I have recently started watching the kooky and hilarious sketch-comedy show Portlandia, although it is still on the air and is being renewed shortly for it’s fifth season, you can also find all of the old episodes on Netflix. The style of a sketch-comedy is great because it means that you don’t have to watch the episodes in order and it’s easy to comprehend. The show has a few reoccurring characters that are played by either Fred Armisen or Carrie Brownstein. They face different problems each episode – my personal favourite are the feminist bookstore owners. Portlandia basically makes fun of the actors’ hometown, Portland, Oregon and all of the “eccentric” and “artsy people” you can find there. If that isn’t a great enough reason for you to watch the show, then hear this; the real life mayor of Portland often makes an appearance, playing the role of the mayor’s assistant on the show! The humour in this show is quite selective, you either love it or you don’t understand what’s going on. It’s not a show that I personally stay tuned every week to watch, but more something I will turn on Sunday morning or on a rainy day; but it is great nonetheless. Sometimes I don’t quite understand or get the appeal of certain jokes or skits but am entertained by the whole idea of the show and the amazing acting abilities Carrie and Fred have. They make each character they play different from the last and are quite talented, not to mention they both wrote the first six episodes as well. You can often spot a celebrity guest star on the show as well; the Parks and Rec starlet Aubrey Plaza often makes an appearance, as well as Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis. The sketches are also heavily improvised. There’s no doubt that the duo is talented, but this show has its flaws. With its eccentric and selective humour; Portlandia isn’t for everyone, but I highly recommend you check out at least one episode on Netflix!
