Of Shows and Pants

There's been a lot of heated conversation focused around that new HBO show Girls. Shoot, I found myself in the middle of a drag out fight with three friends in a hotel room in LA last weekend about identity, feminism and race in relation to the first episode. One of my lady castmates loved it and thought it was socially important, the other lady castmate and her brother had a major problem with the the production in regards to race and social commentary, and I agreed with all of them, while at the same time not really wanting to get into a fight. It's not because I don't like conflict - I LOVE a good pillowfight between friends (AMIRITE LADIES???) but truthfully, I think we all need to be talking about another show that's not getting its due credit. The show is on MTV and it's called I Just Want My Pants Back.

I'm not kidding. You want to see a real show about hipsters that is both edgy and tongue in cheek, but isn't as grating as watching someone scrape their nails against a chalk board? This is your show. Jessi Klein, a very prominent female comedian, writes a lot of their episodes, and if I've been listening correctly WOMEN COMEDY WRITERS ARE SUDDENLY SO HOT RIGHT NOW. So, where's her credit for making me laugh out loud at characters I should, and normally would, hate? It's because the show isn't just about a bunch of kids in Williamsburg. Rather, it focuses on relationships. I always tell my improv class that while locations and situations are very important, a scene is nothing without strong personal relationships. I Just Want My Pants Back manages to balance that line, and do it well.

Now, I really, really wanted to hate this show, I can't stress that enough. First of all, I'm 36, I refuse to step foot in Williamsburg (anymore), and I haven't turned on MTV since they showed actual videos at 5am when I'd get home from my bartending shifts ten years ago. Yes, I was these people in the show. Ten years ago. So, why should this program be interesting to me? And I mean, would you look at this promo shot?

Jesus Christ, it's like if you searched Getty images for "Annoying Kids Acting Like Tourists From Omaha on a NYC Train" circa 1970. Don't you really want to hate these people? But here's the thing - the actors do a great job of making the characters likable while simultaneously nailing the smart dialogue they are given.

Now, although this show isn't getting the due press it deserves, apparently I'm not the only fan. It's sort of become an underground hit, and recently got picked up for a second season. So why aren't more people talking about this show? I have no idea. Maybe it's better that they aren't. Now I need to get one thing out of the way - I only started watching it because a very talented friend of mine, Jordan Carlos, is in it. But by episode 1, I was hooked. And surprisingly, he was actually the weakest link of the whole damn thing. I'M KIDDING! He is great. Also, you can check out his amazing stand up here.

So, we can talk about all these new shows that, according to their own PR people, are "revolutionary", and what it means to relate to tortured 20 something's on TV, but I'd just like to watch a fun show that makes me laugh. So, please do yourself a favor and give it a chance.

FYI, this post has not been sponsored by I Just Want My Pants Back, unless they want to cast me in an episode as "the uncool older sister", in which case, it will be. Until then, here's some more shameless promotion of the show.

Get More: I Just Want My Pants Back, Full Episodes