IFC has given a pair of series orders to new original scripted comedies - Brockmire starring Hank Azaria and Stan Against Evil created by Dana Gould. Both shows will have 8-episode first seasons.
Based on the viral hit from Funny or Die, Brockmire stars Azaria as Brockmire, a beleaguered baseball announced who has a meltdown on-air after he discovers his beloved wife's serial infidelity. The series then picks up a decade later when Brockmire decides to reclaim his career and love life in a small town, calling Minor League Baseball for the Morristown Frackers.
Azaria created the character, with the series being written by Joel Church-Cooper and directed by Tim Kirkby. All three will also executive produce with Mike Farah and Joe Farrell. The series will debut on the cable network in early 2017.
Stan Against Evil is comedic horror series that revolves around a perpetually disgruntled former sheriff of a small New England town who was forced into retirement. Stan has trouble relinquishing his authority to Evie, the tough and beautiful new sheriff in town, but they form an unlikely alliance when both begin to realize things are not quite right. Together, they valiantly fight a plague of unleashed demons that have been haunting the town, which just happens to be built on the site of a massive 17th century witch burning.
Gould created the series and executive produces with Tom Lassally, Frank Scherma and Justin Wilkes. The series will debut in fall 2016.
"Demons and disgrace are at the forefront of IFC's new comedy strategy," said Jennifer Caserta, President, IFC. "And there's no one we'd rather be in bed with - or save small towns with - than Hank and Dana. One of the hallmarks of IFC's success is the exception caliber of creative genius that we get to partner with, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be making these shows."
