‘In the Know’ Recap: ‘I’m No Hero’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

IN THE KNOW -- Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Zach Woods as Voice of Lauren, Jonathan Van Ness -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘In the Know’.

​We’ve reached a point in this era of peak television, where we can easily ascertain what goes into making a great pilot episode. For now, there’s a bevy of shows that showcase the good and the opportunities that go into creating an impactful pilot and what we have learned is that a great pilot only requires a handful of well-executed elements to really catch an audience’s eye. In that, it needs to be impactful and offer up moments that immediately draw us in, and it also needs great characters that pop off the screen, that we are immediately curious about and of course, it needs to offer us a story that is engaging through and through.

If anything, what makes an amazing pilot is top of mind today, simply because Peacock is now home to one. For yesterday brought forth the series premiere of In the Know, a quirky comedy about Lauren Caspian. Who just so happens to be the third-most popular host on NPR, courtesy of his freewheeling interview style and well… there’s one element of what makes a great pilot. Because just like that, we are plunged into a story we’ve never seen before in ‘I’m No Hero’. Wherein we can see the inner workings of NPR and what the day to day looks like for a radio host of Lauren’s third tier caliber. But while that, and the fact that this series is animated, makes it seem as though this opening chapter to his journey is an artsy drama, it most certainly is not.

For Lauren’s NPR office is filled to the brim with quirky co-workers. Who each have their own agendas and also harbor varying levels of strangeness, ranging from downright blunt to egg eating delusions via Fabian and Sandy. Alongside some who are just there for the ride, such as Chase, and some are eager to do their job, which is where Carl and Barb stand. Which gives rise to some lovely comedy in this story, the kind that features some hard laughs and some memorable moments and that too, are the last remaining elements that truly make this a perfect pilot really. Since we do get those memorable moments left and right and the characters do indeed stand out in their own strange ways and honestly… they and the story present in this pilot/premiere are what truly suck us into this world.

Because everything about Lauren and his co-workers feels shockingly real here. As though we’ve met everyone here before, and the close quartered nature of hanging out with them in the office, really allows for us to get to know them and understand how much they believe in Lauren’s cause and Lauren for that matter as well. Giving rise to some sentiment and wonder in this tale, and we even garner insight as to the kind of good people these characters are, despite their some their sometimes destructive quirks and proclivities, and in the case of Lauren… we also learn about his inability to set boundaries. Since he does make the day interesting at the office by letting an unhoused individual basically move into the office bathroom for a day, giving rise to more hilarious shenanigans that put a smile on our faces and reflect Lauren’s kindness and pushover nature.  

All of which brings forth, that perfect pilot. Because just like that we are plunged into a supremely unique world that is well-fleshed out and dynamic and engaging. One that is also filled with wondrous laughs and a story that compels us to continue the journey. In large part, because of how original and refreshing this story turns out to be. Since a show in this vein, with this setting, is a true rarity if not something we’ve never seen before. But we also want more… to enjoy further laughs. To see this show grow into its potential as so many first-year shows do, and to just plain enjoy a fun story. One that oddly reflects everyday life courtesy of its office setting, since we all have a Chase in our workplace, and a Sandy too, yet is full of charm and joy, and it will be quite interesting to see what other wild moments take place in an environment as relaxed as NPR as season one of this magnificent series rolls along. Until next time.   

To learn more about the creation of ‘In the Know’, check out our interviews with Series Co-Creator/Co-Writer/Executive Producer Brandon Gardner, and Cast Members: Carl Tart and J. Smith-Cameron, Caitlin Reilly and Charlie Bushman. To watch ‘In the Know’, visit Peacock.

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