Portland, August 30th. Independent Film Channel actors, Fred Armisen (also of SNL fame) and co-creator, Carrie Brownstein, talked with reporters at a special luncheon. Portlandia, the charming comedy series, has been nominated for two Emmy Awards. The nominations include: Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series, Jonathan Krisel, for episode “One Moore Episode” and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Jonathan Krisel, Karey Dornetto, Fred Armisen, and Carrie Brownstein. The 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on September 23rd.
Jonathan Krisel-co-creator, writer and director of the show, also works on SNL directing digital shorts.
Filming for Portlandia takes place entirely in the Rose City and self-described best friends, Armisen and Brownstein, have actively supported Portland non-profits, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls and the In Other Words Feminist Community Center. Cast members live in Portland during the summer, and filming for the third season will continue through September but will be modified to accommodate Armisen’s SNL schedule. He plays President Obama on the show and says he hopes Obama wins in November because, “He’s awesome.” Armisen likes to play the President, “I like doing anything for SNL, ” but also thinks Obama would be best for the country. (The SNL connection has also paid off for Portlandia because the series has snagged popular late night cast members like Andy Samberg and Kristen Wiig.)
According to IFC, “Each episode’s character-based shorts draw viewers into Portlandia, the creators’ dreamy and absurd rendering of Portland.” An assortment of guest stars inhabit the city including: Chloe Sevigny, Jeff Goldblum, Penny Marshall, Heather Graham, and Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Sex & The City). MacLachlan plays Portland’s fictitious mayor.
Kyle MacLachlan with Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, and Jonathan Krisel
Hallie Goldfarb, Sarah Takenage and Marie Moore
The third season of Portlandia will premier on IFC in January.
