IFC posts some “hardcore soothing” web-only Portlandia sketches
The fourth season of Portlandia premieres late next month—February 27, to be exact—but for now, IFC is priming the pump with a handful of online-exclusive “Tailgating Prairie Home Companion” sketches. As far as Portlandia subject matter goes, an assembly of fanatical Garrison Keillor aficionados is red meat—organic, locally farmed, grass-fed, antibiotic-free red meat—and the show’s sharp eye for subcultural idiosyncrasies is on display in the first sketch. Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein reminisce about past Companion moments like a surprise appearance by Fresh Air’s Terry Gross (“some people peed their pants”) before everyone hunkers down for a dull report about Brazil’s economy, because that is what’s on NPR 60 percent of the time.