Another Period

Another Period was an American historical satirical television series, which appeared on Comedy Central from 2015 to 2018. The show, created by comedians Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome, took the format of a period sitcom and focused on the lives of an extremely wealthy, narcissistic and unabashedly hedonistic family, the Bellacourts, living in Newport, Rhode Island during the early 20th century, labeled as America's first family.

The series brilliantly reimagines the dry, high-brow austerity of the early 1900s era to feature issues and tropes that are far from historical. The show's dialogue, behavior, and situations all reflect a distinctly modern and comedic sensibility, with characters driven by their outsized egos, inappropriate desires and devil-may-care attitudes. This contradiction generates a tension that breeds comical absurdity.

The plot primarily centers around two sisters, Lillian and Beatrice Bellacourt, played by Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome respectively, who are utterly spoiled, self-absorbed, and determined to become celebrities at any cost. They are generally oblivious to their many servants, leaving the actual management of their opulent estate to others.

The critical household staff includes the hapless butler Peepers (played by Michael Ian Black), the witty housemaid Chair (played by Christina Hendricks), and an array of other idiosyncratic period characters. The dynamics between the Bellacourts and their many servants provide much of the show’s humor, while also laying bare the ugliness of class distinctions.

The show presents a unique blend of upstairs/downstairs class dynamics similar to "Downton Abbey," childlike antics reminiscent of "Arrested Development," and the over-the-top indulgence of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." It's a historical reality show in a comedic form that spares no gags in calling out wealth, class, gender, and racial inequalities.

In addition to the main plotlines, the show is peppered with historical cameos, ranging from Mark Twain to Teddy Roosevelt, cleverly reimagined in outrageous ways. Their encounters with the Bellacourt family serve to further highlight the anachronistic approach and disrupt traditional historical narratives.

While utilizing opulent sets, extravagant wardrobes and masterfully executed cinematography to create a visually stunning image of the Gilded Age, at its heart, Another Period remained satirical. The show used its historical setting to critique our current culture's obsession with wealth and fame. It challenged viewers to reflect on modern day excesses and celebrity worship in the face of real societal issues such as poverty, racism and sexism.

On-screen, Leggero and Lindhome share a hilarious dynamic, making the spoiled, infantile antics of the Bellacourt sisters a fun romp. Transporting twentieth-century characters into early 1900s settings creates a kind of friction that makes the comedy even more engaging.

Across its three seasons, Another Period remained unapologetically raw and offbeat, creating a unique blend of period-drama aesthetic with modern-minded satire. It managed to provide both belly laughs and biting commentary on societal ills, all the while engaging viewers with its fun plots, vibrant characters and outrageous storylines.

With a formidable ensemble cast, beautiful setting, and a snappy script, the series offered a truly unique comedic experience. Another Period is recommended for viewers who enjoy irreverent humor and are looking for something distinctively different from the standard sitcom. The show was a testimony to the creative minds of its creators, Leggero and Lindhome, who dared to disrupt the conventional norms of the comedic television genre.