GTA used to be really goofy and tongue-in-cheek. But since the third game each new installment has gotten less and less so. Saints Row seems to fill that void rather nicely.
The funny thing about Saints row since it's beginning, is that it blatantly rips off elements of GTA and, in my opinion, actually IMPROVES the said element. I mean, the new SR even looks very GTA 4, yet has it's own childish immature twist. Honestly, Saints Row has never dissapointed me yet, nor do I feel SR:TT will either.