IFC has found its next act on the ice.
The AMC-owned cable net has greenlit scripted comedy Benders, which will join the network's originals lineup later this year. The series, formerly known as Uncle Chubby's, centers on a group of friends who bonded by an irrational obsession for a beer-swilling amateur hockey league. Their skills may be severely limited but their passion is not, as evidenced by the chaos hockey creates in their day-to-day lives.
The niche comedy-centric network has ordered eight half-hour episodes, which will be produced by Apostle's Jim Serpico, Tom Sellitti and Denis Leary. Serpico and Sellitti created and will write the series, with production set to begin this spring. It will join a growing roster that includes staples Portlandia and Maron as well as Comedy Bang! Bang!, The Spoils Before Dying and The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.
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“Benders is exactly the type of fresh, original comedy that complements our existing programming slate. Hockey knowledge not required, these guys are all about their beer and their bros,” IFC president Jennifer Caserta said in a statement announcing the news Tuesday. “We’re also excited to continue our relationship with Apostle, they have been a great creative partner for us on Maron.”
Added Serpico: “We cherish our relationship with IFC, [and] we’re thrilled to be bringing our dysfunctional band of characters to life on their network.”
