Although it only ran for four years on The WB (later The CW), the sitcom What I Like About You still arguably boasts some of the best comedic talent and timing of the early 2000s television scene in its lead cast of characters. Buoyed by a strong lead duo in Jennie Garth and Amanda Bynes, the series is one that only continues to grow and improve as it progresses, which makes it disappointing to this day it was cancelled after four seasons.
Holly Tyler (Bynes) and Val Tyler (Garth) are polar opposites in every way two sisters can be, but at the end of the day, they share many of the same goals: finding love and fulfillment, and sticking together through it all. The series has many highs and lows in its short run, but some of its episodes are still incredible comedic works even nearly twenty years after they first aired.
"Ground-Turkey-Hog-Day" (8.3)
Thanksgiving plays a major role in What I Like About You, more than any other holiday in fact. And more than any other character, Val Tyler is the one whose world is changed by two Thanksgivings in a row. Just one year after learning her fiancé was cheating on her on Thanksgiving, Val has a completely different romantic experience on the fall holiday.
In season four's "Ground-Turkey-Hog Day," Val finally stops fighting her long-simmering feelings for Vic, her former boss turned accidental husband, culminating in one of the best first proper kisses in sitcom couples history.
"Second Season Finale" (8.3)
Though it might not have the most creative of titles, the aptly named "Second Season Finale" episode of What I Like About You features some of the series' most surprising and emotionally impactful scenes.
While Val and Rick's relationship might be ill-fated from the very beginning, it's not hard to still feel caught up in the romance of the moment when Rick shows up at Val's door to tell her he wants to be with her, not Julie. But more breathtaking than that moment is the finale's cliffhanger, which finds Holly on the plane en route to Paris for her internship, only to find Vince waiting for her there.
"Sex and the Single Girls" (8.3)
The series really finds its perfect footing from the third season onward, and one of the many factors to contribute to this is Val and the ever quirky Lauren going into the bakery business together. The episode "Sex and the Single Girls" is one that is packed with hilarious content from start to finish as they prepare to open their bakery.
Whether it's Lauren wearing a ridiculous cupcake costume to draw attention to the bakery, or the all too eager Gary stripping down and enticing customers in other ways, the episode makes the most of the business's launch, all while also juggling the ongoing love triangle between Holly, Ben, and Vince.
"Three Little Words" (8.3)
Another episode which perfectly balances the tension between the love triangle and the hilarious filler content is the third season episode "Three Little Words." Holly finds herself warring with complicated emotions after she lies to Ben about what she thinks of his new, not so great song, but those aren't the only emotions Holly is dealing with, as evidenced by the episode's title.
On the lighter side of things, Val and Rick are preparing for their future together as a married couple who will soon be cohabitating, and Val begins to control-freak out when she realizes just how much hers and Rick's styles clash.
"Girls Night Out" (8.4)
Though much of Holly's and Val's individual storylines might revolve around their respective romantic lives, the series is still often at its best when it focuses on the bond between the Tyler sisters above all else. The first season episode "Girls Night Out" is a great example of that.
After Holly convinces Val to shake things up and accompany her to a sports bar for a fun night out, things don't exactly go according to plans when Holly asks for Val's help in cozying up to a cute guy, only for the guy to be interested in Val instead. But in the end, all works out, as it's there where Holly meets her first love, Henry.
"Pranks a Lot" (8.5)
Given the predominantly high school and college-aged cast of characters who populate the world of What I Like About You, it's only natural the series' third season features an episode devoted entirely to pranks getting out of control. It was also guaranteed the episode would be one of the series' strongest.
Thankfully, it is, as "Pranks a Lot" finds the entire main cast (even including the usually no-nonsense Val) getting caught up in a war of continuously increasing pranks; ranging from a fake eviction notice, a potential deportation, and a shotgun marriage.
"The Perfect Date" (8.5)
What I Like About You also has plenty of fun with meta level humor, particularly when it comes to leading lady Jennie Garth's history on Beverly Hills, 90210. In the series' fourth season, Garth's former co-star Jason Priestley appears as the truly bizarre character Charlie.
In the episode "The Perfect Date," Val is still trying to ignore her growing feelings for Vic, and as a result, she agrees to go out with Priestley's Charlie, who almost immediately decides Val is his soulmate. It's a hilarious episode filled with plenty of unintended consequences for Val, and one that works perfectly because of Garth and Priestley's history.
"Dangerous Liaisons" (8.6)
It's not easy to deal with dramatic topics like betrayals in friendships and keep things lighthearted and funny, but somehow, What I Like About You manages to do just that with the third season episode "Dangerous Liaisons."
After learning Vince and Tina slept together, and that her supposed best friend Gary knew about it all along, Holly goes to great lengths to isolate herself from her friends; at least for the length of the episode. Meanwhile, Val reconnects with a character played by yet another of Garth's former Beverly Hills, 90210 costars, Luke Perry, who appears as Todd, a gruff plumber who Val spent the night with in high school.
"Garden State" (8.6)
Though it might be the series' best season overall, What I Like About You does veer into disappointing territory with Holly and Vince's relationship in its final few episodes, Thankfully, episodes like "Garden State" exist, to add some levity to the otherwise sad state of their relationship as Holly finds comfort in not Tina and Lauren, but Vic's surprisingly helpful brothers.
In the meantime, Val and Vic find themselves forced to reevaluate their relationship and their future when they learn their drunken marriage was in fact not valid. What follows is a great arc of character growth, as they're forced to discuss their future in meaningful terms for the first time, all while headed to meet Vic's brothers.
"Finally" (8.9)
Sticking the landing in a series finale is still something that most series struggle to do to this day. And although What I Like About You may have 0nly had an abbreviated four-season run, it's hard to find much to fault in the series' perfectly wrapped-up series finale episode, aptly titled "Finally."
The episode reads like a love letter to the series, to its characters, and to its core relationships, complete with loving montages of scene. Vic and Val finally get the grand, sweeping romantic wedding they deserve, Holly and Vince reunite and put their egos aside, and even Gary and Tina finally get over themselves and admit their feelings. And they all lived happily ever after.