And GaTa is better than ever.

I tell people to watchDave, and they say: “What’sDave?”

There are cameos by celebrities I’m too old to recognize.

Someone calls Dave a “satiric rapper,” but he believes his art can change the world.

while wearing a yellow Jim-Carrey-in-The-Masksuit.

So the series (returning June 16 on FXX) is partially a portrait of contemporary internet stardom.

Eye roll, frankly.

For the demographics that matter,Daveis simply a hit.

Season 1had all the right metrics, despite a terrible marketing campaign (Hello,Mr.

A mere ten episodes overflowed with surprising sitcom possibilities.

Dave and his teacher girlfriend Ally (Taylor Misiak) tiptoed sweetly toward a devastating break-up.

GaTa (the character) revealed his bipolar disorder, something GaTa (the actual guy) lives with.

Co-creator Jeff Schaffer is a comedy pro fromSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm, which explainsDave’s sharp laughs.

Season 2 picks up with the fictional Dave on the ascent.

So distractions abound in the five episodes released to critics.

Back in Los Angeles, Dave struggles to reconnect platonically with Ally after months of post-relationship radio silence.

He’s developing a real bond with producer Benny Blanco (playing himself a bit much).

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sees Dave’s video about him, and has follow-up questions.

Meanwhile, GaTa’s phone is low on battery.

And the label wants that album.

It’s a very good season, with enough idiosyncrasy to triumph over some growing pains.

That huge home symbolizes Dave’s rising prominence in Hollywood, and maybeDave’s own expanding success.

Now, every artist has to absorb this past year in their own way.

And the show is very savvy about modern fame.

They offer to shout GaTa out to their followers.

GaTa offers to shout them out tohisfollowers.

Also: The loneliness of showbiz success!

Is not a new concept, obvs, Britney had a banger about it two decades ago.

That big beautiful house is full of ants, a potent symbol for all the little irritations troubling Dave.

The psychological chaos of his writing process forms a perfect storm with his helpless narcissism.

Attempts to make peace with Ally inevitably backfire.

“You’re so self-centered, still!”

“This is exactly why, even when Ilovedyou, I did notlikeyou.”

Season 2 takes a few episodes to find its footing.

We have to talk about GaTa, though.

Dave might be self-centered, butDaveat its best spreads its attention between all its characters.

Fine, fine, I’ll follow.A-

Related content: