Pound House

Pound House is a delightful and eclectic web series that was produced under the banner of the JASH network between 2013 and 2016. Originating from the creative minds of comedians Doug Lussenhop (aka DJ Douggpound), a renowned editor and writer known for his work on The Eric Andre Show and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job, and comedian Brent Weinbach, this show predominantly features satirical takes on suburban life, counterculture movements, and contemporary social trends, all presented through a distinctive absurdist humor lens.

Pound House primarily revolves around the life of Doug, who plays a fictionalized version of himself, living in an average suburban home. Doug's endearing eccentricity and his unique perspective on everyday suburban experiences forms the backbone of every episode. He is joined by a vibrant cast of characters, each contributing their own comic elements to this quirky spectacle. These include his peculiar friend Brent and a motley crew of their offbeat neighbors and friends, with cameo appearances from numerous familiar faces from the comedy circuit providing an unique draw to the series.

The narrative threads in Pound House do not follow traditional sitcom constructs, and are founded upon vignettes centered around seemingly mundane occurrences, such as swapping bedroom roles with a pet cat, hosting a block party, or engaging in neighborhood bird watching. What makes these narrative arcs compelling is not the events themselves, but the surreal spin that the characters, through their idiosyncratic attitudes and reactions, collectively give to these seemingly commonplace situations.

The comedy in Pound House derives mostly from its absurd contradictions, its avant-garde character performances, the unexpected follies of its characters, and its tongue-in-cheek commentary on modern living. Its humor is strange yet clever, often walking the line between self-deprecating sardonic wit and the outright bizarre. It skilfully incorporates elements of anti-humor and surreal comedy, frequently deploying non sequiturs and unpredictable punchlines to keep the audience guessing.

Throughout the course of this series, music plays an integral role, which is hardly surprising given Doug Lussenhop's musical alter ego, DJ Douggpound. Many episodes seamlessly integrate DJ sets and innovative music video-style elements into the narrative fabric, often to comedic effect, and contributing to the show's inimitable voice.

Visually, Pound House exhibits a low-budget aesthetic, which is used creatively to enhance the distinct vibe of the show. It doesn't shy away from showcasing its indie roots, with the production often featuring hand-held camera work and occasionally esoteric editing techniques, courtesy of Lussenhop’s craftsmanship.

Though packaged as a comedy show, Pound House subtly uses its platform to weave in gentler, nuanced moments of introspection and interpersonal connection. Lussenhop's and Weinbach's lovable knack for turning ordinary scenarios into extraordinary narratives often showcases the underlying humanity of the most absurd characters, enabling viewers to relate to them in the most unexpected ways.

Pound House doesn't shy away from pushing the boundaries of conventional comedy, often challenging the notion of what is considered ‘funny’ and using it to invent its own brand of humor. The result is something altogether different than the traditional sitcom or sketch show. It is as much an improvisational art piece as it is a comedy series, blending the mundane with the bizarre and the comic with the profound, and serves to mirror the pseudo-reality of everyday life.

Pound House is not always geared towards extracting laughs in the normal way; it instead rewards viewers with its inventive storytelling, distinct characters, and a surreal vision of the world that's both refreshingly original and delightfully confounding at times. It’s a comedy series that virtually embraces its eccentricity, and in doing so, it carves out a unique niche for itself on the digital comedy map. For those willing to delve beneath its surface, viewing Pound House is a consistently rewarding and surprising experience.