I was fortunate to see Portlandia's tour in February. This originally ran in Sidelines' print and online edition and can be viewed here.
A new year means many things: resolutions, a new semester and new television shows to distract you from the first two. Here are Sidelines’ ten new shows or those coming out of hiatus that you may or may not want to be wasting time on.
Whether you are taking this semester easy and want a new show to fill spare time, or you’re mixing up your priorities, here are Sidelines’ eight shows that you may– or may not– want to be wasting time on.
Portlandia
IFC | Friday 10/9c
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein are back with a third season of "Portlandia" with brand new characters and old favorites. They seem to have kicked their guest starring up a notch and their comedy may have even gotten stranger. If you’re new to the show, just know Fred and Carrie play a multitude of characters in sketches all based in Portland, Ore., known as the “birthplace of hipsters.” It’s a subtly and sometimes laugh out loud comedy that can only be classified as amazingly weird.
The Carrie Diaries
The CW | Monday 8/7c
This new drama inspired by “Sex and the City” and “The Carrie Diaries” series by Candace Bushnell (author of “Sex and the City”) is considered the prequel to Carrie Bradshaw’s Manhattan columnist days. Avid SATC fans will find a lot of holes in the storyline. For example, Carrie says in SATC her dad abandoned her when she was young, but in the show her dad is raising her alone after the passing of her mother. The first episode fell flat, using every moment of no dialogue to plug cheesy ‘80s music, and every moment with dialogue to create a melodramatic show reserved for teens who didn’t know and love our SATC Carrie.
Community
NBC | February 7, 9/8c
“Community” finally has a return date. This quirky sitcom’s return has been threatened, teased and pushed back so many times it’s almost hard to believe it’s coming back. Last season, “Community” went further out of the box than ever. One episode aired as an eight-bit game, while another was in the format of a Ken Burns documentary over a pillow fort war. Now on the brink of cancellation, there’s no telling how intense and strange its comedy will go. If you’ve never seen “Community,” spend a few days marathoning its first three seasons before its return. It will be worth it.
Workaholics
Comedy Central | Wednesday 10/9c
Considered a “slacker comedy,” “Workaholics” isn’t for the faint of heart. The return of its third season included a storyline in which a man was forced to eat boogers out of another man’s nose. If you like slightly raunchy, totally outrageous comedies, then jump in on the fun. If the word “butthurt” offends you, then you might want to find something else to do on Wednesday nights.
Buckwild
MTV | Thursday 10/9c
Considered by many as the “redneck Jersey Shore,” new show “Buckwild” has the potential to be a guilty pleasure, cultural phenomenon or a disgrace. The senator of West Virginia has already slammed the show for misrepresenting the state. It’s been said fans of “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”will probably tune in. Because you live in Tennessee, make the choice: fight against the stereotyping by ignoring shows like these or laugh and watch because you know someone just like them.
Downton Abbey
PBS | Sunday 10/9c
With a war, upcoming marriage, pregnancy and coming off Golden Globe nominations and a win, “Downton Abbey” has it all. It’s already critically acclaimed and referenced by many. If you’ve been missing out on the inside jokes or want to know what the fuss is all about, it’s never too late to start watching.
1600 Penn
NBC | Thursday 9:30/8:30c
If you enjoy annoying main characters, any character by Jenna Elfman that is not Dharma and/or a laughable president, then “1600 Penn” is for you. Considered a fail by multiple TV reviewers, this new comedy is about the president’s son who causes constant kerfuffles and his cliché family tries way too hard to create laughs. Instead, you’re left with grated nerves and a hankering to watch “West Wing” or “Dharma & Greg.”
Second Generation Wayans
BET | Tuesdays 10:30/9:30c
A new comedy starring Damien Dante Wayans and Craig Wayans has many viewers excited. First, cousins Damien and Craig are the nephews of the extremely funny and talented Wayan brothers. One has to assume the first generation’s genes trickled down to them. The show is based on the Wayans life and how being a Wayan is a perk and a curse. This comedy proves to be fresh, funny, full of talent and worth checking out.
A new year means many things: resolutions, a new semester and new television shows to distract you from the first two. Here are Sidelines’ ten new shows or those coming out of hiatus that you may or may not want to be wasting time on.
Whether you are taking this semester easy and want a new show to fill spare time, or you’re mixing up your priorities, here are Sidelines’ eight shows that you may– or may not– want to be wasting time on.
Portlandia
IFC | Friday 10/9c
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein are back with a third season of "Portlandia" with brand new characters and old favorites. They seem to have kicked their guest starring up a notch and their comedy may have even gotten stranger. If you’re new to the show, just know Fred and Carrie play a multitude of characters in sketches all based in Portland, Ore., known as the “birthplace of hipsters.” It’s a subtly and sometimes laugh out loud comedy that can only be classified as amazingly weird.
The Carrie Diaries
The CW | Monday 8/7c
This new drama inspired by “Sex and the City” and “The Carrie Diaries” series by Candace Bushnell (author of “Sex and the City”) is considered the prequel to Carrie Bradshaw’s Manhattan columnist days. Avid SATC fans will find a lot of holes in the storyline. For example, Carrie says in SATC her dad abandoned her when she was young, but in the show her dad is raising her alone after the passing of her mother. The first episode fell flat, using every moment of no dialogue to plug cheesy ‘80s music, and every moment with dialogue to create a melodramatic show reserved for teens who didn’t know and love our SATC Carrie.
Community
NBC | February 7, 9/8c
“Community” finally has a return date. This quirky sitcom’s return has been threatened, teased and pushed back so many times it’s almost hard to believe it’s coming back. Last season, “Community” went further out of the box than ever. One episode aired as an eight-bit game, while another was in the format of a Ken Burns documentary over a pillow fort war. Now on the brink of cancellation, there’s no telling how intense and strange its comedy will go. If you’ve never seen “Community,” spend a few days marathoning its first three seasons before its return. It will be worth it.
Workaholics
Comedy Central | Wednesday 10/9c
Considered a “slacker comedy,” “Workaholics” isn’t for the faint of heart. The return of its third season included a storyline in which a man was forced to eat boogers out of another man’s nose. If you like slightly raunchy, totally outrageous comedies, then jump in on the fun. If the word “butthurt” offends you, then you might want to find something else to do on Wednesday nights.
Buckwild
MTV | Thursday 10/9c
Considered by many as the “redneck Jersey Shore,” new show “Buckwild” has the potential to be a guilty pleasure, cultural phenomenon or a disgrace. The senator of West Virginia has already slammed the show for misrepresenting the state. It’s been said fans of “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”will probably tune in. Because you live in Tennessee, make the choice: fight against the stereotyping by ignoring shows like these or laugh and watch because you know someone just like them.
Downton Abbey
PBS | Sunday 10/9c
With a war, upcoming marriage, pregnancy and coming off Golden Globe nominations and a win, “Downton Abbey” has it all. It’s already critically acclaimed and referenced by many. If you’ve been missing out on the inside jokes or want to know what the fuss is all about, it’s never too late to start watching.
1600 Penn
NBC | Thursday 9:30/8:30c
If you enjoy annoying main characters, any character by Jenna Elfman that is not Dharma and/or a laughable president, then “1600 Penn” is for you. Considered a fail by multiple TV reviewers, this new comedy is about the president’s son who causes constant kerfuffles and his cliché family tries way too hard to create laughs. Instead, you’re left with grated nerves and a hankering to watch “West Wing” or “Dharma & Greg.”
Second Generation Wayans
BET | Tuesdays 10:30/9:30c
A new comedy starring Damien Dante Wayans and Craig Wayans has many viewers excited. First, cousins Damien and Craig are the nephews of the extremely funny and talented Wayan brothers. One has to assume the first generation’s genes trickled down to them. The show is based on the Wayans life and how being a Wayan is a perk and a curse. This comedy proves to be fresh, funny, full of talent and worth checking out.
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