The Martlet

Finding a locally grown, organic meal. Cars not giving right of way to bikes. Getting sucked into a technology loop of status updates and pre-recorded TV. These are just some of the first-world problems that plague the Independent Film Channel (IFC) sketch comedy show, Portlandia. Two actors play multiple characters, keeping the humour unpredictable and fresh as Portlandia pokes fun at a new generation of stereotypes who live in Portland.

If a conversation you overhear in the Students’ Union Building, those kids who sit behind you in class, or maybe a glimpse of yourself in the mirror start to remind you of the show, you could be on to something. The Portland that’s depicted in Portlandia isn’t exactly Fernwood or James Bay, but you get the same sort of vibe from it. Individualism is accepted and encouraged. Alternative views are mainstream. The 40-hour workweek is optional. There’s a sense of inclusiveness and community but at the same time a condescending attitude toward outsiders — those who represent the establishment and authority.

The show is less about one American city than a broad cultural commentary. Portland might as well be Seattle, Vancouver or Victoria. It isn’t so much about a place as it is about the 20 pairs of Ray-Ban Wayfarers that pass you by on a hot day, the sustainability TED Talk on your Facebook feed, or your strong moral convictions about free-run chickens.

To those familiar with Stuff White People Like, it certainly feels like Canadian author Christian Lander had a hand in the show’s making. To Lander, “white people” aren’t necessarily Caucasian; it’s not about race. According to Stuff White People Like, Ben Harper fits in right next to Zooey Deschanel. Generally characterized as left-leaning, socially conscious, urban bohemians who are concerned with corporate profits and environmental impacts, “white people” aren’t united by the colour of their skin, but by their surprisingly homogeneous tastes, attitudes and preferences. Lander’s blog and books attempt to classify the stereotype with a list of interests while poking fun at their perceived sense of uniqueness.

Portlandia takes on the same formula and hits close to the mark, a feat it wouldn’t be able to pull off without the skill of stars Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live, Anchorman) and Carrie Brownstein (of punk band Sleater-Kinney). Armisen usually steals the show’s laughs with a disarmingly calm demeanour that quickly becomes erratic and unpredictable. Armisen’s style is complemented by Brownstein’s stability. Both actors clearly excel at physical comedy, and the duo has an unmistakable onscreen harmony while appearing as a diverse range of reappearing characters.

One of Armisen and Brownstein’s many moments of onscreen chemistry takes place in Portland’s public library. Armisen, playing the all-too-serious captain of the “Sherlock Holmies” adult hide-and-seek team spins wildly out of control, while Brownstein steals into dangerously exposed hiding places close to Armisen to discuss the after-party. The pair’s frigid but present sexual tension is believable and funny.

Overall, Portlandia comes together as both as strong cultural statement and a great comedy. In a market that’s already full of great comedies, Portlandia has carved out a niche for itself with smart humour that’s not restricted to one city.