Portlandia

[hardweek]

Don't want to get my hopes up too high, cuz they're shooting fish in a barrel, but anyone else kinda excited for this?

Episode One:

http://bcove.me/ho4v2s55

[Greggulator]

I definitely want to check it out. I still have a hard time connecting "Sleater Kinney" and sketch comedy though.

That one video that's floating around is pretty funny. I love the"Portland is where people in their 20s go to retire" line.

[effecT]

Krisel brings the HEAT.
(not the Miami Heat but actual excitement and comedy genius)

[Greggulator]

I just finished watching Ep. 1. Will watch again. I don't think it's the next Kids In The Hall or anything but really good sketch comedy. I really liked the Adult Hide-And-Go-Seek league.

I'm eagerly anticipating a sketch about Powell's Books, the most judgmental place on earth. (Except for maybe The Strand in NYC.)

[mackro]

This is very promising.  Some initial pluses:

* Fred and Carrie certainly have a good dynamic, no matter what characters they play.
* It's not like Seattle's "Almost Live" where they have to force everything to be This City, This City, This City, with more local references than your stomach can take... this is a totally different thing. This could really be any bohemian town, or even a large city with a bohemian neighborhood.  Portlandia is just a name here.
* This kinda reminds me of League Of Gentlemen a bit.. far less manic, quieter overall, but still has a gentle insanity.
* So far, the guest appearances have been great.

The only downside is that "Dream of the 90s" theme song. They're not going to play that every episode, are they?

Overall, thumbs up!

[hardweek]

* It's not like Seattle's "Almost Live" where they have to force everything to be This City, This City, This City, with more local references than your stomach can take... this is a totally different thing. This could really be any bohemian town, or even a large city with a bohemian neighborhood.  Portlandia is just a name here.

I had almost forgotten about that show.

As far as the anytown of it, I agree: it could pretty much be anywhere in the Northwest where they put a bird on it.

[effecT]

The only downside is that "Dream of the 90s" theme song. They're not going to play that every episode, are they?

I think that is not the actual theme but more a cold opener. The actual title-screen was much shorter if you remember.

[Sarah]

I was entertained (though by no measure wowed), but I think the joke could get old fast.

[Christina]

Powell's employees are way worse than the Strand employees, hands down.

[yesno]

I think it was pretty funny, partly because I used to live in that kind of place.

[hardweek]

I still live in that kind of place, so I got a good laugh out of it.

There's also this weird way that British Columbians covet Portland like it's Shangri-la and trips down the I-5 are treated like pilgrimages. Granted, Portland is more Canadian than Canada. Will be interesting to see if the show goes that deep on little nuances like that.

[DJ Clem]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty hot to score some of those sweet $2 bills.

[mackro]

Granted, Portland is more Canadian than Canada.

?

Do they sell All Dressed Chips in Portland?

You are right about certain Vancouverites who visit Portland, bypassing Seattle.. but most folks in lower B.C. I've met either want to a) go live out in Banff or Jasper or anywhere in the wilderness, or b) Los Angeles

[hardweek]

Banff/Jasper is more for twenty-year old Quebecers. Nelson is the mountain "utopia" that people in lower BC always threaten to move to when they're fed up with Vancouver/Victoria (Nelson is kinda like Missoula, with a lot more patchouli and pot).

But seriously: these days, Portland is treated like Xanadu.

[bmills]

I was entertained (though by no measure wowed)

I feel the same way. It's a nice show. Pleasant and watchable and I like the people who are involved. Had a mostly "Good for them, having a TV show," mom-type attitude while watching, though.