The Backstage Beat is glad that one of our must see shows is back on tonight. IFC’s Portlandia!

This Friday, January 6th at 10pm ET/PT, IFC is launching the live, dual-screen experience, IFC Sync, in conjunction with the second season premiere of IFC’s hit comedy series, Portlandia. Portlandia  creators, writers and stars Fred Armisen (SNL) and Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag) will be online with users sharing their experiences and stories from the show and answering questions, throughout its debut this Friday.

IFC Sync is an online interactive companion that engages users in a conversation around what’s airing on the network in real time, and allows users to chat with show personalities, view video clips, answer show-specific trivia questions, and earn points to win real and virtual prizes. IFC Syncwill be enabled during each of Portlandia’s ten premiere episodes, with future conversations hosted by an IFC moderator.

Last Season we spoke with Fred Armisen, have a listen as he talks about the making of Portlandia:

[audio: TBBFredArmisen.mp3]

Also Carrie Brownstein spoke with us about her musical past and her love for Portland, listen here:

[audio:CarrieBrownstein.mp3]

Some previews of the episodes are here:

 

IFC announced today additional guest stars who will be appearing in season 2 of the network’s hit original series Portlandia premiering on Friday, January 6 at 10pm ET/PT.LaMarcus Aldridge (NBA’s Portland Trailblazers), Shohreh Aghdashloo (The House of Sand and Fog, X-Men: The Last Stand), Ed Begley Jr. (Pineapple Express, Arrested Development), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, Independence Day), Sean Hayes (TheThree Stooges [Fox Feature Film], Will & Grace), Miranda July (Me and You and Everyone We Know), and Kumail Nanjiani (Franklin & Bash) will be taking up temporary residence in the show’s satirical rendering of Portland, OR.  The series is created, written by and stars Fred Armisen (SNL) and Carrie Brownstein (Wild Flag, Sleater-Kinney) who bring to life many of the eccentric and unique residents of Portlandia.

 Today’s announced guest stars join actors Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives, Twin Peaks), Penny Marshall (Laverne and Shirley), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), Andy Samberg (SNL), Amber Tamblyn (127 Hours,House) and Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, SNL) as well as musicians Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), Steve Jones (guitarist, Sex Pistols), Johnny Marr (guitarist, The Smiths), Joanna Newsom (singer/songwriter), Eddie Vedder (songwriter/ vocalist/ guitarist, Pearl Jam) and Annie Clark (songwriter/guitarist/vocalist, St. Vincent) who will also make guest appearances.