Fred Savage to direct, produce IFC's 'Garfunkel and Oates'

Who’d have guessed that Kevin Arnold would grow up to be a director?

Fred Savage — erstwhile star of The Wonder Years and, more recently, a prolific TV director who’s helmed episodes of everything from 2 Broke Girls to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia — has signed on to play a major role in IFC’s Garfunkel and Oates. The network announced Wednesday that Savage will executive produce the scripted comedy series, as well as direct all eight episodes of its first season.

“Fred is one of today’s hottest comedy directors and he’s a huge addition to Garfunkel and Oates as both series director and executive producer. We’re thrilled to have him at the helm of this smart new comedy,” said IFC President Jennifer Caserta said in a release.

Garfunkel and Oates — named after Art Garfunkel and John Oates — stars Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci, who have performed together as a folk-comedy duo since 2007. According to IFC, the series will “chronicle the pair’s humorous misadventures and how they rely on each other — and a few clever songs — to get them through their personal and professional stumbles.” Think Broad City plus Flight of the Conchords, perhaps with an extra dash of Portlandia quirk as well. Production begins in Los Angeles on Wednesday; IFC will premiere the series late this summer.