Somewhere between showings of the indie films Trojan Eddie and Teeth today on IFC you’ll find the premiere of Bunk, a series IFC describes as “a new breed of comedy game show,” created by Ethan T. Berlin, comedy writer, performer, and one-time TNB 21 Questions interviewee.  If you’ve seen Da’ Ali G Show, Crank Yankers, or Lopez Tonight, you’re already familiar with Berlin’s work.  And now you can tune in to watch Berlin and other comedians (tonight’s episode also features Ben Garant and Kumail Nanjiani) compete in challenges like live puppy shaming and adding arms to the Venus de Milo.  Mark my words – puppy shaming will be the new Plinko.  Berlin was kind enough to answer a few questions about Bunk ahead of tonight’s debut:               

Documentary filmmaking and the new wave of digital 3D technology make for a natural marriage, as 3D has the ability to submerge the viewer in the world of a nonfiction subject in ways that 2D rarely can match. As more filmmakers of note test the waters of 3D nonfiction features, the technology may prove to be even more of a revolution for documentaries than it has been for the studio blockbuster.

Portland Oregon is a city of overeducated, underemployed white people who have forgotten to leash their dogs.

It’s true, and absurd, and there are a thousand other true and absurd stereotypes that fall short of capturing the city.

IFC’s “Portlandia” is an attempt at sketch comedy based on the peculiar nuttiness that emanates from the City of Roses, which is a difficult proposal, because the people who best reflect that nuttiness are offended, and everyone else is annoyed that their particular tribe wasn’t included. Then there are those things that only outsiders find funny. Yes, in Portland 30-something men ride skateboards to take their kids to school. I only notice this as part of the natural landscape, like a resplendent fall Chinook, writhing its way upstream to spawn and die.