EVEN BLOGGERS GET THE BLUES…

Winter 2011 has sucked.

The “11” has seemed like two middle fingers pointed right at me.

A breakup during the second Ice Age has led me to spending most evenings in my Batcave. (Sure, you’re thinking Fortress of Solitude is more appropriate, right? Better word selection but I’m more Batman than Superman.)

People in New England know how bad it was. I’m just sad I didn’t get to kill a woolly mammoth. (There’s always next year, right?)

But through the grey, there were some bright spots.

Portlandia
I don’t actually get IFC because cable is for millionaire playboys.

If I was a millionaire, I’d buy a jetpack instead getting cable. But Portlandia is the funniest new show of 2011. It’s a short-based comedy created by Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live) and Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney), celebrating/poking fun at the culture of Portland, Oregon. (Yes, this is officially the first time I’ve enjoyed something by Sleater-Kinney or any of its members.) While I’ve never been to Portland, I recognize Portland-type personalities in residents of New Haven, CT where I reside.

Some of the best skits involve an adult hide-and-go-seek league, bookstore, a surly bike messenger and Kyle MacLachlan as the mayor.

Lemmy
How could a documentary about legendary Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister fail? It couldn’t. (I’m going to start replacing “Chuck Norris” with Lemmy in Chuck Norris jokes.) Lemmy tells the tale of his life and how he amazingly keeps recording and touring… even in his 60s. Despite his gruff exterior, Lemmy is really funny and even has a couple of tender moments. And as with any documentary, there’s testimonials from musicians like Dave Grohl, Ozzy Osbourne and others on Lemmy’s influence as the “godfather of heavy metal.” (No words from Kiss though. Why? Because Kiss blows.)

Odd Future
First, Jimmy Fallon. Then, Kanye West tweeted that “Yonkers” was the best video of 2011. Somewhere along the way, NPR had a piece on them. Now, Funny Or Die. Is this the big takeover? Maybe these guys will be bigger than Bieber.