IFC picks Chris Gethard for first member of its Adopt-A-Comic family

How committed is IFC to expanding its comedy brand of “Slightly Off, Always On?”

The cable channel now has an Adopt-A-Comic program!

First new member of the IFC family for 2012? Chris Gethard, one of the stalwart improv comedians and stand-ups from New York City’s Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

“This program is IFC’s way of spotlighting comedians we admire,” said Jennifer Caserta, president and general manager of IFC. “We’re extremely grateful to Chris and his family for allowing us this special opportunity.”

But what does it all mean to join the IFC family under the Adopt-A-Comic program? Well, Gethard will host movie blocks, star in special stunts as well as network promos. He’ll also create original content online and participate along with IFC at festival events in places closer to New York City (BAM) and farther way such as SXSW. That’s not all, though. IFC also will promote Gethard’s existing work — his book, his cable-access show and more — on TV and online, which it already is doing at https://www.ifc.com/adopt-a-comic

Moreover, IFC has ordered a pilot script of an adaptation of Gethard’s book of essarys, A Bad Idea I’m About To Do: True Tales of Seriously Poor Judgment and Stunningly Awkward Adventure.

After the announcement was made on Monday, more than a few of Gethard’s fans had more questions about it all for him on the Reddit message board for The Chris Gethard Show. Especially about whether bringing the cable-access show to a wider cable audience would fufill his comedy “dreams.”

Gethard replied, and included his expanded thoughts about his hopes and wishes for The Chris Gethard Show at the end of the week on his show’s Tumblr page.

In part, Gethard wrote:

I want to get a budget and make this show what I know it can be, and once that happens I want people of all age groups and economic backgrounds and races to see it. I don’t want it to be a niche show for white dudes with glasses like mine and girls who have photo tumblrs about Tina Fey. I really strive to make what we do something that appeals to anyone who feels like an underdog, and I think those people can be any ethnicity, any age, any location in this country. I have a sort of pathological desire to test whether or not I’m right about that – whether or not, if we ever got the money and backing and support from a platform to do this show right, if we could make it something that surprises the shit out of everyone.

You can read his full answer here.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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