Anyone who’s been to Portland knows it’s a city with just a few ridiculous, hippie tendencies. Well, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein have paired up to lampoon the city in their new IFC show, Portlandia. The series premiered a few weeks ago, but I only just got around to checking out some of the skits (at my friend Meeshie’s urging). Some are funnier than others, and when they’re funny, they tend to be really funny… and sadly not very far from the truth. Above, a skit called “Is It Local?” and after the jump, another bit called “Feminist Bookstore,” featuring some very amusing physical comedy by Armisen.
Definitely worth checking out.
Really though, it’s good to eat local.
I am actually very excited to see this show. I heard Fred Armisen talking about it on Comedy Death Ray Radio a few weeks ago, and it sounds hilarious. Only downside: Friday nights at 10:30 p.m.
People in Portland are PISSED about this show. It’s a little ridiculous. The letters our local papers are getting are almost as good as the show itself.
And my personal favorite sketch so far was “Put a Bird on It!” Started out kind of funny but pretty weak, and quickly got outrageously hilarious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XM3vWJmpfo
Portland Adult Hide and Seek League
and
Bicycle Rights
totally killed me
As someone who lives in SE Portland, specifically on the very street that one of the recurring sketches takes place on (the techie iCouple), most of it is IMO opinion pretty spot on. I can see how some Portlanders who don’t live in the same area and/or who are not that familiar with what the vibe is like here, or downtown, or in NW Portland may not agree because other parts of Portland are not represented on the show. At least yet.
Portland has somehow become the new Jersey without the “reality show” aspect (I have heard that the city won’t allow shows like Real World, etc to shoot here). The new show Perfect Couples takes place here now, and I there are lots of other projects in the works. Its funny because I had actually joked with my stepdad a year ago about how wouldn’t it be funny if Portland got all hyped up like Jersey and what would they make fun of. I guess I have my answer.
God, I thought nothing could be worse than San Francisco hippies, but I think Portland tops it.
Agree. But I raise you hipsters in awfulness.
CACAO!
I laughed once, at the Tucker Max Outrage Protest line. Otherwise, I wanted to like it but couldn’t get there. It seems too much like an SNL sketch that goes on too long.
I have no doubt that people are offended, because the type of person this skewers is the person who lacks self-awareness or a sense of humor and who lives to find something to get offended over.
I have never forgiven Portland’s Leanne Marshall for making Tim Gunn ride a bike in his dapper suit.
hb