Season 6 | Episode 8 | “Man Land” | Aired Oct 22, 2014
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'The League' recap: From tragedy comes insanity I’m a fan of blue humor, toilet humor, and gross-out humor. I love it when a TV show that constantly crosses the line finds new, innovative ways to leave that line in the dust. The League, unfortunately, is not breaking any ground lately, but instead rehashing the same lame joke concepts over and over. I’ve mentioned before that The League needs fresh writers to give a new spin on the show’s formula. It’s becoming painfully obvious when the show’s creators, Jeff and Jackie Schaffer, are putting pen to paper.
The main story this week sees the gang going to “Man Land” with Bruce Banger (played by Corbin Bernsen), who is Jenny’s father. Man Land is a piece of land, mostly forest, that Bruce likes to go hunting and camping on. Kevin is determined to prove to his father-in-law that he’s not a “ninny.” Yes, you read that right, a “ninny.” That’s the best phrase they could come up with. Basically, Kevin wants to prove his manhood, after a season-long struggle to do so with his wife.
After a few cookie-cutter Boy Scout jokes, the gang runs into—who else?—Rafi. Our favorite bearded psychopath has been tracking Kevin and apparently eating bear poop, which he lovingly refers to as “second harvest.” Now, Rafi has never been the gentlest of characters, but his insanity has always lent itself to believability and humor. Despite all his antics and curious sexuality, he’s come across as a likable, fun character. Adding the element of poop-eating is just too much. When Bruce goes to drop a deuce in the woods, Rafi asks him to make sure it’s visible so he can eat it. There’s toilet humor, and there’s poor writing. This is the latter.
Once this travesty of a scene ends, Kevin demands they find a place to eat with a Wi-Fi signal so he can set his lineup. A fantasy football reference? On this show? They’re becoming few and far between. The gang finds a local dive bar, where they run into a group of Native Americans. It’s time to play America’s favorite new game, “Let’s Discuss the Washington Redskins Controversy!” Look, South Park already owned this topic. They owned it. The League’s futile attempt at approaching the topic with humor fails miserably. A couple of jokes about Pete’s team name being “The Shitheads,” coupled with Taco calling the Shiva a “Little Indian Girl” trophy, fall completely flat. Don’t tackle a sensitive topic in pop culture unless you have the comedic chops to do it properly. Again, South Park.
(Is the bartender referring to the writers?)
The secondary story is Andre and Russell forming a partnership to buy a wine bar. Doesn’t Russell already work at a wine bar? Was he fired? I can see why Nick Kroll has only appeared in a limited number of episodes this season. He read the scripts and said, “I’m out!” Andre is tentative about the deal with Russell because the former sex addict keeps insulting him on the league’s message boards. After a brief argument with Russell, Andre is distracted by all the Redskins players suddenly available.
Cut back to the gang in the woods, who have just run into the Native Americans a second time. The gang is lost, or there’s no car—I watched it twice and didn’t pick up on why they suddenly had zero transportation. The Native Americans offer to help the gang if they drop all the Redskins players from their lineups. Makes perfect sense to me! (Sigh.) Thanks to this illogical request, Andre picks up good players and gets distracted, and Russell forges his signature on the wine-bar deal. Remind me again how Andre is a successful plastic surgeon who has more free time than a college dropout?
I glossed over Jenny’s maiden name being “Banger,” Rafi threatening to murder a bear with his penis, and Taco waging a war on pennies. It’s frustrating watching a show I’m very much a fan of devolve during this sixth season. I’m sure the Schaffers think they know best because they created the show, but sometimes you have to give the car keys to the kids. Let them drive for a while. I’m hoping the show turns it around and injects some more realistic situations into the remaining episodes. Otherwise, this season of The League wins The Sacko, hands down.
The League airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EST on FXX.
