"Comedy Bang! Bang!" gets picked up by IFC

[BillBrasky]

From Adweek:

Cable channel IFC plans to add two new original programs to its prime time slate in 2012, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the programming.

IFC declined to comment on the record about the two shows, but multiple sources said the network has plans to announce them at the Television Critics Association conference in Los Angeles at the end of next week. Sources close to the matter said both shows would occupy a one hour, back-to-back, prime time block in 2012, although the day and time have not been decided yet.

The first program is a new comedy game show tentatively titled "Bunk". It'll be hosted by comedian Kurt Braunohler and is being described by sources close to the program as a cross between the old ABC improv program "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and "Remote Control", the old MTV game show.

Contestants—mostly improv comics from across the country—will compete in absurd contests for prizes such as "dental work" or "their father's love." For example, in the show's pilot, which sources said might or might not air, "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" correspondent Kristen Schaal competes with comedian Kumail Nanjiani in a segment called "Fix This Animal." They're shown a picture of an animal and asked how they would "improve" it (Nanjiani opts to upgrade a squirrel with WiFi).

Sources said the program, which is being produced by Avalon Television, was discovered at the New York Television Festival last year. According to sources close to the program, it will be the first project from that festival to make it to a national TV network.

The second program IFC plans to announce is a comedy talk show called "Comedy Bang! Bang!" based on the podcast of the same name by comedian Scott Aukerman. "Comedy Bang! Bang!", which is being produced by Abso Lutely Productions, is described by network insiders as a highly unrealistic version of a variety show—a mixture of Pee-wee Herman and Dick Cavett that will feature celebrity guests, comedy sketches, animation and music. The show's "bandleader" will be comedian Reggie Watts.

[CarolineEAnd]

You left out the part about AST's own CarolineEAnd being the writers' assistant!

[scamboogah]

I would pat you on the back, but your own hand seems to be in the way.

(JK, congrats)

[randomusername]

You left out the part about AST's own CarolineEAnd being the writers' assistant!

Can I be your assistant?

[fggrhjkhdeu]

Everything written in the last paragraph is great!

(except for 'network insiders')

[beewcar]

So this and Nerdist makes two podcasts turned into TV shows?

[Bucho]

You left out the part about AST's own CarolineEAnd being the writers' assistant!

Live that dream Caroline! LIVE IT LIKE THE WIND!

This is the most stupendous of news.

So this and Nerdist makes two podcasts turned into TV shows?

And Gervais and Merchant's Karl Pilkington things. The Idiot Abroad and the animated thing.

And of course everyone on AST knows MMA Junkie Radio.

[junesongprovider]

This is fucking great. Upon hearing that Comedy Death Ray was going to be on IFC, the intense joy I felt was tempered when I learned it was only interstitials. That joy is now back.

IFC really got awesome in the last year or two. Portlandia, Todd Margaret, and now CBB.

[junesongprovider]

And Reggie Watts is about the best house band possible

[beewcar]

Reggie's going to be on Portlandia this season too!

[aenemaTron]

Cable is now 10% less of a waste of money!

[andrearunge]

And yay for Kurt's "Bunk", too. Yays all around.

[J.B.]

Will Little Gary be green-screened or dorf'ed?

[beewcar]

Ideally Lil' Gary will be animated, because what I picture in my head looks nothing like Tom Lennon.

[RoyalDutchOfDukes]

Ideally Lil' Gary will be animated, because what I picture in my head looks nothing like Tom Lennon.

No way, I want to see Tom making the face that I imagine him making when he does Lil Gary (it's basically the faces he makes as Figgy in the "Science Fiction Laboratory" sketch on The State)