He’s a force to be reckoned with in Comedy! 25-year-old MATT FRIEND‘s star is rising so fast and we ventured out to Buffalo to finally get a chance to see him! Friend performed at Helium Comedy Club, a rare chance to see him in an intimate setting, before he closes off the Netflix is a a Joke Comedy Festival in L.A. next week!

Friend has gained popularity on Instagram and TikTok over the past couple years, most notably for his impressions which are spot-on. The NYU graduate has transferred that following into a career as a Stand-Up Comedian and this week he performed at the White House Correspondents Dinner, rubbing elbows with President Joe Biden.

Delivering an hour of laughs, Fried zigzagged between personal anecdotes about his love life, the heroes he’s met (and imitated) in his rising fame, plus of course those amazing impressions which brought the house down.

Some highlights:

Follow the Funnyman here: @TheMattFriend.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We get an official date announcement for the fourth season of EMILY IN PARIS! Season 4 will be split into two 5-episode parts, with Part 1 premiering on August 15, 2024 followed by Part 2 on September 12, 2024. Only on Netflix.

About Emily in Paris S4:

After the dramatic events of Camille and Gabriel’s misbegotten wedding, Emily is reeling: She has strong feelings for two men, but now Gabriel’s expecting a baby with his ex, and Alfie’s worst fears about her and Gabriel have been confirmed. At work, Sylvie is forced to confront a thorny dilemma from her past for the sake of her marriage, and the Agence Grateau team navigates personnel shakeups. Mindy and the band prepare for Eurovision, but when funds run dry, they’re forced to get thrifty. Emily and Gabriel’s chemistry is undeniable as they work together towards a Michelin star, but two big secrets threaten to undo everything they’ve dreamed of.

Creator / Executive Producer / Writer: Darren Star
Executive Producers: Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns, Andrew Fleming, Alison Brown, Robin Schiff
Co-Executive Producer: Stephen Brown, Grant Sloss, Joe Murphy
Producers: Ryan McCormick, Raphaël Benoliel, Lily Collins, Jake Fuller
Starring: Lily Collins (Emily Cooper), Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Sylvie Grateau), Ashley Park (Mindy Chen), Lucas Bravo (Gabriel), Camille Razat (Camille), Samuel Arnold (Julien), Bruno Gouery (Luc), William Abadie (Antoine Lambert), Lucien Laviscount (Alfie)
Produced by: MTV Entertainment Studios, Darren Star Productions, and Jax Media

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada x Mr. Will are thriled to give Readers in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver a chance to attend an Advance Screening of FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA.

Screenings take place as follows:

SYNOPSIS
Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth star in Academy Award-winning mastermind George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago with the seminal “Mad Max” films. Miller now turns the page again with an all-new original, standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Oscar-winning global smash “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The new feature from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures is produced by Miller and his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Doug Mitchell (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Babe”), under their Australian-based Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner.

As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.

Taylor-Joy stars in the title role, and along with Hemsworth, the film also stars Alyla Browne and Tom Burke.

Miller penned the script with “Mad Max: Fury Road” co-writer Nico Lathouris. Miller’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes first assistant director PJ Voeten and second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris, director of photography Simon Duggan (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “The Great Gatsby”), composer Tom Holkenborg, sound designer Robert Mackenzie, editor Eliot Knapman, visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson and colorist Eric Whipp. The team also includes other longtime collaborators: production designer Colin Gibson, editor Margaret Sixel, sound mixer Ben Osmo, costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt, each of whom won an Oscar for their work on “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Kennedy Miller Mitchell Production, A George Miller Film, “Furiosa.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theatres only nationwide on May 24, 2024 and internationally beginning on May 22, 2024.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK, IG or X. Tell us there which city you are entering for, in addition to liking the post.

Rules and regulations here.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA in theatres May 25, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

Benedict Cumberbatch stars in ERIC, arriving on Netflix May 30, 2024. Today we get a new Trailer:

About ERIC
Set in 1980s New York, Eric is a new emotional thriller from Abi Morgan following the desperate search of a father when his nine-year-old son disappears one morning on the way to school. Vincent, one of New York’s leading puppeteers and creator of the hugely popular children’s television show, ‘Good Day Sunshine,’ struggles to cope with the loss of his son, Edgar, becoming increasingly distressed and volatile. Full of self-loathing and guilt around Edgar’s disappearance, he clings to his son’s drawings of a blue monster puppet, ERIC, convinced that if he can get ERIC on TV then Edgar will come home. As Vincent’s progressively destructive behavior alienates his family, his work colleagues, and the detectives trying to help him, it’s Eric, a delusion of necessity, who becomes his only ally in the pursuit to bring his son home.

Series Credits
Episodes: 6
Production Company: Sister
Creator/Writer: Abi Morgan
Executive Producers: Abi Morgan, Jane Featherstone, Lucy Dyke, Lucy Forbes, Benedict Cumberbatch
Director: Lucy Forbes
Producer: Holly Pullinger
Filmed in: Budapest and New York
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaby Hoffman, McKinley Belcher III, Dan Fogler, Clarke Peters

Today, Disney+ announced “May the 12th Be With You,’” a new promotional short from “The Simpsons,”’ will launch May 10, 2024, exclusively on Disney+. In the upcoming short, it’s Mother’s Day and Marge Simpson joins the moms of Disney+ on a special holiday outing that turns into an epic galactic adventure filled with heroes, villains and a surprising old friend.

“May the 12th Be With You” is the latest in a collection of shorts from “The Simpsons” created exclusively for Disney+. The previously released shorts “Maggie Simpson in ‘Rogue Not Quite One’” (2024 Webby Winner), “The Simpsons meet the Bocellis in ‘Feliz Navidad,’” “Welcome to the Club,” “When Billie Met Lisa” (Emmy® nominated), “Maggie Simpson in ‘The Force Awakens from Its Nap’” (Emmy® nominated), “The Good, The Bart, and The Loki” and “The Simpsons in Plusaversary” are currently available on Disney+. All of these and more can be found in “The Simpsons” collection on the streaming service here: https://www.disneyplus.com/franchise/the-simpsons.

The sixth and final season of Netflix’s COBRA KAI will arrive this Summer in two parts!

Dates:

Part 1 premieres July 18, 2024.
Part 2 premieres November 28, 2024.
The Finale Event comes in 2025.

Picking up with Cobra Kai eliminated from the Valley, our senseis and students must decide if and how they will compete in the Sekai Taikai — the world championships of karate.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment. Will Smith, James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett executive produce for Westbrook Entertainment along with Susan Ekins in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ralph Macchio and William Zabka also serve as executive producers.
Cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, Xolo Maridueña, Jacob Bertrand, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Peyton List, Gianni DeCenzo, Courtney Henggeler, Vanessa Rubio, Dallas Dupree Young, Yuji Okumoto, Alicia Hannah-Kim, Griffin Santopietro, Oona O’Brien
The first five seasons of Sony Pictures Television’s Cobra Kai are now streaming.

The official trailer for the highly-anticipated YA series Geek Girl dropped today. The full 10-episode season will be available to stream exclusively on STACKTV in Canada on May 30, 2024.

Based on the beloved, best-selling novel by British author Holly Smale, the live-action adaptation of Geek Girl is a coming-of-age series that follows sixteen-year-old Harriet Manners, whose life is turned upside down after she is thrust head-first into the world of fashion. Tightly wound agents, reclusive designers, impossibly high heels, and a cute supermodel boy with a great smile — socially awkward Harriet has no idea what she’s in for. Emily Carey ( House of The Dragon, Wonder Woman) stars as Harriet. The all-star cast also includes Emmanuel Imani ( Riches, The Wheel Of Time) as Wilbur Evans, Sarah Parish ( Industry, Stay Close) as Jude Paignton, Liam Woodrum ( Love In Zion National) as Nick Park, Tim Downie ( Outlander, Paddington) as Richard Manners, Zac Looker ( A Kind of Spark) as Toby Pilgrim, Jemima Rooper ( Flowers in the Attic: The Origin) as Annabel Manners, Sandra Yi Sencindiver (Foundation, The Wheel of Time) as Yuji Lee, Daisy Jelley ( London Kills) as Poppy Hepple-Cartwright and introduces Rochelle Harrington as Natalie Grey.

Geek Girl is a co-production between Aircraft Pictures and RubyRock Pictures, with creative support from Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana.

Damon D’Oliveira and Clement Virgo of Conquering Lion Pictures, known for their acclaimed works, Brother and The Book of Negroes, have secured the highly anticipated film and television rights to Catherine Hernandez’s upcoming novel Behind You, set to be published on May 7, 2024.

Hernandez, the best-selling and prize-winning novel author of Scarborough, will adapt her own novel for the big screen. Behind You examines the insidiousness of rape culture through the dual narrative of a young Filipina growing into womanhood while a nameless serial killer is at large in her Scarborough neighbourhood, and the same woman years later watching her teenage son’s behaviour with increasing fear.

The novel serves as Hernandez’s eagerly awaited follow-up to her national bestseller, The Story of Us. Hernandez says, “I knew Conquering Lion Pictures was the right home for the film adaptation of Behind You simply because when I declared my desire to pen the screenplay myself, Clement Virgo casually said, ‘Yeah. You know what you’re doing.’ You rarely hear that as a racialized woman in the media industry. And given the journey of my novel’s protagonist from scarred to self-assured woman in the face of misogyny, it felt empowering to begin the script fueled by Conquering Lion Pictures’ guidance and confidence in me. I wholeheartedly trust them as well. Given their track record of outstanding adaptations, from The Book of Negroes to Brother, I know this sensitive story is in compassionate, accomplished hands.”

Clement Virgo and Damon D’Oliveira , co-founders of Conquering Lion Pictures, expressed their enthusiasm for the project: “Catherine has crafted an unapologetic story that explores timely themes in an astonishingly fresh voice. As with our previous slate, we look forward to producing an adaptation of this compelling story for the screen.”

Rights were sold by Samantha Haywood at Transatlantic Literary Agency. Damon D’Oliveira negotiated the deal on behalf of Conquering Lion Pictures.

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is pleased to announce their inaugural Hair and Makeup Training Initiative, in partnership with CMU College of Makeup Art & Design. This unique training program acknowledges the need for hair and makeup equity in the film and television industry. With financial support from NABET 700-M UNIFOR, Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada, and the Canadian Media Producers Association, this program strives to accelerate the career paths of the next generation of hair and makeup professionals from Black, Indigenous and racialized communities and to expand the industry’s expertise in serving all hair textures and skin tones. Artists selected to participate in the program will be announced in the summer.

The CFC will collaborate with professional mentors and partners to train, coach, and support participants by providing six weeks of valuable hands-on experience (on-set and behind the scenes) and mentorship to prepare them for work on Ontario-based productions. This career building opportunity was designed to support talent from communities underrepresented in the industry who have encountered historic barriers in the screen industry. CMU College will select early-career alumni at no cost to participate, who will grow their careers from the training and networking opportunities with industry leaders. Key to their experience will be their involvement in short film productions as part of the CFC’s curriculum to gain crucial on-set experience to build their professional portfolios.

“We’re seeing more opportunities for Black, Indigenous and creatives of colour as writers, directors, and actors yet there remains a lack of change in below-the-line creative roles that support our stories and on screen talent. Representation across all departments is crucial to a sense of belonging on-set,” said maxine bailey, Executive Director, Canadian Film Centre. “We’re proud to address this gap in the industry pipeline, to build community and safe spaces for artists, and to lead the charge together with our knowledgeable program partners, CMU College, NABET 700-M UNIFOR, WBD Access Canada and the CMPA. We acknowledge this is a small step but change is going to come.”

​​“Gaining valuable on-set experience and industry connections is crucial to building a successful career in makeup and hair in the screen industry,” said Deanna Cadette, Senior Vice President, CMU College of Makeup Art and Design. “As one of the premier educational institutions in the world, we are proud to support the professional development of our talented alumni, and to open more doors for artists from underrepresented communities.”

“NABET 700-M UNIFOR is pleased to support this important initiative, which will contribute to more career opportunities for artists in Canada’s film and TV industry,”said Ryan Pogue, President, NABET 700-M UNIFOR. “Future productions will greatly benefit from this training program, and we look forward to witnessing a positive, necessary shift that brings together more people from various communities.”

“We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with CMU College and to partner with the CFC to contribute to their incredible suite of career changing programs,” said Melanie Nepinak Hadley, Senior Director, WBD Access Canada. “We eagerly anticipate the transformative impact this program will have on the below-the-line talent in Canada.”

This year’s CFC Hair and Makeup Training Initiative will begin in Fall 2024.

For more information, visit cfccreates.com.

Netflix announced seven comedy specials today as a kickoff to Netflix Is A Joke Fest in Los Angeles which runs through May 12, 2024.

Ali Wong: Ali Wong will tape her new special on May 4th at Netflix Is A Joke Fest during her residency at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA. Ali’s previous specials, Don Wong (2022), Hard Knock Wife (2018) and Baby Cobra (2016), as well as her Emmy winning performance in the drama series BEEF, can all be found on Netflix. Ali can also be seen in Netflix’s Always Be My Maybe, and lends her voice to Netflix’s Ask the StoryBots, Ada Twist, Scientist, and Emmy winning adult animated comedy Big Mouth.

Bert Kreischer: A new special from Bert “The Machine” Kreischer, which is the first of his previously announced two-special deal that will tape at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, FL on July 5th, 6th and 7th. This will mark Kreischer’s fourth and fifth specials with Netflix following ratings blockbuster Razzle Dazzle (2023), Hey Big Boy (2020), and Secret Time (2018). Kreischer also starred in and produced the Sony Pictures film, The Machine, which premiered in theaters spring of 2023, based on his signature stand up set. Both his special The Machine (2016) and the film are streaming on Netflix.

Deon Cole: Deon Cole will tape his latest comedy special at Netflix Is A Joke Fest on May 2nd at The Los Angeles Theater in Los Angeles, CA. This special will mark Deon’s third special with Netflix, following Charleen’s Boy (2022) and Cole Hearted (2019). He can also be seen in season one of Netflix’s multi-comic series The Standups (2017).

Fortune Feimster: Fortune Feimster will launch a new comedy special later this year, which marks her third special with Netflix, following Good Fortune (2022) and Sweet & Salty (2020). She can also be seen in Standout: An LGBTQ+ Celebration, which was taped at Netflix Is A Joke Fest in 2022, as well as season one of the multi-comic series The Standups (2017), and the dramedy FUBAR, which are all currently streaming on Netflix.

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: Two new comedy specials from Gabriel Iglesias will mark his fourth and fifth specials with Netflix. The first of two comedy specials will tape later this year at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL July 12th-14th. This comes following the success of Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: Stadium Fluffy (2022), where Iglesias made history as the first comedian to perform at and sellout the largest MLB stadium in the US as part of Netflix Is A Joke Fest 2022, as well as Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: One Show Fits All (2019) and Gabriel Iglesias: I’m Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry (2016). Iglesias also starred in and executive produced his multi-cam comedy series Mr. Iglesias, which is streaming on Netflix.
Jo Koy: Coming soon is a new special from Jo Koy, which was taped at The Kings Theater in Brooklyn, NY in November 2023. This marks Koy’s fifth special with Netflix, following Live From The Los Angeles Forum (2022), Comin’ In Hot (2019), and Live From Seattle (2017), in addition to his variety special In His Elements (2020).

Michelle Buteau: This latest comedy special with Michelle Buteau, which will tape at Radio City Music Hall this summer, will be Buteau’s second special with Netflix, following Welcome to Buteaupia (2020). She also EPs, writes, and stars in the critically acclaimed Netflix comedy series Survival of the Thickest, which has been renewed for a second season. Buteau hosts the social media competition show The Circle, whose sixth season just premiered on Netflix, and the mouthwatering competition Barbecue Showdown.

About Netflix is a Joke Fest

The biggest comedy festival in North America is back and bigger than ever. Produced by Netflix in association with Live Nation, the star-studded celebration of comedy from May 1 – May 12, 2024 will feature over 500 live stand-up shows, special events, table reads, sketch and more with the best comedians and artists in the world. For 12 days, the comedy community will take over more than 35 of LA’s most beloved landmarks such as Hollywood Bowl, The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, Orpheum Theatre and The Wiltern as well as historic comedy venues including The Hollywood Improv, Largo, Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store.

Just some of the names included in the 2024 Netflix is a Joke Fest include: Ali Wong, Atsuko Okatsuka, Anthony Jeselnik, Bert Kreischer, Beth Stelling, Bill Burr, Brett Goldstein, Cedric the Entertainer, Celeste Barber, Chelsea Handler, Chris Rock, Craig Robinson, Daniel Tosh, Dane Cook, David Letterman, Demetri Martin, Deon Cole, Earthquake, Fortune Feimster, Hannah Berner, Hannah Gadsby, Heather McMahan, Iliza Shlesinger, Jason Mantzoukas, Jeff Ross, Jerry Seinfeld, Jessi Klein, Jessica Kirson, Joel Kim Booster, John Mulaney, Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Carr, Justin Willman, Katherine Ryan, Katt Williams, Kevin Hart, Kountry Wayne, Kumail Nanjiani, Leanne Morgan, Leslie Jones, Luenell, Mae Martin, Mark Normand, Matteo Lane, Matt Rife, Maya Rudolph, Michelle Buteau, Mike Birbiglia, Mike Epps, Moshe Kasher, Natasha Leggero, Nate Bargatze, Nicole Byer, Nick Kroll, Nikki Glaser, Patton Oswalt, Phil Rosenthal, Rachel Bloom, Ralph Barbosa, Ronny Chieng, Roy Wood Jr., Ryan Hamilton, Sam Jay, Sarah Silverman, Sebastian Maniscalco, Seth Rogen, Shane Gillis, Sheng Wang, Stavros Halkias, Taylor Tomlinson, Tim Dillon, Tim Robinson, Tom Brady, Tom Papa, Tom Segura, Trevor Noah, Wanda Sykes, Will Smith (the Dodger).

The entire schedule and latest information and schedule is available on www.NetflixIsAJokeFest.com.