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Private Notes
L.A.-hating Arthur is a New York journalist who wouldn't be caught dead in Tinsel town if he wasn't writing a book about it and in need of some firsthand research. Of course, his phobia regarding Los Angeles is always in some degree of conflict with his fascination with the city where nothing is what it seems and dreams can come true. In the premiere episode, the series pilot, Arthur moves in with Robbie and proceeds to feed his feelings of antipathy for Los Angeles and channel them into his forthcoming book. He gets his first journal entry when neighbor Jennifer Grey gives him a pastrami sandwich -- with mayo. Meanwhile, Robbie becomes a local folk hero when his broken car horn prevents him from doing what all Angelenos do -- honking obnoxiously at another driver for some perceived offense. (ABC)
Arthur, Shrug, Robbie, Lauren, Jennifer and all of L.A. are glued to the set watching a televised car chase, particularly when Shrug realizes that the driver is his old friend Hilo Beckworthy, on the lam for the heinous crime of lighting up a cigarette at Spago's. Jennifer, however, worries that the premiere of her career-reviving American Express TV commercial will be preempted. (When we finally see the commercial, her line is "Don't change your face without it.")
Shrug is haunted by the memory of a high-school love lost when he inadvertently insulted her, and goes to a local doctor who specializes in removing painful memories; Arthur tries to make a good impression on a blind date; Jennifer insults a Harvard snob and finds herself blacklisted by the "Harvard mafia"; and Robbie's relationship with supermodel Danna rests on superficial ground, as she is only attracted to him when the market pushes his stock portfolio up.
Arthur feverishly tries to avoid a gift massage with Lauren so their relationship won't turn "professional"; and Shrug opens a detective agency specializing in solving life's little mysteries.
Arthur is angry when Simile restaurant refuses to serve his burger medium rare, and must may a trip to the dreaded Valley to confront the mother who is suing the restaurant for giving her son food poisoning. Meanwhile, facing creative interference from the producers of his cable TV show, Robbie hires Jennifer to give acting lessons to the rabbinical star of "Pay Per Jew".
The premise of Arthur's Tinsel town-bashing book-in-progress comes into question when his visiting New York publisher is charmed by the city's glamorous women; but reaction sets in when Mr. Lynch discovers the insincerity behind LA's instant hospitality. Meanwhile, Robbie discovers that his supermodel former girlfriend Danna is dating waiter Ernie at his favorite restaurant, Simile.
Arthur covets Robbie's casual sex life, explaining that women take him too seriously; Jennifer and Lauren hang out in a bar trying to confront the critic who gave Jennifer a bad review; and prison buff Shrug visits his friend Hilo (the unseen protagonist of the high-speed chase in "The Getaway") in jail, and begs to be locked up overnight.
