Pop-Culturalist.com

What happens when you combine the manor politics of Downton Abbey, the vapidity of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and a heaping dose of satire? You get Another Period, Comedy Central’s darkly funny jewel of a show. The brainchild of stars Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome, Another Period applies the confessional format of reality television to a historical setting. It’s now in its sophomore season, and season two so far proves that it’s as zany, over-the-top, and delightful as ever. Why is Another Period worth your time? Read on to find out.

The Bellacourts are ridiculous. 

Like Downton Abbey, Another Period focuses on the upstairs and downstairs worlds of a grand house. But Another Period trades in Downton Abbey‘s refinement for good old fashioned American roughness: set in Newport, Rhode Island– the summer playground of America’s elite at the turn of the twentieth century– the show focuses on the Bellacourt family in their seaside mansion, where all of the family crazy unfolds. At the center of the show are the Bellacourt children. Eldest daughter Lillian seems like she’d be at home on Real Housewives of Newport, as she plots and schemes her way to social prominence. With her fabulously dim-witted (but also slightly psychotic) sister Beatrice, Lillian searches for fame however she can. Beatrice, in turn, is hopelessly in love with her twin brother Frederick. Lastly, there’s Hortense, who is more often than not the straight woman against the madness of her family– she’s passionate about social issues, like women’s suffrage.

It skewers the past.

Lillian and Beatrice are, according to the show, the “original ballers” living at the “turnt of the century.” That playfulness with history shines throughout the show. Another Period relishes roasting the over-the-top mindset of the .0000000001% that ruled (rules?) America, and it mercilessly skewers the romanticism that we have for the turn of the twentieth century, the same romanticism that has made shows like Downton Abbey such a hit. But, the turn of the century was more than just corsets and garden parties. Many people had hilariously ridiculous names (really, who’s named “Dodo” anymore?). Many people were racist. Many people were classist. Many people were sexist. Oh, and champagne used to have cocaine in it. #TheMoreYouKnow.

All the cameos. 

Another Period has been blessed with fantastic guest stars. Ben Stiller isn’t just one of the executive producers; he’s also guest starred on one of the episodes in season 1. Jack Black and Aasif Mandvi have also have appeared in episodes. We can’t wait to see who they recruit next!

So what are you waiting for? Tune in to Another Period before season 2 is history.

You can catch new episodes of Another Period on Wednesdays at 10 EST on Comedy Central.

Photo Credits: Comedy Central