Zach Galifianakis rules out a return to Between Two Ferns
Intelligence Summary
- Zach Galifianakis says Between Two Ferns’ tone wouldn’t work today, pointing to “meaner times.”
Zach Galifianakis rules out a return to Between Two Ferns
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis was a well-known show that made a big impression in the 2010s, thanks to its awkward celebrity interviews. The program, which blended satire and improvisation, produced plenty of hilarious clips that still circulate online today. After a decade on the air, Between Two Ferns ended in 2019 with the release of Between Two Ferns: The Movie.
The end of an era
Since the series wrapped, there has been little movement on a possible comeback. In a recent interview promoting his new Netflix series, This Is a Gardening Show, Galifianakis said he does not think a return to Between Two Ferns is likely. During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, he said the show’s tone would no longer fit the current era. “We live in a meaner time,” he said.
Between Two Ferns timeline
2019: Between Two Ferns ends with the release of Between Two Ferns: The Movie.
April 2026: Zach Galifianakis rules out a return to Between Two Ferns and speaks about the current social tone.
2016: Galifianakis said Between Two Ferns had “kind of run its course.”
The essence of the show
Galifianakis described the program as originally intended to be a critical look at the “sycophantic way the Hollywood machine works.” Famous guests such as Brad Pitt and former president Barack Obama were often asked questions that were as nerve-wracking as they were funny. In one of the most memorable episodes, Galifianakis asked Pitt whether his relationship with his wife, Angelina Jolie, had anything to do with Ross and Rachel from Friends.
Guest reactions
One notable aspect of the show was that guests did not receive the questions in advance; this was meant to ensure a genuine, authentic reaction, rather than the feel of a prank show. Galifianakis did admit, however, that Barack Obama was the only guest who got to see the questions before filming. That added to the tension and authenticity of the interviews that drew so many fans in.
The future of Between Two Ferns
While Galifianakis dismissed the idea of returning to Between Two Ferns, he suggested that maybe the audience is the joke. He offered no concrete indication that the show would come back. The strong reactions he received to the show’s style do, however, underline the impact it had on media culture.
In today’s climate, where humor is increasingly scrutinized, the unique style of Between Two Ferns seems less suited to the public mood. Galifianakis’ view of shifting social norms is something many modern creators will understand and consider.
