The essential episodes of Portlandia
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Portlandia — each pick states its reason.
- 01
A bohemian couple goes to great lengths to make sure that their restaurant order is ethical and humane.
- 02
Fred and Carrie discover that their maid is none other than their favorite singer-songwriter Aimee Mann. They also find that their new gardener is none other than singer songwriter Sara McLaughlin.
- 03
Doug and Claire become a bit obsessed with "Battlestar Galactica" and it begins to take over their lives.
- 04
It's wintertime in Portlandia and Peter and Nance struggle to keep off winter weight by cutting pasta from their diets; Candace's son visits Women and Women First bookstore for the holidays; a couple tries to keep their food cart in business.
- 05
Spyke and Iris join forces with a gang of former MTV stars to take back MTV from the Tweens; a group of frustrated college grads stage a protest on the dance floor; Sandra has a crush on a mysterious man in her meditation class.
- 06
Nina goes to great lengths to throw an extravagant 32nd birthday party for herself. The day-long event is set to include activities ranging from horseback rides to sunrise yoga that will last well into the night. The party turns into a Tapas Dinner.
- 07
Following an environmental scandal, The Mayor steps down from office and moves off the grid; a dolphin discovers that plastic bags have been banned in Portland; musicians compete in a Battle of the Gentle Bands.
- 08
A temp worker hopes to turn her stint as Interim Mayor of Portland into a full-time job with Fred and Carrie's help; a wedding is interrupted; local baristas draft a coffee shop manifesto; Kath and Dave struggle to find a table at a restaurant.
- 09
Peter and Nance practice hosting friends at the soft opening of their bed and breakfast; a magazine features a local furniture maker in their Man Issue; steampunks attend a convention; Fred takes a love interest on a bold third date.
- 10
Peter drives Nance to the emergency room. Spyke gets a car. Ghavin has some questions for a singer whose band is touring through Portland. Fred and Carrie have a garage sale. Dinner party guests are held hostage by a story that won't end. Claire and Doug improve their relationship by treating each other like dogs. Guest starring Annie Clark, Kumail Nanjiani and Kyle MacLachlan.
- 11
Quinn is recruited to be the face of a discount company's rebranding campaign, while Spyke gets caught with unlicensed "The Simpsons" merchandise.
- 12
When Fred awakens with a head of grey hair, he decides it's time to find out just how old he is, while Carrie contemplates a life-altering decision.
- 13
Carrie gets a hunky new beau for whom Fred doesn't care; Melanie and Lars decide on a rug; Drew and Andy consider the question, "What about men?"
- 14
The Weirdos lose their favorite trash can, which takes an unexpected journey throughout the city; Malcolm and Kris visit their pediatrician; Peter and Nance wonder why they've never been hacked; Fred and Carrie just give up
- 15
The Mayor cuts deals all over town to secure the perfect route for the Portland Marathon; Fred and Carrie decide to run to break their addiction to news alerts; Candace's house guest Dolly quickly becomes her new best friend.
Shows like Portlandia
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
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The Big Bang Theory is a comedy about brilliant physicists, Leonard and Sheldon, who are the kind of "beautiful minds" that understand how the universe works. - 03Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of The Simpsons1989–present·FOX
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- 05ComedyThe essential episodes of South Park1997–present·Comedy Central
South Park is an adult comedy animation show centred around 4 children in the small town of south park. - 06Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of American Dad!2005–present·FOXIn American Dad!, Stan Smith leads the all-American family in this animated sitcom filled with wild and crazy extremes.
