The second level of “Portlandia”

“Portlandia” has hit—the most hyped event in the city since the annual naked bike ride, which has drawn even more attention to our little corner of the Northwest. For weeks now, since awareness of the show has emerged, debates have been sparked as to whether or not it would even manage a laugh or bomb miserably. Would it be a success, or an attempt at egotistical Portland-glorification?

But now, as the pilot episode has settled in, does the product of SNL’s Fred Armisen and local celebrity Carrie Brownstein pull it off? Certainly. The real questions that should be asked are: Can Portland handle being poked fun at, and will anyone even get it?

Weeks ago, links to a mysterious music video started popping up in e-mails and on Facebook pages. The song spoke of the ‘90s and how it was alive in Portland. This gave birth to the most quoted line in my sphere of influence: “Portland is a place where young people go to retire.” This became the intro to the pilot of Portlandia.

By far, one of the more humorous sketches of the pilot involved a comment on Portland’s love of food knowledge. Two restaurant patrons obnoxiously inquire about the details of their meal. And for those living in Portland, come on, we see this every day we go out.

But will anyone get it? Those of us who immigrated to Portland from the Seattle area can perhaps recall the ‘90s sketch comedy show “Almost Live.”

Locally produced and written, “Almost Live” featured local Seattle themes and jokes. Every Saturday, before “Saturday Night Live,” viewers could laugh at sketches involving the Ballard driving school or Boeing. David Grohl, who was then starting a new band called the Foo Fighters, would often guest star.

Even Joel McHale, star of “Community” and host of “The Soup,” got his start on “Almost Live.” It was a huge success—though anyone passing through town would scratch their heads, wondering what the hell everyone was laughing at. They had no idea what was so funny about the streetwalking lawyers of Aurora Avenue. It was so local, no one else got it.

Portlandia certainly touches upon quite a few thoughts and aspects of our local community, and gives us all a good reason to laugh, or at least snicker. But will the outside world even get the joke? Will someone from Texas understand why an adult hide-and-seek league is funny? How will someone watching in Montana understand how funny the restaurant scene is with the inquisitive patrons?

Armisen and Brownstein began their venture into comedic sketches with an online project called “Thunderant.” It was simple—just sketches they threw together while hanging out. Not all of the sketches had to do with Portland, but it was enough to spark interest over at the Independent Film Channel (IFC).

The transition of “Thunderant” to “Portlandia” went well. While some viewers may not entirely get what is going on, or why it is humorous—a universal comedy is attained for those who aren’t in the know. “Portlandia” is set for a six-episode run on IFC, but don’t be surprised if more “Portlandia” is demanded down the road. ?