Funny Or Die To Turn Chris Gethard Into TV Star On Comedy Central

Funny or Die and Comedy Central have a nice little relationship brewing. The comedy website will produce its third series for the cable channel this year thanks to a pilot order for former local-access cable program The Chris Gethard Show.

Gethard is an occasional Funny or Die contributor, but he is best known for his aforementioned talk show, which has aired for more than two years on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Blip, and Gethard’s YouTube channel. Through his pilot order, Gethard will test to see if his experimental, improvisational style can work on TV.

Comedy Central was most likely encouraged to take a chance on The Chris Gethard Show thanks to the success of two recent Funny or Die TV productions. The eight-episode Comedy Central version of Drunk History was recently renewed for a second season. More prominently, the recently-debuted @midnight has been a ratings success; Chris Hardwick’s web-fueled game show was recently picked up for a full season that will feature a whopping 160 episodes.

The Chris Gethard Show seems like less of a safe bet, but it has a diligent cult following that includes Funny or Die. “This is awkward to admit, but Adam and Will have no idea who Chris Gethard is,” said a statement released by the platform. “Just heard a lot of buzz about him. And if there’s one thing Adam and Will do, it’s follow buzz. Have you heard about this whole energy drink thing?”

For those of you whose sarcasm detectors are busted, Funny or Die co-founders Will Ferrell and Adam McKay to know Gethard–he appeared in their short lived Comedy Central sitcom Big Lake. And if Will Ferrell is willing to vouch for Gethard, I’m on board the bandwagon.