Baroness von Sketch Show is a tried and true sketch show. It's what happens when a few funny people get together to make shit and that shit turns out to be really good. IFC got the hint. It's going to keep Baroness around for a while. Splitsider says the sketch series will be coming back to the network next year. The series -- which stars Meredith MacNeill, Carolyn Taylor, Aurora Browne, and Jennifer Whalen -- debuted on American airwaves this past August following a Canadian premiere last year.
IFC ups its comedy game with 11 (!) new shows for 2018
Okay, IFC. We get it. You like comedy. And you're really flaunting it. Per Splitsider, IFC reported this past weekend that it has 11 different shows slated for the 2017-2018 television season. These are on top of acquiring Canadian hit Baroness Von Sketch Show and Tim Greenberg's Living with Yourself. Keep in mind these are in delveopment. Some deals could fall through or pilots won't play well. Check out the full list of new shows below.
“NGO: Mike is the gin-soaked but charismatic head of a private West African charity that he guides with a fist full of American cash in one hand and a rocket-launcher in the other. International conflicts and “non-governmental organization” philanthropy collide when Mike finds his unquestioned rule under siege as his estranged son Norman, the charity’s lawyer, arrives to tell his dad the party is literally over. Written and executive produced by Collin Friesen (Sorry For Your Loss) and executive produced by Oliver Platt (Golden Globe Nominee) and John Lyons (Boogie Nights, Austin Powers).
How To Rig An Election: As previously announced, IFC is developing the scripted series How To Rig An Election, based on the book of the same name by former political consultant Allen Raymond. How To Rig An Election is a scathing satirical look at the electoral process through the eyes of a recently paroled political campaign manager who is pathologically determined to reclaim his place atop national politics. Written and executive produced by Emmy-nominated writer Tom Ruprecht (Late Show with David Letterman,The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore).
Sherman’s Showcase: A sketch show inspired by the long running cultural icon Soul Train, from writer-performers Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle. The show will travel through time via music and comedy drawn from the forty-year library of a legendary, but fictional, musical variety show called, “Sherman’s Showcase.” Starring, written and executive produced by Emmy & Writers Guild Award winners Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Marlon, GLOW, and Maya and Marty).
Additional scripted projects in development for IFC include:
Elna: A half-hour scripted comedy about what it’s like to be Mormon and lose your faith. Elna Baker, a 27-year-old virgin in NYC, must cross over to the dark side in her search truth, life experience and autonomy. Starring written and executive produced by Elna Baker, and written and executive produced by Eric Gilliland (Roseanne). Executive produced by Left Right Productions (The Circus, Odd Mom Out).
Greener Grass: Based on a short film of the same name, the small town of Greener Grass is a living Norman Rockwell painting whose welcome sign boasts “Nothing bad ever happens here.” However, beneath the town’s gilded facade lies a world of bad things happening. Starring, written and executive produced by Upright Citizens Brigade alums Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe.
The Last Hotel Detective: Ainsley Steele is an in-house private detective employed by the historic and luxurious Palace Hotel to solve guests’ minor crimes and delicate mysteries. He is a character out of a Raymond Chandler novel living in a digital world and the last of his kind. Written and executive produced by Gabe Delahaye (Brad Neely’s Harg Nallin’ Sclopio Peepio).
Dr. Taco: Based on the non-fiction book by the same name. Six American misfits, unable to get into medical school in the U.S., instead find themselves getting a very hands-on education in a small medical clinic in Mexico, deep in the cartel-controlled mountains of Durango. Written and executive produced by Mike Barker (Family Guy, American Dad) Carlo Hart, Evan Sandman, and Keshet Studios.
Bad Beta: A brilliant female scientist, with relationship issues, is forced to care for the botched version of a billion-dollar artificial intelligence cyborg she created that unfortunately has the personality of a frat-jerk/party guy. Written and executive produced by Emmy-winning comedy writer Jay Kogen (The Simpsons, Frasier, Malcom in the Middle).
New Hope: New Hope University is a well-known evangelical Christian college in the Midwest run by a world famous but aging and increasingly senile religious leader where a power struggle is afoot between jealous family members for control of the church and school. Written and executive produced by Emmy-nominated writer Boyd Hale (Late Night with David Letterman).
Frank and Lamar: Based on the IFC Comedy Crib series, Frank and Lamar are two best friends who live together and work together as middle school teachers in New York City. Workplace drama and romance issues cause havoc in their otherwise smooth friendship so they are forced to decide whether to stick together or go it alone. Created by and starring Carl Foreman Jr. and Anthony Gaskins.
Lee’s Kill List: Trapped in an oppressive work environment, Lee takes matters into her own hands by killing the bullies and bosses that threaten her job as a cleaning solution salesperson. Created, written and directed by Josh Ruben and Vince Peone.
Mama Tried: A show about the seamy underbelly of new motherhood, Mama Tried follows the struggles (and occasional triumphs) of Liz Callahan who’s finding that she could care less about being a “super-mom”- she just wants to survive. Mama Tried weaves Emily Flake’s darkly funny animation to help bring to life all of motherhood’s graphic, and sometimes gruesome, realness. Written by Emily Wilson (Cougar Town, Superior Donuts) and animated by and based on the graphic novel by Emily Flake, executive produced by Jax Media (Full Frontal, Broad City, Search Party).
Comedy Crib digital series:
Janice and Jeffrey: Out comedians (and series creators) Matteo Lane and Mollie Merkel play a closeted (and delusional) couple named Janice and Jeffrey. They met at a Christian recovery program for converting gays into heterosexuals and got married the same week. When their marriage hits a rough patch, Janice and Jeffrey go to extreme (and hilarious) lengths to solve their intimacy issues. Created by Matteo Lane and Mollie Merkel. Produced by Mustache. Available now on IFC.com.
Commuters: Commuters follows Harris and Olivia as they move across the river to the suburbs for cheaper rent, earlier nights, and all the joys that come with no longer trying to be a young hip player in the city that never sleeps. Created by Jared Warner, Nick Ciavarella and Tim Dean. Directed by Adam Wirtz and produced by Post Everything Productions. Available now on IFC.com.
Neurotica: A Dominatrix struggles with her OCD and fights to maintain her business when a fancy new MegaDungeon opens in her small town. Created by and starring Jenny Jaffe and produced and directed by Jetpacks Go!. Premiering August 21 on IFC.com.”
"Stan Against Evil" season 2 is almost here
IFC's horror comedy Stan Against Evil was a welcome surprise last television season. The John C. McGinley starrer was as funny as it was dark and perverse. This new season looks to match that attitude.
Here's the synopsis: "Season 2 picks up again in Willard’s Mill, the small New England town where the perpetually disgruntled former sheriff Stan Miller (John C. McGinley) must begrudgingly get off his couch to solve the mystery of Sheriff Barret (Janet Varney)’s time-travelling disappearance. Through thick and thin, the unlikely team continues to battle against the unleashing of wicked demons trying to take over their town, which happens to be built on the site of a massive 17th century witch burning."
A back to back premiere will air on IFC starting Wednesday, November 1st at 10 PM.
IFC is going to air one of Canada's best comedies with an all female cast
IFC is going across the border to find a new show to syndicate. The network announced today via pres release that it has acquired Canadian sketch series Baroness von Sketch Show. The critically acclaimed and completely absurd comedy features Meredith MacNeill, Carolyn Taylor, Aurora Browne and Jennifer Whalen in skits that skewer everday life.
The show features the all female cast "[drawing] upon 15 years of comedy experience and multiple collaborations to present an insightful, emotionally grounded series that captures the banalities and humor that comes from just trying to get along in the world."
IFC will being airing Baroness von Sketch Show's combined 13 episode first and second seaosns sometime this summer. Check out a clip form the show below.
IFC wants more "Brockmire" before its initial showing of "Brockmire"
IFC is really hedging its bets with its new shows. After canceling Comedy Bang! Bang! and with Portlandia ending soon, it's going to need to stick with the shows that aren't so old. That's why the network has already asked for a second season of Brockmire starring Hank Azaria -- hours before its first showing.
The show, starring Azaria as the titular character -- a disgraced baseball announcer, comes from the Funny or Die short of the same name. Deadline suggests the renewal follows a strong digital premiere after the network released it online. 2.3 million views have been accrued through IFC.com, VOD, social platforms and FunnyOrDie.com. Brockmire airs tonight on IFC at 10 PM.