Upfronts 2014: IFC Greenlights Two New Series

IFC will continue to mine the comedy category with a slate of new projects featuring such celebrities as Fred Armisen and Seth Myers, the network said prior to its upfront presentation Thursday.

New shows slated for the network include the Myers-produced American Documentary, a half-hour series featuring documentaries and biopics on fictional political figures and influential artists. Comedians Armisen and Bill Hader will have recurring roles in the six-episode series, which will debut in 2015. Other shows include American Storage (working title), a scripted half-hour comedy starring Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital, Human Giant).

IFC will also collaborate with comedy website CollegeHumor to create the Comedy Music Awards, a satire of traditional awards shows incorporating the best of the comedy and music worlds, said network officials.

IFC shows in development include Westside, a half-hour scripted series that follows a group of suburban schnooks who are forced into a life of crime; and The Bank, a half-hour scripted comedy about a dysfunctional family who runs a sperm bank.

The new series will join a list of returning IFC series including an expanded fourth season of Comedy Bang! Bang! and a sophomore season of its original sketch comedy The Birthday Boys.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.