Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis (2008)
The cult web comedy series where Zach Galifianakis ambushes Hollywood's biggest stars with gloriously awkward, deadpan interview chaos.
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis - Series Information
- Original Title: Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
- First Air Year: 2008
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Talk
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (4 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 21
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: funnyordie.com
- Alternative Titles: Between Two Ferns (US)
- Production Companies: Comedy Bang! Bang! Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis - Plot
Host Zach Galifianakis conducts comical celebrity interviews sitting with his guests between two potted ferns on a sparse set, in the awkward style of low-budget community access cable channels.
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Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Zach Galifianakis
- Jon Hamm
- Bradley Cooper
- Misty Monroe
- Michael Cera
- Jimmy Kimmel
- Charlize Theron
- Conan O'Brien
- Ben Stiller
- Steve Carell
Executive Producers
- BJ Porter
- Scott Aukerman
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis - FAQs
What is Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis about?
It's a deadpan comedy talk show where Zach Galifianakis interviews A-list celebrities on a bare-bones set flanked by two potted ferns. The humor comes from deliberately awkward silences, offensive non-sequiturs, and Galifianakis's commitment to playing an oblivious, incompetent host.
Did real celebrities actually agree to be insulted on the show?
Absolutely — and that's part of what made the show legendary. Stars like Brad Pitt, President Obama, Charlize Theron, and Bradley Cooper all willingly sat between those ferns and endured Galifianakis's gloriously rude questions, often playing along with the joke or firing back brilliantly.
Where can you watch Between Two Ferns today?
The original episodes are available to stream on Funny or Die's website. A feature-length film adaptation, Between Two Ferns: The Movie, was released on Netflix in 2019 and is currently streaming there for subscribers.
How many episodes does Between Two Ferns have?
The series ran for 21 episodes across one official season, with an additional 3 special episodes. Each episode is refreshingly brief — averaging around 4 minutes — making the entire run easy to binge in a single sitting.
Did President Obama really appear on Between Two Ferns?
He did, in a 2014 episode that became one of the most-watched web videos of that year. Obama appeared to promote the Affordable Care Act's healthcare.gov enrollment, and his willingness to play along with Galifianakis's absurd insults made the segment an instant cultural milestone.
When did Between Two Ferns first air?
The show launched in 2008 on Funny or Die, the comedy video platform co-founded by Will Ferrell. It ran until 2018, spanning a decade of brilliantly uncomfortable celebrity encounters that helped define the golden age of web comedy.
What shows are similar to Between Two Ferns?
Fans of the show's absurdist, anti-talk-show humor tend to enjoy Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job!, and The Larry Sanders Show. For more celebrity interview comedy, The Graham Norton Show and Conan offer a warmer but equally entertaining alternative.
Is Between Two Ferns scripted or improvised?
The show blends both approaches. The questions and general structure are scripted and rehearsed in advance, but the celebrity reactions and some responses carry genuine spontaneity. Executive producer Scott Aukerman has confirmed that guests know the tone but don't always know exactly what's coming.
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