Television’s best-kept quirky secret

Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen's and Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein's indie love-child sketch comedy Portlandia premiered its sophomore season on Jan. 6. For the most part, season one flew under the radar of small screen junkies and DVR addicts. However, with its current availability on Netflix, Portlandia is now at the forefront of television super-stardom.

In the fashion of season one, the quirky sketch comedy continues to feature shorts that lovingly satirize the burgeoning counterculture of Portland, Ore. and other like-minded indie culture hubs (I'm talking to you, Austin, Texas). Whether viewers want to admit it or not,  Fred and Carrie's antics hit close to home. To truly "get" Portlandia, it's impossible to not tap into your inner hipster.

Additionally, the show acts as an ironic ode to the 1990s, as seen in season one's sing-a-long, "I Dream of the ‘90s."

Portland's misguided Reggae bass playing Mayor (Kyle MacLachlan) returns in season two in addition to several new guest stars including Jeff Goldblum, Sean Hayes, Tim Robbins, Andy Samberg, Kristen Wiig as well as musicians Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), Johnny Marr (The Smiths) and Annie Clark (St. Vincent).

In comparison, season two appears to have a bigger budget and, so far, a clearer focus on today's sacred indie counterculture.   In just two episodes, Portlandia has featured a Battle Star Galactica marathon, a cameo from a certain Pearl Jam frontman and an Allergy Pride Parade.  Remember kids, "We can pickle that!"

Portlandia airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on IFC.