On Cinema at the Cinema grew from podcast into a sprawling comedy universe

On Cinema at the Cinema began as a podcast in February 2012 and became a series in 2013.

It is hosted by Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington, who play fictionalized versions of themselves.

The show parodies film-review programs, but its hosts are more focused on their own obsessions and conflicts than on reviewing movies.

Heidecker’s character is an erratic host, while Turkington’s character fixates on VHS runtimes and movie trivia.

Their disputes drive the show into increasingly strange storylines.

Over 16 regular seasons, the project also grew to include annual live Oscar specials, a mockumentary, a spin-off series and a nearly five-hour courtroom trial.

Its many connected stories and returning characters make it an unusually expansive comedy universe.