Portlandia: Season 2 Blu-ray review

Actors: Carrie Brownstein Fred Armisen

Format: Color, NTSC

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: VIDEO SERV

Release Date: September 25, 2012

Run Time: 220 minutes

            There have been a lot of sketch shows over the years, and “Portlandia” follows in that tradition. There are the usual absurd and random caricatures and skits, though this show is so specific in its choice of location and subsequent topics that it may make the humor less accessible than desirable. That being said, for anyone who has spent time in Portland, the humor of this show can often be spot on. And as an additional bonus, there is an episode which takes the time to poke fun at Los Angeles as well.

            There are some great gags within this series, and every once and awhile I even found myself laughing. The problem with these jokes is that they are often used again and again in repeat episodes, just like any skit show does with a routine that works. Before long, the joke that was once funny becomes overwhelmingly tiresome and repetitious. This happens more often in season two, if only because this season has a great deal more episodes than the first one. There are still some great moments, but they are fewer and further between in this season.

            Season two has ten episodes fit onto two discs. Most of the episodes are on the first disc, with plenty of special features. There is a tour of Seattle special, which is odd but refreshingly different in the same way the L.A. episode is. There is also a making-of special, a director’s cut of the Brunch Village episode and deleted scenes from the Feminine Bookstore sketches. There are also commentaries on four episodes.