We had the honor of working PaleyFest LA on Saturday. PaleyFest LA the nation's premier TV festival supported by Citi brings audiences together with television's brightest stars and biggest names for exclusive screenings and cast conversations that illuminate the creative process behind your favorite shows. The festival runs through March 29, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Tickets can be purchased HERE. On Saturday The Paley Center for Media hosted the second day PaleyFest LA 2025 featuring the cast and creators of Netflix and Sony Picture Television’s comedy-drama Cobra Kai. We are huge fans of Cobra Kai and have watched all 6 seasons, plus the movies. We were so excited to meet the cast and interview them on the red carpet. Check out our interviews below.
Attendees enjoyed episode screenings on the big screen followed by moderated conversations with the stars of each show. The Cobra Kai panel featured Ralph Macchio, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Gianni Decenzo, Josh Heald (Executive Producer & Writer), Jon Hurwitz, (Executive Producer & Writer), Hayden Schlossberg (Executive Producer & Writer), and Don Lee (Fight Coordinator), and was moderated by Perri Nemiroff (Senior Producer, Collider).
Josh Heald (Executive Producer & Writer), Jon Hurwitz, (Executive Producer & Writer), Hayden Schlossberg (Executive Producer & Writer
Cobra Kai never dies. Kennedy interviewed Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg who are all writers and executive producers on Cobra Kai. To have the chance to interview and meet these talented men was an honor and being able to share with them how much we love Cobra Kai was pretty awesome. Kennedy had a nearly 5 minute interview with them and asked several questions. They were all so kind. They shared about the biggest differences between how they thought the show would end when they first started this series and the finished product that we have all now seen. They shared which specific character was the toughest to see to the finish line. They shared what scene was the toughest to film throughout all 6 seasons. They shared about the chance of a spin-off series, what they looked forward to the most making this series, what has been the most fulfilling and what advice they would give their 10 year old selves today. Thank you Josh, Jon, and Hayden for your time and we can't wait to see what you have coming up next. Thank you PaleyFest for this amazing once in lifetime opportunity.
Gianni Decenzo
Kennedy had one of the best interviews with Gianni DeCenzo, who plays Demetri Alexopoulos on Cobra Kai on Netflix. He was so kind and patient and answered all of Kennedy’s 6 questions. We talked about a possible spin off series for his character, what brought him the most joy filming Cobra Kai, what advice he would give his 10 year old self today, why he would want Brad Pitt to join him in the Sekai Taikai, what is more challenging, a complicated karate move where you are landing a hit or taking one, and more. Gianni, we can’t wait to see what you having coming up next!
Xolo Maridueña
Strike first, strike hard, no mercy! Kennedy had the opportunity to chat with the talented Xolo Maridueña who plays Miguel in Cobra Kai. He also is Jaime in the Blue Beetle movie and the FIRST Latino superhero in a DC film. Check out our interview where we ask Xolo if he was happy how his character wrapped up in the end of Cobra Kai and if he had different ideas for his character. We also ask him about voicing an animated character for the new Smurfs movie coming out in July.
Tanner Buchanan
Kennedy chatted with Tanner about challenging karate moves and what celebrity he would pick if he had to fill one spot for the Sekai Taikai. Tanner played Robby in all 6 seasons of Cobra Kai on Netflix. We have watched Cobra Kai from the very beginning and it is one of our favorite shows. We were sad when it ended in February, but meeting the cast on Saturday was so cool. There is something special about loving a series, watching it, enjoying the cast, creators, the writing and being able to meet them and share what their show meant to us was pretty amazing.
Mary Mouser
Kennedy got to chat with Mary who plays Sam on Cobra Kai. She shared with us what she looked forward to the most while making Cobra Kai and what has been most fulfilling after 6 seasons. We also gave her a little bridal gift and she said it was the first gift she has received that says bride on it. Congrats again Mary and we can’t wait to see what you have coming up next.
Don Lee
Ralph Macchio
Watch our interview with Ralph here
We met the Karate Kid legend himself Daniel LaRusso aka Ralph Macchio at PaleyFest. We asked him what is more challenging, a complicated karate move where you are landing a hit or taking one. We can’t wait to see Ralph on the big screen in Karate Kid Legends May 30. A new trailer came out this week for the movie and you can see our reaction on our YouTube channel (link in bio). Unfortunately, we did not get a photo with Ralph, because honestly after the interview we were so excited and totally forgot to ask. Hopefully we will meet him again someday.
