What is Portlandia about?

Portlandia is an American sketch comedy television series that premiered on IFC on January 21, 2011. It stars Fred Armisen, best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, and Carrie Brownstein, a musician and actress. Portlandia satirizes the particular ethos of Portland, Oregon, a city known for its eccentricities and bohemian lifestyle, epitomizing the cultural oddities of modern urban life. Throughout its run, Portlandia has featured a variety of characters, all portrayed by Armisen and Brownstein, embodying the archetypical oddballs and hipsters of Portland. The show is characterized by its explorations of social norms, sustainability, organic food, alternative lifestyles, and politics, all depicted in an absurdist manner. Portlandia’s sketches are largely episodic, with some recurring characters and themes, providing commentary on societal trends and behaviors. The creation of the series stemmed from the collaborative work of Armisen and Brownstein on ThunderAnt, an earlier web comedy series. Alongside Armisen and Brownstein, the show was created by Jonathan Krisel, who also contributes as a director for the series. It was produced by Broadway Video Television and IFC Original Productions. A critical success, Portlandia has received numerous accolades, including a Peabody Award. The show concluded with its eighth and final season in March 2018, leaving behind a legacy of whimsical ridicule of contemporary culture.

The first episode of Portlandia aired on January 21, 2011 and the most recent episode to air was on March 22, 2018.