Upfront News and Views: IFC Brings the Funny, the Sketchy and the Shirtless

Venueamp160 The downstairs level of Upland located on the corner of Park Ave South and E 26th St amp160Known as a combo restaurantbarmeeting space Upland was also the site of IFCamp8217s 2016 Upfront press lunchamp160 The relatively intimate downstairs room provides a peek into what chefs are dishing up on one side with a podium and monitor in full view of everyoneamp160 Itamp8217s the perfect environment for the press to mingle with executives and talent amp160Grade 4 JacksPresentation amp160Quick overview of current and upcoming original series with a plentiful supply of video clips and star quips No need for IFCamp8217s format to make a course correction observed President Jennifer Caserta amp160Caserta is pictured at top with Seth Meyers and below middle with IFC39s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital Media Blake Callaway Funny or Die CEO Mike Farah IFC39s Senior Vice President of Original Programming Christine Lubrano and Brockmireamp160star Hank Azariaamp160 amp8220Smart comedy is our businessamp8221 she said amp8220and we could all use smart comedy right nowamp8221 amp160Grade 35 JacksNews amp160Shermanamp8217s Showcase a development project announced last year will go to series later in 2018 The series gives a humorous spin on Soul Train and similar programs of the 1970s and 1980s incorporating musical and variety elements amp160Popular scripted dramedy Brockmire received a twoseason extension generating new episodes through 2020 while Emmynominated Documentary Now on hiatus for over a year will be back on the mocumentary trail early 2019 amp160Also IFC will revive Night Flight the 1980s musicpop culture showcase on USA Network in 15minute chunks starting April 20 amp160Grade 35 JacksHosts amp160Caserta was a solid ringmaster splitting that accountability up with Senior Vice President of Original Programming Christine Lubrano and Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital Media Blake Callaway amp160Grade 35 JacksStar Time amp160Stars in their own right at least with the press AMC Networks39 Chief Operating Officer Ed Carroll and President and Chief Executive Officer Josh Sapan were in attendance from start to finish and available for conversations with everyoneamp160 Once the formal presentation began there were entertaining oneliners aplenty from the celebrities in attendanceamp160 They included Documentary Now cocreatorLate Night star Seth Meyers Brockmire star Hank Azaria and The Baroness Von Sketch Show crew amp160amp160Some choice remarks amp8220Itamp8217s so much nicer to have a show on TV than when you donamp8217t have a show on TVamp8221 Meyers amp160amp8220We are back for season three Season three is really speaking to living in these garbage timesamp8221 a Baroness amp160amp8220Itamp8217s opening day in baseball and every team has a shot at the title except the San Diego Padres the New York Mets are the New York Yankees of not being the Yankeesamp8221 amp160Azaria in character as Jim Brockmire amp160Also on hand FODtvamp8217s Funny or Die TVamp8217s The Shirtless Painter off to one corner with an easel busily touching up his latest creation a timely and unique TV Guide cover with a reference to the weekamp8217s big news about the return of Roseanne amp160Grade 4 Jacks amp160Pictured below left to right Josh Sapan Jennifer Caserta and Baronesses Meredith MacNeill Carolyn Taylor Jennifer Whalen and Aurora Browneamp160Cuisine amp160Abundant selection of appetizers and entrees with the entrees served to each table familystyle Best eats marguerite and sausagekale pizza slices cod croquettes and tagliatelle with mushrooms Worst eats Nothingamp160 Grade amp1605 Jacks for the appetizers 45 Jacks for the entrees and desserts including chocolate layer cake and peanut butter cookies amp160Note amp160Cuisine ratings do not figure into the overall Jacks scoreData Insight amp160No data insights were divulged or dissected here amp160Grade No Jacks awardedInnovative Opportunityamp160 The channelamp8217s Thursday night movie will become a weekly Bingo night on April 26 During commercial breaks IFC employees and celebrities will call out Bingo numbers that viewers can mark on cards they get onlineamp160 Prizes will be offered every week to people who get Bingo by the movieamp8217s conclusion amp160From afar as natural a participation vehicle for both IFC affiliates and sponsors amp160Grade amp16035 JacksOverall Grade amp1604 Jacksamp160 A smooth presentation solid comedy tidbits and extensive executivestar time that goes a long way amp160Plus something you donamp8217t see every day amp8230 a shirtless painteramp160 Had this been a presentation for the advertising community it might have earned 35 Jacks but as an event for the press it was close to perfection amp8211 crisp focused breezy and engagingamp160 Perhaps other cable networks will buy a clue and present similar pressonly events throughout UpfrontNewFront season to get their messaging out to the industry and the viewing public all at onceA recap of our Jacks systemamp160 5 Jacks Excellent 4 Jacks Very Good 3 Jacks Good 2 Jacks Fair 1 Jack Poor 0 Jacks Donamp8217t go thereClick the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writersamp160

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Upfront News and Views: IFC Brings the Funny, the Sketchy and the Shirtless

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Simon Applebaum

We Are the Outliers - By Jack Myers

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Upfront News and Views: IFC Brings the Funny, the Sketchy and the Shirtless

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Simon Applebaum

We Are the Outliers - By Jack Myers

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