Watch the first full episode of IFC’s ‘MARON’ for free right now.
(ht Film Thrasher)
IFC has already been a quietly great network. They recently produced The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (in a nice twist of events, it ended at David Cross’ behest, not IFC’s), a show that probably couldn’t exist on any other American network. They picked up The Whitest Kids U’ Know after Fuse put limitations on the show’s content and the guys needed a new home with less censorship. They took a chance on the uneven but funny Onion News Network and even resurrected the oddball Greg the Bunny for a bit. And we can’t forget that IFC swooped in to support what is perhaps the best hip-hopera with infinite chapters: R. Kelly’s Trapped In The Closet. Plus, IFC often airs a handful of favorites like Arrested Development and Freaks and Geeks.
All of these programs are strange little cult hits so it’s no surprise that IFC has yet to really break into the mainstream. It’s a shame because it means shows like Comedy Bang! Bang! mostly go unnoticed. Comedy Bang! Bang! is a podcast-turned-television series that mixes deadpan absurdist humor with a parade of impressive guest stars and music by Reggie Watts—host Scott Aukerman’s philosophy should be taught to all late night hosts: if you’re lucky enough to get a television show, make sure to pack it beginning to end with jokes. I’ll even say it has more laughs a minute than Portlandia, which is IFC’s biggest hit, but gets less than half the attention. Fortunately, IFC was smart enough to pick up Comedy Bang! Bang! for a second season (the first is currently streaming on Netflix, please watch it) whereas BUNK, the somewhat amusing game show that completed the hour-long comedy block, was canceled.
But it’s the shows like Comedy Bang! Bang! and the strangely adorable Out There, an animated comedy about awkward adolescent weirdos, that are paving the way for what IFC should be as a network: a home to eccentric, offbeat comedies where weirdness is the norm. Based on the shows IFC is currently developing, it seems they’re doing it right and are throwing their hat in the ring to compete for Best Network On Television or, at least, Best Network Catering To Internet Comedy Nerds. (I mean, they do have one of the few network-run tumblrs that’s actually fun to follow instead of being reminiscent of your grandmother trying to use a computer.)
A few examples of what to expect:
- Cult Following, a pilot co-written by and co-starring Matt Besser (one of the founders of UCB, so expect some amazing guest stars).
- Two Idiots, created by the always funny Megan Mullally.
- Timms Industrial Piping, a stop-motion soap opera (can we just think about that for a second? A STOP MOTION SOAP OPERA) with voices by everyone from Nick Kroll to Giancarlo Esposito.
- Garfunkel & Oates who are often considered the female version of Flight of the Conchords but who are so, so funny in their own right.
- Stupid Life, based on the memoir by Chris Gethard who, as you all know, currently hosts one of the funniest and definitely most anarchic shows on television.
The full development slate can be found at The Hollywood Reporter.
TV Trailer: IFC’s ‘Maron’ | Laughspin
The 10-episode first season of Maron will feature a massive list of guest stars including Mark Duplass, Dave Foley, Jeff Garlin, Bobcat Goldthwait, Ken Jeong, Andy Kindler, Denis Leary, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott and more
Teaser Trailer for IFC’s ‘Maron,’ Coming to Your TV This Spring | Splitsider)
Out There premieres on IFC on Friday, February 22 at 10:30/9:30c (with a sneak peek January 11 at 10:30/9:30c after a brand new Portlandia)
ifc:
Big news from IFC HQ: Today we announced that Pamela Adlon (Louie, King of the Hill), Fred Armisen (Portlandia, SNL), Linda Cardellini (ER, Freaks and Geeks), John DiMaggio (Futurama, Adventure Time), Kate Micucci (Raising Hope, Bored to Death), Megan Mullally (Children’s Hospital, Party Down) and Justin Roiland (Fish Hooks, Adventure Time) will be voicing the main characters in our brand new half-hour original animated series, Out There, which premieres Friday, February 22 at 10:30/9:30c ET/PT. The show’s creator Ryan Quincy, who is a two-time Emmy-winning animation director and producer of South Park, will voice the main character, Chad Stevens.
Out There chronicles the coming-of-age misadventures of socially awkward Chad (Ryan Quincy), his little brother Jay (Kate Micucci) and his best friend, Chris (Justin Roiland). Living in the small town of Holford, the boys wander its surreal, bleak landscape waiting out their last few years of adolescence. Along the way, viewers meet Chad’s conservative parents, Wayne (John DiMaggio) and Rose (Megan Mullally), as well as Chris’s single mother, Joanie (Pamela Adlon) and her disastrous boyfriend, Terry (Fred Armisen). They also meet the object of Chad’s affection, Sharla (Linda Cardellini). Head over to our gallery of characters to match pictures to voices.
“It was important to have these characters feel real. What I love so much about our cast is they are all amazing actors that can create funny, believable and endearing characters,” said Ryan Quincy.
The series confronts the perils of youth including puberty, first loves and social ostracism, while exploring that terrifying limbo between childhood and adulthood when fragile young personalities form and re-form. Relive the agony and ecstasy of those special times as Chad and Chris try to navigate life… out there.
Out There is created, written by and executive produced by Quincy. Tony Gama-Lobo (King of the Hill) and Rebecca May (King of the Hill) are executive producers. Out There is produced for IFC by 20th Century Fox Television.
Out There premieres on IFC on Friday, February 22 at 10:30/9:30c
Catch a sneak peek of Out There on Friday, January 11 at 10:30/9:30c
‘Winter in Portlandia’ Special to Air on IFC Dec 14th
ifc:
Can’t wait until the new season of Portlandia starts January 4 at 10p? I’ve got great news for you. Tune in Friday December 14 at 10:30pEST for an all new Portlandia special, Winter in Portlandia. We’ve got Peter & Nance, Bryce & Lisa, Toni & Candace, and much more. Get excited!
“Winter in Portlandia” airs on IFC on December 14 at 10:30/9:30c.
’Larry Sanders,’ ‘Ben Stiller’ set for early morning slot.
Maybe they’ll run the canceled-too-soon ‘Bunk’.
Watch: Reggie Makes Music with ‘Tenacious D’ | IFC
In preparation for the season finale of ‘Comedy Bang Bang,’ this Friday on IFC, Reggie and the D play “Kickapoo.” [I’m assuming this is the last “Reggie Makes Music” as well.]
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Here’s the latest installment of Reggie Makes Music, with this week’s guest on Comedy Bang! Bang! Zach Galfianakis
