I Love LA Is Funny on Purpose

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Okay, let me tell you, True Whitaker is absolutely killing it in the latest episode of I Love LA. It’s easily the funniest one yet! The episode, called “Upstairses,” follows Maia, Tallulah, and Charlie as they try to climb the LA influencer ladder at a house party, but Whitaker’s character, Alani, has a very specific goal: meeting Elijah Wood. She’s a huge Lord of the Rings fan and apparently, they had a little connection when he did a Q&A for her acting class back at NYU. The catch? Everyone says he’s not at the party, but Alani and Maia quickly find out that’s a lie – he’s just holed up in his bedroom watching YouTube! They spend the whole time trying to get his attention, but it’s Alani’s incredibly earnest, almost pathetic attempts that really steal the show. It’s heartbreakingly funny. There’s this one moment where Wood is explaining ‘memory palaces’ and throws out this random question – “What’s my business manager’s son’s name?” – and Alani just blurts out, “Shoot! I don’t know!” with this look of utter desperation and confusion. It’s perfect timing and delivery, and honestly, had me in stitches. Whitaker is a comedic genius in this episode.

The strong reaction from Whitaker is a key part of what makes this week’s episode of “Upstairs” the show’s best so far. It’s a chaotic party episode reminiscent of the famous rave scene in Girls. While no one’s using drugs, each character is pushed into an uncomfortable and intense emotional situation. This episode suggests I Love LA shines when its characters interact with the quirky and unusual people of Los Angeles, rather than battling each other. By introducing new and unexpected personalities, the show’s unique style really comes alive. We see Tallulah obsessively re-shooting a TikTok, using dialogue from Kramer vs. Kramer, alongside real influencer Quen Blackwell, and Charlie attempting to both romance and work with viral Christian singer Landry (Froy Gutierrez) who needs a stylist.

The shared anxiety in “Upstairses” often leads to the show’s most humorous moments. Charlie, Tallulah, and Maia are all somewhat manipulative, constantly trying to navigate social situations to get what they want. Alani, though, is genuinely kind and naive, which allows the actress to highlight her character’s sincerity. As the only one who comes from a privileged background, Alani already has what most of the others crave, so her ambition comes across as a longing for affection. Like when she obliviously rambled to a group of writers about her past, she repeatedly and unsuccessfully tries to get Wood’s attention. We find her struggles amusing because she has little to lose and potentially a lot to gain from his approval.

This episode, like the series as a whole, is expertly crafted and packed with humor. From small moments, like Landry questioning the proper amount of ice in a drink, to running gags like Tallulah’s shrimp obsession and the constant appearance of orange wine, the show consistently delivers laughs. A recent social media post highlighted a line about Charlie’s “birthright group chat,” which perfectly exemplifies the show’s comedic style. I Love LA thrives on jokes that playfully expose the characters’ self-absorption and relentless drive. As creator Sennott explained, the show could easily have been titled Climbers, referencing their social ambition, and the episode “Upstairses” really demonstrates the downsides – and the humor – of that constant striving. These characters may put on a show, but they’re always scrambling to maintain their carefully constructed facades.

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2025-11-24 17:54