BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) PORTLANDIA
This weird as shit IFC comedy series sticks with you. Starring SNL alum Fred Armisen and indie rock singer Carrie Brownstein… it’s sorta like sketch comedy, but it’s shot like a sitcom of sorts. It’s like Flight of the Conchords meets Kids In The Hall…. Just as weird as that sounds. It’s only had one full season and the second season is coming at us. I think this show is going to start getting attention soon.
(THREE) SHAMELESS
He’s only one season in on this Showtime series, but it was a really good season. It’s a character he was born to play. He’s a drunk dead beat dad who lives with his resourceful kids. He’s such an unlikeable dude, but he plays the character with a certain grace and charm that makes it hard to hate him. When he goes overboard or is too much of an asshole you feel more disappointed than anything. He’s like a modern mill/factory worker version of Archie Bunker.
(TWO) 30 ROCK
Five seasons in and I think this already hit show is really hitting its stride. That last season was easily the best of the show’s entire run. The show keeps getting stronger and better. It’s as solid as a statue, but somehow managers to be even tighter. The jokes, the writing, the time, acting, archs, and everything are just “on”. I recently rewatched the entire series and can’t believe this show played second fiddle to “The Office” for so long. It’s the best comedy on network TV… depending on the future of Community.
(ONE) CALIFORNICATION
This is one of my favorite shows on television. David Duchovny’s “Hank Moody” character is my favorite character on TV. He’s a writer with a rockstar swagger. I think every writer has that wanna-be idea about them. He’s a literate pimp who’s not afraid to screw his self over in the heat of the passion. Over the past few seasons we’ve seen all the characters around him grow while he’s pretty much the same. It’s their growth that sorta forces him into new situations. It’s a weird scenario, but it works. There is so much depth buried shallowly under the surface of this show that it blows my mind it’s not getting awards and more acclaim. Then again if people can’t see past the sexual romp portion of the show then they don’t deserve to appreciate it.
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