
IFC just announced a development slate featuring eight original series – scripted and non-fiction from such auspices as Thom Beers (Ice Road Truckers, Deadliest Catch); Reveille Prods. (The Biggest Loser); Alan Spencer (Sledge Hammer!) and David Wain (Role Models), among others. “This development slate represents our long-term commitment to comedy programming that is sharp, cool and twisted,” said Debbie DeMontreux, IFC’s SVP of original programming. “Originals like these live alongside current series The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, the upcoming Onion News Network and Portlandia in 2011, and acquired series Arrested Development and Freaks and Geek.” Here are descriptions of IFC’s series in development:
“Cartoon Show” An animated comedy which follows a large cast of iconic cartoon characters as they struggle to produce a daily variety television show. Produced by Augenblick Studios (Wonder Showzen). Executive produced, developed, and written by David Wain (Role Models), Ken Marino (Role Models), Jonathan Stern (Children’s Hospital), Aaron Augenblick (Ugly Americans), and Chris Burns (Superjail). Created by Aaron Augenblick and Chris Burns.
“Chosen Guns” A scripted comedy that pays homage to police procedurals, set in the ethnically diverse 90th precinct of Brooklyn, home to a group of loser cops. Produced by Principato-Young Entertainment (Reno 911) and executive produced and written by Brennan Shroff (Southern Belles) and Lonny Ross (30 Rock). Pat Proft (Police Academy, Naked Gun) serves as a consulting producer.
“Greg & Donny” A single camera, scripted comedy about two friends who have known each other their entire lives and who grew up and live in a small town in western Pa. Created, written by and starring Matt Yeager (internet series, The Burg) and Jeff Skowron (The Burg), “Greg & Donny,” which is based on their web series, won IFC’s ‘Out of the Box’ award at the 2010 New York Television Festival. The award is given to the most innovative or genre-expanding pilot in competition.
“Hard ‘N Phirm’s Musical Timehole” From the musical comedy duo Hard ‘N Phirm (Chris Hardwick and Mike Phirman), “Timehole” is an animated comedy series in which our heroes hurtle through time while helping historical figures solve crises through the power of song. Character designs by acclaimed artist Divya Srinivasan.
“Hero House” (working title) This non-fiction project spotlights a group of real-life super heroes from around the country who join forces and endeavor to clean up one city’s troubled streets. Produced by Red Line Films; executive produced by Peter Franchella, Aaron Rothman, and Al Szymanski.
Untitled Rhett & Link/Reveille Project Starring filmmakers and comedy duo Rhett & Link, this non-fiction comedy series follows their travels to small towns across America where they develop and produce commercials for local businesses using local talent. Produced by Reveille. Executive Producers are Rhett McLaughlin, Link Neal, Howard T. Owens, Todd Cohen and Fernando Mills. The producer is Paul Cockerill.
“Whisker Wars” A non-fiction series set in the world of competitive facial hair growing which profiles a group of men from the National Beard and Mustache Championship in Bend, Oregon to the World Competition in Norway. Produced by Original Productions, a FremantleMedia Company; executive produced by Thom Beers and Philip D. Segal, co-executive produced by Jeff Conroy.
Untitled Alan Spencer Project IFC is working with producer Alan Spencer to develop an as yet untitled action series about a psychotic criminal trying to juggle the demands of violence and an active social life. The show will draw on Spencer’s experience creating the classic series Sledge Hammer! as well as his long track record as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after script doctors. The project is a co-production with Canada’s Just For Laughs Muse Comedy Productions, executive produced by Spencer, Michael Prupas and Bruce Hills. Produced by Jesse Prupas and Evi Regev.
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The whole slate is so far out of the box it feels like a desperate hail mary. Good luck with that.
Who wrote those loglines, Paddy Chayefsky?
Sledge Hammer right on. Bring it.
Really, “Really?”?
It’s disingenuous to dismiss an entire slate outright.
Comedy. With a twist-ED. Someone’s got to do it!
Basically, they’re trying the same thing as Adult Swim: shoot low-budget live action comedy with lots of creative freedom. Adult Swim got much praise (and laughs) for Childrens Hospital and Delocated, so I’m OK with the idea of experimentation and avant-garde comedy even if it’s likely that a few of these new shows will stink.
And, as a guy who often uses “Sledge Hammer” as a name on message boards, I’m more than happy that Alan Spencer has a new show.
Agreed about Spencer. “Sledge Hammer” should still be on today.
If IFC wants Original and twisted they should pick up Crime Sweepers and make it a series. Check it out at Crime Sweepers dot com.
So when is it time to change the channel’s initials from IFC to something not bothering to mention “film”? Whenever I look at the listings it seems like series.
I am actually MORE curious about the Alan Spenser project.. last thing I remember seeing him do was the film “Hexed”… which I actually DIG.. and was a huge fan of “Sledge Hammer”.. although.. drawing on the experiences of creating “Sledge Hammer”? Interesting logline and wondering how that will relate to the series.. definitely going to be checking it out.
“Greg & Donny” should do well if the Pittsburgh-ese translates to a larger audience. Skowron and Yeager are quite talented and very funny.
Pat proft is a genius! Looking forward to chosen guns.
I’m REALLY looking forward to the Rhett and Link project. WOO!
Rhett and Link are the funniest and most creative guys on the Internet. Super Phyched that they are making the leap to Television. Ill be watching.
YES!!! Rhett and Link might get a show! I love the I Love Local Commercials series on the web, so this is great!
Absolutely love Rhett and Link! If they have a show, it is going to be awesome without a doubt. GO RHETT AND LINK!!!!!!!!!!
I like this. I was just moaning about how bad food party was and look – a bunch of stuff that sounds promising instead. vast improvement.
Hard n Phirm?LOVE IT! I love Chris Hardwick, have followed everything he has ever done and it’s all brilliant. Saw him with Phirm and they are hilarious AND smart, so I can’t wait for this!
Rhett and link’s show is going to be so awesome!
I can’t wait!
Greg and Donny should do well even outside the Pittsburgh market. Look what happened with Hines Ward on Dancing With The Stars. The STEELER nation is everywhere and supportive of Western PA people.
A series from Alan Spencer, that most sensitive genius, is LONG
overdue – Cheers!