Two new comedy series executive produced by Ferrell and Stiller are ready to entertain IFC viewers later this year.
- Mar 8, 2013
AceShowbiz - The Independent Film Channel (IFC) takes comedy as its precious asset this year as the network has recently agreed to feature two new comedy shows to bring more laughs to viewers' houses. On Thursday, March 8, IFC announced that "The Spoils of Babylon" and "The Birthday Boys" had already been ordered to series to strengthen fan base of IFC comedy shows and even expected to follow the success of two IFC favorite shows, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein's "Portlandia" and Scott Aukerman's "Comedy Bang! Bang!"
"The Spoils of Babylon" is "a television adaptation of a best-selling epic novel by author Eric Jonrosh, that will feature an ensemble cast to be announced later. The blowsy century-spanning saga chronicles the sexy and dramatic lives of a family who made their fortune in the oil business."
Will Ferrell will play Eric Jonrosh and work alongside his longtime writing partner and former "Saturday Night Live" head writer Adam McKay to produce six episodes. On his new project, 45-year-old Ferrell jokingly commented, "This is a crazy and maybe even a stupid idea. IFC is either really courageous or really stupid which makes them the perfect partner for us."
Meanwhile, Ben Stiller, 47, is trusted to produce "The Birthday Boys". Teaming up with "The Ben Stiller Show" writer Bob Odenkirka, the "Night at the Museum" actor will produce the half-hour show, which has gotten 10-episode order. The series will feature a comedy group from the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. The show is described as being "the classic vein of absurd/silly/smart/funny variety shows" like "Monty Python's Flying Circus", and the network said the early episode would address "such issues as eggs, toilet paper and computers."
Stiller expressed his excitement in a press release, saying, " 'The Birthday Boys' are too good to just be making viral videos. They are funny enough to fill time between episodes of 'Portlandia'. I'm thrilled to be working with Bob Odenkirk again on a TV project. We try to do something every 20 years or so." Odenkirk also guaranteed the show would meet the expectation of IFC comedy shows' fans, saying, "The Birthday Boys are a super funny and fresh new comic voice. I will try not to slow them down."
Both new shows will have their debuts later this year.
