With much humor derived from some cast members of Saturday Night Live and with approval from Lorne Michaels himself, Portlandia was born. The name Portlandia refers to a sculpture with that title found over the entrance doors of the Portland Building which is situated in downtown Portland on Fifth Avenue. The show has the fast paced comedy touch that SNL is well noted for and cast members Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein help keep it moving along. With Lorne Michaels as executive producer and creative writing from Fred Armisen, Jonathan Krisel, and Carrie Brownstein the show appears to have a bright future. We see how popular restaurants along the famous Hawthorne District in Portland handle irate dinner guests when they leave rather nasty reviews on a website titled Yelp! Another episode finds how badly a one man performance can actually be at the Hollywood Theatre, a local historic building in northeast Portland. If it happens in or around Portland it might end up on the show in some fashion, most likely comedic in tone. Portlandia currently runs on the IFC (Independent Film Channel).

"Barry" is an American dark comedy television series that premiered on HBO in March 2018. The show follows the life of Barry Berkman, a former Marine turned hitman who travels to Los Angeles for a job and ends up becoming involved in the local theater scene. While in LA, Barry discovers a passion for acting and wants to leave his violent past behind, but struggles to do so as he is continually drawn back into the world of crime.

The newest "boy band" to hit the pop music scene is called Big Time Rush and the boys are ready for their chance at fame and fortune. Starring Kendall Schmidt as Kendall Knight, Carlos Pena, Jr. as Carlos Garcia, James Maslow as James Diamond, and Logan Henderson plays Logan Mitchell allows the actors to keep their own first names and a grip on reality. They must move away from the laid back lifestyle they've grown up with in Minnesota and go to the big city, LA. The four boys head to the Palmdale Hotel in Los Angeles, California and enroll in a special actors and performer's only school, the Palmwoods. Boys will be boys and their antics certainly get the attention of their elders including their producer, a hard driving and outrageous man by the name of Gustavo Rocque (played by Stephen Kramer Glickman). A TV series about brotherhood and friendship, Big Time Rush or BTR has a strong following and some great music. Once the season's filming is complete the band goes on a tour to "strut their stuff" before live audiences.

Shot in the fashionable "mockumentary" style, allegedly compiled by a foreign exchange student from Sweden, "Modern Family" shows three branches of the Pritchett family tree: Pater familia Jay Pritchett has married Gloria, a much younger, beautiful, passionate and outspoken Columbian, who brings her somewhat unconventional son, Manny, into the family with her. Jay's daughter Claire has married real estate broker Phil Dunphy, and they have three children--Haley, a boy-crazy, attitude-rich high school diva; Alex"”short for Alexis"”a gifted, insightful, but somewhat awkward tween cello player; and Luke, who is cluelessly stumbling through life and elementary school. Jay's son Mitchell, an attorney, and Cameron, his gay partner, have adopted a VietNamese daughter, Lily; and they are adjusting to partnership and parenthood all at once. Together, the family struggles through the predictable crises of everyday life. Spectacular writing distinguishes the show, and its perfectly chosen ensemble cast looks and feels like families who live just up the street. In 2010, at the middle of its first record-breaking season, "Modern Family" collected six Emmy Awards, including the much-coveted award for Outstanding Comedy Series. "Modern Family" also collected a Writer's Guild Award, a Peabody Award, a Directors' Guild Award, and a Television Critics Award.

"Will & Grace" is an American television sitcom that originally aired from 1998 to 2006. The show follows the lives of two best friends, Will Truman, a gay lawyer, and Grace Adler, a straight interior designer, who live together in New York City. The series also features their eccentric friends, Karen Walker and Jack McFarland.

The fact that some time travel is involved in the show, Being Erica, makes it necessary to employ at least one other actress to play the part of Erica Strange. She is sometimes seen as a twelve year old girl and that would be difficult for actress Erin Karpluk to accomplish. Erica is thirty two, Jewish, and still single. Although well educated she appears to be an underachiever who is in therapy and has been for years. Erica's therapist, Dr. Tom Wexlar (portrayed by Michael Riley) works with her though often irritating her with mixed quotations that don't really help her. Erica's friends include Julianne (played by Reagan Pasternak) editor at the publishing company where Erica is most currently employed. The two eventually form a publishing company as co-owners and partners. Forth grade teacher and best friend, Ethan Wakefield, (played by Tyron Leitso) have been close since college. When he moves next door to Erica they become more than just best friends, resulting in his divorce, and complicating the friendship. Gary Strange (John Boylan) is Erica's father, now a rabbi, but formerly a marijuana using hippie. Mom Barbara (Kathleen Laskey) who adds depth and a serious note to the program when she develops breast cancer.