The first GatorNights of the semester kicks off Friday with a performance by one of television’s up-and-coming comedians.
Jerrod Carmichael, best-known for his role as fraternity brother Garf in the movie "Neighbors," will be cracking jokes on the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom stage at 10:30 p.m. as part of GatorNights’ first event. He will be paid $10,000.
The event will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Josh Wilson, a Reitz Union program coordinator, said the event was created as a fun way to introduce new students to the Reitz.
"We try to kick off the first of the year extra special," he said.
Carmichael’s new show, "The Carmichael Show," premieres tonight on NBC. Wilson said the Reitz wanted to pick a performer relevant to UF students.
"He is definitely blowing up right now, so this is a good time for us to have him and an exciting time for him as well in his career," he said.
Kathleen Johnston, a UF health science sophomore and supplies coordinator of the GatorNights Committee, said she hadn’t heard of Carmichael before.
She said she’s been looking forward to his performance since watching his YouTube videos.
"It’s kind of exciting that we’re getting him as he’s becoming more and more popular," the 19-year-old said.
Although UF food science junior Sarah Potter said she’s not into comedy, she will still attend for the screening of "Jurassic World."
"There’s always something fun there for everybody," the 20-year-old said.
Contact Alexandra Fernandez at afernandez@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @alexmfern
