You Should Be Watching “You’re the Worst” – It’s the Best

A few months ago a friend of mine and I were playing the "Have you seen....?" game. You know what I'm talking about; new friend with a great sense of humor just HAS to have seen all the shows you love that you quote all the time, right?

Me: "Have you seen 'Spaced'?"

Friend: "Of course."

Me: "What about 'Black Books?'"

Friend: "Can't say that I have.  What about you, have you seen 'You're the Worst?'"

Me. "No.  That sounds like it's going to be terrible... and not in a good way."

Admittedly, the name of the show automatically sounds like it's going to suck.  "You're the Worst"? Where's the creativity?  Where's the sly, surly, tongue-in-cheek nod?  Also, the description sounds a lot like a romantic-comedy, a genre I hate with a passion that burns with the fire of a thousand suns.

Friend: "Trust me.  You'll like it."

Famous last words.

Begrudgingly, I acquiesced, saying I would watch the pilot one night.  I did.

"You're the Worst" is about Jimmy Shive-Overly and Gretchen Cutler, two people who have no business being around other people.  They speak their mind, drink too much, are selfish, and completely jaded.  Having met at Jimmy's ex's wedding, they end up hooking up that evening for what is supposed to be a one-night-stand. But realizing they might have more in common than they originally thought, they soften to the thought of spending more time together and tackle everything from not wanting to be in a relationship to proper adulting.  Mix in Jimmy's roommate, Edgar, a man recently back from a tour in the military, Gretchen's best friend, Lindsay, who has no clue how to do anything on her own, and three of the wittiest up-and-coming recording artists (that Gretchen represents), you actually do have a show that, for the first time in the genre of "romatic-comedy", knocks it out of the park.  It's hilarious, smart, and it's got a lot of heart (which I hate to admit liking).  This is one of those shows you have to pause for laughter, then rewind, and watch again.  I don't say that about most shows.  Because of this show, "Sunday Funday," "Floor Candy," and "Jimmy Three-Names" have been added to my Bishop Vernacular... and so many others I can't put in print because I will be fired.

"You're the Worst" just got renewed for a third season on FX.  If you haven't seen it, I implore you to check it out; it's too good to let slip in to the list of cancelled-too-soon shows.  Check out one of my favorite Jimmy speeches below: