Wow. What a miscalculation. The League was paired with It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia because, I suppose, it uses vulgar language and has its male characters jabber at each other in loud voices.
But where the Sunny boys actually bounce jokes off each other, The League takes refuge in the male-bonding code of fantasy-football to take up half of its plot, with the other half devoted to being ostentatiously raunchy.
The five guys who are the stars of this show immerse themselves in competing for an annual fantasy-football trophy. Some of the premiere was devoted to their heckling competition and cheerful scheming. This was kind of funny, even for someone like me, for whom fantasy-football is as foreign as playing Dungeons and Dragons. (As TV critic and fantasy-football fan Alan Sepinwall pointed out in his review, The League would have been better if it had actually bug deeper into the built-in amusing mania that such fans enjoy.)
The characters ranged from studiously fussy to genially stoned. The League was Curb Your Enthusiasm-ish in setting up an elaborate joke about a young boy, a football savant, who’s caught alone with one of the guys, only to have the kid’s father walk in and think our hero is a pedophile. We, of course, know he’s just trying to tap the kid’s knowledge. Ha-ha.
The zonked, out-of-it fellow, named Taco (Jon Lajoie) is harmless enough when he stays within his league of pals, but the scene where he sings a self-composed birthday song to a pal’s daughter was just creepy:
The League was created by Jeff and Jackie Marcus Schaffer, who are married, and I suppose we’re supposed to believe that if a woman helped to birth this thing, it can’t be that obnoxious.
But it was. Guest star Leslie Bibb, playing the wife of the league’s chief organizer (Mark Duplass), was treated by the script as a shrieking bimbo, which I assume wasn’t the way she wanted to appear. And tucked deep into the cast was Paul Scheer, an actually funny person on Human Giant, Best Week Ever, and as a stand-up act. In The League, he’s just another one-dimensional punchline: the rich dork the others taunt.
Did you watch The League? Will you watch it again?
(You can follow me on Twitter.)
Comments (1-30) of 30 Add your comment
I actually really enjoyed this show. Reminded me a lot of the group of guys that I do fantasy football with. But, unfortunately, the show pigeonholes itself into that category of people. I understand why Ken wouldn’t like this type of show, but I am sure there are plenty others like I that completely get the humor. Just not sure there are enough that do.
I liked the show. Found it amusing.
I thought it was awesome!
It was funny. And how do you know how Leslie Bibb wanted to appear? And who cares? She’s an actress that gets paid to do a job. She read the script,if she didn’t like it she wouldn’t have taken the job.
So you don’t know anything about fantasy football? Then here’s a tip. Don’t bother reviewing a show that sets its entire premise on the subject. If you play fantasy football then you will love this show. This guy seems about as credible on this review as he would if he were reviewing an actual NFL game. Real football fans with real senses of humor will love this show.
This show was really funny…Can’t wait for the next episode.
Ps. To the writer dude, if you don’t know Fantasy Football, you won’t get it. Do us all a favor and stay away from it.
why is this idiot who doesnt even like fantasy football even talking about a show that is centered around fantasy football? awesome show, cant wait for more episodes!!!
It was good up until the draft and then it went off the rails.
You never give It’s Always Sunny enough credit. It is funny enough to have a regular write up on here, but no. Why?
I don’t know what’s more annoying. Ken, all of a sudden acting like EW has any faith or interest in Sunny, or the idiots posting whining about his lack of knowledge about fantasy football.
You guys really think FX is marketing this solely to deskblobs obsessed with Fantasy Football – AKA “Dungeon and Dragons for meatheads”?
That’s just the premise – not the requirement or model for humor. That’s like saying if you don’t own a financially crippled Dive in Philly, you wouldn’t get Sunny and shouldn’t comment on it. You guys need to get more braincells, so you don’t have to keep sharing that same one.
Oh, and the League was pretty funny. Lajoie is all about creepy tunes, Ken – surprised you didn’t do the background check on his stuff. For a first episode – pretty solid.
LMAO!!! Dungeons and Dragons for meatheads. Priceless!!!
I’m in on this show. It rang true to me.
I thought it was funny.
Maybe the show didn’t seem as funny following the GREAT Sunny in Philadelphia episode? I happen to love Nick Kroll, Jon Lajoie and Paul Scheer, but was greatly disappointed in this premiere episode. EW add a recap for It’s Always Sunny!
i loved it… finally a show were the guys aren’t all wussy and treat each other like they do in real life. And the FF stuff cracked me up, esp the Keyshawn “pick”. =)
It had it’s funny moments. But the envelope-pushing was so over-the-top it was annoying. Like how shocking that Taco’s song was going to be about sex – wow, would never have seen THAT one coming. Always Sunny uses it’s vulgarity in ways that actually is secondary to the story – not the forefront. Probably won’t watch The League again.
I wasn’t planning on watching but did. Overall it was funny.
It was good. Sorry you didn’t get it.
it was alright. I’ll keep watching. Wasn’t too turned off by the raunch, but I did think the “pube smoking” was unfunny and unneeded. The sex scene was hilarious. I wonder how they can keep up with original material though. Reminds me of the “Cavemen” show. Was a bit funny (I know, I was in the minority that actually thougt it was decent), but you could see them running out of material from the first episode. Always Sunny is funny because you can always picture new things for them to spoof. I can’t wait till they maybe do a Glengarry Glen Ross episode.
I love football but Fantasy football geeks need a life. It’s ruined team loyalties because now people root for “their guys” even if it’s on teams that traditionally rival your own. Terrible show about a lame premise.
That’s not necessarily true. Real fans will usually try not to start players playing against their team. You can start that player but still want your team to win the game.
I’m a chick and I do fantasy football every year. Of course I’m the only girl in my leagues but I loved the show! We don’t take it to the same extreme as these guys but it was still entertaining.
Was I the only one that noticed the World Series was in October in Philly yet people had on shorts and were walking around like it was the middle of spring???
i liked the show. maybe my friends and i are terrible people, but it reminded me a lot of how we all joke around with each other.
Ken you are ridiculous. First off, you admit to know nothing about fantasy football which leaves you out of half the jokes on the show. Secondly, this show has great potential it gives the average guy (not you) room to laugh while your wife can still sit and laugh due to the sex and the city or entourage appeal the five guys give off. I’ll be watching next thursday at 10:30. I recommend you do to or maybe look for another job.
cool story, bro.
The reason there’s never a Sunny column – there’s gotta be room for yet another Jon and Kate update.
I’m a woman, I don’t watch football, and I don’t play fantasy football, but I LOVED THIS SHOW !!! It wasn’t perfect, but I laughed out loud a lot. Yeah, the ‘pubes joint’ thing wasn’t very funny, but the sex scene was HILARIOUS! And I like Jon Lajoie. His songs aren’t rocket science, but they aren’t meant to be. I’m looking forward to the next episode. Ken, I usually agree with your criticisms, but I think you were wound a little too tight on this one. Have a few beers (or whatever) before you watch the second episode.
Hey Ken,
you are old and out of touch. your opinion is irrelevant
Clearly if you’re a guy who’s never played fantasy football, this show is not for you. Maybe One Tree Hill is more your speed, Ken. The League is phenomenal.