Will Ferrell TV Show; IFC Orders Comedy Series from 'Anchorman 2' Actor and Ben Stiller
The Independent Film Channel gave the green light to two comedy series' from actors Will Ferrell and Ben Stiller on Thursday.
Ferrell's project is a scripted series titled The Spoils of Babylon, a television adaptation of a best-selling novel by fictional author Eric Jonrosh, who will be played by the actor. The show will reportedly chronicle the dramatic lives of a family that made a fortune in the oil business. IFC ordered a six half-hour episodes that will air late in the year.
Ferrell was quoted by Variety talking about the new project, noting that it is "a crazy and maybe even a stupid idea."
He added that, "IFC is either really courageous or really stupid which makes them the perfect partner for us."
The series was created by Ferrell and his Funny or Die colleague Adam McKay. The Spoils of Babylon will be produced by Casa de mi Padre director Matt Piedmont and written by Andrew Steele from Saturday Night Live.
Ferrell is set to reprise his role as Ron Burgundy in the upcoming Anchorman: The Legend Continues, which hits theaters Dec. 20, 2013.
IFC also gave the green light to a new sketch show from Stiller and Bob Odenkirk. The cable channel ordered ten half-hour episodes of the new scripted comedy The Birthday Boys. The show will feature the Los Angeles comedy group of the same name as well as Breaking Bad actor Odenkirk, who will executive produce with Stiller.
The Zoolander actor stated that the show features a talented group of people who are the latest voices in comedy.
"The Birthday Boys are too good to just be making viral videos. They are funny enough to fill time between episodes of Portlandia," Stiller said. "I'm thrilled to be working with Bob Odenkirk again on a TV project. We try to do something every 20 years or so."
