IFC Announces Huge Slate of New Shows in Development

 

Trying to capitalize on the momentum created by popular new series like Brockmire and Stan Against Evil, IFC announced today a large slate of new shows that they have in development for 2018. Among the 11 (!) new shows that IFC is considering greenlighting are a few new digital series, a few episodic script orders and projects to be developed in partnership with popular comedy platform Funny or Die. While not all of the series can be picked up, IFC has adapted a “script to series” development system in recent years that will allow a showrunner with a solid script to get their project straight onto the network, bypassing the pilot phase, that is if the higher-ups at IFC like it. There are a few promising new shows in the lot who may just earn themselves those spots.

Without further ado, here are the new series that IFC is eyeballing for 2018:

 

NGO: Executive produced by Oliver Platt (Huff, Chicago Med), Collin Friesen (Sorry For Your Loss) and John Lyons (Boogie Nights, Austin Powers), this series tells the story of Mike, a self-styled autocrat who runs a charity in West Africa using piles of money and a rocket launcher. His time playing the overpowered leader of a non-governmental organization is interrupted when his son (and the charity’s lawyer) Norman arrives to tell him that the fun is over.

 

How To Rig An Election: Based on the book of the same name by former political consultant Allen Raymond, this satirical show follows a recently-paroled campaign manager who exposes the ridiculousness of the electoral process while trying to climb back to his previous seat of power. Written and executive produced by The Late Show with David Letterman’s Tom Ruprecht.

 

Sherman’s Showcase: A sketch show inspired by Soul Train, the show will feature sketches that are supposedly pulled from a well-known (and fictional) variety TV show called Sherman’s Showcase that ran for over 40 years. Written, EPed by and starring Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle (GLOW, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon).

 

Elna: This semi auto-biographical series tells the story of Elna Baker, a 27-year-old Mormon virgin living in NYC who travels down the rabbit hole of her darker side while trying to discover herself. Written, EPed by and starring Elna Baker and EPed by Eric Gilliland (Roseanne).

 

Greener Grass: The small town of Greener Grass claims to be the perfect town, whose slogan is “Nothing bad ever happens here.” Of course, that’s impossible, as the town’s dark secrets inevitably begin to ooze out from under the surface. Based on a short film of the same name, this one is starring, written and EPed by UCB alumni Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe.

 

The Last Hotel Detective: Ainsley Steele is a private detective, reminiscent of a Depression-era Raymond Chandler character, who works in-house for the high class Palace Hotel, solving minor mysteries on behalf of the guests and faculty. He’s an old-school guy living in the world of iPhones and takes himself rather seriously. Written and EPed by Gabe Delahaye (Brad Neely’s Harg Nallin’ Sclopio Peepio).

 

Dr. Taco: Six American medical school rejects end up getting a very different kind of education at a small medical clinic in the Mexican mountains of Durango, deep in cartel territory. Written and EPed by Mike Barker, Carlo Hart and Evan Sandman.

 

Bad Beta: A brilliant female scientist gets stuck caring for a billion-dollar research experiment gone wrong: a cyborg (which is apparently a fish?) fitted with AI which unfortunately grants it the personality of a douchey frat guy. Written and EPed by The Simpsons and Malcolm in the Middle’s Jay Kogen.

 

New Hope: A famous, near-senile religious leader’s evangelical Christian school, New Hope University, becomes the subject of a conflict between the leader’s various family members as they fight over who will inherit it from him when he steps down and/or dies. Written and EPed by Boyd Hale (Late Night with David Letterman).

 

Frank and Lamar: Based on the IFC digital Comedy Crib series of the same name, this show tells the story of best friends Frank and Lamar, who both live together and work at the same middle school as teachers. Constantly spending time around one another begins to drive a wedge between them and they must decide if they want to stick it out or go their separate ways.

 

Lee’s Kill List: A cleaning solution saleswoman named Lee decides to act against the bullies and higher-ups who make her work life a living hell. Created, written and directed by Josh Ruben and Vince Peone.

 

Mama Tried:  This animated series tells the story of Liz Callahan, a struggling mother who is not so much trying to be “Supermom” as much as she is simply trying to survive the gig. The show aims to capture the “seamy underbelly” of motherhood, showing all of the ups and downs that come along with the reality of rearing a child. Written by Emily Wilson (Superior Donuts, Cougar Town) and animated by Emily Flake.

Coming to (or already playing on) IFC’s digital Comedy Crib platform are the following:

 

Janice and Jeffrey: Created by and starring comedians Matteo Lane and Mollie Merkel, this series tells the story of closeted couple Janice and Jeffrey. The two met at a Christian gay conversion program and got married a week later in a desperate attempt to believe their own lie. The marriage obviously struggles and the two attempt to save it by solving their intimacy issues in hilarious and convoluted ways. Available now on IFC.com.

 

Commuters: Young couple Harris and Olivia try to adapt to their new life as commuters living the suburban life of early nights and cheaper rent after accepting their age and moving out of the city. Created by Jared Warner, Nick Ciavarella and Tim Dean. Now available on IFC.com.

Neurotica: A dominatrix with OCD struggles to compete with a new MegaDungeon BDSM spot that opens in her small town. Created by and starring Jenny Jaffe, directed and produced by Jetpacks Go! This series will premiere on IFC.com on August 21st.

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Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.
Bill Tressler
Bill Tressler
Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.