I don’t understand how fantasy football works and have no interest in having it explained to me. I can barely follow football as it is. I’m really not much of a sports person in general but this doesn't prevent me from enjoying FX’s comedy The League. The series is funny and fortunately, while football knowledge and/or appreciation is probably a plus, it certainly isn’t required.
Created by Jeff Schaffer and Jackie Marcus Schaffer, The League stars Mark Duplass, Stephen Rannazzisi, Nick Kroll, Paul Scheer, Katie Aselton and Nadine Velazquez. The 30-minute comedy follows a group of friends who have known each other for years and remain friends through their fantasy football league.
You would think that a series about a fantasy football league would require some knowledge of fantasy football or even football in general. I have neither and I love this show. I feel like that needs to be said because I think a lot of non-sports-fans out there might assume this isn't a show they could get behind, and that really wouldn't be a fair assumption. For me, the reason to watch is less about draft picks and the obsession with building the perfect team and more about seeing how these grown adults try to prioritize their obsession with the league as high as possible while also maintaining some semblance of normal personal and professional lives.
When the second season premieres, the gang heads to Vegas, which is the location they’ve chosen to do the draft. While Jenny wants to be in the League, Sofia’s weirdo-beardo-brother Rafi also wants a shot at the title and the group must decide who to let in. “Vegas Draft” includes a guest appearance by Chad Ochocinco, which I’m sure will please his fans. The guest-appearance is more than a bit gimmicky, but if it’ll help get the series more attention, I’m all for it. Beyond that, some of the best moments in the Season 2 premiere include the competition to determine who gets first pick, and a trip to the strip club, which actually ends up affecting the draft in a surprising and funny way.
The second episode of the season brings the group back home as Kevin and Jenny try to have an adult weekend and Ruxin does his duty to please his wife, Sofia. Meanwhile, the League attempts to get used to their newest member.
What I love most about The League is that it emphasizes what a lot of us feel as adults. We might be expected to have jobs, pay the bills and do grown-up things but underneath it all, we still love the things we love. The League’s characters are all actually pretty good at being successful as adults and professionals for the most part, but its clear that their passion in building a winning team is as important to them now as it ever was. And the challenge of making time for The League is as much a part of the game as choosing the right players.
If you still feel passionate about anything you did when you were younger, you should be able to relate to this show and appreciate the humor in it. For people who haven’t seen The League, I definitely recommend checking it out as it’s among the funniest shows on TV. For returning viewers, if you enjoyed Season 1, you definitely have something to look forward to when the gang gets back together for an all new season of ferocious competition and ridiculous antics.
The League premieres Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 10:30 p.m. ET on FX.
CLICK HERE to view the 2010 Fall TV Premiere Schedule.
