It's Like, You Know...

It's Like, You Know...
Cast of the show
Created by	Peter Mehlman
Starring	Chris Eigeman Jennifer Grey Steven Eckholdt A.J. Langer Evan Handler
Country of origin	U.S.
Original language	English
No. of episodes	26 (7 unaired in the US)
Production
Executive producers	Peter Mehlman Ted Harbert
Running time	22 approx.
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	March 24, 1999 – January 5, 2000

It's Like, You Know... was a short-lived American situation comedy television series broadcast by ABC, starring Jennifer Grey, Evan Handler, Steven Eckholdt, A.J. Langer and Chris Eigeman, about life in Los Angeles viewed through the eyes of a diehard New Yorker, Arthur Garment (Chris Eigeman).

The show sought to lampoon an upper class Los Angeles lifestyle, in part by presenting the Manhattan writer, Garment, as a fish out of water among Hollywood notables and the idle rich. In the pilot his character arrives with unconcealed hostility, intent on treating his readers to a bitter satire on the absurdities and excesses of LA culture. While staying with an old friend from college, Garment finds himself increasingly torn between button-down stern contempt for West Coast attitudes and a growing enchantment with the relaxed whimsy constantly swirling around him.

The characters tended to be bright and articulate, though their distinctive wits further reflected the culture clash. The writers never seemed reluctant to make obscure references or run with sophisticated premises. The show was also notable for featuring the actress Jennifer Grey playing herself, the source of a running joke related to her real life rhinoplasty. The series was short lived, at least in part due to the sudden explosion of reality programming and ABC's decision to dedicate much of its primetime schedule to the then-popular Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

When ABC canceled the series in December 1999, seven episodes remained unaired. These episodes have since aired abroad, including in Argentina on Fox Latin America and in Australia on The Comedy Channel.

Cast

• Chris Eigeman (Arthur Garment)
• Jennifer Grey (Jennifer Grey)
• Steven Eckholdt (Robbie Graham)
• A.J. Langer (Lauren Woods)
• Evan Handler (Shrug)

Episodes

Although two 13 episode seasons were produced, only 7 episodes were aired during the first season. The other 6 were intended to air later in season two, but only 1 of that set was aired before the show was canceled.

Season 1:

"Pilot" (Production Code: 17-98-100; Original Airdate: March 24, 1999)

Written by Peter Mehlman; Directed by Andy Ackerman

Arthur first comes to L.A. to write a book about how awful it is and see his old college buddy, Robbie. He meets Lauren, a masseuse and process server, on the plane. When Arthur meets Jennifer Grey, he doesn't recognize her because of her nose job. Robbie gets invited to a party by Cathy and set up with a girl because he didn't honk her driving slowly at a green light. He doesn't mention it was because his horn is broken. Shrug asks actor Elliott Gould why he drives a Honda, and says he works at a book store and gets paid $2,000 an hour.

Note: This episode, along with "The Getaway" was released on VHS as an Emmy screener.

"Welcome to L.A." (Production Code: 17-98-101; UNAIRED)

Written by Peter Mehlman & Jon Hayman; Directed by John Whitesell

Robbie is reluctant to date a girl who lacks imperfections; Shrug regrets insulting actor Elliott Gould at Cathy's party; and Jennifer and her former stalker catch up on old times.

Note: This episode was set to air October 12, 1999 but was pre-empted. Several websites list this episode as being an unaired pilot, but this episode's storyline follows from "Pilot" and is set on the same day.

"The Getaway" (Production Code: 17-98-102; Original Airdate: March 31, 1999)

Written by Peter Mehlman; Directed by John Whitesell

Everyone's enthralled by a high-speed car chase on television. Jennifer is hoping it will end quickly so that Oprah won't be pre-empted because she has an American Express ad premiering during Oprah. Lauren hopes it will run long so that she won't have to take a test on the Lumbar region. Arthur can't believe that all of L.A. grinds to a halt for a high-speed chase.

Note: This episode, along with the "Pilot" was released on VHS as an Emmy screener.

"The Client" (Production Code: 17-98-103; Original Airdate: April 14, 1999)

Written by Richard Doctorow; Directed by John Whitesell

Arthur tries to avoid receiving a massage from Lauren so that he won't become just another client in her eyes. Shrug opens a detective agency to solve all those little questions about life. Jennifer sleeps with a guy on the first date because he saves someone's life, but then finds out that he actually is employed as a paramedic and saving lives is his job. She then realizes that he's the perfect man, but after she chokes at the restaurant and he saves her, she tries to take him home to bed, and she says he can't sleep with her anymore because now she's a client.

"Two Days in the Valley" (Production Code: 17-98-104; Original Airdate: April 21, 1999)

Written by Dawn Urbant; Directed by John Whitesell

Arthur is angry when Simile restaurant refuses to serve his burger medium rare, and must pay a trip to the dreaded Valley to confront the mother who is suing the restaurant for giving her son food poisoning. Meanwhile, facing creative interference from the producers of his cable TV show, Robbie hires Jennifer to give acting lessons to the rabbinical star of Pay Per Jew.

"Memories of Me" (Production Code: 17-98-105; Original Airdate: April 7, 1999)

Written by Peter Mehlman & Jon Hayman; Directed by John Whitesell

Shrug is haunted by the memory of a high-school love lost when he inadvertently insulted her, and goes to an amnesiologist to get rid of the memory. Once he successfully forgets about her, he runs into her on the street. Arthur blows a blind date because he can't stop staring at models, but goes out on more dates so that he can meet John Updike. Jennifer insults a Harvard snob who tries to ruin her career, and finds herself blacklisted by the "Harvard mafia". Robbie and his girlfriend agree to date even though she only likes him for his stock portfolio and he only likes her because she's a model.

"Trading Places" (Production Code: 17-98-106; UNAIRED)

Written by Jeff Astrof & Mike Sikowitz; Directed by John Whitesell

Lauren is cut off on the road by Barney the anchorman (although she does not know it at the time). She yells at him. Later she is phoned by Barney to see if she will appear in a special on road rage. She gets stage fright when the moment arrives. Shrug buys a suicide note, and meets a woman in the process. Her family is rich, but she lives as though she is not. As such, Shrug pretends he is poor and lives in Robbie's guesthouse, in effect making Robbie him. Robbie convinces Pamela that it is selfish to be working when she does not need to, and she ends up realizing he is right, so breaks up with Shrug because she feels she needs to be around 'her own kind' - rich people. Arthur researches plastic surgeons for his book, and a plastic surgeon helps him get a job on a television show. He is fired after getting a paper cut on his nose by the suicide note because the studio thinks he had a nose job.

"The Conversation" (Production Code: 17-98-107; Original Airdate: May 5, 1999)

Written by Peter Mehlman; Directed by John Fortenberry

L.A. is making Arthur think more about sex, and he is jealous of Robbie's casual sex life. Jennifer and Lauren hang out in a bar trying to confront the critic who gave Jennifer a bad review, but he avoids her and instead she ends up bonding with Lauren. Prison buff Shrug visits his friend Hilo in jail, and begs to be locked up overnight.

"Walking Tall" (Production Code: 17-98-108; UNAIRED)

Written by Amy Welsh; Directed by John Fortenberry

Jennifer helps Arthur get a new car, a '65 Mustang ragtop, but it turns out to be too much for him. Robbie dates a woman who does not drive - she is a pedestrian, who are despised in L.A. - they are called 'walkies'- a disparaging term for pedestrians. Lauren dates Josh, a black man, and it is learned that Shrug is unable to get along with blacks. He tries too hard, and as such Josh does not like him. They finally end up getting along, as he likes books, but not sports, and so does Shrug, although he says to Shrug at the end "I still don't like you". Arthur and Robbie swap the Mustang and Rachel with each other, so Robbie has the car, and Arthur has the girl. They feel more comfortable that way.

"The Quick and the Dead" (Production Code: 17-98-109; UNAIRED)

Written by Allison Adler; Directed by John Fortenberry

Jennifer's agent Herb dies while Lauren is giving him a massage. Jennifer gets a part on the show Mommy Loves Chloe as the gynecologist, but has to use the clinical term for a woman's ... She has a problem with it, although not the slang words. "I'm fine with the slang words, it's the dictionary word I have a problem with," says Jennifer. To which Shrug has no idea what word they are talking about. Robbie is trying to obtain a growth - not a beard, just a growth. He really wants to meet the woman who plays Chloe's mommy on the show. Arthur crashes into a schoolteacher, and to stop from being sued, takes him flowers at the hospital and the teacher has decided he wants to be a Hollywood talent agent. At the coffee shop they are thinking about their own death, and Shrug has no idea what he wants in terms of arrangements made. So Jennifer suggests he go to the wake for Herb, and Shrug decides he will go to do some research. Chloe's mommy will be at the wake also, so Robbie gets invited too. Lauren keeps getting signs she should be surfing. At the wake, the director of Mommy Loves Chloe agrees that Jennifer does not need to say the word, until Robbie says to him that they slept together numerous times. After hearing this, he reinstates the word. Robbie meets Chloe's Mommy and she confronts him about not even being bothered shaving to meet her. Arthur takes the teacher to the wake to try and convince him not to be a talent agent, and succeeds, so he decides he will sue after all. Shrug announces 'Oh! Vagina' rather loudly at the wake, as he has just realized what the word is. While taping Jennifer's part for the show, she is unable to say the word and quits.

"Raw Deal" (Production Code: 17-98-110; UNAIRED)

Teleplay by Peter Mehlman & Jon Hayman; Story by Jeffrey Mehlman; Directed by John Fortenberry

Shrug has a girlfriend - the assistant of Robbie's agent. He does not know how long to wait after sex before disengaging. Jennifer says the length of a John Denver song. Robbie has a relationship with his agent, which has been drawn up as a contract. Lauren is allergic to shellfish, but tries calamari at the cafe. She has this, and wants something stronger. She tries the crab legs but does not know they are not real. Jennifer acts as a lawyer to renegotiate Robbie's relationship contract with Maggie, his agent.

"Author! Author!" (Production Code: 17-98-111; Original Airdate: April 28, 1999)

Written by Jennifer Eolin; Directed by John Fortenberry

Arthur's visiting publisher is charmed by the L.A.'s celebrities and women, and tells Arthur he has to change the tone of his book. It doesn't take the publisher long, however, to crack the beautiful veneer of the city and realize that nothing and no one lives up to their promises. Lauren is upset when Arthur intimates that she is not as intelligent as he. Robbie is unhappy when his money-seeking ex-girlfriend dates a poor, goofy, silly-looking waiter. Shrug tries to record his autobiography, but cannot successfully work with an actor to read it.

"The Long Goodbye" (Production Code: 17-98-112; Original Airdate: October 5, 1999)

Written by Peter Mehlman & Jon Hayman; Directed by John Fortenberry

As Arthur's final hours in L.A. begin to wind down, he has ambivalent feelings about leaving. Robbie's idea for a film about black men in space, Do the Right Stuff, is stolen by a Hollywood movie producer. Shrug races the clock to crack the case of Robbie's stolen movie idea. Meanwhile, Lauren seeks out a famed politico's advice on the etiquette of airport goodbyes.

Season 2:

"Twins" (Production Code: 17-99-201; Original Airdate: September 21, 1999)

Written by Carol Leifer; Directed by John Fortenberry

Lauren dates a television star who is a Siamese twin; Jennifer alters her birth date in a government computer and almost loses her identity -- especially when her father (whom Jennifer is avoiding on a trip to New York) hires Shrug to expose the woman who is "impersonating" Jennifer.

"Lust For Life" (Production Code: 17-99-202; UNAIRED)

Written by Peter Mehlman; Directed by John Fortenberry

Robbie and Shrug go halvsies in a Van Gough, and then argue over who gets to keep it at their place once they have it. They return the painting, but are only able to get store credit. Jennifer thinks she recognizes a mechanic as a stalker from the '80's, but needs Maureen McCormick (The Brady Bunch) to confirm it. Lauren has a yoga friend Wayne, and Arthur tries to warn her he is not as serene as he portrays. She discovers that he is not as he seems whilst in his van. She left something in the van, so Lauren and Arthur break into it to get it back and come across bomb making books in the back.

"Enchanted April" (Production Code: 17-99-203; Original Airdate: September 28, 1999)

Written by Peter Mehlman; Directed by John Fortenberry

A documentary account of the failed 1997 affair between Robbie and a “flaxen” beauty named Helen. Included: interviews with his friends Shrug and Lauren; dramatic vignettes starring Jennifer Grey; and comments about the doomed pair from Arthur.

"Coast to Coast" (Production Code: 17-99-204; Original Airdate: October 12, 1999)

Written by Jon Hayman; Directed by John Fortenberry

Everyone hates Arthur's book except for people in L.A., so he gets sent back to L.A. by his publisher on a media tour. Shrug quotes something that Arthur told him to a reporter, who credits it to Arthur when it was originally by Fran Leibowitz, and the New York litterati puts a hit out on Arthur. Jennifer visits New York but doesn't want to tell her father she's in town so that she can just do fun stuff and not feel guilty about spending every minute with him. Robbie is dating a vapid actress, and wants to break up with her, but can't because her publicist is sick and in the hospital.

"Arthur 2: On The Rocks" (Production Code: 17-99-205; Original Airdate: October 19, 1999)

Written by Richard Doctorow; Directed by John Fortenberry

Shrug can't remember a romantic encounter and fears his lady is stealing his soul. As it turns out, she is a Succubus, and attempts obtain his soul through negotiation. Arthur returns to L.A. as the toast of the coast he skewered in his book and is offered a tempting job on an L.A. paper. Carrie Fisher and Jennifer Grey are hounded by pop phone quizzes from David Bowie after he sends them pretentious newsletters about his idyllic life.

"Lost in America" (Production Code: 17-99-206; Original Airdate: October 26, 1999)

Written by Jill Franklyn; Directed by John Fortenberry

Arthur falls for his date's psychiatrist; the ladies fight over custody of their manicurist's massage chair; and Shrug and Robbie pose as Midwesterners to pick up non-California girls.

"The Sweet Smell of Success" (Production Code: 17-99-207; Original Airdate: November 2, 1999)

Written by Bill Masters; Directed by Andy Ackerman

Lauren has a spiritual awakening after God's image appears on a billboard, looking like the famous ex of Robbie's date, Val Kilmer. Meanwhile, Shrug helps his ex-con buddy Hilo open a smell bar.

"Hollywood Shuffle" (Production Code: 17-99-208; Original Airdate: December 8, 1999)

Teleplay by Carol Leifer & Peter Mehlman; Story by Ethan Cohen; Directed by Leonard R. Garner Jr.

Robbie and Jennifer attend a baby-naming ceremony were Jen becomes godmother to twins apparently named after Robbie, who had a one-night fling with the mother. A beautiful sexual harassment insurance saleswoman (Mimi Rogers) comes on to Arthur on the first day of his new job. Shrug searches out some stress to relieve his back pain.

"Summer of '42" (Production Code: 17-99-209; Original Airdate: December 22, 1999)

Teleplay by Carol Leifer & Peter Mehlman; Story by Ethan Cohen; Directed by Leonard R. Garner Jr.

Arthur freezes up when he enters into a May-December fling with a 21-year-old woman; Jen fakes her feelings for capital punishment to impress a hunk who's pro-death penalty; and Robbie sets Lauren up with a socially bankrupt stockbroker.

"The Apartment" (Production Code: 17-99-210; Original Airdate: December 29, 1999)

Written by Ethan Cohen; Directed by Joe Regalbuto

Jennifer agrees to televise her appendix surgery live on Robbie's new Pay-Per-Cut cable show; Shrug hires himself a nanny; and Arthur's failed college career rears its ugly head when his cousin blackmails him into giving up his New York apartment -- or the cousin will spill the beans about Arthur never having graduated from college.

"Hoops Dreams" (Production Code: 17-99-211; UNAIRED)

Written by Peter Mehlman; Directed by John Fortenberry

The gang reflects on what they were doing when basketball star Latrel Sprewell choked his coach. Lauren's massage client was about to jump out a window, Shrug met a black man, Robbie and Jennifer were in bed together when Shrug phoned Robbie to tell him the news, and Arthur was interviewing the model Veronica Webb.

"The Life of Brian" (Production Code: 17-99-212; Original Airdate: December 15, 1999)

Written by Richard Doctorow & Jill Franklyn; Directed by Leonard R. Garner Jr.

Jennifer's phone number catches the eye of a war-happy Serbian leader; Arthur's old college friend Brian steals anecdotes from Arthur's life to elevate his own status; Lauren and Shrug form a bizzare emotional bond when they both take birth control pills.

"Heat" (Production Code: 17-99-213; Original Airdate: January 5, 2000)

Written by Peter Mehlman; Directed by John Fortenberry

Sparks fly when Jennifer dates a detective who moonlights as a volunteer fireman. Robbie and Shrug's friendship is strained when Robbie's multi-million-dollar mansion is torched and Shrug is the prime suspect. Arthur and Lauren can't decide if they really want to be a couple.