BLOGS
The League is FX's newest sitcom about a bunch of lunatic best friends who say and do stupid things, and being a huge It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fan, I'd have been excited to watch it even if it didn't boast Nick Kroll and Paul Scheer as castmembers. Based on the strength of the network alone, it seemed like it was inherently worth watching, no questions asked. But after watching the pilot, I'd definitely say the show has potential, but I've got some major caveats. But, as with many things "guy-centric" these days, it had this irksome undercurrent of how oppressive women are and how they never let men have any fun. This was most blatantly exemplified by Leslie Bibb's beyond shrewish character, and I guess was meant to be balanced out by Kevin's football-loving wife Jenny, and though she does look like she's going to turn into an awesome character down the line, even she was shown nagging her husband to pay attention to his daughter during her birthday party. She wasn't vilified like Bibb's character was, but the theme of her keeping him from his more pressing interests in favor of being responsible is just something I'm so sick of in shows and movies about guys bro-ing out. Not all women are insufferable bitches, you know? That's all I'm saying.
Alright, end rant. Like I said, the show is mostly very enjoyable, and has that great added bonus of random comics popping up for cameos -- Matt Walsh of the Upright Citizens Brigade and Rob Huebel of Human Giant both made appearances in the pilot, and I'm sure we'll see more familiar people like that down the line, which is fun. And the subject matter of how crazy-competitive people get over fantasy football is certainly a very real phenomenon; I'm surprised there hasn't already been a show entirely about that world. All in all, I think I'll stick with the show through its first season. After all, even Sunny in Philly didn't become truly awesome until the gang got gun fever in episode 105. Let's all be patient with The League -- for now.
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Taco seemed like he was doing a Michael Ian Black impression throughout.
I thought Bibb's character's sexual aggression was a barrier breaker for television sitcoms. I didn't get a one dimensional shrew vibe from her at all.