Photo via Gage Skidmore
Although most often associated with her character, April, from NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Aubrey Plaza is a cool, quirky character all her own. As the reigning queen of the comedic deadpan, Plaza is a fresh face, quickly moving from the indie scene to mainstream superstardom.
But really, let’s talk about April Ludgate for a minute. Plaza plays the odd, dark, and even scary young government employee to perfection, mixing copious amounts of sarcasm with the occasional sentimental moment. Plaza’s real life and personality even plays into April’s character, interests, and family history. In the early years of Parks and Rec, April established the source of her personality. “My mom’s Puerto Rican. That’s why I’m so lively and colorful,” she said in a lifeless monotone, her dark eyes looking straight at the camera. And while in real life, it’s Plaza’s dad who is Puerto Rican, (her mother is Irish and English), there’s no doubt that Plaza is similar to April in more ways than one.
Working that deadpan glare that can bring even the toughest of critics to giggle fits has made Plaza a valuable comedic commodity in the business beyond Parks and Rec. Guest stints on Portlandia and 30 Rock and roles in such quirky classics as Damsels in Distress and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World have brought Plaza wide acclaim both professionally and personally as viewers have seen her own hilariously twisted personality. From interviews where she discusses her desire to be an old woman, to a slideshow of her funniest GIFs, Plaza has a new vision of comedy to offer to the world.
But despite her humor and sassy personality, Plaza has some serious acting chops as well. As anyone who’s seen the video for Father John Misty’s brilliant Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings can tell you, Plaza is a powerful dramatic actress who brings an intense level of rawness and vulnerability under her sarcastic exterior. With Hollywood at her fingertips and more fans continuing to catch on, this may just be the beginning of the Aubrey Plaza takeover.
Slashing it up with Sleater Kinney.
Photo via Damon Green
That’s right, guys. We’re going indie this week. Carrie Brownstein was already underground royalty for her role as guitarist and singer in the girl rock groups Sleater-Kinney and Wild Flag, but she’s now making her way into mainstream pop culture as the hilarious co-creator, writer, and star of IFC’s hit Portlandia.
The show is a half hour sketch comedy compilation driven by Brownstein and SNL’s Fred Armisen. As the title suggests, Portlandia is a simultaneous parody and celebration of the hipster Northwestern culture. From adventures in a feminist bookstore, to the struggles of vintage clothes shopping, and the necessity of reusable grocery bags, Brownstein and Armisen encapsulate everything that is great—and hilariously mockable—about Portland living.
While there is no doubt that Fred Armisen is hilarious (just see SNL), it is Brownstein that truly grants the show its voice and completely unique vibe of comedy. As the quirky woman who softly chimes in at the perfect time with some of the oddest, funniest comments ever recorded on film, Brownstein is a comic superstar, who deserves to be among the ranks of the TV comedy greats.
Now entering it’s third season, critics, media, and audiences are all catching onto Portlandia’s free-range train. But even with a powerful group of devoted viewers and old and new Carrie fans, Brownstein realizes her brand of humor may not be for everyone.
In the true indie spirit, Brownstein aims to make true art, not popular art. “Even if the show is divisive, that to me is a more interesting kind of art to make than something that people never talk about or think about,” Brownstein said.
Thus as Brownstein and her fans know, Portlandia may get a little weird sometimes and Wild Flag certainly won’t be on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show anytime soon, but that’s kind of the point. As a true indie artist who can conquer any field she wants, Browstein represents the ultimate in all things cool. So put on some of her riff-filled tracks, turn on a little Portlandia, and above all, Put a Bird on It in the true celebration of Carrie Brownstein.
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