Last "Draft" For THE LEAGUE

Article originally published as TV Review: 'The League' - Final Season Premiere on Blogcritics.

FX’s The League begins its seventh and final season with “That Other Draft.” A show about a fantasy football league, it has delighted both those who understand the conceit and those who just want a good comedy about a bunch of buddies that pick on each other mercilessly. After seven years, it’s hard to say that it’s ending before its time, but The League is going out while it’s still good, and will surely leave fans wanting more.


The last season premiere is called “That Other Draft,” and instead of featuring the fantasy football draft, as many first episodes have on this show, it takes place partially at the NFL’s official draft. The show has always been able to get guest stars from the world of the NFL, players, coaches, and anchors, and this installment is no different. Marshawn Lynch is one of only a few recognizable faces to grace this episode.

Well, recognizable if you know anything about sports. I admit, detesting football myself, I don’t find the cameo-heavy episodes as good as those that just focus on the core group. I absolutely love The League, but because so much time is given over to these athletes, this half hour doesn’t rank among my favorites. There are definitely jokes just for football fans, more obviously than in other turns, and while I can’t fault the show’s producers from bringing the real game into the proceedings, as I’m sure most viewers will appreciate it, “That Other Draft” is a let down during those parts for me personally. I’m sure I’m not alone.

That being said, that is only a portion of the episode, with much of the rest of the running time up to the show’s usual standards. Each character has at least a good line or two, and a major plot involves Taco (Jonathan Lajoie) getting his Sacko punishments. Let’s just say he takes it very differently than past losers have. There’s a port-a-potty gag that even I, who doesn’t like toilet humor at all, enjoyed immensely. And, as I feel there must be by now, there’s an appearance by Rafi (Jason Mantzoukas).

The League is, by and large, a comedy, with little time given for dramatic stories, but I feel this last season might be different, if only slightly. In “That Other Draft,” Pete’s ex-wife, Meegan (Leslie Bibb), shows up, and she is clearly going to be around for more than one episode, though I won’t reveal the circumstances. If this were any other season, I wouldn’t read too much into this, as people from the characters’ pasts show up from time to time and are usually only there to provide a laugh. But I can’t help but feel her return might be designed to help showcase Pete’s (Mark Duplass) growth, or possibly even contribute to a happy ending of some sort.
Or, I may be totally overthinking this. We’ll see.

I would like some closure from this final season. Having only watched two episodes so far, it’s much too early to tell if there will be a noticeable amount of emotion this season, and I’m sure whatever there may be, if any, will be kept light. Still, even with comedies, viewers invest in the characters over a long period of time. We want some type of payoff, even if it’s really only an assurance that the players will be all right long after we stop watching them. Will The League deliver on that? I am cautiously optimistic, though even if it doesn’t, I expect another solidly humorous season.

The League, which also stars Paul Scheer, Nick Kroll, Stephen Rannazzisi, and Katie Aselton, returns Wednesday, September 9th at 10 p.m. ET, and will air on FXX this season, not FX.

TV Review: ‘The League’ – ‘Baby Geoffrey Jesus’ and ‘The 8 Defensive Points of Hanukkah’

Article first published as TV Review: ‘The League’ – ‘Baby Geoffrey Jesus’ and ‘The 8 Defensive Points of Hanukkah’ on Blogcritics.

FXX’s The League ended season five with a two-part episode this week. In the first, “Baby Geoffrey Jesus,” Ruxin (Nick Kroll) is upset when his young son, Geoffrey, is chosen to play the part of Jesus in his Catholic school play, insisting that Geoffrey practice Judaism like his father sort of does. This battle continues in “The 8 Defensive Points of Hanukkah” as Ruxin tries to bring the holiday into his home and vanquish Christmas.

There are other subplots happening in these two episodes, as The League is about an ensemble cast, but Ruxin is certainly a fan favorite, in that viewers love to hate him, so it’s kind of fun to let him be front and center in the final hour of the year. He earns many a laugh, as usual.

Ruxin isn’t exactly a faithfully practicing Jew, but he does tend to think differently of himself than others do, and gets very upset when people question those characteristics he claims to have. He uses Judaism to get his way more than actually honoring the faith. This is obvious when his rabbi calls him out on his ill behavior towards his friends, and also when he manipulates his brother-in-law, Rafi (Jason Mantzoukas), into converting.

Ruxin’s intention is not to help Rafi bed Ruxin’s sister (Lizzy Caplan, Masters of Sex), which he unintentionally does, but rather, to have Rafi influence Ruxin’s son, Geoffrey (Adam Karchmer), since Geoffrey looks up to Rafi. Ruxin has to go through Rafi because he stands no chance in talking Geoffrey’s mother, Sofia (Nadine Velazquez) into anything, and she wants their child to be Christian.

Ruxin and Sofia have a very strange relationship, and for the longest time I wondered what she gets out of the deal. She’s hot, so that’s Ruxin’s reason for wanting to be with her, but Ruxin, while making a comfortable living, isn’t rich, he’s pretty much a total jerk, and she actually seems to care about him. Maybe she likes getting her way, though, and knows she can with Ruxin, who is vulnerable to the power of her charms.

As usual, Ruxin’s plot fails, though he does get a happy moment when he is able to pass off the Sacko Ruxin trophy to Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi). The League must toss Ruxin some victories periodically, and his inappropriate dance backed up by a gospel choir in a church is one of his more memorable gloats. It’s moments like these, horribly offensive, and yet terribly funny, that make The League so enjoyable to watch.

While Kevin loses the fantasy football league, thanks to his wife, Jenny’s (Katie Aselton), advice, Jenny wins it all after listening to Kevin. Honestly, who wins and loses isn’t super important, and five years in, it’s hard to keep much weight on that outcome, which is probably why the story point is dropped late in the hour and not the center of the full two episodes. I have to hand it to The League, though; having Kevin and Jenny take home the trophies the way they do is clever and fresh, making this season finale have impact.

Kevin and Jenny do have some martial strife in “Baby Geoffrey Jesus” when Jenny asks her ex-boyfriend, Ben (Ryan Hansen, Party Down), for help with her lineup. Kevin takes this worse than he would learning Jenny has cheated in him, and temporarily crashes with Pete (Mark Duplass) while he pouts. I find it very funny that Kevin lets such a betrayal affect him so deeply, but I also am not surprised, based on the characters, and am glad this is resolved in “The 8 Defensive Points of Hanukkah,” thus leaving the couple intact once more. They seem so good together, overall.

In the last subplot that really counts, Andre (Paul Scheer) stupidly partners with his rival (Parks and Recreation‘s Aziz Ansari) without reading the contract, which results in Andre being sent overseas. At least, that’s what would have happened if Taco (Jonathan Lajoie) and Rafi didn’t accidentally crush the guy’s hand, saving Andre’s job and home. So he has a happy ending, too.

I actually am disappointed by the quick save here. The League walks a delicate balance between allowing their characters to grow but not losing the amazing cast dynamic. In doing so, it is usually conservative in big changes. Yes, only a year ago Andre was facing major upheaval, which took several episodes to work out. But I still would have liked to have seen this go further. After all, there is always a many-months-long break in the action, so Andre could easily just be returning home when the next season begins. And it wouldn’t ruin the show like a Kevin / Jenny divorce would.

Along those lines, it would also be really cool if we had a spring run some time, with installments that weren’t beholden to fantasy football. Much of the regular season has nothing to do with the game, and I’d like some more of that.Maybe six episodes would be appropriate? Though this seems unlikely to happen.

Other than the one minor complaint, both “Baby Geoffrey Jesus” and “The 8 Defensive Points of Hanukkah” are great episodes. The show remains as hilarious as ever, not having lost anything with age, and still finding new ways to go with its story. Andre running a long con on Kevin is fantastic, and so are just about all the other small moments within.  I look forward to whatever they cook up next.

The League has already been renewed will return to FXX for a sixth go-round next fall.

THE LEAGUE Destination "Draft" and "Wedding"

Article first published as THE LEAGUE Review Season 5 Premiere on Seat42F.

FX’s THE LEAGUE, now on FXX, returns for a fifth season this week with “The Bachelor Draft,” followed by the second part of an hour-long story next week, “The Von Nowzick Wedding.” These two episodes find the gang heading out to California for a destination draft / destination wedding. Which is most important depends on who you talk to, and there is one person who is not at all pleased the two are happening on the same weekend.

I don’t know how THE LEAGUE does it, but it seems to get funnier with each and every season. I think it’s because the chemistry between the ensemble has just gelled so well at this point that it feels like catching up with old friends when you sit down to watch an episode. Old friends who mercilessly pick on one another in the best way possible.

We are introduced to another long-time member of the league in “The Bachelor Draft.” Ted (Adam Brody, The O.C.) used to hang with the others, prior to the show’s beginning, but moved to the West Coast. We know he participates remotely, his name having been mentioned before, but this is the first time viewers see him.. Having won last year’s tournament, Ted bids the others come to him for the new draft.

I like Brody’s character. It’s easy to see how he fits, and the relationship he had with the others when he still lived near them. It’s a natural part of life that some friends may move away, but the manner in which Brody picks up with Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi), Pete (Mark Duplass), Taco (Jonathan Lajoie), and the others feels incredibly natural, as if no time has passed since he’s seen them. I hope he guest stars again soon.

Trixie (Jayma Mays, Glee) doesn’t understand this chemistry. She is marrying Andre (Paul Scheer), the scapegoat of the group, and doesn’t appreciate what fantasy football means to these guys. It’s not hard to imagine how Andre and Trixie might get along away from Andre’s friends; after all, it often seems like Andre doesn’t belong in the gang, having different interests than the others. But Trixie has got to figure out a way to enjoy these people if she wants to stick around, because they are important to Andre.

Will Trixie last as a character? I’m not sure. It’s certain she won’t be another Jenny (Katie Aselton), a valuable main character who appears in each and every episode. But she could be a Sofia (Nadine Velazquez), one who tolerates her husband’s obsessions and just shows up occasionally. She certainly is given numerous reasons to hate the guys in these installments, including during some very odd wedding toasts, but there’s always the chance she may re-occur. Maybe.

Poor Andre is caught in the middle, between the woman he loves, but who is allergic to his sperm, and the friends he loves, but who seem to be allergic to his presence. The latter is hilarious as Andre tries to pick a best man, and each keep trying to shove off the duty on one another. This doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t like Andre, and they would probably be at the ceremony even if the draft wasn’t taking place, but they don’t want to do the things they know Andre will make them do in that role, and it’s not in them to pretend for his sake.

As much as Andre sticks out like a sore thumb among the others, so does Ruxin (Nick Kroll), the heartless, cruel bastard of the group. But through Ruxin in these two new episodes, we see just how important each element is, even if it’s not obvious at first glance.

See, Ruxin is the holder of the Sacko, and being who he is, he does not want to accept the Sacko punishments doled out by his friends. In a pout, he actually quits the league in “The Bachelor Draft,” joining Rafi’s (Jason Mantzoukas) Ultimate League, whose members include some familiar faces I won’t spoil here, instead. But from the moment Ruxin makes this announcement, fans know the situation is temporary.

The other characters will never tell Ruxin that they care about him; it’s just not in their nature. However, we see how they still include him in their gags through the two half-hours. We also see how desperate Ruxin is not to be left out, despite what he says. This illustrates the emotional makeup of the gang far better than words would, anyway.

What this means, though, is that viewers are treated to a number of over-the-top jokes at Ruxin’s expense, eventually leading to, as we know it must, sweet revenge had by Ruxin. That’s just the way THE LEAGUE works, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One thing both “The Bachelor Draft” and “The Von Nowzick Wedding” do effectively is use their celebrity athlete cameos with wonderful results. Normally, I am not a fan of football players showing up on the series. While I’m sure there are many football fans watching out there, including those that make THE LEAGUE themselves, I hate sports and these bits don’t do anything for me, especially because it usually feels like the appearances are gratuitous and the players can’t act. I have to believe I am not alone in that opinion. However, in this two-part season premiere, THE LEAGUE finally makes the spots work for them in a wonderful way, so this should satisfy both types of fans, those who like football and those who do not.

Basically, what I’m saying is that both of these installments are incredibly amusing, with several laugh-out-loud scenes and some interesting developments. Enjoy them as THE LEAGUE helps launch new network FXX, airing Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The League scores a touchdown with the Complete Season Three

FX's The League now has its Complete Season Three out on Blu-ray and DVD.  If you have missed this fantasy football-based comedy, with the all-around amazing cast, up 'til now, it's time to start watching, as it has become one of the most original, funniest shows on television. Season three is a great entry point, and after watching every installment on this two disc set, you'll probably be motivated enough to go seek out the other seasons.

As season three begins, Ruxin (Nick Kroll) is still rubbing his victory from last year in everyone's face, being more insufferable than usual. The others plot to pick the draft order behind his back, giving them an unfair advantage, and hoping to allow them to knock Ruxin down a few pegs this year. This sort of back fires, as once that bond of trust is broken, even if Ruxin doesn't figure it out for a long time, the others begin not trusting each other, too, making for a trade-less, frustrating fantasy football league.

In The League, though, Shiva Bowl Champion is not the only title. There is still unfinished business to attend to concerning last year's loser, the Sacko prize winner, Andre (Paul Scheer). For that, the boys turn to former member Rafi (Jason Mantzoukas) and his friend Dirty Randy (Seth Rogen), who help them humiliate Andre with the ultimate prank.

All of this unfair backstabbing may sound mean, but it's not. The heart of The League is a group of friends who care about one another. Sure, they give each other a hard time, as friends do, and sometimes they go a little too far. But their shared love of football, and the good times they have picking their fantasy team and watching the games, are why they stick together. The characters do not have to express their emotions to feel the affection between them, as we see during a near-tragedy at the end of the season.

They do, however, have to be really, really funny, and The Complete Season Three showcases this in many fantastic ways. Whether Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi) is "cheating" on his wife, Jenny (Katie Aselton), the sole female member of the group, with an ESPN analyst, or Ruxin is growing unhappy about his attractive au pair (Brie Larson, United States of Tara), whom Pete (Mark Duplass) has his eye on, there are lots of humorous moments. Toss in Taco (Jonathan Lajoie), who is basically a walking joke, especially when inventing an analog social network called "My-face," and you have the recipe for something pretty cool.

Among the best installments of this season are:

• "The Lockout" In which Ruxin is screwed over figuratively, and Andre is screwed over literally (sort of).
• "Bobbum Man" Kevin is afraid of Pete's made-up creature, the Bobbum Man.
• "Carmenjello" Kevin and Jenny search for the perfect paint color, but a defective can means awkward explanations to daughter Ellie (Alina Foley).
• "Thanksgiving" Ruxin's dad (Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic Park) and Andre's sister (Sarah Silverman, The Sarah Silverman Program) join the gang for a turkey with a very interesting and unique stuffing.
• "The Light of Genesis" Ruxin joins a cult that could help him win in fantasy football, while Kevin is worried his Krav Maga teacher (Eliza Dushku, Dollhouse) is attracted to him.
• "The Funeral" Every arc from this season comes to a head with the Shiva and the Sacko on the line.

The League The Complete Season Three is fully packed with bonus features. The best thing is that ten of the year's thirteen episodes are extended on the DVD, providing quite a few more laughs than as aired. There is also a gag reel, deleted scenes, and two featurettes, "Alt Nation" and "Taco Tones." For a thirteen episode comedy, this turns out to be quite a bit.

Check out The League The Complete Season Three, available now, and watch brand new season four episodes Thursday nights at 10:30 p.m. ET on FX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

"Training Camp" for The League

FX's comedy The League is one of the funniest shows around. With an extremely talented cast, who each knows how to deliver humor expertly, it is with great anticipation that I await each fall's new batch of episodes. "Training Camp," which aired this past Thursday, kicks off the latest round.

The plot is basic. It's time for the fantasy league draft. Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi) manages to keep his winning title from last year, despite the cheating that occurred, by letting Ruxin (Nick Kroll) become the commissioner. This is to everyone's extreme displeasure. To cope, they each give themselves new titles and make business cards.

Then Taco (Jonathan Lajoie) gets a call from the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, upset that Taco snagged dallascowboys.com when the team accidentally let their ownership of the website lapse. In order to convince Taco to give it back, the owner flies the whole gang (minus a very pregnant Jenny, who can't fly so close to her due date) out to the training camp. This works, with Taco earning a sizable payoff.

Then the guys return home to find Jenny (Katie Aselton) masturbating to thoughts of Shiva (Janina Gavankar), the woman and the trophy. She is forced to take matters into her own, um, hand, because, despite how undeniably cute Aselton is, Kevin's character is freaked out by putting his penis anywhere near the fetus, leaving her sexually frustrated. Before the men can give her too much crap for the self pleasure, though, she goes into labor. In the delivery room, the birthing and the draft happens simultaneously, culminating in Taco getting naming rights to the child, and choosing Chulpa Batman.

"Training Camp" is packed with hilarious moments. From Jenny's fantasy sequences, to the delivery room scene, to everything that Taco does, to the whole naming rights switcharoo. So many things work. Dropping punchlines in, and letting gags pay off later in the episode, are things that The League excels at, and all of this is present in the season premiere. Even when it ventures into completely unbelievable territory, like the stuff at the hospital, the energy and enthusiasm from the cast is so infectious that one buys into the whole story.

What doesn't work is the cameos by professional athletes. For a basic cable sitcom like The League, getting the famous sports players that the characters talk about is a serious coup. "Training Camp" has tons of them, in the beginning dream sequence, as well as while the guys are in Dallas. The problem is, most athletes can't act, and if one isn't a football fan, it does nothing for you to see a football player show up in a sitcom. Thus, these moments slow the episode down and hurt it for many, though not all, viewers.

A balance needs to be restored. It's OK to stage an occasional drop-in, as the show has done before, but not to pack an episode with double digit numbers of appearances. Somehow, "Training Camp" still manages to be a very good episode, but it's in spite of the cameos, not because of them. I understand it may be hard for the people who make The League, who seem to be fans, to turn down opportunities, simply for the opportunity to meet these guys alone. But if they could be a little more discerning, it would work better.

That being said, the sex jokes and the ripping on each other is fantastic as always, maybe even more so, and if "Training Camp" is any indication, this is going to be a great year. Assuming there will be less athletes in future episodes, this could very well be the best season yet. They have returned rested, refreshed, and as clever as ever.

Watch The League Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on FX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

The League attends "The Funeral"

     FX's The League completes their fantasy football season and their television season with "The Funeral." The second of two half hours airing last night, "The Funeral" finds Andre (Paul Scheer) struggling to manage stroke victim Ruxin's (Nick Kroll) team, even though Rafi (Jason Mantzoukas) has knives and other ideas. The others asks Pete (Mark Duplass) to throw the Sacko Bowl, lest Ruxin invalidate the season and keep the Shiva, but Pete cannot bring himself to do so. Which throws into jeopardy Kevin's (Stephen Rannazzisi) win of the Shiva. 

     The League is one of the most realistic portrayals of a group of male friends in entertainment. They give each other large amounts of guff, and don't wear their emotions on their sleeves, but they still care. Sure, they all still debate fantasy football and go about their days while Ruxin lies in a hospital bed. But an earlier scene, as they all await news of Ruxin's condition in the waiting room, reveals that they have real concern. It's only after they are assured Ruxin will be fine that they go back to treating him the same way they always have.

     The only weakness is the characters that become chariactures. All of the principal cast members are complex and well defined, even Taco (Jonathan Lajoie), to a certain degree. But Rafi and Ruxin's wife, Sofia (Nadine Velazquez), are not, which hurts the show a little, especially in an episode like "The Funeral" where these supporting players are called upon to give it their all.

     As far as endings go, one might think The League reaches its darkest point at the end of season two when Ruxin laughs fiendishly, having won the title. Yet, it almost seems worse as he declares his continued reign in season three. Perhaps it's the burning pyre, or Pete getting a Sacko brand accidentally burned into his back (this looks like a job for Andre!), but whatever the reason, The League gets into some pretty twisted humor. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.

     Happy news does temper the end of the episode as Kevin learns of Jenny's (Katie Aselton) pregnancy. Only after he is assured that he will soon be a father again does he turn his true focus onto the Shiva, swimming into the frigid water after the burning boat. This says something real and serious about Kevin's character. While not new information that Kevin has a joyous, solid relationship, any example of it is welcome. It turns the end of "The Funeral" from depressing into hopeful. And hopefully the baby will provide some pretty funny stuff for Jenny in season four, especially if she gives birth during the football season, which she likely may, early in the season.

     All in all, "The Funeral" is far from the funniest episode of The League, but it sets up a couple of interesting things, and ties up a decent story.

     The League has been renewed and will return for a fourth season on FX.

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

     Please click here to buy streaming episodes, DVDs, and Blu-rays of The League.

The League celebrates "Thanksgiving"

     "Thanksgiving" is in the air on The League this week, as well as the smell of cooking guinea pig when Ellie's (Alina Foley) class pet gets loose and into the turkey. Thanksgiving isn't known as the most sexy of holidays, but The League goes there anyway. Andre's sister (Sarah Silverman, The Sarah Silverman Program), who taught the boys everything they know about sex, comes to visit. Learning that Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi) isn't using all his knowledge with Jenny (Katie Aselton), she offers a refresher course. While Jenny would like Kevin to step things up, she doesn't want Andre's sister to do anything more. Even worse is Ruxin Sr. (Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic Park, The Fly), who engages in a sorbet act with Andre's sister that cannot be named in decent company.

     The League can be pretty raunchy, and that's part of what makes it so funny. But generally it's the main guys who get invovled with that stuff, and it's usually regulated to talking-only, porn references, or marriage-based monogamy. In "Thanksgiving," it's the guest stars the get naughty, and quite a bit more so than usual. Andre's sister not only wants to retrain Kevin, with Jenny present, or showing Kevin on Jenny, but also sleeps with Taco (Jonathan Lajoie), and makes a play for Peter (Mark Duplass). Heck, she even wants to give her brother (Paul Scheer) some tips! That she is trying to take Ruxin Sr. home only makes her more of a slut. She's very promiscuous. And because she is played by comedian Silverman, also hilarious.

      Ruxin's dad goes more for the creepy factor, like his son. As an added bonus, Goldblum looks the part perfectly. Ruxin (Nick Kroll) thinks he can ditch both family Thanksgivings to stay home and masturbate, but is surprised when his dad showns up at his door with the same idea. Not knowing Ruxin will be home, Ruxin Sr. intends to use his son's house as a hideout. Disturbingly, not only does Ruxin continue with his plans, but it seems Ruxin Sr. likely does the same solo activity, and both in excess, given the reading Ruxin's pedometer shows.

     It's a testament to just how good The League is when it can attract talent the level of Silverman and Goldblum, as well as Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) and Seth Rogen, in previous episodes this season. While hidden away on cable, it's a series that should not be missed. The relationships feel real, and guys are authentic friends who act in a relatable manner. Some of the situations are unrealistic, of course; it's still a sitcom. But at the same time, every actor is fully committed to their role, and can deliver top notch comedy of both the zinger and physical kind. It is no wonder people more well known for their film roles want to play in this sandbox.

     Even with all the sexual tomfoolery, the only thing that really comes close to crossing the line is the cooking of the guinea pig. Escaped from its cage, it crawls into the turkey, which Jenny then places back in the over. Strangely, no one finds fur, even though Andre pulls the name tag out of his mouth. Guinea pigs are eaten in other countries, and if prepared properly, could be excused. However, in this case, as it is a pet, and it being cooked is accidental, it's stomach turning and wrong in a way that shakes the soul. Let's hope Jenny throws the rest of the turkey away.

     Watch The League Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on FX.

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

     Please click here to buy streaming episodes, DVDs, and Blu-rays of The League.

"The Lockout" of The League

     FX's sitcom The League has returned. In "The Lockout," Ruxin (Nick Kroll) is still swaggering from his win, motivating the others to cheat when it comes to draft order. Only Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi) feels guilty, and the others pressure him to stay quiet. Jenny (Katie Aselton), Pete (Mark Duplass), and Taco (Jonathan Lajoie) all experiment with training Kevin. The guys continue to punish Andre (Paul Scheer) for his loss last year, including letting Rafi (Jason Mantzoukas) and Dirty Randy (Seth Rogen, The Green Hornet, Knock Up) shoot a porno in Andre's apartment.

     This series is hilarious, and the season three premiere is very welcome. It takes no time at all to get back into the mindset of the group, who are all friends, but pick on each other mercilessly, and will stoop to low levels to win their fantasy football league. Even half an hour into the season, it is clear that Jenny is finally a full-fledged equal, something she struggles with previously. Again, awesome, because Aselton is hot AND funny, and her character can be more masculine than a couple of the guys. Plus, she has sex that she can use as a weapon, something the others lack.

     Ruxin and Andre are the most frequent dumped on-ers, being singled out as the weak members of the pack. Kevin is kind, but Jenny and Pete can be pretty cruel. Yet, there is some reason that they all stick together. After all, there are out-of-town members of The League, and they aren't missed or included in any of the events. Instead, no matter how much one individual might have to take some crap, there is a deep affection between them all.

     Training Kevin is a very humorous subplot. Pete catches Jenny using a dog training book to do so, and reveals he has already been conditioning Jenny's husband for years, a fact easily proven. But no on expects Taco to be telling the truth when he claims to have high-notized him (that's hypnotized while high). Yet, Taco's tactics save the day when Kevin finally breaks and is ready to confess their shenanigans to Ruxin.

     Dirty Randy is a character oft talked about, but not seen, until now. Casting Rogen is a stroke of genius. Not only does he have the gravitas of having done many comedy films, but he is also good at weird television characters, as proven in his roles on Undeclared and Freaks and Geeks. The actor is definitely having fun in the offbeat role of porn location scout and director. He channels a little of his Zack and Miri Make a Porno character, making Dirty Randy familiar, but still fresh.

     What is likely to happen after "The Lockout" ends, with the computer doing random picks while the gang is locked out of the apartment / porn set, is that they will confess their prank to Ruxin, allowing a total do-over. This should satisfy everyone, even Andre, who, secluded and unaware of the situation, is dumb enough to think that the computer's terrible selections are brilliant moves by his competitors. This twist will not take away from the funniness of the premiere, but still allow the characters to have some control. After all, how much fun can it be picking on someone for things that are not actually their fault?

     Watch The League Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on FX.

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

     Please click here to buy streaming episodes, DVDs, and Blu-rays of The League.

 Article first published as TV Review: The League - "The Lockout" on Blogcritics.

The League: She-dre

     FX's sitcom The League began it's second season by heading to Las Vegas for "Vegas Draft".  It was a neat idea to take the show on a trip out of town in the very first episode back, and it played to the show's strength: namely, when the five main guys just hang out together.  The sixth primary character, Jenny (Katie Aselton), also got satisfying plot, but we'll get to that in a second.  The episode featured Chad Ochocinco, a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, who can actually act.  At least, he can while playing himself.  I don't care a lick about sports, and so was not excited by this casting get.  However, he added the fun, not detracted from it as some athlete turned actors do, and so I have no complaints about his appearance.

     I don't actually have any complaints about this episode at all.  Andre (Paul Scheer), last year's League Champion, decided to take the group to Vegas to pick their teams this year.  Of course, Pete (Mark Duplass) took the credit for the idea, and everyone else deferred to him.  The way the whole groups dumps on Andre is quite funny, but Andre never lets it defeat him.  Instead, he tries even harder to earn their respect.  For instance, in order to make sure attention was on him, Andre changed their believe Shiva trophy into one with a statue of him on top.  Which led the guys to combine the two names into a new nickname for Andre: She-dre.  But before the end credits rolled, the statue was broken, and part of Andre was in the actual Andre.

     Of course, all of the teasing wasn't against Andre.  Pete and Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi) had plenty of other fun at Ruxin's (Nick Kroll) expense, too.  They created a game where they guessed famous people, and refused to tell Ruxin the rules.  They even were willing to be kicked out of a casino, rather than give up their secrets.  Taco (Jonathan Lajoie) still seems a little useless.  His only contribution to this week was turning Andre's cries of pain into a song.

     The character I felt got the shaft in the first season was Jenny, Kevin's wife.  Though she helped him with his picks, she was never part of the group, and so had a lot less to do.  The funny this is, she is probably a bigger football fan than her husband.  In this week's episode, she tried to join their gang, but they wouldn't let her.  Kevin was the biggest supporter of not letting her into the League.  It's a shame, really.  I love the guys' dynamic, but it would not have been hurt by allowing her to mix it up.  Jenny did have some fun, though, helping Ruxin with his draft, much to everyone else's dismay.

     If you'd like to check out The League, new episodes airs Thursday nights at 10:30 pm on FX.