Day: August 15, 2025

National Tell a Joke Day Just Got Sweeter Thanks to Damon Wayans Jr. and Laffy Taffy

Got jokes? Here’s your chance to get them printed on Laffy Taffy’s iconic wrapper … if you can make Damon Wayans Jr. laugh. Photo: Laffy Taffy, used with permission.

Make Damon Wayans Jr. Laugh—Your Joke Could End Up on a Laffy Taffy® Wrapper!

CHICAGO – Why did the candy fan call the Laff Line?
For the chance to make comedian, actor, and producer Damon Wayans Jr. laugh—and maybe see their joke printed on a Laffy Taffy® candy wrapper. (Laffy Taffy, 2025)

The beloved candy brand, famous for its classic dad jokes, has teamed up with Wayans to launch its first-ever Laffy Taffy Laff Line—a hilarious hotline for fans to share their punniest original jokes. Winning jokes could land a spot on Laffy Taffy’s new, easier-to-open wrappers.

How to Call the Laffy Taffy Laff Line

📅 When: August 16, National Tell a Joke Day
📞 Number: 1-844-LOL-HOUR (1-844-565-4687)
🕒 Time: 3p.m. – 7p.m. Eastern Time (aka “Laffy Hour”)

During Laffy Hour, select callers will get the chance to tell their joke directly to Wayans and his “Laff Squad”—a team of comedians from Zanies Chicago—hoping to make them laff out loud.

Joke Guidelines:

  • 100 characters or less
  • Must follow the classic Laffy Taffy format: setup + punchline (up to 50 characters each)

Wayans will also share some of his own one-liners back to callers.

“I like to consider myself a dad joke expert, so I’m excited to hear some fresh material,” said Wayans. “Do you have what it takes to make me laugh? If so, give me a ring!”

New Wrappers, Same Sweet Laughs

Laffy Taffy Mini Bars now feature a smooth, easy-open wrapper—no more sticky or shredded packaging—while still serving up that signature creamy candy. With the new look, the brand is also refreshing its jokes, inviting fans themselves to help write the next batch.

“These moments of connection bring joy to our fans every day,” said Ashley Incarnato, Senior Marketing Director at Ferrara Candy Company. “With Damon Wayans Jr., the Laffy Taffy Laff Line is the perfect way to connect with our community, give them the chance to test their comedic chops, and bring more laughter to families of all generations.”

Win a Spot on a Laffy Taffy Wrapper

All callers can submit their original joke for a chance to be printed on Laffy Taffy wrappers sold nationwide. Jokes will be judged on humor, originality, creativity, and brand fit.

Prizes:

  • Top 100 jokes printed on wrappers
  • Winners receive a custom bag of Laffy Taffy Mini Bars with an exclusive preview of fellow winners’ jokes

About Laffy Taffy®

Since 1971, Laffy Taffy® has been bringing little bites of delight to families everywhere. Its lineup includes classic mini bars, Stretchy and Tangy bars, and Laffy Taffy Ropes, available in flavors like Cherry, Strawberry, Grape, Watermelon, Sour Apple, Banana, and Blue Raspberry.

Contest Details:
No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. Void where prohibited. Begins 3p.m. ET August 16, 2025, ends 7p.m. ET August 16, 2025. Full contest rules

From Festival Favorite to VOD: The Compatriots Launches Nationwide This September

The heartfelt comedy will be released digitally starting in the US and Canada on September 16. Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.

The Compatriots Brings Heartfelt Humor and Immigration Stories to VOD This September

Release Date: September 16, 2025 (U.S. & Canada)
Platform: VOD Nationwide (with international releases to follow)

Blue Harbor Entertainment has announced that its award-winning festival favorite The Compatriots will be available on Video on Demand across the U.S. and Canada beginning September 16, 2025. Additional VOD releases in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other territories are coming soon. (EG-PR, 2025)

The film’s release aligns with Citizen Day in the United States (Sept. 17), making its themes of immigration, identity, and belonging especially timely.

A Story of Friendship, Belonging, and Resilience

Marking the narrative feature directorial debut of Spencer Cohen, The Compatriots is a nuanced comedy-drama starring Rafael Silva (Javi) and Denis Shepherd (Hunter), alongside Dakota Lustic, Caroline Portu, Jaison Hunter, and Brandon Grimes.

The story follows Javi, an undocumented immigrant facing deportation, who unexpectedly reconnects with his estranged best friend Hunter, a charming bachelor yearning for deeper connections. Together, they embark on a heartfelt mission to keep Javi in the only country he has ever known.

Inspired by Cohen’s childhood best friend Alberto Sayan, a Dreamer from Peru, the film offers an intimate look at the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants—especially those brought to the U.S. as children and now facing deportation to countries they barely remember.

Festival Accolades

Since its premiere, The Compatriots has made an impressive run on the festival circuit, earning:

  • Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature – Woods Hole Film Festival
  • Emerging New England Filmmaker Award – Woods Hole Film Festival
  • Best LGBTQ Feature – Poppy Jasper Film Festival
  • Best Narrative Feature – San Antonio Film Festival

It has also been featured at the Maui, Ojai, Chelsea, and Fort Lauderdale Film Festivals.

Director’s Statement

“Dreamers are not an abstract concept; they are our neighbors, nurses, teachers—and in my case, my best friend Alberto,” says director Spencer Cohen. “They are integral parts of our communities, and they deserve to feel safe in the country they call home. I hope audiences will see Javi as their best friend and fight for policies that give permanent protection to millions like him.”

About Blue Harbor Entertainment

Founded in 2023 by Amanda Sherwin, Mike Messina, and Seth Needle, Blue Harbor Entertainment is a boutique distributor dedicated to empowering independent filmmakers. With decades of combined industry experience, the company offers full-scale distribution and marketing solutions for theatrical, digital, and television releases—providing a flexible, filmmaker-first approach in today’s evolving entertainment landscape.

Release Date Reminder: The Compatriots premieres on VOD September 16, 2025, in the U.S. and Canada.

Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.