‘Younger’: Sparkling, lively comedy

Desperate for a publishing job, 40-year-old Liza passed herself off as 26 and set TV Land’s fizzy “Younger” in intoxicating motion.

Starting its fourth season Wednesday, the sparkling comedy hasn’t gone flat. Rather, it’s surprisingly timely. “Younger” skewers Washington and alternative facts with uproarious verve.

A Washington spin doctor (Kristin Chenoweth) seeks a publishing deal for her book called “It’s True Because I’m Shouting It.”

“I’m ready to take a good long leak,” she announces, putting her own spin on capital chatter. “It’s important not to confuse the truth with the facts, and vice versa,” she advises.

The heart of the story remains Liza (Sutton Foster) and her ruse, which makes her feel increasingly guilty. She has revealed her actual story to colleague Kelsey (Hilary Duff ), who reacts with fury in this season’s early episodes. But even Kelsey realizes they need to maintain Liza’s lie so their millennial publishing company doesn’t suffer.

Good pal Maggie (Debi Mazar) doesn’t buy Liza’s concern about the truth. “Sometimes lying to the people you love best is the most loving thing you can do,” she says.

“Younger,” created by Darren Star (“Sex and the City”), remains stylish but substantive, trendy but also timeless. Everything from the acting to the fashions to the New York backdrops gives the show a special zing. The series floats along on witty, quotable dialogue.

Kelsey maintains you create your own truth. “You are who your last 10 search results say you are,” she says.

Liza is wiser. “I think truth is more elastic than we can imagine, but it still has value,” she says.

“Younger” works because Foster makes Liza’s deception believable, funny and heart-rending. The actress enriches a firstrate role that’s a throwback to classic romantic comedies.

Liza is smarting after breaking up with the younger, self-absorbed Josh (Nico Tortorella), who is unworthy of her. Co-workers Kelsey and Diana (Miriam Shor in hilarious form) condescend to Liza.

But Charles (Peter Hermann), the boss, is kindly and understanding. In classic rom-com fashion, the rich, dashing Charles also recognizes Liza’s true value.

Fans do as well, and that’s the refreshing truth. Drink up.

COURTESY Debi Mazar, left, gives Sutton Foster a makeover when she discovers she needs to look young to succeed in today’s world on TV Land’s comedy, “Younger.”