Upfront Update: “Smartertainment” from Nat Geo, IFC Helps Close Roseland

National Geographic Channels

Venue : The Refectory Room of the High Line Hotel, the block-long establishment on 10th Ave. between W. 19-20th Sts. across from the High Line overhead walkway. High Line's renovation was still in progress last June when the Consumer Electronics Association kicked off CE Week with its annual Research Summit in the same space. If you haven't guessed, the room was originally part of a rectory, with a few pews off to one side. Fish and corn risotto were on the menu of this press get-together. Grade: 4.5 Jacks

Presentation : No question National Geographic can whip up stunning imagery with its videos. But here, the script of these videos did more than just accompany images. They crystallized the focus of National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild's programming in a fresh way. An example: "We live to tell great stories, the ones that hit you in the face, move you to tears ... We respect the power of smart ... With a great legacy comes great responsibility and satisfied viewers." It was extremely poetic and powerful. On their own, Geo's executives declared the directions their channels will go from now on --"smartertainment" series, action/adventure programming, events and specials for Nat Geo, and for Nat Geo Wild, series which "put the animals first," according to chief executive officer David Lyle. Chalk up another "Happy"-playing effort. Grade: 5 Jacks

News : Geo will plunge headlong into “smartertainment,” defined as series that mix science, humor, people-on-the-street segments and culture. Three new series in that arena are on tap: Crowd Control(experiments in mass manipulation), You Can't Lick Your Elbow(body oddities) and Going Deep with David Rees (the science behind menial tasks from tying a shoe and swatting flies to sharpening pencils). The action/adventure series newbies include Cabin Fever, The Primitives and Remote Survival. On the events/specials calendar: Killing Jesus(as a four-hour miniseries),American Genius, The Great American Sleep Projectand American War Generals. Although Act Of Valor will not become the network's first scripted series others are on the way, to be announced in the near future. Nat Geo Wild's new programming includes series Dr. K: Exotic Pet Vet, Pond Starsand the miniseriesDogs Rule! Grade : 4.5 Jacks

Hosts : Nice turns by Lyle, Channels president Howard Owens, Geo Channel programming executive Heather Moran and Wild counterpart Jim Daniels. Grade: 4 Jacks

Overall Grade: 4.5 Jacks Excellent mix of ambience, presentation style and clarity. You left straight about where these channels are going. Another winning touch was having at least two on-camera subjects engaged with press at each table.

IFC

Venue : Roseland Ballroom, now in its final hours as theater, concert hall, ballroom dance palace and in the last two years, site of several memorable upfront events, including Cartoon Network's 20th anniversary salute and Fox Sports 1's pre-launch carnival. (The building will be converted to condos.) IFC did its upfront thing here a year ago and -- knowing they would be the second-to-last users of this stage -- brought back the best elements of the 2013 showcase -- a roller-skating rink, the food booths featuring delectables from Brooklyn establishments and the DJ duo dressed in pink shirts and red ties (who played "Happy"). Grade: 5 Jacks.

Presentation : Last year's festivities were superb in every way -- without a presentation or news element. Nothing important was left out this time. President Jennifer Caserta addressed the crowd with news and videos about series coming together late 2014 or 2015, then turned things over toPortlandia co-star Fred Armisen for a trio of straight ahead rock-and-roll tunes, accompanied by an impromptu band featuring The Birthday Boys cast, Marc Maron from Maron and Comedy Bang Bang host Scott Aukerman Armisen, who also leads the band on Late Night With Seth Meyers, gave some good guitar and drum licks. Grade: 4.5 Jacks

News : At least two new series will go next year -- American Documentary, a docu-satire Armisen will put together with Meyers and former Saturday Night Liveplayer Bill Hader, and American Storage, featuring mayhem at a storage factory. In partnership with Web site CollegeHumor, the network will inaugurate the Comedy Music Awards, working as a parody of award specials and salute to musical comedy videos, TV segments and live performances. Series under consideration include scripted comedies Westside and The Bank. Also, Comedy Bang Bangwill expand to 40 episodes (from 20) next year.Grade: 4 Jacks

Host : Caserta came to play with a bright, punchy attitude.Grade: 4 Jacks

Overall Grade: 4.5 Jacks for IFC, 5 Jacks for Roseland Sorry to see this place convert. It had a wonderful run.

Next up: AMC, ending the March section of upfronts this Thursday night.

Until the next time, stay well and stay tuned!