New York City in the early 2000s felt like a fever dream of loft apartments and butterfly clips. If you grew up during the WB era, you probably spent Friday nights watching Holly Tyler upend her sister Val’s organized life. It’s been years since the show went off the air, but What I Like About You remains one of those rare sitcoms that people actually revisit. It isn't just nostalgia talking. There’s something specifically chaotic and earnest about the dynamic between Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth that modern streaming comedies often struggle to replicate.
The show premiered in 2002. At the time, Amanda Bynes was the undisputed queen of teen comedy, fresh off her success on Nickelodeon. Bringing her to a multi-cam sitcom with a live audience was a gamble that paid off because her physical comedy was—and honestly still is—top-tier. She didn't just deliver lines; she threw her entire body into the performance.
The Chemistry That Made the Show Work
Most sitcoms rely on a central gimmick. Here, the "gimmick" was just two sisters who were total opposites. Val was the high-strung, PR-professional older sister living in a gorgeous Upper West Side apartment. Holly was the impulsive 16-year-old who moved in after their father took a job in Japan. It’s a simple setup. But it worked because Garth and Bynes felt like real sisters. They fought over clothes. They lied for each other. They had those weird, silent understandings that only siblings have.
Then you have the supporting cast. Wesley Jonathan as Gary Thorpe was the MVP of the early seasons. His banter with Holly provided the grounding the show needed when the plots got a little too "sitcom-y." And we have to talk about Jeff. Simon Rex played Val’s boyfriend in the first season, and while their breakup was inevitable for the sake of TV drama, that early era of the show had a specific, cozy energy that shifted once the setting moved away from the original apartment.
Why Season 2 Changed Everything
When the show hit its second season, it underwent a massive soft reboot. They ditched the father-in-Japan plot mostly and leaned hard into the "young adults in the city" vibe. This is when we got Vic—played by Dan Cortese—and the legendary Leslie Grossman as Lauren.
Lauren is arguably one of the best sitcom characters of the 2000s. She was cynical, self-absorbed, and perfectly countered Val’s neuroticism. If you haven't rewatched the show recently, Grossman’s delivery is probably the thing that holds up the best. She turned what could have been a "sassy best friend" trope into a masterclass in deadpan timing.
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What People Actually Get Wrong About the Show
People often lump What I Like About You in with "kids' shows" because of Bynes’ history. That’s a mistake. While it was on The WB, the writing frequently touched on actual twenty-something anxieties. Val’s constant struggle to balance her career with her disastrous love life was relatable. She wasn't a "girlboss" in the way modern TV portrays it; she was someone who worked incredibly hard and still felt like her life was falling apart every Tuesday.
Another misconception? That the show was just a vehicle for Bynes. While she was the draw, the series evolved into a true ensemble. By the time Nick Zano joined as Vince, the "will-they-won't-they" between him and Holly became the engine of the show.
It was frustrating. It was adorable. It was quintessential 2000s TV.
Vince was the classic "cool guy" with a heart of gold, and his chemistry with Holly was electric. Their relationship trajectory—from friends to "it’s complicated" to finally getting together—was handled with more patience than most modern shows allow. They let the tension simmer for years.
The NYC Aesthetic and the Loft
Let's be real: nobody in their 20s in New York has an apartment that big. Val’s loft was a character in itself. The exposed brick, the huge windows, the suspiciously large kitchen—it was aspirational TV at its finest. It gave the show a sense of place. Even when they were just hanging out at "the loft," it felt like they were at the center of the world.
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Later seasons introduced the communal hangout spot, the bakery/cafe, which felt like a nod to Friends, but the show always felt more intimate than its predecessors. It was smaller. It felt like you were part of the inner circle.
The Physical Comedy Factor
Amanda Bynes' ability to commit to a bit is legendary. Whether she was getting stuck in a window or accidentally destroying a high-end fashion event, her timing was impeccable. There is a specific scene where she tries to act "cool" to impress a guy and ends up looking like a malfunctioning robot. It shouldn't be that funny. It’s slapstick. But her earnestness makes it work.
Compare that to today's sitcoms. Everything is so meta now. Characters are constantly winking at the camera or being "ironically" funny. What I Like About You wasn't ironic. It was sincere. When Holly messed up, she felt bad. When Val got her heart broken, it actually stung.
The Guest Stars You Forgot About
Looking back at the guest list is like a time capsule of the early 2000s.
- Megan Fox appeared before she was a household name.
- M periodicity was a thing.
- We saw members of 98 Degrees and Backstreet Boys.
- Tony Hawk even made an appearance.
These cameos didn't feel like "stunt casting" as much as they felt like the show was leaning into its place in pop culture. It knew its audience. It knew we wanted to see the heartthrobs of the week interacting with Holly and Gary.
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The Legacy of the Show in 2026
Why are we still talking about this? Because the landscape of television has changed so much that a simple, well-executed multi-cam sitcom feels like a luxury. We’re in an era of prestige dramas and high-concept sci-fi. Sometimes, you just want to watch a show where the biggest problem is that someone accidentally dyed their hair green or lied about being able to cook a Thanksgiving dinner.
What I Like About You represents the tail end of the "Golden Age" of the teen/young adult sitcom. Shortly after it ended in 2006, the industry shifted. Reality TV took over. The WB merged with UPN to become The CW, and the tone of television got darker and more "soapy." We lost that specific blend of heart and silliness.
The show dealt with real stuff, though. It covered grief when their father wasn't around. It covered the fear of failure in your career. It covered the messy reality of dating your best friend's ex or realizing your "dream job" is actually a nightmare.
How to Revisit the Series
If you're looking to dive back in, don't expect a gritty reboot-style experience. Expect bright colors, loud laugh tracks, and some truly questionable fashion choices (so many shrugs and low-rise jeans).
- Start from the beginning. Season 1 sets the emotional stakes, even if the show finds its comedic rhythm more in Season 2.
- Watch for Leslie Grossman. Seriously, pay attention to Lauren’s subplots. She is the blueprint for the "lovable narcissist" character.
- Appreciate the stunts. Bynes did a lot of her own physical comedy, and it’s impressive to see the coordination involved in those gags.
- Ignore the timeline gaps. Like many sitcoms of that era, the writers were sometimes a little "loose" with continuity. Just roll with it.
There is a comfort in the 22-minute format. It’s a palate cleanser. In a world of "Peak TV" where every show requires a wiki to understand the plot, there is something deeply satisfying about a show that just wants to make you laugh and maybe feel a little bit better about your own messy family.
What I Like About You wasn't trying to change the world. It was trying to capture the feeling of being young, slightly lost, and lucky enough to have someone to come home to. That's why it still works. That’s why we’re still watching.
If you're looking to watch it today, the series often cycles through various streaming platforms like Max or can be purchased on digital retailers. Checking the current availability on services like JustWatch is the best way to find where it's currently landing. For the best experience, try to find the original broadcast versions; some streaming edits occasionally swap out the iconic theme song—the cover of The Romantics’ classic—due to licensing issues, and it just isn't the same without that "hey, uh-huh!" intro.