors

[cinewatt · 9 April 2001]

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!

I am really beginning to like this show, but the title's GOT to go.

[pummykin · 28 December 1999]

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.

Laughed my a-- off

[EmptyLeo · 1 April 1999]

The best new sitcom since Friends maybe? I waited for 2 episodes to go by before I commented but my initial reaction stands, It's good!

"The Chase" episode made me laugh so hard I had a coughing fit that lasted halfway through Drew Carey!

And I ain't complaining when they make fun of Ohio, they're just jokes!

It's like, my favourite

[toxicbrian · 16 February 2000]

Loved this show. Brilliant on so many levels. You could only truly appreciate it if you were a fan since so many of the jokes were references to previous episodes. The writing, acting and over all look were consistently top notch.

it's like, you know, totally right on

[gathly · 26 March 1999]

I've finally found a replacement for the much missed comic genius of Seinfeld. It's about nothing, which is more appropriate in L.A. than New York. It stars Jennifer Grey as herself after a nose job, which is very creative, and the perfect touch for a show about crazy L.A. I laughed out loud a couple times, but you have to give a show several episodes to truly appreciate it, otherwise you can't adjust to the characters, and that's necessary for sitcom appreciation. They have great homages to Seinfeld-esque humor, like, "Why is the Q in the middle of the alphabet? It belongs at the end. It should go X, Y, Q, Z." I can't wait to see it again.

An excellent new show

[Andrew F · 30 March 1999]

I could not disagree more with the above review, and I had to go on the record to persuade newcomers to give this excellent show a view. This was a very funny show. The writing is so witty and confidently subtle, its humor does not have to be broadly obvious, like most of the other drivel in prime time comedy. This program does not rely on cuteness, or absurdity, or star power ... just the most clever writing since M*A*S*H, and terrific actors who are masters all of understated hilarity. And one more point: The overall theme of the pilot is not whiny, New Yorker arrogance disparaging LA. On the contrary, although the jabs at LA do come fast and furious, the underlying message is that even the most hardened LA-hater can succumb to the sun-baked, delirious charms of that 80 degree-Eden. Check this show out.

Excellent program that nails L.A. exactly

[sprocket-11 · 26 March 1999]

I saw the premiere program this past Wednesday and thought it was brilliantly written with an audience-friendly ensemble cast. The dialogue nailed the L.A. scene as I know it. Very funny. I look forward to upcoming episodes.

Ya know, it really is, like, Seinfeld in L.A.

[MMcFly-3 · 8 April 1999]

The pilot for "it's like, you know," was very funny and promising, with many Seinfeld-esque jokes (a quick check of the writing credits tells why). I was actually upset when the pilot ended, not believing a half-hour had gone by already. My favorite jokes were the discussions of the letter Q, and whether or not Shrug owed Robbie $50,000. And Jennifer Grey's debut as "herself" was done to perfection (her "Dirty Dancing" step to prove she's really her, and Lauren's "Wolverines!" yell). To me, except for Arthur, there's a little bit of Kramer in each character, male and female, though Shrug (surely to become everyone's fave) is certainly in the "George" slot. Episode 2, about a car chase, was disappointing. Too one-note. Episode 3 was more of what I'd like to see, with the multiple yet criss-crossing storylines -- the only complaint being that it's already looking like Arthur and Lauren will become a will-they or won't-they couple (no surprise, Andy Ackerman of Cheers fame is this show's director). But in all, a up-and-comer in the post-Seinfeld era, out to cinch water cooler status. Special mention for A.J. Langer (Lauren), who's not quite the "Elaine," but that's just fine. We don't really need a Seinfeld copy, but like, you know, a new show to tell us why Q is an over-rated later. This is likely it.

Misunderstood

[poolsharke · 23 July 2001]

I thought this show was hilarious! I travel to LA occasionally on business, and watching these folks take a shot at LA's 'culture' was a lot of fun. Too bad it never caught on... Perhaps if there would have been some 'star power', it may have fared better.