Well, this was quite a present to land in my inbox this morning: IFC has announced a set of new comedies, including an Onion News Network original series, a comedy starring Arrested Development’s David Cross and Will Arnett, and an acquisition of a Kids in the Hall reunion series.
All good news, but Cross and Arnett together again? I just blue myself! Excerpts from the release after the jump:
IFC announced today a fresh, eclectic new programming slate, as well as a new look and brand direction, embodied by the tagline, “Always On. Slightly Off.” Unveiling this month, the new brand is an evolution of IFC’s original programming strategy, and reflects the attitude of its 70 percent male audience (Source: MRI Spring 2009).
Against the backdrop of this new brand, IFC is evolving its programming mandate from a focus on indie film to being a home for original and acquired content that bears an “Always On. Slightly Off.” sensibility. Continuing its commitment to original programming, the network has greenlit two new series with an emphasis zon scripted comedy, a genre already thriving on the network with series like “Food Party,” “The Whitest Kids U’ Know,” “Arrested Development” and “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.”
“The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret” stars David Cross and Will Arnett in their first project together since “Arrested Development.” This IFC original series will air in fall 2010. “Onion News Network” is first television series based on the popular alternative weekly fake newspaper and web series, slated to air in first quarter 2011.
In addition, IFC has acquired “Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town,” a “Kids in the Hall” reunion series debuting in August, and “Dead Set,” a satirical zombie horror series that takes place on the set of the U.K.’s “Big Brother” house, premiering in October 2010.
Side note: I had no idea that when I watched IFC—which aired Laura Kightlinger’s excellent The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman—I was watching a 70% male-viewer channel. Is IFC now the classier Spike TV?