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When Ramy Youssef was conceptualizing the music for Prime Video’s “#1 Happy Family USA,” he started by looking at a lot of Egyptian and Lebanese music to license for the show’s opening track.

The adult animated sitcom co-created by Youssef with Pam Brady (“South Park”) follows a Muslim family in New Jersey during Sept. 11, 2001. Youssef voices the family’s teen son, Rumi, and his father, Hussein, a halal food cart owner.

As Youssef was traveling around the country, he was sending in voiceover work for the show. And somewhere along the way, he picked up a guitar and started riffing as Hussein. Youssef says, “The whole idea of Hussein singing music came about very organically.”

One of the first riffs Youssef did was “Money for the Meat,” a ballad-esque song in which Youssef laments about his halal cart, pleading for people to eat there.

Youssef felt inspired by the...

Rap sensation Ice Spice has joined the cast of the upcoming animated comedy The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants as one of the new additions to the film. The fourth installment in the SpongeBob SquarePants movie series, Search for SquarePants, was initially announced three years ago in 2022.

According to the film’s logline, the story will follow SpongeBob and his friends as they journey into the depths of the ocean to confront the ghost of the Flying Dutchman. The movie is scheduled for release in December 2025.

Ice Spice joins the cast of the new SpongeBob movie, Search for SquarePants

Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation have recently revealed the latest cast additions for the upcoming installment in the SpongeBob SquarePants film series, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.

SpongeBob SquarePants | Credit: Nickelodeon

Revealed at the Annecy International Animation Festival in France on Tuesday, the new cast members include Regina Hall,...

When you’re 12 years old, everything that happens is a “matter of international security,” according to Ramy Youssef. His animated series #1 Happy Family USA literalizes that for its hero, Rumi, a tween Egyptian boy growing up in post-9/11 New Jersey. As a Muslim American dealing with widespread xenophobia, Rumi has to worry about more than just whether his crush likes him.

” ‘I didn’t get invited to Courtney’s pool party’ is 9/11 when you’re a kid,” Youssef says. “This is where I really draw from my own real childhood, where you go, ‘What did Courtney say behind my back?’ But then, ‘And are the phones in our house being tapped?’ “

#1 Happy Family USA creator Ramy Youssef Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

The fact that the sitcom, which Youssef co-created with Pam Brady, is animated gives the comedian free rein to take his often serious premise to ludicrous levels. Rumi, voiced by Youssef,...

That pineapple under the sea is getting pretty crowded.

Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation on Tuesday unveiled new cast additions for their upcoming The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants movie, with Regina Hall, Sherry Cola, Arturo Castro, George Lopez and Ice Spice joining the ensemble. The four-time Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum-selling rapper will also contribute an original song to the film.

They join returning cast members Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy), Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) and Mark Hamill (Flying Dutchman) in the feature directed Derek Drymon and written by Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman.

The log line for the film has SpongeBob and friends journeying to the depths of the ocean to face the ghost of the Flying Dutchman. The film is set for a December release.

Ramsey Naito, president of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, made the cast reveal at...

Regina Hall (Honk For Jesus), Sherry Cola (Shrinking), Arturo Castro (Tron: Ares), George Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) and rapper Ice Spice have joined the voice cast for upcoming animated feature The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.

Four-time Grammy multi-platinum selling rapper Isis “Ice Spice” will also contribute a song to the movie.

Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, announced the new voice cast members during a presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Tuesday.

Naito said that the studios had a busy six months ahead with the release of Smurfs in July, and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants in December.

She also noted the packed production slate topped by Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2.

Produced by Paramount Pictures with Nickelodeon Movies in association with Domain Entertainment and MRC,...

Are ya ready, kids? Nickelodeon is gearing up for a big summer in theaters with the return of the Smurfs with a starry new musical animated feature headlined by Rihanna in July. In front of the film, however, will be a little surprise for SpongeBob SquarePantsfans. Ahead of the animation giant's annual Annecy International Animation Film Festival panel on Tuesday, Collider can exclusively announce that the never-before-seen short, "SpongeBob: Order Up," will finally hit the big screen starting July 18 alongside Smurfette's big adventure. The news comes ahead of the SpongeBob and Squidward-centric short's global premiere at Annecy on the heels of the long-running kids' show's 25th anniversary last year.

"Order Up" was produced by Nickelodeon Animation in 2011-2012, yet, for one reason or another, has remained locked within the company's archives. Created with the classic SpongeBob aesthetic and animation, it centers on the odd-couple dynamic between the always optimistic SpongeBob and his perpetually grumpy neighbor,...

For those who have seen Ramy Youssef and Pam Brady’s animated comedy series “#1 Happy Family USA,” the title is a phrase a Muslim family repeats over and over to prove their patriotism to America in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

“It is a phrase I think people are probably saying at the airport today because of how wild the world has become,” Youssef said alongside Brady at the IndieWire Honors ceremony, held in Los Angeles on Thursday night. “We thought we were making a time capsule, and unfortunately we made something that I can’t believe it’s coming out in the time that it is.”

“#1 Happy Family USA” premiered this past April on Amazon Prime Video, and Amazon gave it a two season order, so there’s still more to come. But all that came about “six or seven executives later,” Youssef joked of the recent turnover at Amazon.

There’s no award show quite like IndieWire Honors. The star power is as bright as you’ll find anywhere, with creatives behind “Severance,” “Adolescence,” “Paradise,” “Poker Face,” “The Penguin,” “Ren Faire,” “1923,” “#1 Happy Family USA,” and “Matlock” in attendance. But it assembles those stars in an intimate setting that’s more about celebrating the human work that goes into our favorite shows than seeing and being seen. It’s the kind of event where host Robby Hoffman could convince Ben Stiller to roll up his sleeve and flex his forearms for the crowd, award recipients could playfully rib each other about their (real or imagined) nepo baby status all night, and attendees could easily mingle with their favorite stars in a relaxed environment.

More than anything, the 2025 TV IndieWire Honors, held at NeueHouse Hollywood on Thursday, June 5, was a celebration of our talented honorees.

“Matlock” star Kathy Bates received...

If there was an underlying theme to the latest TV edition of IndieWire Honors, it would be that of support, and having your colleagues’ backs. Some of the ways that manifested were as simple as cinematographer and director Jessica Lee Gagné coaching her colleague and filmmaking mentor Ben Stiller through the Québécois pronunciation of “auteur” as they accepted the Auteur Award for their work on “Severance,” or as grand as Visionary Award winner Mara Brock Akil getting a chance to thank the stars of several of her shows, from “Girlfriends” to Netflix’s “Forever,” with members of those casts all in attendance.

Some more pairs accepted awards together, like “#1 Happy Family USA” co-creators Ramy Youssef and Pam Brady, who shared their awe for the animation medium while accepting the Spark Award, saying how it involves “as many people that are in this room working on the smallest details.” And “The Penguin...

IndieWire, the definitive outlet for creative independence in film and TV, announced on Wednesday, May 7 the return of the Spring edition of its IndieWire Honors event celebrating the creators and stars responsible for some of the most impressive and engaging work of this TV season.

Hosted by comedian Robby Hoffman, known for her memorable guest appearances on “Hacks” and “Dying for Sex” this year, IndieWire Honors will celebrate its honorees at an intimate cocktail reception taking place Thursday, June 5 in Los Angeles. Exclusive editorial content, including honoree profiles, will also be featured on IndieWire beginning May 28 and will continue throughout the lead-up to the awards night, followed by video interviews and more content from the event.

“Each year, IndieWire Honors celebrates the artists who are redefining the boundaries of storytelling and pushing the industry forward,” said Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire’s senior VP and editor-in-chief. “The 2025 honorees exemplify the innovation, courage,...

“Adolescence” was the big winner at the Gotham Television Awards, taking home three prizes, including breakthrough limited series, on Monday night.

Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” won breakthrough comedy series, and “The Pitt” won best drama.

The actors, directors, writers and producers feted at the ceremony, hosted at New York’s Cipriani Wall Street, emphasized the need to preserve and protect the entertainment industry amid geopolitical strife and AI fears.

“We love this business,” said Amy Sherman-Palladino, accepting the Creator Tribute alongside her husband Daniel Palladino. “God please help everybody. Let’s make it survive.”

“Let’s keep the arts alive!” shouted an enthusiastic Parker Posey. “Let’s turn this business into entertainment that everyone can love. That old people and young people and even babies laugh at!”

Posey, who was honored with the Legend Tribute, was introduced by her “White Lotus” co-stars Leslie Bibb and Sam Rockwell, who took...

It was a big night for television, as Emmy favorites descended upon Cipriani Wall Street in New York City for the second annual Gotham TV Awards. Launched in 2024, the TV branch of the beloved indie film award show continues to stake out an early position on the calendar that could eventually make it a barometer for the Emmy race in a way that mirrors the Gotham Awards’ traditional relationship with the Oscars.

The evening’s big winners included “Adolescence,” which completed a sweep of the limited series categories with wins for Breakthrough Limited Series and Outstanding Lead Performance in a Limited Series (for Stephen Graham), while Owen Cooper shared the Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series award with Jenny Slate (who was nominated for “Dying for Sex”). Emmy Frontrunners “The Studio” and “The Pitt” also won the Breakthrough Comedy Series and Breakthrough Drama Series categories, respectively.

“Building on the...

The 2025 Gotham TV Awards are underway in Manhattan.

This marks the second year in which the Gotham Awards have broken out TV honors with a separate ceremony during Emmys season.

Netflix’s Adolescence leads this year’s nominees with four nods.

The four-episode series about a teenage boy accused of murder, which became a much-talked-about phenomenon shortly after its streaming debut last month, landed nods for breakthrough limited series, lead performance in a limited series (Stephen Graham) and two nods for supporting performance in a limited series (Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty).

Meanwhile, Max’s The Pitt, FX’s Dying for Sex and CBS’ Matlock each landed three nods, with a number of projects scoring two nods apiece.

Dying for Sex faces off against Adolescence in the limited series category, where additional nominees are Get Millie Back, Penelope and Say Nothing.

The Pitt and Matlock are nominated for breakthrough drama series,...

Paramount Animation’s Smurfs unveiled its full soundtrack list just days ahead of its June 13, 2025 release. The soundtrack’s 14 tracks include songs from Rihanna, Tyla, DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and Shenseea. Rihanna also stars as Smurfette in the family friendly feature film opening in theaters on July 18th.

The cast also includes John Goodman, James Corden, Nick Offerman, Jp Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, and Octavia Spencer. In addition, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Marshmello, and Kurt Russell voice characters in the latest entry of the long-running franchise.

“When Papa Smurf (Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him,” reads Paramount Animation’s synopsis. “With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.

Jimmy Kimmel is the latest star to lend his voice to Paramount’s “Smurfs.”

The live-action animated hybrid film features Rihanna as Smurfette, John Goodman as Papa Smurf, as well as James Corden, Nick Offerman, Jp Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell and DJ Marshmello. It’s unclear who Kimmel will be voicing in the sprawling ensemble.

“Smurfs” follows Smurfette as she leads her tiny, blue-skinned kin into the real world to save Papa Smurf after he’s mysteriously captured by evil wizards. The reboot is directed by Chris Miller, whose credits include “Shrek the Third” and “Puss in Boots.” Pam Brady wrote the script, based on the comics created by the Belgian artist known as Peyo. The film opens in theaters on July 18.

The Smurfs have been the subject of...

Rihanna has released “Friend Of Mine” from Paramount Animation’s Smurfs Movie Soundtrack via Roc Nation Distribution. Rihanna will star as Smurfette in the film, which will be in theaters on July 18th. The soundtrack is available for Pre-Order/Pre-Save Here and will officially release June 13th via Roc Nation Distribution.

“Friend Of Mine” is the second song to come off the soundtrack following “Higher Love” by Desi Trill featuring DJ Khaled, Cardi B, Natania and Subhi. “Higher Love” also saw an official music video – watch Here.

In addition to the already star-studded cast, the soundtrack will also feature a new song from Tyla. Pre-save Smurfs Soundtrack Here via Roc Nation Distribution.

Synopsis: When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs...

When the idea of #1 Happy Family USA was becoming a reality, part of what drew cocreator Ramy Youssef to do it as an animated show was the age of the show’s protagonist. “Middle school in general feels dramatic. [It] feels like the surveillance state. You go, who’s looking at me? Is Courtney talking about me? What did she say? All of that stuff feels like a level of national security for a kid. There’s no real wall of understanding that a kid’s personal drama is not the biggest thing going on in the world,” he tells Gold Derby during our recent Meet the Experts: TV Animation panel. Doing this as an animated show has also given the show the perfect tone. “There are things that we can animate here that would be just too dramatic, but in this format feel really alive and really fun.”

The series,...

Get out your umbrellas because Rihanna is dropping new music. The multi-Grammy-winning artist shared a new look at the Smurfs movie, and it's backed by her first original song in nearly three years, titled "Friend of Mine." Moreover, she's set to release the track in full this week on Friday, May 16, to get viewers ready for the interdimensional journey with Peyo's little blue people. The trailer opens with her dancing along to the song in the recording booth before Smurfette performs a snippet of the Afrobeats-sounding track alongside the rest of the Smurf village.

"Friend of Mine" will be just a taste of the new tracks Rihanna has planned for the family animated feature. In addition to leading the cast as Smurfette, she's also in charge of the soundtrack, writing and recording plenty of original material befitting the Smurfs. It's an exciting development considering Rihanna hasn't released a new album since 2016's Anti,...

"Get ready for an adventure that will blue you way." Oyy. Paramount has revealed the second full trailer for Smurfs (yep that's the title), the next animated-hybrid Smurfs movie arriving in theaters this summer. This is the fourth Hollywood movie featuring the little blue guys created by Belgian artist Peyo, following The Smurfs (2011) and its sequels. This new reboot is directed by Chris Miller from a screenplay written by "South Park" writer Pam Brady. This musical brings them into the real world for an adventure. When Papa Smurf is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Smurfette leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. This fun new Smurfs features an all-star voice cast including Rihanna as Smurfette, of course, James Corden, Nick Offerman, Jp Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña,...

The new trailer for Paramount Pictures' Smurfs reboot is now online, and it gives us a much better idea of what to expect from the animated/live-action hybrid musical.

The teaser introduces the diminutive blue creatures of the title living happily and dancing away in Smurf Village. When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is captured by the villainous Razamel (brother of the better-known Gargamel from the original cartoon), Smurfette (Rihanna) steps up to lead a rescue mission to the real world.

Chris Miller and Matt Landon direct, while Pam Brady wrote the screenplay. The voice cast also features Natasha Lyonne, Nick Offerman, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, Daniel Levy, Octavia Spencer, Sandra Oh, Hannah Waddingham, Xolo Maridueña, James Corden, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, and Kurt Russell.

“The DNA in Peyo’s original drawings guide so many creative choices in the film,” Miller said at a presentation at the Annecy Animation Festival last June.

Today, Paramount Pictures released a new trailer and poster for the upcoming release of “Smurfs” on July 18, 2025!

Synopsis: When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.

About The Film

Genre: Family, Comedy, Animation Cast: Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, Jp Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Marshmello, with Kurt Russell and John Goodman Director: Chris Miller Screenplay: Pam Brady Produced by: Jay Brown, Ty Ty Smith, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ryan Harris, p.g.a.

Smurfs is only in theatres on July 18, 2025!

The post New Smurfs Trailer Out first appeared on CinemaNerdz.

The official trailer for Paramount Animation’s 2025 Smurfs kicks off with Rihanna in the recording booth, followed by a scene of Smurfette dancing and singing with her fellow weird blue creatures. The smurfs are just having a good time when suddenly Papa Smurf is kidnapped, which kicks off a rescue mission.

The voice cast of the family-friendly film also includes James Corden, Nick Offerman, Jp Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, and Sandra Oh. Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Marshmello, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman also lend their voices to the latest addition to the long-running franchise.

“When Papa Smurf (Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him,” reads Paramount Animation’s synopsis. “With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must...

Paramount Pictures has just released the newest trailer for the animated/live-action crossover adventure. The studio that brought us the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise will tap into another nostalgic property this July with Smurfs, an animated adventure based on characters created by Belgian comic artist Peyo. Paramount Animation brings this film in association with Domain Entertainment. The movie is also a Ty Ty and Jay Brown production.

Rihanna joins the village as the new voice of Smurfette, as well as contributing to the soundtrack of the movie with her new song, “Friend of Mine,” which can be found on the soundtrack that’s out Friday — you can check it out Here. Smurfs combines the style of the classic Saturday morning cartoons with more modern 3D animation. Smurf Village is devastated when a mysterious force abducts Papa Smurf and it’s up to a small group of ragtag Smurfs to get him back.

Paramount Pictures has release the new trailer for the Smurfs movie, which will open in theaters on July 18, 2025. The trailer features a new song by star Rihanna titled “Friend of Mine,” which will be released this Friday.

The film was written by Pam Brady and directed by Chris Miller.

When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.

Based on the characters and works of Belgian artist Pierre Culliford, also known as Peyo, Smurfs is a Ty Ty and Jay Brown production. It is produced by Jay Brown, Ty Ty Smith, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, and Ryan Harris.

Smurfs features a voice cast including Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, Jp Karliak, Daniel Levy,...

Theaters around the world are about to see blue again. Paramount has released a new trailer for its upcoming live-action/animated Smurfs reboot.

Paramount has heavily leaned its marketing for Smurfs into making sure audiences know that Grammy-winning singer Rihanna is voicing Smurfette in the new movie. This continues in the latest trailer, which spends the first several seconds showing footage of Rihanna in the recording booth. When the trailer officially starts, a lot is going on, with Papa Smurf being taken prisoner, the Smurfs journeying into the live-action world (in what is now an overused trope for this franchise), and the snooterpoots (a Minions-level cute and small creature) making their debut. Check out the new trailer and poster for Smurfs below.

Poster via Paramount

The official synopsis for Smurfs reads as follows: "When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna...

For his first foray into animation, Ramy Youssef taps into stories from his own middle-school years for Prime Video’s #1 Happy Family USA.

“I had all these stories from this period of time that felt really unexplored,” says Youssef during a conversation for Deadline Studio at Prime Experience. “I looked back and thought, ‘Oh, this is crazy. And it’s so crazy that it should be animated.’”

Youssef, who co-created the show and voices the main character Rumi, was joined in the discussion by co-creator Pam Brady and art director Mona Chalabi.

Watch the conversation here and scroll down for photos from the event.

Set in the early 2000s, #1 Happy Family USA follows the Hussein family, Muslim-Americans who must learn to code-switch and adapt to new political circumstances after 9/11.

“[The story] was just so suited for animation, and it appealed to us that it was a way to talk about where we are now,...

The Smurfs are back, but whether that’s a good thing or not, we’re not quite sure. These blue creatures have been a pop culture staple for decades, and now they’re making a comeback in Smurfs, a reboot set for release in 2025. Unlike previous adaptations, however, this one will be a musical, with, perhaps, more surprises along the way.

PG movies are making a box office comeback, even outperforming PG-13 films last year. Paul Dergarabedian from Comscore says they’re becoming a real summer force. And while streaming is always there, filmmakers like Dean Fleischer Camp (Lilo & Stitch) believe nothing beats the magic of a movie theater, especially for kids.

With an all-star cast and an attempt to break down the Smurf mythology, this could either be a delightful trip down memory lane or yet another miss for the franchise. Let’s break it all down, and what we know about the project.

Emmy nominee Mandy Moore (This Is Us) has found her next major role in The Breadwinner, a TriStar Pictures comedy in which she’ll star opposite top comic Nate Bargatze, Deadline has learned.

Marking Bargatze’s feature film acting debut, the film sees Nate’s supermom wife, Katie, land a deal on Shark Tank. Subsequently, the lifelong breadwinner of the family becomes a stay-at-home dad and quickly realizes he’s in way over his head.

Rounding out the cast as the daughters of the on-screen couple are Stella Grace Fitzgerald (Rebel Moon), Birdie Borria (The Fabelmans) and Charlotte Ann Tucker (Thunderbolts*).

Bargatze and Dan Lagana penned the script, with TriStar preemptively acquiring the package back in November, as we were first to report. Eric Appel, the Emmy-winning director of Weird: The Al Yankovic Project, struck a deal to helm the feature in February, as you’ll recall from our subsequent reporting.

Mandy Moore, best known to screen audiences as one of the stars of NBC’s This Is Us, has joined comedian Nate Bargatze in The Breadwinner, a comedy feature that Eric Appel is directing for TriStar Pictures.

Additionally, up and comers Stella Grace Fitzgerald (Rebel Moon), Birdie Borria (The Fabelmans) and Charlotte Ann Tucker (Thunderbolts*) have joined the cast to play the onscreen couple’s daughters in the film.

Bargatze, one of the world’s top touring comedians, co-wrote the script and is producing the film with Dan Lagna. Former Marvel Studios exec Jeremy Latcham will also produce for Wonder Project.

The story sees the life of Bargatze’s character turned upside down when his supermom wife, played by Moore, lands a deal on Shark Tank. The lifelong breadwinner of the family becomes a stay-at-home dad, and quickly realizes he’s in way over his head.

Moore starred for six...

One of the best action movies of the last few years continues to prove its greatness, earning a pair of nominations at this year’s Gotham TV Awards. Released by Netflix back in September last year, Rebel Ridge has been both a critical and commercial success for the streamer, with the action thriller having now found itself up for awards consideration and thus cementing itself as one of the best genre features of modern times.

Rebel Ridge is now up for Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast, or Streaming alongside the likes of Peacock’s Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, NBC’s Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music, HBO’s Pee-wee as Himself, and Hulu’s Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius). Not only that, lead star Aaron Pierre is also in contention for Outstanding Performance in an Original Film, finding himself up against Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in Searchlight Pictures...

Emmy season is upon us, and while we won’t see those nominations until July 15, the second annual Gotham Television Awards could give us a taste of what to expect from TV’s biggest night. In the mix are critically-acclaimed series such as Netflix’s “Adolescence,” Max’s “The Pitt,” AppleTV+’s “The Studio” and FX/Hulu’s “Dying for Sex,” “Say Nothing” and “English Teacher,” among several newcomers.

“Building on the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony, the Gotham Television Awards returns with new categories, expanded tributes and a larger stage to celebrate the creators and artists making their mark on today’s television landscape,” Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham’s, said. “As the first awards show of the new television season, we are proud to bring together the industry’s most exciting new voices, celebrate breakthrough achievements and deepen our commitment to supporting the creative community.

The 2025 Gotham TV Awards nominations have been revealed, with Netflix’s Adolescence scoring a leading four nominations.

The four-episode series about a teenage boy accused of murder, which became a much-talked-about phenomenon shortly after its streaming debut last month, landed nods for breakthrough limited series, lead performance in a limited series (Stephen Graham) and two nods for supporting performance in a limited series (Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty).

Meanwhile, Max’s The Pitt, FX’s Dying for Sex and CBS’ Matlock each landed three nods, with a number of projects scoring two nods apiece.

Dying for Sex faces off against Adolescence in the limited series category, where additional nominees are Get Millie Back, Penelope and Say Nothing.

The Pitt and Matlock are nominated for breakthrough drama series, alongside Black Doves, Forever and One Hundred Years of Solitude.

The Pitt‘s Noah Wyle and Matlock‘s Kathy Bates are nominated for...

The Gotham Film & Media Institute handed out nominations to Adolescence, The Pitt and The Studio as well as performances by Kathy Bates, Sterling K. Brown, Ted Danson, Linda Lavin, Cristin Milioti and Michelle Williams for its second annual Gotham Television Awards.

The 2025 event set noms in twelve categories with Netflix’ high-profile series Adolescence topping at four and The Pitt, Matlock and Dying For Sex with three each. A number had double hitters including The Studio, Overcompensating, Penelope, Fantasmas, Deli Boys, Forever, English Teacher and Paradise.

“Building on the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony, the Gotham Television Awards returns with new categories, expanded tributes, and a larger stage to celebrate the creators and artists making their mark on today’s television landscape,” said Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of The Gotham. “As the first awards show of the new television season, we are proud to bring together the industry’s most exciting new voices,...

Max’s medical drama “The Pitt,” AppleTV+’s “The Studio” and Netflix’s “Adolescence” are among the top shows nominated at the 2025 Gotham Television Awards.

Other shows nominated include FX’s “Dying for Sex” and CBS’ “Matlock.” Among the outstanding performances recognized across multiple genres include Kathy Bates (“Matlock”), Sterling K. Brown (“Paradise”), Michelle Williams (“Dying for Sex”) and Olivia Williams (“Dune: Prophecy).

The critically acclaimed “Adolescence,” which recently set its Emmys acting campaigns, saw nods for Stephen Graham, along with breakout newcomer Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty.

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson landed two nominations. One for “Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music” and the other for “Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius).”

“Building on the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony, the Gotham Television Awards returns with new categories, expanded tributes, and a larger stage to celebrate the creators and artists making their mark on today’s television landscape,...

The Gotham Television Awards are recognizing the buzziest series of the year. IndieWire can announce the 2025 nominees, including “Adolescence,” “The Pitt,” and “The Studio.” The Gotham Television Awards ceremony will take place Monday, June 2 in New York City at Cipriani Wall Street.

“Building on the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony, the Gotham Television Awards returns with new categories, expanded tributes, and a larger stage to celebrate the creators and artists making their mark on today’s television landscape,” Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of The Gotham, said. “As the first awards show of the new television season, we are proud to bring together the industry’s most exciting new voices, celebrate breakthrough achievements, and deepen our commitment to supporting the creative community.”

Kathy Bates, Sterling K. Brown, Ted Danson, Linda Lavin, Cristin Milioti, and Michelle Williams are among the actors recognized in the genderless categories. The second annual awards...

Most episodes of “#1 Happy Family USA” open with a disclaimer in the style of a rating screen you might see before a trailer at the movie theater. In a red banner across the screen, the phrase “Representation Warning” is written in big, bold white letters. Underneath, the text continues with “Do not use this animated show as cultural representation for the following communities: Muslims, Arabs,” and a third category that, depending on the episode, could be “People from New Jersey,” “White girls named Courtney,” or “Men.” Instead of a rating, the box at the bottom reads “H” for “Haram,” with text that says “Allah please forgive mistakes in this program.”

For series co-creator and star Ramy Youssef, the idea behind that tongue-in-cheek opening came from what he described as a “kind of exhaustion.” When the comedian’s break-out Hulu live-action series “Ramy” — a dramedy exploring a fictionalized version of both...

Official Poster Of #1 Happy Family USA (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

Animated comedies have long been the lifeblood of late-night TV, with classics like The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy aging like fine wine or at least like stubborn pop culture icons that refuse to leave the dinner table. Now, Prime Video has tossed its own wild card into the mix, and it’s already shaking things up.

A New Contender Enters the Animated Arena

Say hello to #1 Happy Family USA, the brainchild of Ramy Youssef. Yep, the same Ramy who turned cultural introspection into comedy gold with Ramy on Hulu. This time around, he’s traded moody dramedy for animated satire, diving headfirst into a post-9/11 America through the eyes of the relentlessly chipper Hussein family.

The series’ plotline reads, “#1 Happy Family USA follows the maniacally upbeat Husseins – the most patriotic, most peaceful, and most definitely-not-suspicious Muslim family in post-9/11 ‘Amreeka.

“#1 Happy Family USA” opens on September 10, 2001 — a day like any other.

For the Hussein family, that means Rumi (voiced by Ramy Youssef) wakes up to put on his new, oversized, knock-off Michael Jordan jersey. Before he can complain, his father scolds him for costing the family too much money. His sister Mona (Alia Shawkat), meanwhile, does nothing wrong. Her expenses are the lowest in the household, which makes her daddy’s favorite — “I love you the most,” he says, kissing her on the forehead. Rumi’s mom Sharia (Salma Hindy) tries to defend her son, but she’s got her hands full with her own parents. Grandpa is a religious purist, demanding to put on the Quran over breakfast and promising his own daughter she’ll “rot in hell” alongside her mother (his wife), who he berates for watching too much TV.

The vibes are… not great, but they’re also undiluted.

Animated shows have been popular for decades, with shows like The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, American Dad, and South Park continuing to enjoy a lot of popularity even after double-digit seasons. Now, Prime Video has added a new animated series that seems to have great potential.

Stand-up comedian and actor Ramy Youssef just created a new series, #1 Happy Family USA, following the success of his hit comedy drama Ramy, which ran for three seasons on Hulu. The new comedy series takes place in the early 2000s and follows the non-suspicious Muslim family, the Husseins, in a post-9/11 America. Following its debut on Prime Video, #1 Happy Family USA debuted with a rare perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

#1 Happy Family USA debuted on Prime Video on Apr. 17, and it's already receiving positive reviews from critics. So far, the series has only five reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but all of them are positive.

Today sees the release of#1 Happy Family USA, an uproarious Prime Video original that follows the Hussein family, a group of eternally optimistic and super-patriotic — and in no way suspicious at all, so don't even think about considering that — Muslim Americans who are attempting to navigate what life is like for them in the wake of September 11, 2001. The show is the brainchild of Ramy Youssef, who worked alongside Pam Brady, best known for her work on South Park, to give the series a particularly sharp edge. To mark the big day, Collider is delighted to once again be working with Prime Video to bring you an exclusive sneak peek at the series.

Youssef pulls double duty on the show, voicing both Rumi Hussein and his father, Hussein Hussein — alongside a supporting all-star cast including Mandy Moore, Kieran Culkin, Alia Shawkat, Chris Redd, Timothy Olyphant — and the absurdity of things needs...

Fans missing the bone-dry wit of “Succession” may finally quench their thirst with Jesse Armstrong’s new HBO satire “Mountainhead.”

While promoting his new adult animated series “#1 Happy Family USA,” Ramy Youssef — one of the leads in the “Succession” creator’s feature film debut — called the project “funny in the same way ‘Succession’ is.”

“‘Succession’ is one of the best comedies ever made — and this film is certainly funny in the same way,” Youssef told Variety on Wednesday night at the “#1 Happy Family USA” premiere in New York. “Jesse’s writing is on another level. It’s really hard to find something of that caliber, so getting to do it was such a joy.”

“Mountainhead” follows a group of billionaire friends as they convene against the backdrop of an international crisis. The ensemble of snowed-in billionaires also includes Steve Carell as Randall, Jason Schwartzman as Souper/Hugo Van Yalk,...

Amazon Prime Video’s new adult animated comedy #1 Happy Family USA offers a provocative fusion of personal nostalgia and political satire. Co‑created by Ramy Youssef—who also voices both father and son—and South Park veteran Pam Brady, the eight‑episode season tracks the Husseins, an Egyptian‑American family in suburban New Jersey, on September 10–11, 2001. By starting one day before the attacks, the series positions adolescent rites of passage—tween crushes, coded school elections—against the looming crisis that reshaped American life and Muslim diaspora identity.

At a glance, the show’s coming‑of‑age moments echo Bollywood’s youthful exuberance, yet the narrative subverts musical traditions with darker humor, bridging trends in adult animation from Big Mouth to South Park. Visually, Mona Chalabi’s hieroglyph‑inspired character designs and bold color fields recall both Indian folk art motifs and early‑00s hand‑drawn aesthetics. Surreal flourishes—a talking lamb,...

The new adult animated comedy comes from creators Ramy Youssef and Pam Brady and follows a Muslim family in early 2000s America.

It’s the early 2000s America, and the Hussein family is the talk of the town. From the minds of Ramy Youssef (“Ramy”) and Pam Brady (“South Park,” “Lady Dynamite” comes the brand-new A24 series “#1 Happy Family USA.” The adult animated satirical comedy will debut its full first season this Thursday, April 17 exclusively on Prime Video— watch with [a subscription to Prime Video][Priem Video $]!

How to watch ‘#1 Happy Family USA’ When: Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 3:01 a.m. Et TV: Prime Video Stream: Watch with a 30-day free trial to Prime Video From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a Vpn. Everything you need to know to stream ‘#1 Happy Family USA’

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Pam Brady is a comedy writer’s comedy writer, her Hollywood career starting in the mid-1990s. If you don’t recognize her name, you know her credits: She was integral to the early years of South Park — she was also co-writer of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and Team America: World Police — and she wrote the cult classic Hot Rod and co-created the Maria Bamford sitcom Lady Dynamite. And if all that wasn’t enough, she’s got stories about Robert Evans, the notorious producer and studio head responsible for some of the great American movies of the 1970s, like The Godfather. That’s what she wants to talk about first when we meet up over Zoom.

“I did the animated show Kid Notorious,” she says, referring to the short-lived 2003 Comedy Central sitcom that featured Evans as the swaggering main character. “I had to quit before we even...

The new music video for “Higher Love” by Desi Trill featuring DJ Khaled, Cardi B, Natania, and Subhi from the forthcoming Paramount Animation Motion Picture Smurfs has been released. The film will be in theaters on July 18, 2025.

Synopsis: When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.

About The Film

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical Starring: Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, Jp Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, John Goodman Director: Chris Miller Screenplay: Pam Brady Produced by: Jay Brown, Ty Ty Smith, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ryan Harris, p.g.a.

After eight years away from theaters and a shift in production companies, the Smurfs are finally about to dance back onto the big screen with a new musical installment headlined by Grammy-winner Rihanna. The little blue creatures, created by Belgian artist Peyo, are now under Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies and are set for an adventure that will define their destiny, taking them across universes with plenty of tunes along the way. We're excited to include their grand return as part of Collider's Exclusive Preview event for summer movies, offering a new image of the "Umbrella" singer's iconic Smurfette. She'll lead a star-studded village to other worlds on July 18, with Puss in Boots helmer Chris Miller directing the journey.

Smurfswhisks audiences back to the Smurf Village, where nothing ever goes wrong. Our exclusive image shows a peaceful day for Smurfette as she walks through the woods with a fellow...

2025 is shaping up to be an important year for Nick Kroll. The two-time Emmy nominee is bidding farewell to his semi-autobiographical animated hit Big Mouth with its eighth and final season on May 23, and, on July 18, he'll be part of the cast for the big-screen return of the Smurfs in the Rihanna-led animated movie from Pam Brady. Between those two projects, however, his SXSW 2024 comedy horror flick I Don't Understand You will finally make its way to theaters on June 6, and we're excited to include the film as part ofCollider's Exclusive Preview event for summer movies. We can share a new image that centers on the two main characters of the story, played by Kroll and Broadway star Andrew Rannells, who look anything but chill during what appears to be a dinner date.

I Don't Understand You stars Kroll and Rannells as Dom and Cole, a wealthy couple who...

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Prime Video is ready with an entertainment-packed April this year. The upcoming month will see the return of the beloved Original series Leverage: Redemption and also the release of the much-anticipated horror action series The Bondsman. Just like every month, Prime Video is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the best 11 new movies and TV shows coming to Prime Video in April 2025.

Speak No Evil (April 1) Credit – Universal Pictures

Speak No Evil is a psychological horror thriller film written and directed by James Watkins. Based on the 2022 Danish-Dutch film of the same name by Christian and Mads Tafdrup, the 2024 film follows an American family on their dream holiday, which soon turns into a nightmare when a British family invites them to their quaint country estate to spend a weekend with them.

There’s been a lot of discussion online about how exactly South Park has evaded being taken down by “cancel culture” and “gets away” with their wildly offensive brand of humor, which frequently pushes the boundaries of good taste.

Well, it could also be that the people who make South Park are wise enough to know that comedy is always evolving.

As reported by The New York Post, in a recent interview, former South Park producer and writer (and Lady Dynamite co-creator) Pam Brady was asked about her history with the cartoon. And she didn’t hold back in terms of reassessing certain jokes, recalling that her worst contribution was a Mr. Garrison line from South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. “One character said, ‘I don’t trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn’t die,'” Brady explained. “I remember it was just like the most misogynistic...

Ramy Youssef’s “#1 Happy Family USA,” which follows a Muslim-American family in post-9/11 America should not be a representation of the community, the creator told audiences ahead of the premiere at the SXSW TV and Film Festival on March 9.

“There’s a representation warning in the beginning of every episode that tells you not to use this show as representation. I have had a very torn relationship with representation and the idea of what it should do or what it is,” he told the audience in Austin ahead of the premiere. “This is a show about capitalism. And I think when you watch the first couple of episodes, you’ll see that, but it is certainly not representative of Arabs or Muslims — many of which will, I think, see things that they really appreciate and other things where they’ll be like, ‘What the fuck, Ramy. Why do you do this stuff?...