After Shows

Podlandia: A-O Rewatch with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein

In the magical world of Portlandia, the dream of the ’90s still lives. Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein revisit their cult-classic TV series, which documented the hipster fad of birds as decor, unique bicycles, and intense mustache care that defined the capital of Oregon for an entire generation. During special visits from the Mayor and other beloved Portlandians, Carrie and Fred recount the struggles, joys, and surprises of each episode.

Latest Episodes:

207: Motorcycle Nov 12, 2026

Show notes

Lens flares, earnestness, and Easter eggs galore! Fred and Carrie revisit Season 2’s “Motorcycle,” to unpack the sketches featuring Peter and Nance’s attempt to recapture their youth, Nina and Lance’s latest relationship hurdle, and a collection of other Portlandia characters caught in their own wonderfully awkward moments.

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206: Catnap Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

Fred and Carrie are back to rewatch “Catnap,” a Season 2 favorite and, in their words, another banger. They dig into the characters who mean well but manage to do some questionable things, share behind the scenes stories about the antagonistic empty store, Fred’s dedication to the bit, question the value of music videos, and plenty more. It’s a look back at what makes this episode such a favorite.

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205: Cops Redesign Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Fred and Carrie are getting closer to locking in their podcast uniforms, just in time for a rewatch of “Cops Redesign”! The Portlandia creators reminisce about Lorne Michaels’ positive influence, appreciate filming in Portland, and reflect on the incredible access they had. They kick things off with the inspiration behind “Dream of the 1890s.” The Mayor (Kyle MacLachlan) returns in the main sketch, and St. Vincent pops up in the cop-uniform fashion show. They also revisit the show’s first animated sketch, featuring three rats, and discuss how “Michelle and Brendan” is a send-up of their own music snobbery, complete with a cameo from Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock. “Do You Know?” and “Bad Art, Good Walls” offer more classic Portlandia absurdity. The episode wraps with Fred and Carrie cruising around in an actual cop car, leaving us with one big question: how on earth did they get away with that?

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204: Grover Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen look back at the Season 2's “Grover.” They begin by reflecting on character inspiration drawn not only from the caverns of their souls but also from friends and people they know. Grover’s “aspirational” parents were modeled after real people in their lives, whose picture was even hanging on the writers’ room wall as they crafted the sketches. They revisit 'Everyone's a DJ', a timeless one since it seems like everyone today really is a DJ. Breaking down Kath and Dave, Carrie explains that her “pone” added to Kath’s rage. Speaking of best friends, Carrie’s dogs, Toby and Cricket, also make an appearance. Fred remembers how they were always around in the writers’ room, on set, and in the Airstream dressing room. Music has always been a huge part of Portlandia, and the DMV hold music bit provided the perfect excuse to make some more. They round out the pod, with Fred sharing the secret to Voodoo Doughnut's success, stories about the Gutterpunks sketch and reflecting on scavenger hunts and the “I’m just a little guy” character, a modern day “short king”.

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203: Cool Wedding Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Season 2 of Portlandia is when everyone was in the pocket, and “Cool Wedding” is a perfect example. Carrie and Fred explore Iris and Spike’s quest for a nonconformist wedding and rejection of tradition. Meanwhile, in real life, Carrie and Fred were building a tradition of their own by checking in with each other before the writers’ room (AKA Blue Sky). Along the way, they discuss how goats made it into the episode, stop sign etiquette, forgotten cars that became the butt of jokes, grocery bag guilt, why hippies could never be punk rock, and the Netflix DVD sketch.

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202: One Moore Episode Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Fred and Carrie agree this is one of their favorite episodes and a great place to start if you’ve never watched Portlandia. They revisit the Allergy Pride Parade, introduce Doug and Claire and discuss the art (and agony) of binge watching Battlestar Galactica. They also reminisce about the Artisan Knot Shop, Jeff Goldblum’s genius, gentrification, the S&M bonfire, and how some truly bad tattoos got Eddie Vedder on the show.

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201: Mixologist Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

It's the beginning of season two and the source of the podcast's title! Fred and Carrie discuss "A-O, River!", Danger Aaron, restaurant frustrations, and more. A-O Rewatch!

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Jonathan Krisel Part 2 Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Director Jonathan Krisel returns for a second conversation with Fred and Carrie. This time, they discuss the period between the end of the first season and the start of the second. Who returned to the show? What upgrades did they receive? And what did they learn from their first season?

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106: Baseball Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Batty Batterson started as an improvised line that became a fully animated character. Carrie finds her groove with the mayor, and Fred fondly recalls the Ace Hotel's early days. The season one finale features some major guests, including Ron Funches, Nick Kroll, and Heather Graham.

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105: Blunderbuss Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Inspired by their years of touring and the unique exuberance and crushing defeat of being a musician at SXSW, Fred and Carrie discuss how Blunderbuss came to life. Carrie discusses her passion for collecting posters, and Fred remembers the video that inspired interpretive canoe. It's one of the most guest-packed episodes in Portlandia history, featuring Selma Blair, Jenny Conlee, Gus Van Sant, James Mercer of The Shins, Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, and Corin Tucker of Carrie's own Sleater-Kinney.

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