KEEPING PORTLAND SANCTIMONIOUS, part 3

there was lots of talk over "portlandia" this past week, most of it in keeping with the humble taste making expressed here last week. at least one person gave the show (or at least carrie brownstein) credit for taking aim one of her community's very sacred cows (not a local food joke). i also identified a personal connection to the bike that fred armisen rides in the "bicycle rights" promo at ifc.com. all in all, however, i'll suffice it to sum up the chatter by recapitulating a bit of conversation from thursday evening at the secret society on russel.

"that reminds me. there's that show. i haven't watched it yet, but..."

"don't." "no?"

"it isn't that funny. i mean, i'm going to watch them all, but."

"fucking janet weiss." (you can use that if you want, carrie.)

of course, now the new york times is weighing in, and well ahead of on time for that publication's starry eyed but late to the table coverage of portland culture -- ten days after everyone watched episode one on hulu and two days (three in print) after its ifc premiere. the times article, titled "can a city this self-serious take a joke?", knows exactly where it stands:

"for years, many residents here have reacted with practiced apathy and amusement toward the national fascination with portland. outsiders and media critics have glowed over everything from its restaurants to its ambitious transit system of streetcars and light rail. yet with "portlandia," the flattery has given way to mockery, however gently executed, of this liberal city’s deliberate differentness."

c'mon new york. do we sense perhaps a bit too much self-satisfaction? there's at least enough to rival our self-seriousness. and yeah, we can take a joke -- if only someone will help us out from under the heavy and clumsy hand of gentle execution to find a good one.

now, if you'll excuse me, i have something european to do. and i'm taking the bus.