Advanced Review of The League on FX (Verdict: Scarily Entertaining!)

Watch out for the new FX show The League, which airs Thursdays after It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia @ 10:30 et/pt. The series premieres on October 29th. I HIGHLY recommend this show. The only problem with The League is that it’s not long enough. I’m greedy, I want marathons of this show already.

People love Fantasy Football, I know that much. However, as someone who doesn’t know anything about it, I’m not even sure if I am supposed to capitalize it or not (I went with the safe and respectful route). I relate more with Leslie Bibb’s character (Meegan) who calls it “Faux Football” a la Faux fur. Which, btw, is the only way to wear fur.

The strong ensemble cast of this show includes Mark Duplass (The Puffy Chair), Stephen Rannazzisi (Samantha Who?, Punk’D), Nick Kroll (I Love You, Man), Paul Scheer (30 Rock – the head page who hated Kenneth Parcell), Jon Lajoie (a YouTube Sensation with “Show Me Your Genitals” and “Not Giving a Fuck”), Leslie Bibb (Confessions of a Shopaholic, Popular), and the amazing Katie Aselton (The Office). These comedic forces combine to work this show and make it as addictive to you as your daily gross amounts of caffeine. And I type this as I’m having my fourth Diet Coke of the day.

The League was created by a dream team husband and wife duo: Jeff Schaffer (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) and Jackie Marcus Schaffer (Disturbia). There’s a picture of them that makes them look like they could be in a J-Crew ad, but they clearly have a sickly sense of humor.

I was allowed to preview the pilot for The League, as well as the second episode. I will admit this to you: I watched the pilot episode TWICE. If you like How I Met Your Mother, I bet you’ll love this show. If you like Judd Apatow movies, I bet you’ll love this show. If you can appreciate a motley crew of best friends, I bet you’ll love this show. And considering how much America loved Friends, let’s just go ahead and call this show a hit already. The League is the more mature (mostly male perspective) version of Friends. And it doesn’t wear hand-me-down’s.

Memorable ‘The League’ Quotes:

“God bless Fantasy Football. There are many things a man can do with his time. And this, is better than those things.”

“We made Ellie into our little slave. It’s (having kids) awesome, dude! Trust me.”

“I got a deal with Jenny. I can watch as much porn as I want as long as I can work out to it.”

“I’ve got a great puss.”

“When two guys have had sex with the same girl, they’re eskimo brothers. You have to know what your eskimo family tree is. It’s how you get things done.”