Podcast Summary: Leslie Jones Finds the Humor in Life with New Comedy Special
Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Leslie Jones
Date: December 9, 2025
Episode Theme:
A candid and hilarious conversation with comedian Leslie Jones about her new stand-up special, Leslie Jones: Life Part 2. The discussion dives into her evolution as a comic, the wisdom of aging, her approach to crafting comedy, breaking barriers on SNL, and the changing landscape for new comics.
Main Theme & Purpose
Leslie Jones joins Alison Stewart to reflect on her journey in comedy, the experiences that shaped her, and the inspiration behind her latest special. The episode explores comedy as both craft and catharsis, Jones’ take on show business, and her thoughts on representation, mentorship, and generational shifts in comedy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Leslie’s Evolution as a Comic
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Starting Out and Career Milestones
- Leslie reflects on the late timing of her mainstream “discovery” in her 40s, joking about wishing she’d made it earlier for her physical health's sake.
- Quote: “They caught me when I was 47, but it was fine. I was still good...Thank God you didn’t make it in your 20s and 30s. ‘Cause you was a hoe. And you was a dumb hoe at that. You was. I’d have burned through Hollywood.” (00:44)
- She recounts the period of her Problem Child special and the shift from casual to professional presentation onstage.
- Quote: “I wanted to look like an FBI agent...I was just now really getting my momentum as, I had already been doing comedy almost 20 years.” (01:55)
- Leslie reflects on the late timing of her mainstream “discovery” in her 40s, joking about wishing she’d made it earlier for her physical health's sake.
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Growth and Confidence
- The early years were about learning stage presence and technical skills—being “an infant” comic focused on immature jokes before developing depth.
- Quote: “Your first couple years you are just like an infant. So that’s when you do the sex jokes and the fart jokes...You gradually learn how to be on stage.” (03:15)
- Veteran comic advice: It takes ten years to really become “funny.”
- “J. Anthony Brown told me this...‘Ten years’...And I remember bursting into tears.” (03:46)
- The early years were about learning stage presence and technical skills—being “an infant” comic focused on immature jokes before developing depth.
2. Perspectives on Single Life, Aging & Authenticity
- Leslie discusses her evolving view on relationships and embracing singlehood with humor and authenticity.
- “I just realized that in the last two years, real talk. Because I just turned 58...especially in menopause. I don’t want nobody near me now.” (04:45)
- On not receiving the same attention or groupies as her male counterparts, despite her achievements:
- “Colin Jost married Scarlett Johansson. Why am I not married to Idris Elba? Why is that not happening? I was a Ghostbuster. I was a damn Ghostbuster...” (05:22)
3. Crafting Comedy as an Art
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Storytelling & Physicality
- Jones’ process prioritizes storytelling that immerses the audience, drawing influence from physical comedians like John Ritter and Lucille Ball.
- “I love to tell stories and I love when people tell stories and you feel like you’re there...The physicality of comedy is always a great way to show a story.” (07:14)
- Physical performance is crucial: “Slipping on a banana will always be funny.” (09:53)
- Jones’ process prioritizes storytelling that immerses the audience, drawing influence from physical comedians like John Ritter and Lucille Ball.
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Testing Material and Collaboration
- Material is tested everywhere—on the street, with friends, onstage.
- “I do it everywhere. I try it on the street. I try it with my friends.” (08:59)
- Writer Lenny provides structure, sometimes making Leslie “stick to the list,” other times giving freedom to improvise and try new jokes.
- Material is tested everywhere—on the street, with friends, onstage.
4. The Business and Philosophy of Comedy
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Timeliness and Preparation
- Leslie emphasizes readiness and the journey over rushing to fame.
- “This part of my life is me living the benefits of the first part of my life...People are always trying to rush to the end of fame and don’t understand that the journey to it is the best part of the game.” (11:52)
- Leslie emphasizes readiness and the journey over rushing to fame.
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Writing for Any Audience
- Material is crafted for broad appeal, altering only for specific audience circumstances (e.g., children, clean sets).
- “Most of my jokes can go across the board with everyone...But most audiences, I write for everybody.” (13:08)
- Material is crafted for broad appeal, altering only for specific audience circumstances (e.g., children, clean sets).
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Crowd Work
- Leslie relishes crowd work, adapting energy and content to suit audience vibes, using quick improvisation.
- Quote: “I love when they give me a vibe...So I’m gonna talk about everybody in the audience until y’all prep up. Pipe up…” (13:35)
- Recounts David Spade’s compliment about her confident crowd work and the advice from JB Smoove: “Say the first thing that comes to your mind, because it’s usually from God.” (14:16)
- Leslie relishes crowd work, adapting energy and content to suit audience vibes, using quick improvisation.
5. SNL, Representation & Breaking Barriers
- Jones candidly addresses the lack of Black women on SNL and the issue of access.
- “I just think that they don’t get to see Black women like they get to see white women...they’re in the right places. Black artists don’t get to get in those places sometimes...It’s about getting that even kill of Black artists in the place that they can be seen.” (17:27)
- She stresses the importance of performing in diverse venues to broaden appeal and opportunity, for all comics.
- “Start doing all clubs. Don’t just do Black clubs. I know Black people love me. You got to go and try your stuff out in white clubs...White comics, you gotta go to black clubs so black comics can hit your jokes so they can be worldwide.” (18:53)
6. The TikTok Comedy Revolution
- Jones critiques TikTok comics for skipping the grind of live performance.
- “If your jokes, if you’re making people laugh at the material that you’re doing on TikTok, why would you go to a club and do different material? That’s the problem with TikTok comics. Y’all think that. Y’all regular comics...It’s completely different when you’re on a stage in front of people.” (19:46)
- She admires ingenuity but insists on “doing the real work.”
- “If you’ve never been on stage before, I have no respect for you. I’m sorry. Don’t come up to me and say, I want to be a comic when you’ve never performed before...These TikTok artists...I just want them to do the work, do the real work.” (20:40)
7. What’s Next for Leslie Jones
- Teases upcoming projects: TV shows, cameos, possibly a play in New York.
- “The sky’s the limit. I got a couple of shows that I’m about to do...I might be doing a play, so…” (21:48)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “[Success in my 20s/30s]...Thank God you didn’t make it in your 20s and 30s. ‘Cause you was a hoe. And you was a dumb hoe at that.” — Leslie Jones (00:44)
- “I still practice every day...You have to learn the song before you start doing ad libbing. You can’t just ad lib.” — Leslie Jones (04:10)
- “I don’t want nobody near me now. Like, if you touch me while I’m hot, I will beat you into the next day.” — Leslie Jones, on menopause & relationships (04:45)
- “Why am I not married to Idris Elba? Why is that not happening? I was a Ghostbuster!” — Leslie Jones (05:22)
- “My job is not to teach you anything. I’m supposed to make you laugh. Now, if you learn a lesson in laughter, great.” — Leslie Jones (08:02)
- “Slipping on a banana will always be funny.” — Leslie Jones (09:53)
- “You remember how when you used to hit your hand on the door...now take me to the hospital.” — Leslie Jones, on aging (11:17)
- “You do not need to be a millionaire at 25. Your brain is not even fully adjusted or developed.” — Leslie Jones (11:52)
- “It’s about getting that even kill of Black artists in the place that they can be seen.” — Leslie Jones, on SNL Representation (17:27)
- “If you’ve never been on stage before, I have no respect for you. I’m sorry.” — Leslie Jones, to TikTok comics (20:40)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening / Special Premise: 00:09–00:44
- Early Career and Getting Noticed: 01:50–03:08
- How Comics Grow Over Time: 03:08–04:07
- Single Life, Menopause, and Realizations: 04:45–06:01
- On Stagecraft and Storytelling: 07:14–08:52
- Writing and Testing Material: 08:52–09:49
- Physical Comedy Style: 09:49–11:06
- Why “Life Part 2”? On Milestones: 11:52–12:40
- Adapting Material for Different Crowds: 12:53–13:58
- Crowd Work & JB Smoove’s Advice: 14:04–14:52
- Working With Jesse Collins, Production Insights: 14:57–15:47
- Releasing Comedy Specials & Comedy as Craft: 15:51–16:53
- SNL & Black Female Representation: 17:01–19:09
- TikTok Comics & Doing the Work: 19:28–21:46
- Leslie’s Upcoming Projects: 21:46–22:17
Episode Tone & Takeaway
This episode is a vibrant mix of deep wisdom, comedy shop talk, and Leslie Jones’ irrepressible energy. It underlines the value of experience, the patience required for lasting success, and the constant reinvention needed in entertainment. Jones is grateful, honest, and hopeful—both a trailblazer and a mentor, never shying from the hard truths or the biggest laughs.
For anyone curious about the process, pain, and pride of a comedy career—“Leslie Jones: Life Part 2” and this conversation are essential listening.