"Documentary Now!" - Mockumentary at its Finest

Documentary Now! has begun its second season, and it's as funny as ever. For those who don't know, the show was created by SNL alumni Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, and Seth Myers. Each episode parodies a different famous documentary, or type of documentary. Each episode is framed like the original documentary, using the same camera techniques, and roughly the same type of plot. The show's comedy is not for everyone though. Each episode focuses on more subtle jokes, as opposed to the typical laugh-out-loud moments found in other shows. In fact, it is tough to explain the show's particular brand of comedy without making it seem dull or unfunny. It is the way that the actors pull it off that makes it so enjoyable.

The show still seems so funny to me because its comedy keeps layering upon itself. For example, a recent episode focuses on a small restaurant in Columbia. The restaurant only serves four things, and yet has a 3 Michelin star rating. The comedy in this episode stems from how each ingredient is prepared (throwing rice at a tree to "soften it is one example). Then it is revealed that the owner's son has a terrible fear of chickens (born from a tragic childhood accident), one of the restaurant main ingredients. This process continues throughout the episode. The show takes a simple concept, then complicates it, and continues to add layers throughout the episode, each making the simple concept seem even more comedic.