IFC "Spoils" Viewers

Article first published as IFC "Spoils" Viewers on TheTVKing.

This week, IFC presented the first two parts of their six-part miniseries The Spoils of Babylon. Spoofing the epic miniseries of a few decades past, this program follows the Morehouse family through good times and bad, while they're poor and rich, with heartbreak and drama to spare.

Each half hour installments opens with the "author of the book," Eric Jonrosh (Will Ferrell, Anchorman 2), introducing his adapted work. Said to be a twenty-two hour masterpiece, now cut down to less than three hours, he worries more about drinking and himself than the story.

This is a good representation of what the whole project is. Parodying other works, it's an overblown, cheesy work which seems unintentionally funny, but that's the point. It seems to take itself too seriously, which viewers will treat in an opposite manner. Each big twist is offset by silly model landscapes and terrible musical themes, all with poor picture quality and lighting.

Tobey Maguire (Spiderman) and Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids) shine in the lead roles as Devon and Cynthia Morehouse. They aren't biological siblings, Devon being adopted as a boy, and Cynthia would like them to be married. Devon resists, even wedding a girl he doesn't seem to actually love, Lady Anne York (a life-sized mannequin voiced by Carey Mulligan, The Great Gatsby), to avoid his sister's lust.

Is this relationship wrong? Of course it is. But it's this habit of forcing drama where it doesn't need to be, developed between ludicrous, unrealistic characters, that is a hallmark of the genre, played in an exaggerated fashion here.

Most of the jokes land. Lady Anne claims she's not wooden, and patriarch Jonas (Tim Robbins, The Shawshank Redemption) has Devon read a very, very long inscription in a pocket watch, only to discover three characters cut off due to lack of room. These things do take the viewer out of the moment, but in a funny way, and no one is really getting lost in this story anyway.

There are points where it seems the gag runs too long. After all, one could make fun of this genre in a sketch, even parts of the commercials are done to form, and six episodes seems excessive. But it's not as excessive as some of the actual productions, and there are surely many more elements for the writers to hit before it draws to a close. I do look forward to seeing the rest of it.

The Spoils of Babylon airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on IFC.

Happy BIRTHDAY BOYS!

Article first published as Happy BIRTHDAY BOYS! at TheTVKing.com

IFC's new sketch comedy series is The Birthday Boys. The titular troop is made up of seven guys, Jefferson Dutton, David Ferguson, Mike Hanford, Tim Kalpakis, Matt Kowalick, Mike Mitchell, and Chris VanArtsdalen, several of whom have worked on the network's Comedy Bang! Bang!, but none are familiar faces nor household names. With producer Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad), who also appears on screen, each half-hour episode presents several bits.

The Birthday Boys feels fresh. That's hard to do for a sketch comedy series. Saturday Night Live has been on so long that it often feels stale, and aside from an occasional, narrow-subject piece like Portlandia, most of the shows in this genre are short-lived and don't reach wide ranges of viewers. Yet, there's something here that is clever and original, at least in this week's pilot, entitled "Paychecks!"

The main recurring sketch in "Paychecks!" is a play on the origin of Apple computers and other tech, with a focus on building the garage they worked in over the technology itself. It's an unexpected spin that works very well, committed to in a much longer segment than I would have assumed it would earn, but never losing steam. Why do all computer geniuses of that era seem to work in a place normally reserved for parking cars? It's funny.

A second bit, which pops up a couple of times, involves a Christian take on pranks, frying eggs instead of smashing them on houses, and leaving flaming birthday candles on a delicious cake on a neighbor's doorstep. Perhaps this is a little mean against the religious, and admittedly such a group is an easy target, but the style, which is reminiscent of Jackass, is really cool.

A third scene, bizarre in nature, follows a remote controlled car that can take them to a fantasy land, but must use regular roads. The visuals of the toy on a highway admid actual vehicles is hilarious, making the sort-of-thin, Mr. Rogers-esque premise, more than it could be.

There's also a hostage stand-off that takes a typical situation, and skews it in a brilliant way.

That's why The Birthday Boys works, the same reason so much other comedy does: is taps into something familiar, and forces a new perspective. The formula is simple enough, but oh so hard to execute in a consistently pleasing manner. "Paychecks!" does so, and while it's far too early to see if the troupe has staying power, early signs are good. Plus, it's unpolished enough to be different than most of its peers, in a good way.

None of the players themselves particularly stand out in this episode. One assumes that will change as more and more episodes unfold. However, it's also not necessary, the concepts working on their own, without the need for star power to push them along. Yes, Odenkirk is famous enough, but he definitely takes a backseat to the seven guys, used in an effective way, but not in one that distracts from the material.

In short, I like The Birthday Boys, and you should show up to the party, too, Fridays at 10:30 p.m. ET on IFC.

COMEDY BANG! BANG! Returns

Article first published as COMEDY BANG! BANG! Returns on TheTVKing.

IFC's bizarre talk / sketch show Comedy Bang! Bang! returns for a second season this week with the episode "Andy Samberg Wears a Plaid Shirt and Glasses." After host Scott Auckerman convinces his doctor in the insane asylum to be bandleader Reggie Watts, the two escape the institution and begin the second season of the show for the first time. Confusing? Perhaps, especially when the scenario is called back at the end in a different way. But much of Comedy Bang! Bang! refuses to make sense, which is part of its charm.

Auckerman has a very interesting and unique sense of humor. He takes normal things and moves them into very strange arenas. He routinely interrupts his interviews with tangents, or inserts gags in places you don't expect them to be. The talk show portion begins with Auckerman receiveing a LOT of prunes dumped onto his studio floor by a trio of delivery persons. Why? Who knows?

Auckerman's style blends well with Watts, who almost feels like a partner, rather than a sidekick, even though his part is smaller. Watts makes an impression every time we seem him, and he is a invaluable element to the series, more for his presence and deliveries than the occasional music he plays. I love when he interjects when Auckerman and Samberg begin whispering this week and he can't hear what is being said.

The interviews do not go the same on Comedy Bang! Bang! as they do on any other series. Samberg and Auckerman discuss numbers, have a gun / knife fight and discuss wounds, and viewers will never actually get to learn anything about Samberg or what he does. They stop the question and answer session at one point to explore alternate timeline possibilities. Which means this is far more an atypical series of scripted bits than it is an actual talk show, no matter what its format appears to be, which is in keeping with the aforementioned tone of the host.

There are also random guest stars who pop in at weird times. Fringe's Lance Reddick drops into Reggie's Tron-like virtual reality game, as does Selma Blair (Anger Management). Adam Pally from Happy Endings is a delivery man. Comedians Chelsea Peretti (Kroll Show) and Doug Benson (The Benson Interruption) put in tiny appearances. And Jordan Peele (Key & Peele) plays a turbaned psychic.

There's no telling what zaniness might happen in future episodes, which will feature personalities such as Aziz Ansari, Anna Kendrick, and Zoe Saldana, though admittedly the two leads matter far more to the success of each week than those who drop in. I'll be watching to find out.

Comedy Bang! Bang! airs Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on IFC.

MARON Saved By A "Mexican Angel"

Article first published as MARON Saved By A "Mexican Angel" on TheTVKing.

I didn't review the first episode of IFC's Maron because I didn't much care for it and didn't know why exactly. I like Marc Maron, who essentially plays a heightened version of himself, similar to Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm, but the pilot was just boring. It didn't make much use of Maron's particular comic style and didn't seem to go anywhere.

However, having recently marathoned the entire first season, which ended last night with "Projections" and "Mexican Angel," I have completely changed my mind. From episode two on, it is immediately clear that Maron goes on the upswing, finding its voice and knowing what it is about. Most episodes are kind of meandering, but each have some very funny things in them, and the wandering feels like a conscious choice, not a plodding misstep.

"Projections" is very interesting. While meeting an old friend for lunch (Eric Stoltz, Caprica), Marc imagines how his live could be differently, including seeing himself as a family man, one half of a gay couple, a cook who has given up on his comedy career, and a successful movie star. None of these make Marc happy, nor is happy in reality, which just proves that he is not destined to be satisfied.

"Projections" is the most unique of the first season episodes. It's not completely new to imagine alternate realities, but the understated way in which Maron, not giving into ridiculous, cartoonish situations, does it, sets it apart. It feels a lot like the artistic Louie, created by Louis C.K. Maron perhaps doesn't reach the levels of hilarity Louie has yet, but it's certainly on the right track, and not at all a copy, no matter the dark, depressing similarities.

They say that if you want to be happy, remain ignorant. Perhaps it's Marc's world-weary, hard-fought wisdom that keeps him from achieving emotional and mental peace. Maybe it's because he can't just do what he loves, having not found enough of a following to be the type of comedian he wants to be. Could he still have hope, or is he just destined to always be this crabby person?

The conceit we need to ignore, which is the same one suspended for Louie, is that this show won't get Marc to where he wants to be. With his very successful podcast and now this series, surely Marc is doing what he wants to do, and probably making a decent living at it (on on track to do so). It definitely seems like Marc has a lot of creative control, given how closely the tone of the show matches his public persona. As long as the series itself doesn't add Maron in, though, in some kind of meta twist, the character of Marc is believable enough to sustain the premise.

Marc does have a shot at improving his outlook, as he sort of lets his younger girlfriend, Jen (Nora Zehetner, Grey's Anatomy), move in with him in "Mexican Angel." Marc isn't sure he wants her there, sabotaging himself, as usual. Yet, he definitely has feelings for her, which he admits after being confronted by the "Mexican Angel" outside. Why can't he just accept how he is? Thankfully, she knows exactly the type of guy Maron is, and despite his outbursts, she sticks by him, somehow making it believable that she would do so.

Introduced as someone that seems like a crazy stalker, the more we learn about Jen, the less there is to worry about. I think this shift is achieved because Maron does such a great job of letting the viewer see her from Marc's perspective. When we finally find out in the season finale that much of the issue is just an age gap, it makes total sense. But as someone who much closer to Jen's age than Marc's, I'm impressed at how I was immersed into Marc's viewpoint. This, more than anything else, presents the singular, clear voice of the show, and proves the high quality.

Which is why I'm sad that Maron is over for the year. I have not heard if it will be renewed yet, but I sincerely hope that it is. We need more creativity on television, and Maron is fresh and brilliant.

High Definition Versus Standard TV

Article first published as High Definition Versus Standard TV on Blogcritics.

It's 2013. Analog television is a thing of the past, and we have all switched over to digital. For years, analog signals could vary in strength based on your location and antenna, but after cable standardized that, all channels mostly looked the same. As high definition (HD) becomes more persistent and prevalent, though, does it put lower definition, known as standard (SD), at a disadvantage?

I think so, for sure. When most of the major networks, like ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, USA, HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, TNT, SyFy, FX, and the like are transmitted to my house in crystal clear clarity, why would I want to tune into something that looks fuzzy and old?

I refer, of course, to those channels still not offered in HD. These may vary by location. In my area, IFC is one network I really wish I received with a better quality signal. It's frustrating to watch Portlandia when its fuzzy, especially when I can change the channel and get such a better picture. Ditto for the excellent British series Misfits, which I get on Logo, in SD. I'll just wait for the Blu-rays.

The HBO and Showtime packages I have annoy me because I pay so much for a couple dozen channels, but only three of each are delivered in HD. I can tell you, I don't even bother to record movies that aren't on one of those three channels. Why even get the rest? Because they are part of a "package," the magic word cable companies use to charge us extra money for stations we don't want or need, since the a la carte option isn't available, which could be a whole other column.

I do think this puts the SD channels at a significant disadvantage. I may be one person, but I'm sure it's a trend many are moving towards, especially those casual viewers that don't follow as many shows. If I were a channel surfer, I'd just stay in the 900s, and not go outside of that range.

The Internet has spoiled us, giving us instant access to everything however we want it. Our current generation is used to being able to access everything, and when the cable companies only give us SD versions of certain channels, those get forgotten and overlooked.

It's funny because I still watch older shows and movies. Many of them are on DVD, and may not be in HD. But because they are from a different time, I just accept the difference. Portlandia could be viewed in HD, if I lived in a certain market, so getting a lower quality is annoying. Friends has never been in HD, so I will watch an old installment and accept it.

Even better, though, is how many old shows and movies are being updated and re-released on Blu-ray. This trend means that even things made in the era before the current awesome level of clarity are being converted, making them look better than ever. If I can watch Disney's Peter Pan, made in the 1950s, and it looks superior to the signal coming in from my cable provider on a show filmed in 2012, it makes the comparison even more ridiculous.

How long before all channels are HD? This is the solution, the one that has to, and certainly will, happen. Any network that doesn't convert will be lost to modern television watchers. Cable companies that offer more HD options will gain more subscribers. It's definitely a trend many people want.

Funny enough, as technology improves, our patience shortens. HD has not been around long at all, and yet, SD is already becoming a thing of the past, something many people don't want. While other conversions in history have taken much longer, it seems the lifespan given for switching from SD to HD is a scant few years.

Now, if only screeners of episodes sent out by studios for review could be in HD. Even online viewing sites are all SD. I can't remember the last time any I received were HD, which is why, unless I have an article that needs to be done in a timely fashion, I don't even seek them out anymore. And don't even get me started about releases of seasons of shows that used to be sent out on Blu-ray that were instead provided on DVD this year to save money. But that only affects a small, isolated portion of the population, albeit one that is even more into TV than the normal person.

Does my strong preference for HD, to the point where I go out of my way to avoid SD, make me a TV snob? Or is it just part of how the world of television is evolving? Should I be more patient, waiting for some networks to be delivered in a modern format? Weigh in on the comments below.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter.

Back to Portlandia

After a December winter special, IFC's Portlandia officially kicked off their third season this past Friday night. While it's hard to review a sketch series in general, Portlandia has enough recurring characters and very specific situations to garner something to say about it. It also manages to be funny to a great number of people, despite it's very narrow subject matter, namely, that all bits revolve around the strange residents of the city of Portland, Oregon.

In the premiere hour, the Mayor (Kyle MacLachlan) has a mission for Fred (Fred Armisen) and Carrie (Carrie Brownstein). He would like them to go to Seattle, which has been poaching citizens, and recruit some of their people to move to Portland. The catch? He thinks a personal touch is needed, so Fred and Carrie should go door to door in their effort.

I've always loved MacLachlan's take on the Mayor, even when he isn't accompanied by his assistant (Sam Adams, the real life mayor), as he isn't in this episode. He seems the perfect mix of liberal hibbie and actual idea man to sort of keep Portland going, but never to push it beyond the elements that make it such a distinct place, and into the world at large. This newest project is fantastic in keeping with the themes of the series, and Fred and Carrie's willingness to take it on is perfect.

As the bit plays out in several scenes, Fred and Carrie take on the personas of Mormon missionaries. I like this because nothing in Portland ever seems entirely original, just an odd take on a thing that exists elsewhere, taking it to the extreme. Also, living in Portland and embracing the town is like a religion, so the concept works very well. It's also funny in plenty of places, such as where Fred introduces some young housemates to the "Portland invention" of the chore wheel.

I don't know why it's so enjoyable to watch Fred and Carrie play a version of themselves, but the times that they do, stripped of the utter goofiness of the other characters, are always fun.

Having never been to Portland myself, Portlandia makes me feel like I have been. It's not just a humorous series of sketches, but also a love letter to a town where the odd, lovable people are earnest and living the way they want to, uncaring about what others may think. Maybe it's not for everyone, and maybe we shouldn't be laughing at them. But there's no mean spirit present, so it's easy, rather than uncomfortable, to chuckle at.

Portlandia has some truly memorable personalities, so it's wonderful when they are brought back over and over again. In the first two half hours of this season, we revisit Peter and Nance, Malcolm and Kris, Kath and Dave, Spyke and Iris, and Toni and Candace. Each of these duos manage to stay completely unique, even when played by the same two, very talented, actors. There's also a level of comfort to find new situations for beloved favorites.

Not that Portlandia isn't accessible to newbies; it is. The structure of the show invites anyone to jump in at any point, and still laugh. But for those loyal viewers who watch week after week, the recurring people are a treat.

Doug and Claire also return. They are featured in my favorite episode of the series to date, season two's "One Moore Episode," and I love that their second appearance not only gives us more TV goodness, but also finds a way to once more, organically, stitch in the old, black Ron Moore and his wife.

Other characters not played by Fred and Carrie in the premiere include Alan (Jeff Goldblum), who now sells doilies, rather than knots, MTV video DJs, and Chloe Sevigny (Big Love, American Horror Story: Asylum) as Fred and Carrie's new roommate. This is her first appearance, but we should be seeing her quite a bit more throughout the year.

Portlandia airs Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on IFC.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

Todd Margaret "Conclusion" bombs, literally

IFC's The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret brought its run permanently to an end this Friday after twelve episodes. The finale, entitled "Conclusion," finds Todd (David Cross) on trial for the various crimes he has committed over the show's two seasons. Brent Wilts (Will Arnett) acts as his (inept) lawyer, until things turn south, and he flees, leaving Todd alone. Alice (Sharon Horgan) finds the evidence needed to clear both her and Todd, but Todd accidentally blows her up with a truck bomb. Luckily for Todd, Dave's father (Mark Heap, Friday Night Dinner, Lark Rise to Candleford) shows up and calls off the entire scheme. Todd is allowed to leave England, but stupidly chooses North Korea, where he sets off an atomic bomb.

The end is a huge disappointment for a pretty funny series. Having written themselves into a corner, the show chooses to just blow things up, rather than try to solve or explain anything. In fact, just before the bomb goes off, the character of Doug Whitney (Spike Jonze, Being John Malkovich) muses that things don't make sense, and the story isn't tied up at all. It's a tongue in cheek joke, as if the writers, in an attempt to distract, are saying, "Yes, we know, we screwed up. Look! Explosion!"

There are not many series that would have the guts to do such a thing. And for that, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret's "Conclusion" deserves some credit. Never has a television show thumbed its nose at convention and its audience in such a blatant, uncaring manner. Which totally fits the tone of the titular character, and most of the series. In that respect, it's a fitting way to finish things off. But that doesn't stop it from being ridiculous, and "Conclusion" will likely anger many fans, this reviewer included.

Yet, even before the final moments of the series, "Conclusion" isn't doing so well as an episode. Arguably the worst half hour of the show, much of the action takes place in a courtroom. The problem is, the events are completely unrealistic. While The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret isn't a show whose characters are much in touch with reality, there's always the feeling that the authorities will eventually catch up to those who deserve it, and things will be righted. Instead, under the watchful, controlling eye of Dave (Blake Harrison), who has orchestrated this entire thing to get even for Todd and Brent being rude to him in a bar, the judge sits back and lets the two make a mockery of the justice system. It's completely unacceptable, uncomfortable, and just plain doesn't make sense.

Worse still, the delightful Alice is killed off for no reason other than to follow up on a loose thread. And she looks perfectly fine and attractive in the morgue, rather than being a decimated, burnt, ripped apart mess, as she would be, considering the situation. Granted, at least the truck bomb is given some closure, unlike many other subplots, but how did it get from being parked at a restaurant closed down as a health hazard to being in front of the courthouse? Surely, the bomb would have been discovered and deactivated, and the truck impounded, when the department of health discover it next to The Molecule?

Not to mention, how and why is Todd recruited by North Korea, put in charge, and made to set off an atomic weapon, all in two days?

The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret does provide some great entertainment, such as the twist reveal that the character Jon Hamm (Mad Men) is playing in the show is himself. But because of such a faulty, lazy ending, it will not be remembered as a terrific series, if it is remembered at all. And that's a shame, because the first eleven episodes are really great. But screwing up the ending ruins the entire deal. Some may discover the show on DVD, but it will not be through recommendation or word of mouth from anyone who finishes watching it.

MORE: If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to buy Todd Margaret DVDs and streaming episodes.

"Todd's Terrible Day Ends and His Next Terrible Day Begins" in The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret

     IFC's The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret returns this week for a second season. The first episode back, "Todd's Terrible Day Ends and His Next Terrible Day Begins," picks up right where season one leaves off. Alice (Sharon Horgan) angrily storms off from Todd (David Cross) and his 'rape kit.' Todd tries to fix things with Alice by confessing to some lies. But he also re-encounters the terrorists, who trick him, and he has to go on the run from the police, since they find a dead body in the Houses of Parliment where he is discovered hiding. Dave (Blake Harrison), now revealed to viewers as the secret rich mastermind behind the energy drink scheme, is only to happy to provide a destination - Leeds.

     The series is funny, and takes a bizarre new turn in season two with the Dave twist. Dave is now shown in a posh manor, attended by a very serious looking man servant (Mad Men's Jon Hamm). But what is Dave's goal? Obviously, Todd is just a lackey, as is his "boss" Brent (Will Arnett), but why is Dave using and manipulating them? And why does Dave want to go to Leeds so badly? It can't just be to expose Todd in one of his many untruths, as Dave sees right through those, and there's nothing to be gained by making Todd look worse than he already does. But Dave is also clearly enjoying the ride he is playing Todd into taking him on, so it adds a bit of fun to the show.

     Alice, meanwhile, is losing patience with Todd. Throughout season one, she frequently gets frustrated at him, and it's a little confusing that she is willing to keep Todd around. Yet, she must find something about him charming. Alice says she doesn't want to see Todd again, but of course, Todd shows up at her cafe to give her the drapes and make a fool of himself, again. At least this time he apologizes for some things, and even admits some of his claims he makes are false. As Todd justifies his fibs, one can't help but feeling a little sorry for him, which might be why Alice appears to soften slightly. However, given everything that Todd has already put her through, and the very few things he brings to the table, it is definitely time for Alice to permanently sever ties with the menace.

     Hamm is a wonderful addition to the cast. Having done 30 Rock and Childrens' Hospital previously, he is no strange to sitcom comedy. However, rather than going goofy, as he does in other shows, he keeps this new part pretty straight. Which is kind of cool, because it provides a different side altogether from his previous work. There is no telling what the writers have in store for his character, but given Hamm's talent, and the few gags in participates in this premiere episode, things look promising.

     Another face that is very welcome is that of Russ Tamblyn as Chuck Margaret, Todd's dad. Coming to England when he sees Todd in trouble on TV, he is game at tossing a sheet over his head and pretending to be a ghost, or babysitting Pam's (Sara Pascoe) brood while he crashes as her filthy excuse for an apartment. His easy going nature and willingness to do the ridiculous inform a lot about where Todd comes from. However, Chuck is also kindler and more compassionate, showing that Todd isn't solely a product of his upbringing. It's a neat insight, without being too obvious, and Tamblyn is hilarious in the role.

     Oddly, though the series has not yet gotten to the framing story of season one, with Todd in court, there is a new opening featuring Todd as a scared prisoner. When will The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret reach its earlier shown scenes, and how does Todd get out of trouble, only to quickly get back into it? There's plenty to anticipate moving forward.

     Watch The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Fridays at 10:30 p.m. ET on IFC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to buy Todd Margaret DVDs and streaming episodes.

Portlandia Season One comes to Blu-ray and DVD

     IFC launched a new sketch comedy series last year, produced by Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels, called Portlandia. Now season one is available on Blu-ray and DVD. It will likely not surprise you to learn that it stars a SNL cast member, Fred Armisen, known for playing Barack Obama and Joy Behar, among others. Fred is joined by musician Carrie Brownstein. The show is made up of a series of shorts featuring odd characters, some stand alone, some recurring in multiple episodes. The jokes are much more understated than SNL. The unique catch here is that all the bits take place in Portland, Oregon, and the show tries to capture the spirit of the city. Having never been there, I can't say if it does so accurately. I can say, I have enjoyed watching it.

     In the first two weeks alone, Fred and Carrie visit a free range chicken farm populated by polygamists, an uber-feminist bookshop, engage in an adult game of hide and seek, write a theme song for Portland at the request of the mayor, and do a huge opening number for the premiere! And that's just the tip of the iceberg! The humor is unexpected, and fun. For instance, the sketch about writing the song is back and forth random ideas between the pair. What makes it rise above average is that Carrie falls in love, accidentally kills the guy, and attends his funeral while giving her thoughts. It is never mentioned, but really elevated the whole sketch. It's fresh, unique fun.

    Celebrities, too, seem to like the show. Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives), Aimee Mann, Jason Sudeikis (SNL), and Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) are among those who stop by to join the pair in their odd stories. This sort of proves the respect the duo has within the performing community, and makes it all the more fun to see who will pop up next!

     The tone of Portlandia speaks to the outsider. Whether you are an outsider yourself, or just enjoy a light hearted poking of such people, there is something for you in this series. Portland may or may not be made up of young people who "go there to retire," but the grunge and indie spirits of the 1990's thrive in the city, or at least this fictional version of such. Thus, Portlandia routinely goes into territories other comedies merely touch on, if that.

     One may question whether or not to buy the Blu-ray version of Portlandia Season One. The price difference isn't big, so why not? True, owing to the low budget of the series, not everything is as crystal clear as other Blu releases. The blacks are not particularly rich. But the creators do pay much attention to detail, and you wouldn't want to miss that. Also, it isn't a cheap conversion, so why the picture does go soft at times, there is a quality different over the DVD. As far as audio goes, it does lack the surround sound many Blu releases have, but he mixing is done nicely, and with little action, many will not even notice.

     Bonus features are sadly lacking on this set. The audio commentaries aren't particularly insightful, and do drag on a bit. Deleted and extended scenes, almost twenty minutes in length, are mainly a snooze fest. There are a couple of gems within, but it's not worth sitting through the others to get to them. A commencement speech given by Armisen is included, but he looks uncomfortable, and his humor is uneven. A couple of sketches of the former Armisen / Brownstein project, Thunderant, are pretty cool, though. And the packaging, with an tone-appropriate environmental package and great graphics, is neat.

     Even without a ton of extras, Portlandia Season One is worth the purchase for the episodes alone. Pick up your copy now and prepare for season two, which premieres on IFC in early January.

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Rhett & Link are the Commerical Kings for "Cats & Dogs" everywhere

     IFC presented a new series last night called Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings. The stars, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal are two popular web personalities, and some of the videos they created online were local commercials. Armed with a budget and now living in Los Angeles, they are bringing those talents to bear on helping business owners there. In the first episode, Rhett and Link's clients are a woman who runs a cat hotel, and another woman who provides a shuttle service for dogs. Rhett and Link interview both the animals and people involved, trying to figure out an angle to play up, as well as capture the spirit of the business they are promoting.

     Rhett and Link have done a wide range of hilarious videos online, but the local commericals were always some of the weaker entries. However, with this series, spending all the time behind the scenes (which, admittedly, they also posted video of for many of the web bits) makes it take on a whole different tone. Rhett and Link are charming and humorous, but also seem really, really nice. This is important in their line of work, and they are portrayed as working man serving a client, intead of TV stars who are nice enough to bestow their gifts upon "normal" people, as could have happened. Perhaps in the future they will be more cocky, though it's doubtful, as they have not let any of their fortune go to their heads.

    The secret to Rhett and Link's sucess in Rhett & Link: Commerical Kings are their personalities. "Cats & Dogs" is a good first episode. It features clients who are kooky, and many people would look down upon as weird. This provides the entertaining hook, as opposed to if the commericals were about more normal businesses. But even though Rhett and Link do seem to be in on the joke about the insanity, they also are sweet enough to treat their clients with resect and decency. They forge funny bits to show, but also satisfy the needs and wants of the people they are working for. It's a fine balance to walk, as in this situation, it would be easy to come across as abnoxious jerks making fun of people. They do not in the slightest.

     Which makes their television career one to root for. So often, people in the spotlight are revealed to not be good people. Rhett and Link have big hearts, and it shows. They are the types of guys anyone would want to be friends with. I honestly tuned it not expecting much, despite being a fan of their non-commerical videos, and was completely won over by the series. It's quirky, but not insulting, and highly entertaining. What more can one ask for in a television show?

     Watch Rhett & Link: Commerical Kings Friday nights at 10 p.m. ET on IFC.

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The Whitest Kids U'Know ends series

     IFC's odd sketch show The Whitest Kids U'Know came to an end last night after five seasons. In the final, there were four sketches. In the first, a kid yelled for his mom to come to the phone very loudly and repeatedly, only to discover she was at the grocery store. The second has a new news reporter starting who is very ditsy, and coupled with an airhead field reporter, drive the veteran anchor to quit. Thirdly, a college sophomore comes out to her parents, who shrug it off, but go ballistic when their son says he's gay. And last, the season-long continuing sketch, "The Civil War on Drugs," ends with the heroes getting to speak to President Lincoln, only to find out the entire thing has been a huge misunderstanding.

     The "Mom Phone" sketch is compeltely dumb and pointless. While The Whitest Kids U'Know sometimes does sketches along these lines, they are rarely welcome, and it makes for a terrible opening to their finale episode.

     "It Was Pretty Good," the name of the second segment, as well as the catchphrase the field reporter keeps uttering is a bit better, but far from great. It's not a bad concept or commentary on the state of local news, but runs on a bit too long, and becomes a tad boring. It would work better as a much shorter sketch.

     "Sophomores" is laugh out loud hilarious, easily the best part of the night. Not only does it poke fun at the stereotype that many women go through a lesbian phase that doesn't last in college, but it also exposes a double standard, as well as pervasive homophobia in an older generation. There are many layers and aspects to this seemingly straight forward bit, and it makes viewers think as well as chuckle. It's a brilliant example of social commentary, something The Whitest Kids U'Know touch on from time to time, but rarely committ to, as they seem to be more about random giggles than changing the world. Sure, the characters do go a bit over the top, but it's a fine piece of writing.

     It's hard to decide if "The Civil War on Drugs" is a huge accomplishment, certainly being the longest running sketch ever to be done on the series, or waste of time banality. In the end, (spoiler alert!) the North wins the war, and it's about slavery, not legalizing pot. Opinon begins to sway towards the former conclusion as President Lincoln berates the two men in his office for thinking pot might be illegal. After all, it's against every thing our forefathers stood for to impune personal rights without just cause. Another commentary of current society, it points out that idiocy of making marijuana against the law. It should resonate well with loyal fans of the series.

     Thank you to Trevor Moore, Sam Brown, Darren Trumeter, Zach Cregger, Timmy Williams, and anyone else working on the show for five mostly funny years. The Whitest Kids U'Know will be missed.

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The Whitest Kids U'Knew on IFC

     IFC's sketch comedy series, The Whitest Kids U'Know, began its fifth and final season last night. Known for being a bit 'out there', their humor can be at times offensive and gross. This is best exemplified by last night's recurring gag when a phone sex worked named Baked Beans did commercials. Troupe member Timmy Williams played Baked Beans, with a long wig and women's lingerie. He poured cans of baked beans all over himself and made corny, baked bean-related sexual innuendos. it was disturbing and provoked nausea. What's more, Baked Beans popped up no less than three times during the episode.

     Fortunately, the rest of the half hour was much funnier. Most of the bits had the members of the comedy troupe, Trevor Moore (Breaking In), Sam Brown, Zach Cregger (NBC's as yet unaired Friends with Benefits), and Darren Trumeter, playing various characters, sometimes multiple ones in the same sketch. Only one sketch moslty just contained the central cast, though. While sometimes others have assisted, last night's episode was one of the most extra-heavy ever made by the group. Will the rest of the reason have others besides the five men in it? Is it because by season five people know who they are?

     The Civil War on Drugs found a couple of boys in the late 19th century befriending a Jamaican slave who introduces them to pot. The bit plays on stereotypes, and meanders, beginning with one boy being kicked out of a school house, long before he finds his friend and meets the slave. In fact, the entire thing runs for almost a full act, and ends with 'to be continued...' Will it pick up next week? Without having seen all the episodes, it's not certain if they have done this before, but no other example springs to mind. The show has had long sketches before the seem to switch direction a few times, but this is definitely one of their windiest.

     Another bit found Trevor playing a dying soldier who narrates a letter to his wife. This one has a few fun twists, with the switching back and forth from the man on the battlefield to the wife reading the note happening at strange times, keeping you guessing what exactly happened to the solider. He is dead, but there are a couple of misleading moments before the real cirumstances surrounding death are revealed.

     As far as offensive material goes, the worst may have been Songs of Olden Times, which is a commercial for a made up collection of songs evoking values from an earlier period of history. Among the tracks was a duet between a child bride and her adult groom, with an actual child singing with Trevor. Another song spoe of banishing women on their periods into the woods.

     But the funniest two sketches of the night seamlessly combined some really hilarious material with drug references and, of course, more sexual innuendo. One was a black and white sitcom-like video portraying a young, charitable Adolf Hitler who is corrupted by drugs into being the evil man history remembers him for. Another sketch was a commericals for the Finger Ring Friends. Just try sayting 'finger ring' out loud, and it's easily possible to imagine where this joke went.

     If any of the above sounds like your type of humor, and granted, the show is not for everyone, be sure not to miss the finale season of The Whitest Kids U'Know, airing Friday nights at 10:30 p.m. ET on IFC.

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Portlandia Uniquely Amusing

     IFC has a new sketch comedy series produced by Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels called Portlandia. It will likely not surprise you to learn that it also stars a SNL cast member, Fred Armisen, known for playing Barack Obama and Joy Behar, among others. Fred is joined by Carrie Brownstein.

     The show is made up of a series of shorts featuring odd characters, some stand alone, some recurring in multiple episodes. The jokes are much more understated than SNL. The unique catch here is that all the bits take place in Portland, Oregon, and the show tries to capture the spirit of the city. Having never been there, I can't say if it does so accurately. I can say, I have enjoyed watching it.

     In the first two weeks, Fred and Carrie visited a free range chicken farm populated by polygamists, an uber-feminist bookshop, engaged in an adult game of hide and seek, write a theme song for Portland at the request of the mayor, and did a huge opening number for the premiere.

     The humor is unexpected, and fun. For instance, the sketch about writing the song was back and forth random ideas between the pair. What made it rise above average was that Carrie fell in love, accidentally killed the guy, and attended his funeral while giving her thoughts. It was never mentioned, but really elevated the whole sketch.

     Celebrities, too, seem to like the show. In the first two episodes alone, Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives), Jason Sudeikis (SNL), and Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) stopped by to join the pair in their odd stories. I don't know who will be next up, but I'm excited.

     Check out Portlandia Friday nights at 10:30 p.m. on IFC.

Article first published as TV Review: Portlandia Uniquely Amusing on Blogcritics.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

The Onion Double Dose

     For fans of the newspaper The Onion, which originally began as a college project, the brand has been expanding these past few years. With editions in several cities, online videos and audio clips, books, and even a movie, there is no shortage of The Onion's distinct type of humor. This month, The Onion also launched two television shows: Onion SportsDome on Comedy Central and The Onion News Network on IFC.

     As a fan of the video and audio clips, but not one of sports, I was initially disappointed at Comedy Central's announced series. Because the sports-themed clips released online frequently had nothing to do with actual sports stories, but rather parodies of the genre of sports reporting, I found them entertaining. But I assumed a full half hour would have to take its source material from current events. Not necessarily the case. In the first few episodes, SportsDome plays more to the stereotypes and trends in the industry, rather than specifics. The hosts, Mark Shepard (Matt Oberg, Ugly Americans) and Alex Reiser (Matt Walton, One Life to Live), are incredibly funny, and get plenty of barbs in on each other. Even for the non-sports fan, the program is worth checking out.

     The Onion News Network is slightly different, in that the jokes are not about sports, and it stars only one host, sharp tongued Brooke Alvarez (Suzanne Sena). She is joined by a number of other 'reporters' and 'commentators', including some like Duncan Birch (Brian Huskey, Free Radio) and Lauralee Hickock (Julie Brister) who appeared in the online video clips. Some of the previous clip segments continue, such as my favorite, "Today Now!", so that the series feels like a longer version of the shorter videos released on the web.

     ONN tackles specific stories, though not necessarily real ones. For instance, in recent episodes, a judge decided to try a young, white girl as a black man in a court case, and assassins from the future came back in time to kill Suri Cruise. It's goofy humor, a mix of reality spoofs and commentary on what is wrong with our society. 

     Both shows pretend to be on a 24 hour network of their topic, such as CNN and ESPN. I'm glad they don't attempt more than 30 minutes a week, though, as I have a feeling the jokes could get old real fast. However, I was skeptical that either show could keep a consistently funny weekly half hour, but am glad to be proven wrong.

     Onion SportsDome airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central, and Onion News Network runs Friday nights at 10 p.m. on IFC. Give them a try!

Article first published as TV Review: The Onion Double Dose on Blogcritics.

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IFC's Sex Magic and The Orgasm Diaries

     IFC has put on a couple of new movies as part of IFC Midnight, airing on their channel, and available on demand. If you aren't familiar with IFC Midnight, it showcases films that are "horror, sci-fi, thriller and erotic arthouse". The two I'm reviewing are Sex Magic and The Orgasm Diaries, and tend to lean towards the last category. Two indie-like films with sex as a central theme. Having viewed screeners of both, I can report that they are not softcore porn, as you would find on certain Showtime networks later at night. Neither are they the typical indie film.

     Sex Magic reminded me very heavily of HBO's risque documentary series, Real Sex. Lasting about an hour and twenty minutes, much of the movie was a look at Desert, a 'school' in Arizona where a man named Dez teaches others about sex magic, a way to achieve your goals through sexual energy. a documentary crew interviews Dez, his clients, and other teachers to discover what happens at Desert, his retreat. I was confused as to whether this was a real or false documentary, but it turns out, this is real, or at least billed as such.

     The other element is a slightly voyeuristic look at how Dez tries to win a woman named Maya. Dez is polyamorous, until he meets Maya, but after losing her, he uses sex with other women to try to win her back. Dez is earnest, often seemingly trying to convince himself, as much as the camera, that the lifestyle he has devoted himself to is rooted in something real. It is an interesting and sad story. One wonders how much of Dez's monologues were staged or pre-written, and much was actual interview. Perhaps that is a cynical way to look at things, as it could all be authentic. Either way, it's certainly a unique case study of an individual.

     In The Orgasm Diaries, the central couple is much happier... at least at first. A young photographer named Manchester is living in a garage with a beautiful woman, Noon, who is his lover as well as his muse. However, soon he achieves some level of success, and the woman leaves him when she discovers her naked body adorning art gallery walls. This sends the man into a deep spiral of depression, but their story isn't over.

     Unlike Sex Magic, which has plenty of nudity of all kinds, The Orgasm Diaries concentrates its bared skin on sexual acts, including a couple of self pleasure scenes, and one memorable act with a popsicle. This one did venture further towards softcore porn that the first film, but also had a developed plot. However, it was a bit too slow moving for my taste, and dragged quite a bit in the middle section.

     As far as the acting, like most documentaries, it's hard to tell how much was going on in Sex Magic. I find no fault with either of the leads in The Orgasm Diaries either. Both were certainly capable of handling the material, which felt very professional, and not at all amateurish. Sure, the characters may have been amateurs in some way, but the two people inhabiting Noon and Manchester really made them come to life. If the direction had been more of a documentary style, and not so obviously a movie, I'd probably be more inclined to believe they were real than I do Dez. Not that I'm suggesting The Orgasm Diaries would have worked better that way; rather, I am praising the actors for breathing such life into the parts.

     Neither film is what I would call groundbreaking or amazing, but neither is a total dud either. If you enjoyed Real Sex, watch Sex Magic. If you like indie films that have more nudity than would be allowed in an R rated theater run, watch The Orgasm Diaries. Both are available from IFC.

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Article first published as Movie Review: IFC's Sex Magic and The Orgasm Diaries on Blogcritics.

The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret

     The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret is a wonderful new show, airing on IFC  in the United States.  If you don't get IFC, as I don't, it is also available via Amazon on Demand digital video download, or from the iTunes store.  The show is set in London, England, and also airs in the UK.  As such, only six episodes have been ordered, typical for a UK series.  Two have aired, and they are very, very funny.

     The show stars David Cross (Arrested Development, Running Wilde) as Todd Margaret, a temp at an energy drink company in America.  When Brent Wilts (Will Arnett, Arrested Development, Running Wilde) buys and visits the company, he sees Todd in a rare moment of confidence.  As such, he interviews, and believing Todd's lies, promotes Todd to run a new office he wants to open in London.  GIven a large salary and a big expense account, Todd flies to the UK.  He arrives, only to discover the office he is running has a mere one employee named Dave (Blake Harrison, The Inbetweeners).  Todd continues to tell whatever lies he percieves will help him, and bluster around like he's important.  It seems that Dave sees through this, and so becomes an enabler, who likes to get Todd into hotter and hotter water.  Oh, and the energy drink is actually pretty toxic.

     In between ridiculous circumstances that left Todd ever more soiled and scarred, he pursues a romantic relationship with the owner of a local cafe, Alice (Sharon Horgan, Big Babies, Pulling).  Alice is hard to read, because she goes back and forth between being furious at Todd's antics, and somehow finding him sympathetic and charming.  It's not clear if she's sees through his crap, but if she does, she overlooks it.  Todd also keeps talking about feeling guilty about a girlfriend back home, who really, he just had a one night stand with.  Played by Amber Tamblyn (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Joan of Arcadia), we have gotten a number of short scenes revealing that she isn't thinking about Todd at all.

     The episodes are framed by an opening with Todd in a courtoom, persumably charged with all sorts of crimes that he racks up during his time in London, although the list seems a little harsh, as while Todd is bumbling, he isn't malicious.  At the end of each, after the credits, we catch up on Todd's Portland, Oregon apartment, where his cat has died, and the place is being overrun by wild animals.

     The whole thing is so ridiculous, I can't help but frequently laughing out loud.  Cross has proven himself adept at comedy, and in the series that he created, he is at his best.  As a viewer, I do feel a bit bad for him, although he brings most of his troubles on himself.  With only four episodes left, I'm anxious to find out how everything comes together.  I don't know if this would work as a 22 episodes a season series, as Todd has already effectively destroyed his life in just two half hours.  It's probably better that it's a limited run.  If you haven't already, please check out The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.

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