We all know Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Most of us have watched quite a bit of Saturday Night Live in our time. We’re aware of The Two Ronnies, The Benny Hill Show, Robot Chicken, and MADtv. We have a well-defined understanding of what sketch comedy is – that is, until we witness Portlandia.
On the surface, it’s merely a show that explores the tired subject of “hipster” culture. It’s set in a city obsessed with the 90s, hippies, and horn-rimmed glasses, inhabited by radical feminists and musical elitists. Every episode is a collection of loosely related sketches with recurring characters and topics that we all associate with that irksome subculture. But then just as we are about to lose the will to live Portlandia throws us a curveball.
It’s impossible to explain what it exactly is that Portlandia does. Its aberrant style creates a caricature of life in Portland with an unabashed fervour that is both bizarre and hilarious. Punchlines (which are very rare), in particular come out of nowhere and catch the viewer off guard.
Having said this it never feels “random” for the sake of being random. Regardless of whether they spend five minutes discussing how many different items someone can pickle or how amazing the store that sells knots is, every sketch is a definite satirical critique of our indie music loving brethren. And every sketch will leave you thinking, “I don’t know what I just saw, but yes, I agree wholeheartedly.”
There is no reason I can think of not to watch Portlandia, and even to learn to love it. Embrace your inner skinny jeans and Battlestar Galactica marathons, and behold satirical greatness.