Thursday, January 17 will not only mark the day the pilot of the new comedy Legit airs (10:30 on FX, right after the very funny Archer), it will also be remembered as the day Newsreaders began broadcasting (at midnight on Adult Swim).
Newsreaders is a spin-off of Childrens Hospital, which has already given birth to two other spin-offs, both based on fake commercials (NTSF:SD:SUV and Eagleheart). In episodes 2.06, 3.14 and 4.14, (fake) news show Newsreaders documented the (fake) life on the set of Childrens Hospital. This show is about a show within a show, if you will.
And now Newsreaders will have a life on its own, as Rob Corddry, Jonathan Stern, David Wain ganged up with showrunner Jim Margolis (Daily Show) to create/exec produce a full season of this fake news show. Like Childrens Hospital, NTSF:SD:SUV and Eagleheart, each episode will be 11-12 minutes-long.
The show will star Mather Zickel (Delocated, Childrens Hospital) as Louis LaFonda, host of Newsreaders. There will be other recurring actors/actresses, such as :
- Dannah Phirman (WordGirl) as Narge Hemingway.
- Kumail Nanjiani (Franklin & Bash) as Amir Larussa.
- Andrea Savage (Dog Bites Man, Funny or Die Presents) as Valerie Vesser.
- Alison Becker (Parks & Rec, The Newsroom) as Xandra Dent.
- Ray Wise (Twin Peaks, 24) as Skip Remig.
Here's a teaser for this probably good show starting in two weeks :
As you can see in the teaser, guest appearances include Tom Lennon, Dave Foley, Lizzy Caplan, Rachael Harris, Jane Seymour, Brandon Routh, Katie Aselton and Dennis Haysbert. Furthermore, Ed Begley Jr., Garret Dillahunt, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Joey McIntyre and Dan Rather will also be appearing.
If you want to see Newsreaders covering Childrens Hospital, watch episode 3.14 right below :
Newsreaders reminds me of the unfortunately cancelled Onion News Network - without the whole megalomaniac, brain-controlling attitude.
Speaking of ONN, if this show, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret and Comedy Bang Bang are any indication (they are), IFC knows how to do comedy, and this year they will offer us two new comedy series, the first one commencing in 7 weeks.
The new IFC animated series Out There will début on Friday, February 22 after the season 3 finale of Portlandia. Out There's first season will consist of 10 episodes (22 minutes each).
It follows the coming-of-age adventures of Chad, his little brother Jay, and best friend Chris. Living in a small town, the boys run face first into the wall of adolescence, the horrors of puberty, first loves, mortal enemies, local legends, and social ostracism. They experience the wonderment and frustration of that terrifying limbo between childhood and adulthood. Growing up is weird to do… Out There.
Show creator/writer/executive producer Ryan Quincy will voice the main character, Chad Stevens. Quincy previously won 2 Emmys as an animation director on seasons 3-13 of South Park. Tony Gama-Lobo and Rebecca May (King of the Hill) are also exec producing Out There.
The voices we will hear in this animated series are the following :
- Ryan Quincy as "socially awkward" Chad Stevens.
- Kate Micucci (Raising Hope, Bored to Death) as Jay Stevens.
- Justin Roiland (The Sarah Silverman Program.) as Chris Novak.
- Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks, ER) as Sharla, Chad's crush.
- Pamela Adlon (Louie, Californication) as Joanie Novak, Chris' mom.
- Fred Armisen (SNL, Portlandia) as Terry, Chris's mom's "disastrous" boyfriend.
- John DiMaggio (Futurama) as Wayne, Chad's conservative father.
- Megan Mullally (Parks & Rec, Childrens Hospital) as Rose, Chad's conservative mother.
Quincy said : "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".
Here's a teaser : right here.
Another new comedy coming on IFC in Spring/Summer 2013 is Maron (working title) starring said Maron :
Marc Maron has been a comedian for 25 years. He’s had his problems. He was an angry, drunk, self-involved, twice divorced compulsive mess for most of his adult life, but with the popularity of a podcast he does in his garage and a life of sobriety, his life and career are turning around.
Maron explores a fictionalized version of Marc’s life, his relationships, and his career, including his popular WTF podcast, which features conversations Marc conducts with celebrities and fellow comedians. Neurosis intact, Maron is uniquely fascinating, absolutely compelling and brutally funny.
Maron is directed by Luke Matheny (Oscar-winning director of short film God of Love) and executive produced by Marc Maron, Denis Leary, Jim Serpico, Olivia Wingate & Duncan Birmingham.
Given that this is Maron, the show's humour will probably be rather dark... (French, Italian, Spanish & Portuguese speakers will get the joke - okay, there's a 'r' missing, but still).
Sources : THR, Denver Post, IFC and Deadline.
