Portlandia: Season Three DVD review

Actors: Carrie Brownstein Fred Armisen

Format: Color, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 2

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Video Service Corp

DVD Release Date: July 9, 2013

Run Time: 242 minutes

 

There have been a lot of pre-filmed sketch shows over the years, and “Portlandia” follows in their 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. 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.

       

        Season three brings a few welcome new sketches, while also bringing back the familiar repeat characters from the previous seasons. There are the owners of the women’s bookstore, the annoyingly square suburban couple, and the most straightforward pair known simply as Carrie and Fred who are often pulled into schemes with the mayor of Portland. All of these characters are played by Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen, who are apparently playing themselves as the central main characters of the show. These characters advance some semblance of a semi-storyline, though one which is clearly not meant to be taken seriously. First the pair of roommates deal with the disappearance of the Mayor, then with a love triangle between them and their new roommate from Seattle (Chloë Sevigny).

 

        All ten episodes from season three are included in this two-disc set, along with two deleted scenes and featurettes with tours of Portland with Kumail Nanjiani.

 

Entertainment Value: 7/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 6/10

Historical Significance: 4/10

Disc Features: 5/10