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The League - Season 2 Episode 7 - “Ghost Monkey” Originally aired October 28th, 2010 Silly. Just down right silly. In previous reviews, we’ve (I’ve) discussed at length the balance The League strikes between the outrageous and the realistic. Here in an episode aptly titled “Ghost Monkey” all that is thrown out the window (literally) in lieu of one of this show’s most enjoyable and crazy episodes to date.  Again we have several plot lines that all converge. Kevin and Jenny attempt an adult Halloween by bringing alcohol and slutty costumes out Trick or Treating with their daughter. Pete mindfucks Ruxin when he gives him control of his line up for the week. And Taco steals a monkey from the petting zoo, only for it go crazy in response to Andre’s Pandora playlist and get itself thrown out the window. In the end Ruxin is the crazy paranoid one, Jenny has to wear a fat frog costume, and the monkey rapes the frog head. And that’s not even going into Pete’s wicka date, Andre’s “poor girl” or the valiant return of Mr. McGibblets. The Pete and Ruxin plot line probably had the most legs. Kroll proved himself the MVP of this episode and displayed comedic genius in his deterioration. Andre’s “poor girl” move again drew similarities to How I Met Your Mother - as did a lot of this episode. Key laughs came from Kevin’s desire for the brownie costume, the whole car scene (especially Andre’s music), and “Sexy museum curator.” Could have done without Taco’s song - which are beginning to become tedious. It ran just a bit too long.  In general it was nice to see them fully commit to a Halloween episode and go full on fritata.  -Alex (popculturebrain)

The League - Season 2 Episode 7 - “Ghost Monkey”

Originally aired October 28th, 2010

Silly. Just down right silly. In previous reviews, we’ve (I’ve) discussed at length the balance The League strikes between the outrageous and the realistic. Here in an episode aptly titled “Ghost Monkey” all that is thrown out the window (literally) in lieu of one of this show’s most enjoyable and crazy episodes to date. 

Again we have several plot lines that all converge. Kevin and Jenny attempt an adult Halloween by bringing alcohol and slutty costumes out Trick or Treating with their daughter. Pete mindfucks Ruxin when he gives him control of his line up for the week. And Taco steals a monkey from the petting zoo, only for it go crazy in response to Andre’s Pandora playlist and get itself thrown out the window. In the end Ruxin is the crazy paranoid one, Jenny has to wear a fat frog costume, and the monkey rapes the frog head. And that’s not even going into Pete’s wicka date, Andre’s “poor girl” or the valiant return of Mr. McGibblets.

The Pete and Ruxin plot line probably had the most legs. Kroll proved himself the MVP of this episode and displayed comedic genius in his deterioration. Andre’s “poor girl” move again drew similarities to How I Met Your Mother - as did a lot of this episode. Key laughs came from Kevin’s desire for the brownie costume, the whole car scene (especially Andre’s music), and “Sexy museum curator.” Could have done without Taco’s song - which are beginning to become tedious. It ran just a bit too long. 

In general it was nice to see them fully commit to a Halloween episode and go full on fritata. 

-Alex (popculturebrain)

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The League - Season 2 Episode 6 - “The Anniversary Party” Originally aired Thursday Oct 21, 2010. It’s odd that of the two shows I review each week there are so many similarities. Maybe it’s my inclination in TV watching but many, many parallels can be drawn between The League and How I Met Your Mother. Both distill human nature and social happenings into neat invented devices; it would not be a stretch to imagine that the characters of The League have read and abide by the Bro Code. Enter this week’s League and the subplot about Andre being a “Relationship Chameleon.” Wait, where have I seen that before? Oh right, on Monday’s How I Met Your Mother. That’s not to discount its worth though. The League put forth a strong, above average effort - not surprisingly written by two of its strongest cast members, Nick Kroll (Ruxin) and Paul Scheer (Andre). The episode wisely brought the entire cast together into a central location, Taco’s set up anniversay party for Ruxin and wife, but let them explore their own stories weaving freely and expertly between the few, creating a grander master plot that came together in Seinfeldsian proportion. The wedding video being the disastrous catalyst for the whole thing. Episode highlights included anything Kevin and Jenny (Katie Aselton really got to stretch comedically here and Stephen Ranazzisi’s speech and subsequent reveal were delightful), Ruxin’s general frustration, and Andre’s earnest chameleoning (Dr. Huxtable). Lowlights had to be Taco’s vague motivations that were never really explained (in past episodes it’s been acknowledged that he loves Ruxin’s wife, so we don’t really know if here he’s actually trying to mess with Ruxin because of Fantasy, because he wants to please his wife, or because he’s just truly an idiot) and Pete’s actions just reeked of unlikable desperation. Get over it, dude. Despite these though it was probably The League’s best written and structured effort to date. -Alex (popculturebrain)

The League - Season 2 Episode 6 - “The Anniversary Party”

Originally aired Thursday Oct 21, 2010.

It’s odd that of the two shows I review each week there are so many similarities. Maybe it’s my inclination in TV watching but many, many parallels can be drawn between The League and How I Met Your Mother. Both distill human nature and social happenings into neat invented devices; it would not be a stretch to imagine that the characters of The League have read and abide by the Bro Code. Enter this week’s League and the subplot about Andre being a “Relationship Chameleon.” Wait, where have I seen that before? Oh right, on Monday’s How I Met Your Mother.

That’s not to discount its worth though. The League put forth a strong, above average effort - not surprisingly written by two of its strongest cast members, Nick Kroll (Ruxin) and Paul Scheer (Andre). The episode wisely brought the entire cast together into a central location, Taco’s set up anniversay party for Ruxin and wife, but let them explore their own stories weaving freely and expertly between the few, creating a grander master plot that came together in Seinfeldsian proportion. The wedding video being the disastrous catalyst for the whole thing.

Episode highlights included anything Kevin and Jenny (Katie Aselton really got to stretch comedically here and Stephen Ranazzisi’s speech and subsequent reveal were delightful), Ruxin’s general frustration, and Andre’s earnest chameleoning (Dr. Huxtable). Lowlights had to be Taco’s vague motivations that were never really explained (in past episodes it’s been acknowledged that he loves Ruxin’s wife, so we don’t really know if here he’s actually trying to mess with Ruxin because of Fantasy, because he wants to please his wife, or because he’s just truly an idiot) and Pete’s actions just reeked of unlikable desperation. Get over it, dude. Despite these though it was probably The League’s best written and structured effort to date.

-Alex (popculturebrain)

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The League - Season 2 Episode 5 - “The Marathon” Originally aired Oct. 14 2010 The what? The Marathon. The what? The Marathon. Okay, that’s enough. I keep going back to a quote I heard before this season started regarding The League (who it comes from right now is escaping me) but it went like this, “You don’t need to know anything about Fantasy Football to appreciate this show you just have to have friends you hate.” There’s your central conceit right there.  More than before this episode was all about interpersonal relationships and less about broad, surreal gags. Last week I spoke about the balance between the two and how the show is at its best when they’re equal. I didn’t necessarily miss the outrageous, over the top stunts but you could feel the void.  Nevertheless this episode was top notch funny in the way it took the show back to its roots. Might as well call it “Everybody hates Andre” as Paul Scheer’s lovable loser tries to run a marathon (the latest in a pitch perfect series of exercise trends). He’s drinking something called S.P.U.N.K. of which the best flavor is the black one and he’s dressing up in crazy sweat suits that not even Sue Sylvester would dare. Poor Andre always gets shit on, not the least of which comes from Pete.  The episode is packed to the brim with story, giving seemingly every character their own individual through line. Jenny and Kevin ground the episode in reality with their marital/Fantasy conflict. It’s good to see them getting some mileage out of Fantasy story lines. Ruxin is at war with his office notary (Twyla, the Cunotary) who refuses to notarize his work unless he donates to her marathon shadow charity. A little too Larry David if you ask me, but Kroll is seemingly meaner which only adds to the comedy. And finally as an off shoot to that, Taco becomes a notary himself and feels a sense of pride and power because of it. Motivating him to make a hystercial commercial for his services. A strong episode that was overall indicative of what this show is without being too out there.  Stray Highlights: “Awkward Wimbeldon” “Taco brought a homeless person into Kevin’s house.” -Alex (popculturebrain)

The League - Season 2 Episode 5 - “The Marathon”

Originally aired Oct. 14 2010

The what? The Marathon. The what? The Marathon.

Okay, that’s enough. I keep going back to a quote I heard before this season started regarding The League (who it comes from right now is escaping me) but it went like this, “You don’t need to know anything about Fantasy Football to appreciate this show you just have to have friends you hate.” There’s your central conceit right there. 

More than before this episode was all about interpersonal relationships and less about broad, surreal gags. Last week I spoke about the balance between the two and how the show is at its best when they’re equal. I didn’t necessarily miss the outrageous, over the top stunts but you could feel the void. 

Nevertheless this episode was top notch funny in the way it took the show back to its roots. Might as well call it “Everybody hates Andre” as Paul Scheer’s lovable loser tries to run a marathon (the latest in a pitch perfect series of exercise trends). He’s drinking something called S.P.U.N.K. of which the best flavor is the black one and he’s dressing up in crazy sweat suits that not even Sue Sylvester would dare. Poor Andre always gets shit on, not the least of which comes from Pete. 

The episode is packed to the brim with story, giving seemingly every character their own individual through line. Jenny and Kevin ground the episode in reality with their marital/Fantasy conflict. It’s good to see them getting some mileage out of Fantasy story lines. Ruxin is at war with his office notary (Twyla, the Cunotary) who refuses to notarize his work unless he donates to her marathon shadow charity. A little too Larry David if you ask me, but Kroll is seemingly meaner which only adds to the comedy. And finally as an off shoot to that, Taco becomes a notary himself and feels a sense of pride and power because of it. Motivating him to make a hystercial commercial for his services.

A strong episode that was overall indicative of what this show is without being too out there. 

Stray Highlights: “Awkward Wimbeldon” “Taco brought a homeless person into Kevin’s house.”

-Alex (popculturebrain)

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The League - Season 2 Episode 4 - “The Kluneberg” Originally aired October 7th, 2010 At its best The League strikes a tricky balance between the absurd and the real. For a show that’s supposed to be grounded in reality and take place in somewhat of a realistic universe, the experiences the characters go through are increasingly surreal. Sometimes it doesn’t work and falls too much on the side of the fantastic, such as last week’s climax. This week it was almost done to perfection.  The episode followed three loose subplots that all seemed to weave in and out of each other at any given moment. The guys want to kick Raffi out of the league so they stage a fake fight, Kevin and Jenny’s old friend Russel is back in town and happens to be a sex addict (as played by Rob Huebel), and Taco is addicted to a toilet seat made of cocaine. Notice that as we progress through each description, the story lines get more absurd. How could a toilet seat a) be made of cocaine and b) actually get you high by sitting on it? But on the other hand who hasn’t had a “Raffi” in their group and tried desperately to excommunicate them or accidentally insulted a friend. This is the balance of The League.  By the end of the episode all the story lines converge into one grander plot with a good dose of surprises and shocklarity (shocking + hilarity). Raffi smashing Andre’s $25,000 painting was only topped by the reveal of him banging Russel. Though the guys hate Raffi, it’ going to be sad to see him go. Rob Huebel also deserves some kudos for this episode for playing a smarmy but harmless douche, something he’s become quite good at, and proving he’s a world class improviser. The episode was a bit Nick Kroll deficient when you consider his penchant for zingers. That’s not to say they weren’t aplenty: “My brother is Pablo Escabutt.” “And I made hummus.” “Bite eachother’s dicks off!” I could go on. Also, it was wise of them not to force a Taco song into this episode.  Finally, Jenny has been accepted into the league, a good follow through on a story established in the season premiere. And though she may not be a threat for Russel’s sex addiction, she certainly will be come Sunday.  -Alex (popculturebrain)

The League - Season 2 Episode 4 - “The Kluneberg”

Originally aired October 7th, 2010

At its best The League strikes a tricky balance between the absurd and the real. For a show that’s supposed to be grounded in reality and take place in somewhat of a realistic universe, the experiences the characters go through are increasingly surreal. Sometimes it doesn’t work and falls too much on the side of the fantastic, such as last week’s climax. This week it was almost done to perfection. 

The episode followed three loose subplots that all seemed to weave in and out of each other at any given moment. The guys want to kick Raffi out of the league so they stage a fake fight, Kevin and Jenny’s old friend Russel is back in town and happens to be a sex addict (as played by Rob Huebel), and Taco is addicted to a toilet seat made of cocaine. Notice that as we progress through each description, the story lines get more absurd. How could a toilet seat a) be made of cocaine and b) actually get you high by sitting on it? But on the other hand who hasn’t had a “Raffi” in their group and tried desperately to excommunicate them or accidentally insulted a friend. This is the balance of The League. 

By the end of the episode all the story lines converge into one grander plot with a good dose of surprises and shocklarity (shocking + hilarity). Raffi smashing Andre’s $25,000 painting was only topped by the reveal of him banging Russel. Though the guys hate Raffi, it’ going to be sad to see him go. Rob Huebel also deserves some kudos for this episode for playing a smarmy but harmless douche, something he’s become quite good at, and proving he’s a world class improviser.

The episode was a bit Nick Kroll deficient when you consider his penchant for zingers. That’s not to say they weren’t aplenty: “My brother is Pablo Escabutt.” “And I made hummus.” “Bite eachother’s dicks off!” I could go on. Also, it was wise of them not to force a Taco song into this episode. 

Finally, Jenny has been accepted into the league, a good follow through on a story established in the season premiere. And though she may not be a threat for Russel’s sex addiction, she certainly will be come Sunday. 

-Alex (popculturebrain)

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The League - Season 2 Episode 3 - “The White Knuckler” Originally aired Sept 30, 2010 In the world of Fantasy Football not every week is a winning week. (Or if you’re like me, the past three haven’t been winning weeks). Likewise, television can have such erratic behavior. Maybe The League didn’t have its starters in this week, I don’t know, but coming off of two strong showings “The White Knuckler” fell slightly below par.  (Enough sports metaphors for you?) Each subplot had its fair share of jokes but in general they were a bit more cringe inducing than usual. Especially Ruxin’s swindling of a terminal Make-A-Wish kid, in which he coaxes the little boy into inviting one of his long shot fantasy players instead of the kid’s true football idol. It was an unfortunate example of how the show tries to force in the football stuff with highly unlikely and unbelievable scenarios.  Pete and Kevin’s ordeal with the pretty penis was funny but a bit overstated, especially the end. Mark Duplass and Lake Bell’s scene also put a halt in the show, maybe she isn’t adept to the improv style? Similarly Andre’s vast attempts to not be racist is something we’ve seen all too often on TV recently and again came hand over fist. That said, there were some extremely funny runners throughout the episode. Basically, all of Taco from “What are you up there?” “A race car driver” to “Niginta Please”was the joke machine that just kept giving. As was Kevin’s library of Dummies books and Nick Krolls fantastic smash-to-titles line about finding a Hiding Your Lack of Knowledge For Dummies book.  A sub-par episode of The League is still pretty good considering how strong the cast is, so I’m going to let it slide. There’s always next week. -Alex (popculturebrain)

The League - Season 2 Episode 3 - “The White Knuckler”

Originally aired Sept 30, 2010

In the world of Fantasy Football not every week is a winning week. (Or if you’re like me, the past three haven’t been winning weeks). Likewise, television can have such erratic behavior. Maybe The League didn’t have its starters in this week, I don’t know, but coming off of two strong showings “The White Knuckler” fell slightly below par. 

(Enough sports metaphors for you?)

Each subplot had its fair share of jokes but in general they were a bit more cringe inducing than usual. Especially Ruxin’s swindling of a terminal Make-A-Wish kid, in which he coaxes the little boy into inviting one of his long shot fantasy players instead of the kid’s true football idol. It was an unfortunate example of how the show tries to force in the football stuff with highly unlikely and unbelievable scenarios. 

Pete and Kevin’s ordeal with the pretty penis was funny but a bit overstated, especially the end. Mark Duplass and Lake Bell’s scene also put a halt in the show, maybe she isn’t adept to the improv style? Similarly Andre’s vast attempts to not be racist is something we’ve seen all too often on TV recently and again came hand over fist.

That said, there were some extremely funny runners throughout the episode. Basically, all of Taco from “What are you up there?” “A race car driver” to “Niginta Please”was the joke machine that just kept giving. As was Kevin’s library of Dummies books and Nick Krolls fantastic smash-to-titles line about finding a Hiding Your Lack of Knowledge For Dummies book. 

A sub-par episode of The League is still pretty good considering how strong the cast is, so I’m going to let it slide. There’s always next week.

-Alex (popculturebrain)

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The League - Season 2 Episode 2 - “Bro-Lo El Cunado” Originally aired Sept 23rd, 2010 Jason Mantzoukas. Learn that man’s name, because he is a funny motherfucker. On The League, he plays obnoxious brother-in-law Raffi. He’s rude, crude, ignorant, knows nothing about football, and is downright hilarious. Having much to prove after coming on last week and coming off broad and ridiculous, this week he kills it with more one liners than a part with Lindsay. “Crap out the booze.” and “I’m going to put $7 worth of Hoobastank on the jukebox” are just a few.  Elsewhere both Kevin and Ruxin are trying to show their wives an adult good time. Ruxin’s plot line (as pictured above) was way funnier, especially the way it intersected with the Pete, Andre and Rafi. But that’s not to say Kevin and Jenny didn’t bring the goods because they did. Taco seemed to be the only weak link, not having too much to do in this episode besides be a light bother to Kevin.  Aside from the leaning on scatological humor a bit too much, I was more than pleased with the second episode of the season. The relationships between the characters continue to gel and individualize the show.  Oh and remember last week when I hoped things would be roped in and more grounded? That came true (mostly). Isn’t it great when TV shows do exactly what you want?  -Alex (popculturebrain)

The League - Season 2 Episode 2 - “Bro-Lo El Cunado”

Originally aired Sept 23rd, 2010

Jason Mantzoukas. Learn that man’s name, because he is a funny motherfucker. On The League, he plays obnoxious brother-in-law Raffi. He’s rude, crude, ignorant, knows nothing about football, and is downright hilarious. Having much to prove after coming on last week and coming off broad and ridiculous, this week he kills it with more one liners than a part with Lindsay. “Crap out the booze.” and “I’m going to put $7 worth of Hoobastank on the jukebox” are just a few. 

Elsewhere both Kevin and Ruxin are trying to show their wives an adult good time. Ruxin’s plot line (as pictured above) was way funnier, especially the way it intersected with the Pete, Andre and Rafi. But that’s not to say Kevin and Jenny didn’t bring the goods because they did. Taco seemed to be the only weak link, not having too much to do in this episode besides be a light bother to Kevin. 

Aside from the leaning on scatological humor a bit too much, I was more than pleased with the second episode of the season. The relationships between the characters continue to gel and individualize the show.  Oh and remember last week when I hoped things would be roped in and more grounded? That came true (mostly). Isn’t it great when TV shows do exactly what you want? 

-Alex (popculturebrain)

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The League - Season 2 Episode 1 - “Vegas Draft” Original air date: 9/16/10 Sometimes it takes the return of a show to make you realize how much you missed it. Certainly is the case with FX’s The League, a semi-improvised, bro comedy that follows the bigger and more outrageous, It’s Always Sunny In Phildaelphia. Mark Duplass, Stephen Rannazzisi, Paul Scheer, Nick Kroll and Jon Lajoie play a group of life long friends who, every fall, obsess over their fantasy football league, and it is their charm, chemistry, and off the cuff improv abilities that make the show such a joy. Storywise the season two premiere is clunky. Far more high concept and surreal than the grounded first season, last night’s episode took the men to Vegas for their anticipated draft. Nuance was thrown out the window for some high stakes gags, that for the most part pay off. I’m talking the race through airport security, Ruxin rosterbating, wise stripper, and drafting in the pool. In a gimmicky move, Ocho Cinco makes a guest appearance …for no apparent reason. There’s also some logistical hurdles to get over as well, such as the act two surprise that one their wives is there, how she got there goes completely unexplained. Thankfully though the show continues to gel in character and chemistry. These guys are incredible improvisers and deliver script quality lines and jokes that are almost too good. Their interactions as a group are wholly believable and natural, they seem like best friends not a group of actors playing best friends. The camaraderie here is the most important thing, and it’s absolutely what the show is doing best. I’m eager for this season to develop past Vegas. Once we move into it hopefully things will get a little more grounded in their reality and not the fantasy land that is Vegas. It’s only week one, there’s still 12 left to go. Now excuse me while I go retool my line up. Stray notes: I still have no idea how to play “the game.” Fav lines: ”Andraped” “Rosterbation” “Shedre” “6 is my lucky number.”  -Alex (popculturebrain)

The League - Season 2 Episode 1 - “Vegas Draft”

Original air date: 9/16/10

Sometimes it takes the return of a show to make you realize how much you missed it. Certainly is the case with FX’s The League, a semi-improvised, bro comedy that follows the bigger and more outrageous, It’s Always Sunny In Phildaelphia. Mark Duplass, Stephen Rannazzisi, Paul Scheer, Nick Kroll and Jon Lajoie play a group of life long friends who, every fall, obsess over their fantasy football league, and it is their charm, chemistry, and off the cuff improv abilities that make the show such a joy.

Storywise the season two premiere is clunky. Far more high concept and surreal than the grounded first season, last night’s episode took the men to Vegas for their anticipated draft. Nuance was thrown out the window for some high stakes gags, that for the most part pay off. I’m talking the race through airport security, Ruxin rosterbating, wise stripper, and drafting in the pool. In a gimmicky move, Ocho Cinco makes a guest appearance …for no apparent reason. There’s also some logistical hurdles to get over as well, such as the act two surprise that one their wives is there, how she got there goes completely unexplained.

Thankfully though the show continues to gel in character and chemistry. These guys are incredible improvisers and deliver script quality lines and jokes that are almost too good. Their interactions as a group are wholly believable and natural, they seem like best friends not a group of actors playing best friends. The camaraderie here is the most important thing, and it’s absolutely what the show is doing best.

I’m eager for this season to develop past Vegas. Once we move into it hopefully things will get a little more grounded in their reality and not the fantasy land that is Vegas. It’s only week one, there’s still 12 left to go. Now excuse me while I go retool my line up.

Stray notes: I still have no idea how to play “the game.” Fav lines: ”Andraped” “Rosterbation” “Shedre” “6 is my lucky number.” 

-Alex (popculturebrain)