IFC has renewed "The Onion News Network" for a second season, green-lit four new series, and announced it is developing two other shows.
The first of the four green-lit shows, "Bullet in the Face," will premiere in 2012 and follow the hijinks of "a psychotic criminal turned cop after a jewelry heist goes terribly wrong." The scripted series is created, written and produced by Alan Spencer, known for "Sledge Hammer!" and "Hexed."
"Commercial Kings," due to premiere on June 24 at 10 p.m., is described as a "docu-comedy" starring Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, of the Web site I Love Local Commercials. The series will follow the duo as they travel across the country, creating ads for off-beat local businesses.
"Young, Broke & Beautiful," premiering at 10:30 on June 24, also has a travel angle, as writer/blogger Stuart Schuffman explores the county in search of "the hidden, cheap and carefully guarded secrets that aren’t in any guidebook."
"Whisker Wars," premiering on August 5 at 10 p.m., is another "docu-comedy," this time about a group of men who compete on the competitive facial-hair circuit. The series' personalities will include Jack Passion, author of "Facial Hair Handbook."
In addition, IFC is developing a thus-untitled variety project by "Mr. Show" and Comedy Death Ray's Scott Aukerman, which will be based on the CDR's podcast and cater to "alt comedy fans.
Also in development is "Pointless," a satire of classic game shows that features a rotating panel of three comedians and will be hosted by Kurt Braunohler, of Sirius XM's "High Five! with Kurt and Kristen."