"Portlandia" Gets Second Season

"Portlandia" Gets Second Season

Television News

By our guest blogger, Nick Hanover

Deadline has confirmation that IFC has renewed Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein's sketch comedy program "Portlandia" for a second season. The show's numbers may not seem like much but with more than a million total viewers during its first three episodes, the bulk of which are in the coveted 18-49 demographic, "Portlandia" is a hit for IFC which lacks much original programming.

"Portlandia" is notable for being entirely shot and produced in Portland, Oregon and most of its sketches revolve around characterizations of that city's citizens and politicians. Backed by SNL mastermind Lorne Michaels, who took on a similar venture when he brought Canada's Kids in the Hall to television, the show has received positive reviews from critics mostly for its highly creative take on Portland and its diversion from the SNL school of sketch.

It's also likely that "Portlandia" is an incredibly cheap show to produce, with its on-location shooting and small cast, since most characters are played by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein themselves. That thriftiness alone may enable the show to continue on for quite a while regardless of ratings.