After taping several episodes in June, Sundance TV is ready to air The Approval Matrix starting Aug. 11, 2014.
The show takes New York Magazine’s print feature of The Approval Matrix, adds a panel of comedians, actors and cultural observers to debate the items you’d see on the weekly matrix, plus interviews with Amy Poehler, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart, sketches and more, all hosted by stand-up comedian Neal Brennan.
“For ten years now, ‘The Approval Matrix’ has been the laboratory for New York Magazine to develop a rigorous mathematical approach to what is highbrow, lowbrow, brilliant and despicable in pop culture—something nobody had ever figured out how to do before,” said New York editor-in-chief Adam Moss. “Now that the algorithm has been perfected, we’re happy that Sundance TV will be able to bring it to their audience.”
Brennan is no stranger to energizing our cultural conversation, most recently as a director for Inside Amy Schumer and previously as co-creator of Chappelle’s Show. And he’s joined in this production by executive producers Rory Albanese (The Daily Show) and Michael Hirschorn (Best Week Ever).
For the first six weeks of the show, Brennan will enjoy panel debates with the following (tip of the cap to New York Magazine’s Vulture for this list of panelists): Hannibal Buress, Whitney Cummings, Willie Geist, Donnell Rawlings, Jim Norton, Judah Friedlander, Jason Biggs, Rob Delaney, Kurt Metzger and Vulture contributor Julie Klausner.
Bonus: Here is this week’s edition of The Approval Matrix, straight from New York, to start your own debates!
Sundance also just released a few super-quick teasers from Brennan to promote the show. Roll ’em!