Druski to expand on viral megachurch pastor skit in new Netflix series ‘Collect & Praise’

Actor and comedian Drew Desbordes, better known as Druski, who famously mocked prosperity preachers in a viral video skit earlier this year, will expand on that narrative in a new semi-scripted comedy series on Netflix called “Collect & Praise.”

The series, which will premiere on Netflix Dec. 1, is a collaborative project between the streaming giant, Druski and his 4LIFERS Entertainment company, according to a press release from Tudum, Netflix's event and news website.

“I’ve built my platform by creating characters and comedy that resonate with people,” said Druski. “This partnership with Netflix will give me the resources to build on that comedy foundation and bring my work to a new global audience. It’s a tremendous opportunity for our team at 4LIFERS Entertainment to expand our reach, develop original programming for the masses, and take our creativity to new heights.”

The comedy, which features fellow actor and comedian Mike Epps, will show how “faith comes second to fortune as a money-hungry pastor and his unpredictable deacon scheme their way through scandal, chaos and controversy.”

A trailer for the series released four days ago on YouTube has already garnered more than 3 million views.

John Derderian, a vice president at Netflix who oversees Next Gen Content, praised the 32-year-old comedian’s gift for creating viral characters.

“Druski has a gift for building characters that people can’t stop talking about,” Derderian said. “We want the best talent in the world to bring us their most ambitious work, reach new audiences, and build their brands. 'Collect & Praise' is just the beginning, and we welcome Druski to Netflix.” 

The streaming giant will also license select content from Druski’s existing catalog, including “Coulda Been Love,” “Coulda Been Daddy,” “Coulda Been Records Auditions,” along with his comedic skits.

Druski’s original megachurch pastor skit has been viewed more than 60 million times across social media.

Michael Todd, lead pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, dismissed the skit as a weapon of “mass distraction” after a viral image showed him dressed in the same outfit worn by Druski in the performance. He said the image had been generated by artificial intelligence.

“There was a video that came out this past week with a few hundred million views, and some people were trying to link it to me. And so, I watched the video. It was hilarious. It was funny. It was all this stuff, and then people started trying to say different things. And the thing that I was most taken aback by was how much frustration it created in people,” Todd said.

Todd compared himself to the biblical prophet Nehemiah, suggesting that Christians who are easily distracted should find out what “great work” God has for them to do.

“Your distraction may be in a football uniform. Your distraction may be a child that God gave you that you put too much of your focus on instead of hearing what God has called you. Cause they don't actually become what you say, they become who you are,” Todd argued.

“All I'm saying to you, church, is that maybe you need to take a book or a page from Nehemiah Chapter 6, where Nehemiah had a burden to build something, and God told him to build a wall. And what Nehemiah said when people started trying to distract him, … ‘I am engaged in a great work.’”