THE LEAGUE: SEASON 2
(not rated)
MOVIE: ****1/2 (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
When I first saw ads for “The League” in its fist season – run amongst the breaks of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” – I wasn’t interested. I’m not a sports fan, so the idea of a fantasy football league show was not something I cared about. Fortunately, I caught some of the second season in broadcast and quickly became hooked.
“The League” has more in common with “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” than anything else sports related because its focus is comedy above all else. Cast with a brilliant assortment of comedians who have no problem being self-deprecating and game for anything, “The League” is easily one of the funniest shows on television. It’s not about sports or football, but about obsession and friendly rivals with not-so-friendly results.
The reason I like the FX programming is that it’s not afraid to let its punches land. It’s not afraid to be controversial or politically incorrect. In this season of “The League,” there’s jokes made about all things sexual, orgasms, making up a dead wife to win a fantasy league, wine made from penises, breastfeeding and flexing the Kegel muscles. Where the first season only offered six episodes, the second season gives us 13 hilarious episodes, half of which are presented in extended format on the Blu-ray and DVD.
Like many shows in their second season, “The League” has a nice assortment of special features, including deleted scenes, a weird in-character bit called “Kluneberg Paint By Numbers,” alternate takes, a gag reel and several video spots featuring Taco that literally need to be seen rather than described.