Ah, summer -- the season for relaxation, sleep restoration, and hours under the sun. Yet, another unmistakable aspect of summer is the time for new TV shows to have their go at snagging a regular season slot within the hearts of the TV-obsessed public. However, most of these try-hard sitcoms do not deliver, and are taken off the air. They tried; they failed. It’s all very sad, yet it’s a perfect time to, instead, focus attention on shows that made it, and made it big.
I have so many words to describe "Portlandia," many of them adjectives, many of which supplement grand hand gestures. This IFC sketch comedy starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein is such a hidden gem, buried beneath a pile of predictable, scripted fluff, that it often goes unnoticed. Yet, those who’ve spotted this quirky little number, including those whose ears have bled on the receiving end of my admiration, should think themselves part of something great.
With the musical flair and unmitigated teamwork that make them ideal as a sketch-comedy duo, the creative content of "Portlandia" is unwavering. Each episode contains a number of short sketches, some not even past the five-minute mark, that often have little or nothing to do with each other. The ideas are often so absurd, nonsensical, and ridiculous that it’s mind boggling to figure out how someone could even draw them up to begin with, but that’s the charm.
"Portlandia’s" satirical style, which most often pokes fun (to the extreme) at hipster culture and the lifestyle of Portland itself, makes even the most mundane ideas grandiose and witty. It’s Fred and Carrie’s seamless ability to improvise and transform themselves into any character that makes the show really shine; their nuanced, perfectly timed actions in every movement are what have made feminist bookstore owners, adventure-seeking enthusiasts, and a child-like mayor into quotable, beloved figures. One quick blink, and it's one less joke.
Not all of us possess the consistency to keep up with a show every week. I am very much part of this crowd, as I try to find time to watch full seasons of four different shows. That’s right, "Portlandia" can rid you of all your time-sensitive issues! While this may be a bit of an overstatement, the ability to watch episodes out of order, in any order, is the beauty of its sketch-themed quality, and why you can flip it on at any moment's notice.
Most likely exhausted from quotes and full on sketch performances from yours truly, my friends, and any nearby victims, are no strangers to why I hold this show on such a high pedestal. With wit and cleverness bursting from every line, "Portlandia" provides a light-hearted alternative to popular shows about scandal, revenge, and anatomy. Rightfully earning its place among its comedic brethren, "Portlandia" is a show deserving of a little more love, and I can’t do it all on my own.
