IFC Renews 'Portlandia' for Season 3, Resurrects R. Kelly's 'Trapped in the Closet'

IFC is going back to Portland.

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Among the cable network's announcements at its Tuesday Upfront presentation was the renewal of original comedy series Portlandia for a third season.

Created by, written by and starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, the sketch comedy show enjoyed nearly a 40 percent ratings bump in its second outing. It returns to the schedule in January 2013, alongside the premiere of the animated series Out There.

VIDEO: Tim Robbins Joins the 'Portlandia' Season 2 FInale

For the rest of 2012, Comedy Bang! Bang! and Bunk join the schedule on Friday, June 8. The former will include guest appearances from Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Amy Poehler, Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd. A second season of Whisker Wars is planned for some time later in the year.

The rumored new installment of R. Kelly's "urban operetta" Trapped in the Closet will hit the network in Q4. The third in an ongoing series of viral vignettes from the singer will debut on the network and IFC.com, much as the second installment did after moving over from YouTube in 2007. The content drove record-breaking traffic to the network's website.

Looking further ahead, IFC has also ordered a new scripted comedy vehicle for Marc Maron that will debut in the third quarter of 2013.

Addressing the network's first upfront presentation since going ad-supported in 2011, EVP and GM Jennifer Caserta spoke out on the brand's continued foray into commercials.

"IFC added 50 new clients, broke into the QSR, fast casual dining, snack food and beverage categories for the first time," said Caserta, "and we continue to work with our partners to integrate their brands in unique ways that drive value and keep viewers engaged."