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Poster for Portlandia

Portlandia

Seen it?

2011 | 8 seasons | 22 min | Comedy

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It won 4 Emmys and it earned strong reviews (71 on Metacritic), though it had a lukewarm 6.9 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Monty Python's Flying Circus, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Provocative satire that goes after everyone.
The pace
8 seasons, but most episodes stand on their own, so you can dip in anywhere (about 22 minutes each).
What might put you off
  • Rated TV-14. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Satirical sketch comedy set and filmed in Portland, Oregon that explores the eccentric misfits who embody the foibles of modern culture.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    71 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.9 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 4 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Music Program, or Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Costumes for a Variety Program or a Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Production Design for Variety, Nonfiction, Reality, or Reality-Competition Programming, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Production Design for a Variety, Nonfiction, Reality, or Reality-Competition Series. Won 2 DGA Awards: Art Directors Guild Awards: Multi-Camera Unscripted Series, Art Directors Guild Awards: Variety or Competition Series/Awards or Event Special. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Comedy/Variety (including talk) series. Won 1 Peabody Award: Peabody Award: Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. Also nominated for 8 more Emmys, 1 Critics' Choice Award and 1 more DGA Award.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Ran for 8 seasons and reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 233K people sought it out in the past year

Season by season

The show overall is a Sunday Safe Bet. Here's how each season stacks up; Season 5 is the high point.

  1. Saturday Special
    Season 12011 · 6 episodes · 7.9 out of 10
    Saturday
  2. Saturday Special
    Season 22012 · 10 episodes · 8.2 out of 10
    Saturday
  3. Saturday Special
    Season 32012 · 11 episodes · 8.1 out of 10
    Saturday
  4. Saturday Special
    Season 42014 · 10 episodes · 7.9 out of 10
    Saturday
  5. Friday Night Flick
    Season 52015 · 10 episodes · 8.4 out of 10
    Friday
  6. Weeknight Watch
    Season 62016 · 10 episodes · 6.3 out of 10
    Weeknight
  7. Weeknight Watch
    Season 72017 · 10 episodes · 6.9 out of 10
    Weeknight
  8. Weeknight Watch
    Season 82018 · 10 episodes · 6.4 out of 10
    Weeknight

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Created by Jonathan Krisel, Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein

  • Fred ArmisenVarious Characters
  • Carrie BrownsteinVarious Characters