He's Just Not That Into You

By Author: Alison Chace
Total Articles: 1
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It's no surprise that women spend hours upon hours and even "girls' night" to chat about the men in their lives—especially the ones who aren't. Women analyze his every move, his every word. They decipher his messages and mixed signals. Does he like me? Why didn't he call? How busy is he, really?

In 2004, comedian and author Greg Behrendt ended the questioning for the ladies with a single answer: he's just not that into you. The concept was born slightly earlier during an episode of HBO's Sex and the City, a series for which Behrendt was an executive story editor.

In episode 78, Carrie invites her new boyfriend Berger out to dinner with the girls. When the ladies start up with their usual talk of the men in their lives, Miranda explains a recent date she went on, but got no call back. She writes it off as a simple, "He is busy," until Berger sets her straight with, "He's just not that into you." He explains that if the guy is interested, he'll come upstairs, he'll call, he'll get the second date, etc.

Behrendt took this idea and turned it into a New York Times Best-Seller, known as "He's Just Not ...
... That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys." The book, written in a Dear Abby style, quickly became a phenomenon. The book answers every question, solves every mixed signal, and gives a reason for a man's erratic behavior, with a simple, "He's just not that into you."

Taking advantage of the whirlwind, Behrendt launched his own daily talk show, "The Greg Behrendt Show," which featured average guests who were facing relationship problems. Most of the time, Behrendt solved their issues with his notorious catchphrase.

The book prompted several spin-offs from Behrendt such as, "He's Just Not That Into You: Your Daily Wake-Up Call," which provides daily mantras for women. Also printed was a "He's Just Not That Into You: the pocket guide," followed by a sequel called, "It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken: The Smart Girl's Break-Up Buddy."

The follow-up book is geared toward both sexes, instead of just women. It comes from the perspective of someone who was dumped out of the blue, just when they were thinking everything was going fine. Behrendt has plans to release a third book called, "It's Just a Bleeping Date." The book is scheduled to release this year.

Other authors took their chance at the spotlight with this concept. Author Ian Kerner wrote, "Be Honest—You're Not That Into Him Either: Raise Your Standards and Reach for the Love You Deserve." Author Danielle Whitman wrote, "He Just Thinks He's Not That Into You: The Insanely Determined Girl's Guide to Getting the Man That She Wants."

On February 6th, "He's Just Not That Into You," will take over the big screen with a highly anticipated film starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, and Ben Affleck.

The film revolves around a group of friends and acquaintances, all in their twenties and thirties, while they ride the relationship road. Some of them are single, some have flings, while others are in serious relationships or are married. However, all of them are trying to read the signs of the opposite sex.

It is possible Behrendt could take over the dating world, despite having credentials as a relationship doctor. He currently has a show on the SOAP network called, "Greg Behrendt's Wake Up Call," and is launching a tour this month known as, "The Greg Behrendt is Totally Into You Comedy Tour."