Comedic Consanguinamory

At sheknows.com, Deirdre Kaye reviews "Another Period," a show on Comedy Central. Here is what is relevant to this blog...

Another Period has already rightfully earned comparisons to Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Downton Abbey. But claiming that the new hit comedy is a mash-up of the two just doesn't do it justice. At the end of the first 30 minutes, one thing is abundantly different about Another Period: It's actually entertaining. I'm not hating. KUWTK and Downton are both enthralling shows. It's easy to get caught up in the people-watching aspect of KUWTK and even easier to get sucked into the drama on Downton. But there's something missing from those two gems that is easily found in Another Period.

My best guess as to what it is? Comedy... and incest.

Actually, the Kardashians have had themes of consanguinamory in their media.

Before the second commercial break, the "scandal" and silliness were underway when Lady Beatrice Bellacourt and Frederick (Jason Ritter) found themselves together in a bedroom. For the first time all day, they were finally "alone." By alone, of course, they meant in a room where each wall was lined with servants. The absurdity continued when Beatrice whimpered about not understanding why they couldn't be together and Frederick reminded her that they were brother and sister. That didn't stop them from throwing down on the bed, though. At least, you know, after Beatrice was undressed for Frederick by her servants and then Frederick's keepers did the same for him. It was a long, awkward process, but Ritter had no problem acting up his arousal as his sister's dress was painstakingly tugged off her lithe frame. The ridiculousness of it all was brilliantly played out by Ritter and Riki Lindhome (Beatrice), which made the whole thing even funnier.

I can understand playing consanguinamory for laughs, but I do look forward to respectful depictions. Respectful depictions can also involve comedy, as in romantic comedies, and there can be much humor in pointing out the emptiness of objections people have to other adults having a consanguinamorous relationship. What's definitely not funny is how people in such relationships are treated.

Round it out with the sisters' husbands (who are cheating on them with each other), their sassy butler (played by Michael Ian Black) and the new girl servant, Chair (Christina Hendricks), and this ensemble cast has the makings of a true winner this season.

Please do comment if you watch any episodes.