Election Insights with Professor Christina Greer and Mia Jackson

In this week's Friends Like Us, we explore the powerful role Black women play in shaping democracy, Marina Franklin talks with the brilliant Professor Christina Greer and. Listen in for political insights and a chuckle or two with comedian Mia Jackson.  Christina Greer is a Professor of Political Science at Fordham University, Lincoln Center (Manhattan) campus and currently a Visiting Fellow at Brooklyn Org. Her research and teaching focus on American politics, Black ethnic politics, campaigns and elections, and public opinion. She is the author of "Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream", "How to Build a Democracy from Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams", and co-editor of "Black Politics in Transition: Imimigration, Suburbanization, and Gentrification". Greer writes a weekley column for the Amsterdam News, is a frequent political commentator on several media outlets, and is the co-host of the New York City centered podcast FAQ-NYC.  Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for "native"). In 2017, she was selected as a New Face by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and Atlanta's Creative Loafing named her the Critic's Choice Best Stand-Up in the city. She has toured nationally with Amy Schumer and is a featured comic at festivals and clubs across the country. Her first stand up special aired in October 2018 as part of Unprotected Sets on EPIX. Mia has appeared on NickMom's Night Out, Viceland, Comedy Central's This Week at the Comedy Cellar and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Her Comedy Central half hour special debuted in November 2019. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Host Marina Franklin talks with Ant Pruitt, and Alexis Bradby! From AI's impact on the workforce to the value of human connection, this episode covers it all. Don't miss out on the laughs and wisdom!  Ant Pruitt is a model and commercial actor as a well as a freelance digital content creator. If not on set working as talent for a photo or commercial shoot, Ant is out in the field as a freelance photographer capturing local high school sports photos for the local newspaper and MaxPreps online. He also hosts the Everyday People podcast with his better half where they pretty much talk about being "everyday people, doing everyday sh** "   Alexis Bradby  Originally from East Tennessee, Alexis Bradby started her stand-up journey after moving to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California. Recently , she's been featured in the Netflix is a Joke Festival and the New York Comedy Festival. Known for her contagious smile and youthful energy, Alexis can be found regularly performing all over New York City. In addition to stand-up, she writes for television and was in the writers room for hit shows such as iCarly and Tab Time. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

This week on Friends, Marina Franklin hosts a vibrant discussion with Sara Contreras, and Kimberly Clark. From personal journeys to cultural insights, explore the power of comedy to bridge generations and spark change. Don't miss out! #ComedyUnites Sara Contreras is one of the nation's leading Latina comics, known as the "Latin Diva of Comedy."  She's best known as a member of "The Original Latin Divas of Comedy," Showtime special that earned an ALMA Award nomination for Best Comedy Special. Her TV credits include NBC's *Law & Order: SVU*, *Mozart in the Jungle*, and *Third Watch*, along with appearances on Comedy Central and ABC's *The View*. Contreras is currently touring with her one-person show, "Freak of Nature," a multimedia production that takes audiences through her life navigating "Generation Jones" and the Baby Boomer generation. Before comedy, she spent four decades as a public school speech therapist, holds a master's degree in Speech Pathology from Brooklyn College, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.   Kimberly Clark: Originally from Syracuse, NY. She's been seen on Netflix's Tiffany Haddish presents: They Ready, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Last Comic Standing. She was named one of Time Out L.A.'s Comics To Watch. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

This Friends Like Us, Marina Franklin is chatting with comedians Rob Haze and Gina Brillon about everything from comedy dynamics to Hispanic Heritage Month. Get ready for laughs and thought-provoking insights! Rob Haze is a comedian from Atlanta, Georgia. He is a writer/ performer on Sherman's Showcase on IFC. He was on the Sneaker Sketch  show Sneak This on B/R Kicks. Rob has a stand up album called Haze-o-pedia. Rob's standup has been featured on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Late Show, Comedy Central, and Viceland. Rob has a podcast called The Inconsistent Podcast with Rob Haze available everywhere.  Gina Brillon is a comedian, host, writer and producer born and raised in the Bronx, New York. Brillon has been performing stand-up since the age of 17 and in 2012 became the first Latina winner of NBC's stand-up for Diversity showcase. Named a "new face" at the 2013 Montreal Just for Laughs festival, she went on to release her debut Hour special 'Gina Brillon: Pacifically Speaking' in 2014. Her HBO special 'Gina Brillon: easily offended' was released in 2019 as part of the entre nos series and in 2020 the critically acclaimed 'Gina Brillon; the floor is lava' premiered on Amazon and went on to become an imagen award nominee and a 2021 Gracie award winner. Her latest release 'Gina Brillon; Mind Your Business' premiered on 800pgm earlier this year amassing over a quarter million views in the first month. Brillon's tv roles include guest stars on CBS's Kevin Can Wait, ABC's the conners and appearances on The View, Late Night with Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Most recently, in 2023, she guest starred in the Disney holiday movie 'Dashing Through the Snow' alongside Lil Rel Howery and Ludacris. In 2021, during its 16th season, Gina became the first Puerto Rican comedian to be named a finalist on NBC's America's Got Talent. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Friends Like Us hosted by Marina Franklin presents comedians Hollie Harper & Sami Beason diving into cultural discussions and comedy. Whether it's cat stories or remembering 9/11, it's packed with humor and heart. Don't miss it! Hollie Harper is a South Jersey comedian/writer/actress. In 2021 she created and co-exec-produced Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV for which she was nominated for best actress at 2021's NYC Web Fest. She was a recent semi-finalist in the NBC Standup Competition, won Best Actress at 2024's Act One, One Act Festival and just earned a Best Actress nomination by Broadway World for her performance in Melanie Goodreaux's "The Popes Of Farragut Street". Her live, sold-out comedy show "F.D.K." with Emily Flake was recently chosen for the Knockouts Women's Comedy Festival, the New York Comedy Festival and the IO Comedy Festival in Chicago. Sami Beason is a rising comedy talent from Denver, celebrated for their quick wit, authentic storytelling, and constant giggle. In 2024, they took home the Best of Fest award at the Colorado Springs Festival and now has a special on YouTube called "First Gen" through open bar. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

On this Friends Like Us, laughter and real talk with Marina Franklin as she hosts the hilarious Vanessa Fraction and Kenice Mobley. We tackle everything from personal growth and hilarious moments to the undeniable legacy of Dolly Parton.  Tune in for laughs and real talk! Vanessa Fraction is a comedian, actress, writer, and host who brings big laughs, big energy, and a point of view you don't forget. She's known for turning real‑life chaos into comedy that lands every time. With a style rooted in honesty and delivered with undeniable presence, she's built a reputation for humor that connects and performances that stand out on stage, on screen, and anywhere someone hands her a mic. Her on‑screen credits include Mann & Wife, Last Call, Barbershop 2, Praise This, and the recent romantic comedy You Me & Tuscany. As a writer, she's contributed to nationally recognized comedy specials, TV projects, and live productions, shaping material with a voice that's bold, clever, and built for the screen, proving her pen is just as strong as her punchlines. Vanessa stays rooted in stand‑up comedy, touring internationally and performing for audiences across the country and around the world. She also brings her comedic perspective to television and radio as both a host and guest host, adding humor and insight to news programs, entertainment shows, and cultural conversations. In addition to her on‑air work, she co‑hosts T‑Pain's Nappy Boy Radio podcast, where her quick wit and commentary shine in every episode. Vanessa Fraction is the performer you call when you want humor with edge, presence with personality, and a voice that knows exactly how to command a room. She's a talent with range, confidence, and a comedic instinct that elevates every project she touches. Kenice Mobley performs stand up comedy around the world and recently made her late-night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She appears regularly on SiriusXM and is a Finalist in the StandUp NBC Competition. She was named to Vulture's 2021 list of Comedians You Should and Will Know. Kenice's debut comedy album Follow Up Question, filmed at Union Hall in New York, was released in December 2022. Kenice worked on the BET Awards and By Us For Us, a sketch comedy series presented by Color of Change. She hosts Complexify on ViceNews, Love About Town, an interview and relationship podcast, and Make Yourself Cry, available on Planet Scum. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

This week, host Marina Franklin talks with Amma Marfo and Nonye Brown-West about the debate over Jilaf Rice, Harry and Meghan, and that everybody is weird.  Amma Marfo : After years of writing about comedy, Amma decided to take to the stage – on the nudge of a dare set for her by her podcast co-hosts. In the years since, she's developed an "anxious Black nerd" persona that creates a unique take on current events, life as a thirtysomething, and pop culture. Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch

This week on Friends Like Us, Host Marina Franklin talks with Chanel Ali and Sarah Cooper about Chanel's Solo Show-Relative Stranger, Sarah's Work on Survival Of The Thickest, and hot topics! Sarah Cooper is a stand-up comedian, writer, actor and producer. As a comedian, she shares observational takes on the news, relationships, identity, technology and the corporate world. Her books include 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings (2016), How to Be Successful without Hurting Men's Feelings (2018), and her debut memoir Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination and Humiliation (2023). Cooper went viral in 2020 with her Trump lip-sync videos, leading to Netflix special Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine, and appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The View and the New York Times Best Performers list. She's appeared in Jerry Seinfeld's directorial debut Unfrosted: The Pop-tart Story (2024). She currently appears as Sydney in Netflix's Survival of the Thickest. Chanel Ali You know Chanel Ali from Netflix's Dash and Lily or her time on MTV's Girl Code. Originally from Philly, her storyteller-like style and commanding stage presence allowed her to conquer the NYC comedy scene as a crowd favorite. She boasts two Comedy Central specials, an album, and the fact that she drinks way more than you. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

LeBron's last harrah, wondering why Gen Z is choosing sleep over sex, how New Yorkers brave the streets, or just need a good laugh? We've got you! Join your host Marina Franklin with guests Sami Sour and Hollie Harper for the latest laughs and life lessons. Hollie Harper is a South Jersey comedian/writer/actress. In 2021 she created and co-exec-produced Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV for which she was nominated for best actress at 2021's NYC Web Fest. She was a recent semi-finalist in the NBC Standup Competition, won Best Actress at 2024's Act One, One Act Festival and just earned a Best Actress nomination by Broadway World for her performance in Melanie Goodreaux's "The Popes Of Farragut Street". Her live, sold-out comedy show "F.D.K." with Emily Flake was recently chosen for the Knockouts Women's Comedy Festival, the New York Comedy Festival and the IO Comedy Festival in Chicago. Sami Beason is a rising comedy talent from Denver, celebrated for their quick wit, authentic storytelling, and constant giggle. In 2024, they took home the Best of Fest award at the Colorado Springs Festival and now has a special on YouTube called "First Gen" through open bar. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Host Marina Franklin chats with Emmy-nominated composer Kathryn Bostic & filmmaker Sharaé Nikai. Dive into their stories, career wisdom, and the power of community and vote for Kathryn for the World Soundtrack Awards.  Kathryn Bostic - Award winning, Emmy nominated (The Supremes at Earl's All You Can Eat; Amy Tan-Unintended Memoir; Toni Morrison-The Pieces I Am) composer and singer-songwriter Kathryn Bostic is known for her original work on film,TV, Broadway and symphonic music. On Broadway, Bostic worked with iconic playwright August Wilson, creating the score for "Gem of the Ocean." She also created the score for the Broadway production "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" featuring world renowned actor and comedian Robin Williams. She is a recipient of many awards and fellowships including the prestigious BMI "Streaming Media Award"; Hollywood Music in Media Award for "Best Score TV Streamed Movie"; Society of Composers and Lyricists "Outstanding Music for Independent Feature Film"; African American Film Critics Award for "Best Music in Film"; Sundance Time Warner Fellowship; Sundance Fellowship for Feature Film Scoring; and Sundance Documentary Film Scoring. Bostic served as Vice President for the Alliance of Women Film Composers. She is a member of Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, The Recording Academy, and Bostic is the first African American female composer in the Academy for Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Her end title song "High Above the Water" for the award winning film "Toni Morrison- The Pieces I Am" was Oscar shortlisted. Her work on Sarah's Oil: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is up for the world sound track public choice award. You can vote for Kathryn at https://www.worldsoundtrackawards.com/. Sharaé Nikai - Against industry odds, Jersey City native Sharaé Nikai wrote, produced, co-directed and starred in her very first feature film, "The Other, Gold." It is a heartfelt dramedy that follows a TV writer living in Little Tokyo as she navigates grief, isolation and the rekindling of a former BFF-ship. Out of 13,016 submissions, TOG was invited to world premiere as one of only 10 films in Tribeca's US Narrative Competition. This acclaim led to Nikai being in consideration for the 2025 Oscars, Spirit Awards and Emmys in the Outstanding Television Movie, Directing & Lead Actress categories. It also makes her the first Black female quadruple threat (sole writer/producer, director & star) to qualify for the Academy Awards with no studio or major production company backing. As a producer, Sharaé secured an exclusive Mental Health Awareness partnership for "The Other, Gold" at FOX-owned Tubi and sponsorship for its launch by Women in Film (WIF) and The Entertainment Community Fund. In March 2026, "The Other, Gold" was released worldwide in celebration of Women's History Month exclusively on Apple TV. In addition to TOG, Nikai appears in numerous ad campaigns, films and TV series including Grey's Anatomy and opposite Alison Brie in Sundance's "Horse Girl" (The DuPlass Bros/Netflix). Currently, she is the 2026 international voice of Nordstrom Rack all while developing her dramedy driven TV/film slate. In her spare time, Sharaé takes serious pride in the accent mark over her "e" and is the reigning (read: self-proclaimed) trap karaoke queen. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch