NEW IFC.COM WEB SERIES EXPLORES THE REAL-LIFE CHARACTERS THAT INSPIRE "PORTLANDIA"

Starring Kumail Nanjiani

Portlandia Season Three Premieres Friday, January 4 at 10:00pm ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY -Tuesday, December 11, 2012 - Before IFC's hit series Portlandia returns Friday, January 4, 2013 at 10:00pm ET/PT, IFC.com is pulling back the curtain on the town of Portland and the colorful locals that inspire the show with the new web series, Kumail Tours Portlandia. Comedian and frequent Portlandia guest star, Kumail Nanjiani (Franklin & Bash) stars as the tour guide to some of the idiosyncratic real-life Portland locations and residents that serve as the show's biggest influences. Directed by Portlandia co-creator and director Jonathan Krisel, Kumail Tours Portlandia premieres today exclusively on IFC.com with additional webisodes posting weekly throughout December and January http://www.ifc.com/shows/portlandia/kumail-tours-portlandia.

In the premiere webisode of Kumail Tours Portlandia, Kumail meets the real-life Toni & Candace by exploring the sketch-worthy feminist bookstore "In Other Words." Future Kumail tours include a conversation with the cosplay enthusiasts of the Portland Steampunk Society, an exploration of a vegan strip club and a visit to a local chicken retirement home.

"To meet people who actually embody the characters on Portlandia is very surreal," commented Nanjiani. "I went to a vegan strip club. Only in Portland would strip club patrons care if the food is vegan. Who's eating at the strip club anyway? You should eat a nice light meal before you go."

Watch how Portlanders continue to inspire Portlandia by catching the premiere of the third season on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 10pm ET/PT on IFC. In addition to the premiere in January, fans will receive an early all-new pre-premiere episode Friday, December 14, 2012 at 10:30pm ET/PT, which will also be available on IFC.com, the Portlandia Facebook page and iTunes the next day.

For continued updates on the new season of Portlandia, please check out: Facebook: facebook.com/portlandia Twitter: @ifcportlandia/#portlandia Online: http://www.ifc.com/shows/portlandia

About IFC

IFC creates and champions authentic, original comedies that are "Always On. Slightly Off," which air alongside an extraordinary collection of films and comedic cult TV shows. IFC.com features exclusive video, web series, podcasts, blogs and additional content that engages fans with IFC originals. The network's On Demand offering, IFC Free, gives viewers the opportunity to watch select content from IFC whenever they want. Established in 1994, IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and is available in nearly 70 million homes on every major cable, satellite and TelCo provider.