Any good television series needs characters that are easy to relate too. You need some main characters and then you have to have sidekicks. Sidekicks work like partners in crime, they make sure to offer plenty of chaos, drama, and comic relief.
The main characters in What I Like About You, are sisters Holly and Val Tyler, who are trying to live, laugh, and love together in New York City. Both sisters have faithful sidekicks that they are constantly bailing out of trouble, in Val's case, or getting into trouble with, in Holly's case.
Lauren starts out in Season One as Val's co-worker and competition for a promotion at their public relations company. Lauren is odd and unique in her own way. She is extremely unpredictable and spontaneous, the complete opposite of Val's character. Lauren is flirty and she flirts with every guy she comes in contact with, but she has a hard time keeping a relationship. Through the series we see her in a few different relationships, but by the season finale she still hasn't found 'the one'.
Gary is Holly's best friend. His is somewhat nerdy during the first season, but his character changes and matures as the show goes on. Gary turns into quite the lady's man, or so he believes, and loses his geeky persona. Gary has a few girlfriends throughout the series, but in the end he starts dating, Tina, who he has always had a love/hate relationship with.
Tina Haven shows up in the second season when Val introduces her to Holly. Tina and Holly quickly become good friends. Tina is a flirt and has a reputation for sleeping around, but she has problems keeping boyfriends. Most of her problems seem to revolve around men, and she even went as far as to sleep with Vince, Holly's long time on/off crush. Tina displays love/hate feelings toward Gary, but in the end they wind up together.
No series is complete without the sidekicks. They are the ones that help create the drama, suspense, or humor. They are also necessary to keep the storyline going in the same direction or in the opposite direction. What I Like About You created some great sidekicks, which brought people back week after week.
