Matt Friend dreams of one day hosting the Academy Awards. The viral comedian is one step closer to the big show by booking a spot to host the red carpet on Hollywood’s biggest night for ABC and Live with Kelly & Mark.
Following breakout turns at high-profile events like the Golden Globes, Emmy Awards, the White House Correspondents’ dinner, the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, the Palm Springs Film Awards and even Milan Fashion Week (with Zegna), Friend is taking his act to the Oscars. He’ll not only have a spot on the carpet for talent interviews but he will also appear the following morning on Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ popular morning-after broadcast, where they recap the big night and feature other surprise guests and moments.
The news broke this morning on Kelly & Mark with a special segment featuring Friend. The Hollywood Reporter caught up with the People’s Sexiest Man Alive alum for a brief chat on Thursday to find out who he’s most excited to interview (or do an impression of), his favorite movies this year and why he’s already planning on sleeping very little on Oscar night.
What was your reaction when you got the call?
It’s unbelievable. I’m 27, and very young to be in this business. I’m working hard to make these opportunities happen through hustle. I was recently a guest on Kelly & Mark, and I met one of the producers, Jan. We loosely discussed my plans for Oscar night and broached the subject. I got really excited when it seemed like this could be something that could actually happen. It’s crazy because the ultimate dream is to host the Oscars one day. I’m touring right now doing stand-up, and this is just an amazing way to be in that world and continue to do what I do.
What’s your strategy when you approach a red carpet event like this?
It’s interesting. I am not really a red carpet host or one of those personalities. I’m a comedian, I do impressions, and I’m an actor so those are my trades. I just found this as a way to expand what I do in the context of these carpets. It really started at the Globes a few years ago. And now, a lot of celebrities approach me to interact, maybe do an impression of them to their face, and that’s something that has gone viral from Jeff Goldblum to Nicolas Cage to Paul Giamatti to Austin Butler and the cast of Succession. Carpets are when you find people at their best, suited up in tuxedos, and excited about being able to celebrate their work. It’s also just a big part. My goal is not to ask people what they are wearing. My job is to be a comedian and get really funny moments while also celebrating the work. I take my cues from Johnny Carson, who is a huge inspiration. What he did so well was set up the person who he was talking to in such a way that they would really shine. I’m viewing this as if I’m a late night host with a show on the carpet.
And then you’ll be on the following morning?
Yes, which will be an unbelievable to experience. It’s going to be a sleepless, crazy night. I’m 27, like I said, so I don’t want to miss anything or any of those parties. I’m going to be there for it all and I will be reporting on how great it was the following morning.
One of the things that’s so impressive about you is that you always seem so comfortable and never nervous. Is there anyone who has made you nervous in the past? Or anyone you would like to meet who is nominated this year?
My real big inspirations in life, whether it’s [Regis Philbin] or [David Letterman], and Kelly and Mark do such a great job with this, too; they all make their guests really comfortable. In order to do that, you have to be comfortable and relaxed. At the end of the day, it’s just people who all want to have a great time. It’s nice to celebrate them and their work. Timothée Chalamet was the first impression of mine that really blew up. I posted a Timothée Chalamet TikTok video when I was a senior at NYU, during the Call Me By Your Name era, with long curly hair, eating a peach. It would be amazing to see him.
Leonardo DiCaprio would be incredible. I’ve had the opportunity to see him out and about and also at the Governor’s Awards. That would be a big moment. Michael B. Jordan. Sean Baker followed me on Instagram so that would be a cool person to talk to. Obviously, Benicio del Toro. But I even get excited about executives like Bob Iger and Ted Sarandos. I like guys like that where I can make them seen in a setting that they’re not typically seen in as opposed to a typical CNBC or weird finance tech interview. I want to get laugh out loudly funny moments.
What was your favorite movie this year?
I’ve been seeing all of them. I really related to elements of Marty Supreme because I’m hustling and trying to build a name for myself. That was inspiring to a certain extent. One Battle After Another obviously was great. Hamnet. Frankenstein. Oscar Isaac is unbelievable. Jacob Elordi is very attractive. Seeing the two of us next to each other would seduce audiences worldwide. The funny thing about these interviews is that most people are so short but Jacob Elordi is actually taller than me, which is increasingly rare. I love Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman’s Song Sung Blue. I hope to get to do a little duet on some Neil Diamond.
How’s the tour going?
Unbelievable. I have a huge show in Las Vegas at The Venetian shortly after the Oscars. It will be a crazy few weeks for me. I’m going to Poughkeepsie in New York, followed by Miami and a residency at the Carlyle in New York in April. But the big one is at The Palazzo in the Venetian on March 21. I also have San Diego where I’ll be working on my first hour-long special. There will be stories about my experiences with some of these stars on carpets or interactions with various celebrities. I love award shows. I literally binge-watch old Oscars monologues from Billy Crystal to Ellen DeGeneres to Bob Hope to Johnny Carson. I can’t wait to see Conan O’Brien back. When you watch old monologues, you can see how they hit certain jokes or touch on the relevant subject matters of the day. I just love the tradition of it and I think it’s going to be epic this year.
