Unfiltered Truth: Comedy's Power with Leslie Jones

Summary

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Episode Overview

Episode Title: Unfiltered Truth: Comedy's Power with Leslie Jones
Podcast: Mick Unplugged with host Mick Hunt
Release Date: July 23, 2026
Guest: Leslie Jones – Three-time Emmy-nominated stand-up comedian, actress, SNL alum, and one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People

Mick Hunt sits down with Leslie Jones for an unfiltered, laughter-filled, and deeply honest conversation about the power of truth in comedy, surviving the hard knocks of life and showbiz, the importance of self-love, and how her personal journey shaped her sharp, relatable style. Leslie gets candid about the myth of “faking it till you make it,” the necessity of doing the work, and why appreciating where you are is as crucial as dreaming of where you want to go.

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Main Discussion & Key Insights

The Power and Pain of Truth (00:00–10:24)

• Leslie opens by reflecting on authenticity:

  • "There's a whole personality of yourself sitting on a bench watching you be something else. And it’s just so sad. It's hard to continue a lie. The truth is very rugged and very raw. But in the end of the day, you go, but it's me and it's the truth. I ain't gotta fake it." (00:00, Leslie Jones)

• Mick introduces Leslie with personal admiration, praising her humanity beyond comedy.

  • Leslie reflects:
    "Your crowd reflects who you are as a person, too. All my crowds are so great... they're loving, real, honest, vulnerable, seeking healing, seeking a new way to make things right, to bring joy. You don't just get to that position just by circumstance. You walk through it." (03:21, Leslie Jones)

• On overcoming obstacles:

  • Leslie uses faith and life metaphors, emphasizing that hardship is necessary for growth:
    • "You can't hide from things that are going to be an obstacle. You just have to go through it... if you get to the other side, the feeling that you'll have of triumph... That’s the armor that I believe God says to put on." (04:27, Leslie Jones)

• On gratitude and self-talk:

  • "Appreciate what you got... because that is really a thing. Think about it. You buy your kid a toy, and your kid is asking for another toy—well, you didn't appreciate the last toy. So I'm not going to give you something else. That's how God works too." (05:20, Leslie Jones)

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Self-Love, Therapy & The Lies We Tell Ourselves (06:06–09:40)

• Mick and Leslie discuss the brain’s inability to differentiate between negative self-talk and reality.

• On personal growth:

  • Leslie:
    "Only you can go inside of yourself and find that positive-negative button and flip it on... It's not easy to love yourself and like yourself. That is a job. Because people try to give things that they don't have. If you don't have love for yourself, you can't give it to someone else." (06:35, Leslie Jones)

• Need for therapy:

  • "That's why you need therapy to me. You need counsel so someone outside of your thoughts can go, hey, that's not true." (08:15, Leslie Jones)

• Candid on our inner critics:

  • "We are lying to ourselves from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed... The truth sets you free." (08:15-09:05, Leslie Jones)

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Comedy, Truth, and Living Your “Because” (10:24–15:27)

• Mick:

  • Acknowledges how Leslie’s comedic style is deeply rooted in truth and asks why she values honesty so much.

• Leslie’s take on authenticity and comparison:

  • "Everybody wants to be something other than what they are. The reason that you're running from yourself is because you don't think that yourself is special... If you're given the assignment to be you and you down here trying to be somebody else, you failed yourself." (10:43, Leslie Jones)
  • "The fake it till you make it—I fucking hate that saying. You don't fake nothing. Make it. You don't have to fake shit." (11:44, Leslie Jones)

• The importance of history and craft:

  • "People try to build a house without foundation... you can’t riff on a song unless you know the original song." (12:15, Leslie Jones)

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The “Mirror Test”: Preparation, Growth, and Performing (14:06–17:03)

• Mick credits Leslie’s advice about 'mirror time' for transforming his own preparation process.

  • "You call it mirror time... work out a joke or a bit for at least 30 minutes before you say, 'yep, this is good.'... I started looking at myself and saying, why am I not doing that?" (14:06, Mick Hunt)

• Leslie on practicing in front of a mirror:

  • "It's a whole different game because now you know what your face is doing... you learn so freaking much. And you get through stage fright, because nothing worse than yourself watching yourself." (14:59–15:40, Leslie Jones)

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Lessons from the Journey & Respecting the Work (19:11–23:39)

• Leslie on appreciating the struggle:

  • "You come to a point in your career where you realize that the journey actually was the best part... It don't feel like it when you're going through it... but, damn. When I went to do the audition for SNL... I'm 47, so I'm sitting there looking at like, the fuck is y'all scared of? I gotta pay rent this month. This is not a problem being in front of motherfuckers performing." (19:11–20:44, Leslie Jones)

• Advice to new comics:

  • "We've laid out somewhat of a plan. But it's okay to... make it yours. But don't be stupid enough not to look at the history. That's where most comedians make their fricking mistake." (20:45, Leslie Jones)

• On dues and the myth of instant success:

  • "You can't be anything unless you know where you're coming from... eventually the dues come, and they show up." (22:27, Leslie Jones)

• J. Anthony Brown’s wisdom:

  • "To be a good comedian... 10 years. I just burst into tears because part of me knew that if I wanted to be that comic he was talking about, the 10 years is true." (23:28–23:39, Leslie Jones)

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Growth, Struggle, and Why Easy Isn’t the Goal (23:44–28:28)

• Stop asking for easy:

  • "People think of struggling and try to make it as struggling. No, this is growing. You are growing. You're going to have to go through some shit... It irks me that we're not in a balanced state right now. In order for you to be happy, you have to be sad." (23:55–25:05, Leslie Jones)

• On motivation and endurance:

  • "If you're in it just for the money, just stop... The money don't come for a long time... The business is something you definitely should learn so you don't get taken advantage of... when you take yourself out of desperate mode, you don't just jump at bullshit, you make a plan. You believe in yourself enough to go, 'I can wait, this is not the right way.'" (25:57–27:52, Leslie Jones)

• Ownership and wisdom from Katt Williams:

  • "When you get rid of your desperation, you're going to be amazing... You're not desperate, you're talented. You just don't have no money." (26:15–27:08, Leslie Jones)

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Self-Reliance, Empathy, and Boundaries (28:28–33:22)

• Owning your journey:

  • "Everything that you built is your shit. Just think of it as a vessel. That vessel, that's yours, you own that. No one could touch that but you." (28:32, Leslie Jones)

• Mick on people who compete in 'woe is me':

  • "At some point, I just wanna look at them and say, what are you doing about it?... Everybody's gone through something and are gonna continue to go through something." (28:58–30:10, Mick Hunt)

• Boundaries:

  • "I am not responsible for your fucking life. You are responsible for your life... There's a difference when helping someone and then they take that and pull themselves up, than for them constantly, help, help, help. What have you done to change your shit?" (30:13–31:59, Leslie Jones)

• Tough love:

  • "Sometimes you have to fall on your ass. Now, I'm not saying there's not people in the world that don't need help because I've been helped. But when you depend on it... that's where I have the problem." (32:06–33:22, Leslie Jones)

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Spotlight: Leslie’s Current Projects & Passions (33:34–35:35)

• Upcoming specials and TV:

  • Comedy special on Peacock/YouTube
  • New HGTV show Roast My Rental (premiering July 24)
  • New tour and additional projects in the works

• On working with Mick:

  • "You don't have to do much. As a matter of fact, I would make you do exactly what you're doing now. That would be your part." (35:16, Leslie Jones)

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The Unplugged Five: Leslie’s Rapid-Fire Answers (36:10–37:59)

• Favorite cheat meal:

  • "Wiener Senso... chili cheese dog with a pickle spear and ketchup and mustard... and some peach lemonade." (36:18, Leslie Jones)

• Most memorable stage:

  • "Grand Rapids on the cat tour... and Constitution Hall." (36:41, Leslie Jones)

• Favorite role:

  • "Spanish Jackie. Just had so much potential to become just something great. I just like doing weird things, you know?" (37:01, Leslie Jones)

• Place she calls home:

  • "Probably would say Cali now... I really feel home here because I know where everything is." (37:31, Leslie Jones)

• One word she wants to define her:

  • "Funny." (37:57, Leslie Jones)

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Memorable Quotes

• "The truth is very rugged and very raw. But, ooh...in the end of the day... fuck, but it’s me and it’s the truth. I ain't gotta fake it. I'm so relaxed because I don’t have to remember a whole fucking lie that I just told."
  — Leslie Jones (13:01)

• "Stop trying to beat the system with, with bullshit. Yep, it is what it is. You gonna get what you put into it."
  — Leslie Jones (32:26)

• "If you’re in [comedy] just for the money, just stop... A manager will find you if you’re funny enough."
  — Leslie Jones (25:06–26:11)

• "Sometimes you have to fall on your ass, man...if you fall on your ass, get up, right? And it don't matter what the fuck you got to do to get up, if you got to work 17 shifts at fucking McDonald's, do it."
  — Leslie Jones (31:59–32:25)

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Episode Highlights

• Leslie’s comedic “why” is based on lived truth, hard lessons, and an unyielding commitment to authenticity.
• Comedy, to Leslie, is primarily about healing and connecting people—“making you laugh it out” (09:13).
• Mick applauds Leslie’s behind-the-scenes generosity and her refusal to “fake it,” reinforcing the “Because” at the heart of her journey.
• Practical tools, like the “mirror test,” help both comics and leaders improve self-awareness and performance.
• Refusal to shortcut the process, citing respect for history, hard knocks, and always doing the work.
• Leslie’s comedic and personal legacy will always center on one core trait: FUNNY.

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Useful for Listeners If You Missed the Episode:

• Raw, candid wisdom on personal growth, honesty, and surviving (and thriving in) difficult circumstances.
• Serious inspiration—especially for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone struggling with “impostor syndrome.”
• Practical, actionable takeaways—especially the “mirror test” and the importance of self-talk, boundaries, and grit.
• A deep dive into the power of comedy, not just for laughs, but for living truthfully and building resilience.

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Remember:
"Your 'Because' is your superpower. Go unleash it."

Transcript

[Leslie Jones]

So there's a whole personality of yourself sitting on a bench watching you be something else. And it's just so sad. And it will make you sad because it's hard to continue a lie. Those are very painful things. The truth is very rugged and very raw. But in the end of the day, you go, but it's me and it's the truth. Hey, I ain't gotta fake it, foreign.

[Mick]

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another episode of Mick Unplugged. And today I'm truly excited and honored because I've got another living legend that is about to bless the podcast. We're talking about phenom, we're talking about talent, we're talking about three time Emmy nominated. We're talking about Times magazine, magazine, top 100 most influential people in the world. We're talking about the comedian's comedian, the people's people, none other than Leslie Jones. Leslie, how you doing today, dear?

[Leslie Jones]

Wow, that is an introduction right there. I'm like, who is he talking about?

[Mick]

I'm talking about you. I'm like, I'm talking about El Dog over there.

[Leslie Jones]

That's so funny. Thank you. I appreciate that.

[Mick]

No, no, no, no, no. Thank you. I was telling you offline how. Such a huge fan. My mom loves you. My mom is a minister and freaking loves Leslie Jones. Let me tell you. Like, she might be in the pulpit quoting a Leslie Jones quote every other sermon. I'm just gonna throw that out there to you.

[Chime Ad Voice]

Really?

[Leslie Jones]

Oh, my goodness. That is hilarious.

[Mick]

Hey, so you on the church, where

[Leslie Jones]

is she a preacher at?

[Mick]

In South Carolina, so Greenville, South Carolina is my hometown, so she's.

[Leslie Jones]

Oh, man, I think I'm going to South Carolina too.

[Mick]

She'll bring the whole congregation.

[Leslie Jones]

Oh, my goodness. They better be ready.

[Mick]

Oh, they'll be ready. You ain't got to change words or nothing.

[Leslie Jones]

You can just be ready. They're going to be ready. I never do.

[Mick]

I never.

[Leslie Jones]

Grown folks is grown folks. And plus I always do jokes that I do real jokes. It's not just about the curse words or anything. And she would actually love this new set that I'm doing because I do some stuff on Adam and Eve and on David and Goliath and it's hysterical.

[Mick]

All right, mom, you gotta. You got some new pulpit material. Just letting you know. Just let you know. But Leslie, again, I'm so honored to have you here. I know how busy your schedule is. I'm a huge fan of you. And the weird thing is, it's not even about your comedy. I. I will go top Five dead or alive. My Elle Boogie is there, right? Leslie Jones is there.

[Leslie Jones]

Wow.

[Mick]

But it's the human being that you are. It's the things that you do when there's no camera, when there's no mic, that I know most people don't see that you do. But you've got a community around you. You've got family around you that you give to. And so I wanted to applaud you for that before we went anywhere, because you mean so much to me for who you are as a person.

[Leslie Jones]

Thank you.

[Mick]

That I want the world to know that. And I want you to particularly know that.

[Leslie Jones]

That's so nice. You know, what I've noticed, too, is that, you know, your crowd reflects who you are as a person, too. And all my crowds are so great. Like, they're loving, they're real, they're honest, they're vulnerable, they're seeking healing, you know, seeking a new way to make things right, to bring joy. And, you know, you don't just get to that position just by circumstance.

[Mick]

You.

[Leslie Jones]

You walk through it. And that's why I tell everybody. I mean, I'm not a. I don't think I'm such a deep person to be able to avoid walking through my fire, if that makes any sense. You know, I just go. Just go through it. Because it makes you a better person. It just does. You can't hide from things that are going to be an obstacle. You can't hide from it. You have to just go through it. That's. That's it. It may. And if you get to the other side, the feeling that you'll have of triumph, because we've all been to the. We. We've all been to that point where we're like, I'm not going to make it through this. I'm like, right. I don't. I don't know how I'm going to make it through this. And we make it. And. And. And that. That is. That puts callous on us. That puts armor. That's. That's the armor that I believe that God says to put on. You know, that's the one that I think I know people. I think that's the armor that you put on. And people are always asking me all the time. You know, it's just about really living like, you just live your life. Everybody's every. You're gonna have bad days, but you're also gonna have good days. Let's celebrate them just as much as we notice the bad, you know, and also, too, whenever I talk to someone, you can notice how someone talks to themselves or how they don't appreciate their life. When people go, I'm just so stupid. I go, don't say that. Because your body doesn't know you're playing. Your body doesn't know you're joking. Your body doesn't know you're just throwing that out, that yourself does it. And appreciate where you are. Like, I was just telling this one girl, I was like, she was like, yo, I really want to get a bigger apartment. And I was like, appreciate what you got. Appreciate the apartment that you got. Because that is really a thing. Think about it. Humans. Let's say you have kids, right? And you brought your kid a toy, right? And your kid is asking for another toy. Well, you didn't appreciate the last toy. So I'm not going to give you something else. That's, that's how God works too.

[Mick]

I really believe I am right there with you. And you, you said something that I tell people all the time. And it's true. It's science, right? Like your brain doesn't know the difference between reality and a thought.

[Leslie Jones]

Right?

[Mick]

It's processing process and processing process. And so if you continue to put negative thoughts and negative energy, that becomes you developing your brain to look for those things, to feel those things.

[Leslie Jones]

And those things draw towards you too.

[Mick]

Exactly.

[Leslie Jones]

And, and, and you have to. I'm telling you. And I tell people this all the time because they always ask me how I'm going to tell you. It's the hardest thing, but only you can do it. Only you can do it. I can sit and talk to you, to your purple in the face, to I'm purple in the face. You know what I'm saying? But only you can go inside of yourself and find that positive negative button and flip it on. Only you can do that. I don't know. And it really is just thinking it. What happened with me was I was like one day I was like, dude, I gotta start thinking more positive. This is just, this is just ridiculous. You gotta think more positive. And you say that and you mean it. And your spirit and your universe or whatever it is you believe in takes you towards that. I believe that wholeheartedly. And it's not easy. I tell everybody, it's not easy to love yourself and like yourself. That is a job. Just like when you trying to like a boyfriend or a new friend or a relative, you have to do the same thing with yourself. You have to like yourself. Because people try to give things that they don't have. If you don't have love for yourself. You can't give it to someone else. And I know that sounds like a cliche, but my mom used to drill that into me. She goes, no one is going to like you until you like yourself. And I know it sounds silly, but. And I used to be, like, it does sound silly, because who. Who would hate themselves? But you do. And we lie to ourselves daily.

[Mick]

Yeah, daily.

[Leslie Jones]

We are lying to ourselves from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed. And that's why you need therapy to me. You need counsel so someone outside of your thoughts can go, hey, that's not true. Like, I had to tell my therapist had to look at me and go, you're. You're lying. Like, hey, that's a lie.

[Mick]

Yeah, Like.

[Leslie Jones]

And I'm going to show you why that's a lie. And you have to look at the story you're telling yourself and go, oh. Oh, yeah. That's not actually accurate. I did that so I can have this. Like. Cause you think what you think. You think you're watching out for yourself. That's what you think. You think you're going, no, I'm keeping myself in check. No, you're keeping yourself in a lie. And it. The truth sets you free.

[Mick]

Hey, you took us to church. I'm over here looking for a collection plate right now. Like, we need a collection plate and a closing hem.

[Leslie Jones]

I just tell people, if you can just do that with yourself, yeah, you become a different human being. You don't want to hurt people because you can feel their pain, too. You don't want to do bad. You don't want to put out bad. You want to put out nothing but joy. And that's where I am in my life right now. And I really want to help people get to that. And my job as a comedian is to make you laugh it out.

[Mick]

There it is. You know, I love it. I love it. And, you know, I usually ask the first question around, like, what's your. Because that purpose, that thing that's deeper than your why? But I feel like you just gave it to me. Yeah. And so if I were to transition to what? I'll just say the unplugged truth is what I like to do. And I like to say that, Leslie, is that truth. Because I feel like as society has changed and evolved, we've stopped telling the truth more. Right. Like, we hide behind things, we talk about things, but we don't tell the truth as much as we. These are the words of Mick and Mick only as Much as we used to.

[Leslie Jones]

Yeah.

[Mick]

Talk to. And I know your comedy is so much centered around the truth. Right. Like, all the stories that you tell, there's truth in all of those stories, which is why they're so relatable. Like, why is. Why is telling the truth and being truthful, like, so important to you today?

[Leslie Jones]

Because you. Hmm. How can I put that again? The truth is what it is. Like we are, for one. I feel like everybody wants to be something that they. Other than what they are. And the reason that you're running from yourself is because you don't think that yourself is special. So then we have to go back and go, hey. I go, hey, listen, you are very special. God, you are a specific piece of art made by God. No one is like you. There's no one. Twins even have different things. So if you start right there, then you know that there's no one else out there like you. And if you're given the assignment to be you and you down here trying to be somebody else, you failed yourself. Do you get what I'm saying? So the truth will keep you in yourself because there's so many wonderful things about yourself. We concentrate so much on the bad, and that's where the lies come in.

[Mick]

Yeah.

[Leslie Jones]

You know, like. Like, you gotta, like the fake it till you make it. I fucking hate that saying. I hate that saying more than life. I don't know who made it up, but they need to take that shit back where they go. You don't fake nothing. Make it. Just make it. You don't have to fake shit. So when you fake it, you're taking on a job that. In other words, I tell kids, now, you're trying to have experiences without the experience.

[Mick]

Exactly.

[Leslie Jones]

And it's annoying when people don't wanna know where things come from. And trying to create something in that same string. Ooh, I wanna recreate comedy. Well, what's the history of it? Let's say I'm trying to make a biscuit, right? And I go, I'm not gonna use the biscuits recipe. I'm gonna make a biscuit. Well, you gotta know what the fuck a biscuit's made out of, right? I mean, you gotta know what the original. You know, you can't riff on a song unless you know the original song, right? Am I correct?

[Mick]

Absolutely.

[Leslie Jones]

People try to build a house without foundation. Three, Three little pigs, babe. You know, I use a lot of parables. I use a lot of stuff like that because I feel like it's a way to communicate to people. So they can, you know, so they can understand. So there's a whole personality of yourself sitting on the bench, watching you be something else. And it's just so sad. And it will make you sad because it's hard to continue a lie. Those are very painful things. The truth is very rugged and very raw. But, ooh, it, ooh. In the end of the day, you go, fuck, but it's me, and it's the truth. You know what I mean? You know what I mean? I ain't gotta fake it. I'm so relaxed because I don't have to remember a whole fucking lie that I just told.

[Mick]

Exactly. Exactly. And here's. Here's a truth that you actually taught me. And I'm gonna. I'm gonna let the world know some things that I got from Leslie Jones that you don't even know. So aside from the podcast, right? Like, I do a lot of keynote speaking, and I run, like, three, four different businesses, and you said something

[Leslie Jones]

that

[Mick]

was so much infinite wisdom to me that I think people take for granted. You said it in the standup world, but it so much so relates to all the things that you do in life and business. You call it mirror time, Right? Like, you are going to work out a joke. Not a whole set. You're gonna work out a joke a bit for at least 30 minutes right? Before you actually say, yep, this is good. I'm gonna move forward. And I started looking at myself and saying, why am I not doing that? Like the greats that I know, I don't care what it is put in the work, you just don't show up. Right? And as much as I thought I was prepared, I'd memorize the speech. I'd say it to myself a thousand times, do whatever, but I never, like, stood in front of that mirror. And Leslie, when I started doing that,

[Leslie Jones]

it's a whole different game.

[Mick]

Hey, I'm good.

[Leslie Jones]

It's a whole different game because now you know what your face is doing, right? You know what face you're making. You know what?

[Chime Disclaimer Voice]

What You.

[Leslie Jones]

You know how to pull the tools out now you know how to do your face to where you can use it to your advantage.

[Mick]

Right?

[Leslie Jones]

Do you know what I'm saying? You learn how to show anger without moving your face. You are expressing. You learn so freaking much.

[Mick]

Yeah.

[Leslie Jones]

And it's. I tell everybody all the time. That's. And. And you get through stage fright.

[Mick]

Yeah.

[Leslie Jones]

Because nothing worse than yourself watching yourself.

[Mick]

Exactly, Exactly. You can tell you what I did with my companies, though. So all of my Leaders now have the. We call it the mirror test. So if I'm going to have a one on one with Leslie, I'm having that one on one in front of a mirror. Because no matter what the conversation's about, it might not be a review. It might just be we're having a one on one just to catch up. But my disposition is speaking when I'm not right. And so now we understand how to communicate without words. Because of Leslie Jones.

[Leslie Jones]

Like, and that's. Hey, well, that's because I'm gonna be honest. That's Lucille Ball. That's Carol Burnett. That's. That's Pearl Bailey. You know, I mean, these people are the people who didn't give a shit about what they look like. They gave a shit about the joke. Yeah, you give a shit about the things that you're saying. You are not important at that moment, because your duty is to get that out there. If that makes any sense.

[Mick]

No, wholeheartedly.

[Leslie Jones]

And Lucille Ball had the best face. Like, she could. She could do a whole scene with her face and not have to speak. That is pure. Ooh, Magic, you know? Magic. That was one of the first things I learned, was my face.

[Mick]

There it is. There it is. So I'm gonna go to what I call the hot takes, because Leslie Jones is the hot take queen. And I don't even mean it. I don't mean it bad. Like, to me, it's.

[Leslie Jones]

I get it.

[Mick]

Yeah. Because I'm a samurai. Damn right you are. Damn right you are. So in your memoir, which I'm gonna make sure it's right there. Make sure everybody's looking. Leslie fucking Jones.

[Leslie Jones]

Did you listen to it or you read it?

[Mick]

Oh, I have to listen to it?

[Leslie Jones]

Oh, yeah. Cause the audio's way better than the book to me.

[Mick]

Well, because one, for me, if I have to read something, it feels like punishment. And it's gonna take me much longer to get through it than it is

[Leslie Jones]

when I read the book. I was like, hey, this is not a good idea. I don't wanna read what I wrote. This don't sound right.

[Mick]

So, sidebar. Cause I wrote a book, too. Is that not the hardest thing? To read your own book out loud?

[Leslie Jones]

I didn't. I didn't. If you notice, I didn't read my book. I just told the stories. Cause I was like, I don't.

[Mick]

No.

[Leslie Jones]

You remember when the teacher would make you read? Like, she would go, okay, it's your turn. I'd be like, gee, I would practice. I'd be like, jesus, my Turn. And then sometimes they would skip a paragraph and I'd be like, that's not the one I wrote. Fuck.

[Mick]

Hey, I am. And I'm dyslexic, too, so.

[Leslie Jones]

Oh, my God, me too. Getting me to read it out loud,

[Mick]

I'm just like, no, that's not what you want. But you talk about, you know, your real story doesn't begin with Saturday Night Live. And I. Again, the story of Leslie Jones is so deep. And I admire it so much because I don't think people understand the work. Right? The work. Because the average person, even the above average person, probably would have quit their journey had they had to walk in your shoes.

[Leslie Jones]

And I feel like, too, you come to a point, too, in your career where you realize that the journey actually was the best part.

[Mick]

Right?

[Leslie Jones]

I mean, it don't feel like it when you're going through it, when you're, like, trying. When you're eating top ramen and you just got paid $15, you don't feel like it, but, damn, it's such skill. I mean, when I went to do the audition for SNL, everybody was, like, scared. Like, scared. And I'm. I'm 47, so I'm sitting there looking at like, the fuck is y' all scared of? I gotta pay rent this month. This is not a problem being in front of motherfuckers performing. And I, Man, I walked in there like, yeah, this is 2:00 clock at the Comedy Store. Let's go. Like, like, it's like. It's like, yeah, I was built for this shit. I was built for it. And when I started comedy, I just remember telling. I remember making this prayer. I was like, God, I want to be in comedy so bad. I want to be a good comedian. But the only way I would be a comedian is if I'm a good one. If I'm like, one of the greatest. If I'm not going to be one of the greatest, then I'll open up a club or I'll manage or I'll write or whatever. But I want to be good at what I do. And I know the answer he gave me was, okay, it's not going to be easy. And it was not. But everything that I went through, I use now.

[Mick]

That's it.

[Leslie Jones]

So I always tell comedians, you know. You know, it's a respect thing. When you use my experiences as food, use my experiences as food. That's what the veterans and the people that came before me and the people that came before you have done for you. We've laid out somewhat of a plan. But it's okay to also take that plan and make it yours. But don't be stupid enough not to look at the history. That's where most comedians make their fricking mistake.

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[Leslie Jones]

I'm going to be something. Well, you can't be anything unless you know where you're coming from. Yeah, you just can't. I'm sorry. You could try and I've seen people do it but eventually you pay them dues.

[Mick]

That's right.

[Leslie Jones]

Eventually the dues come and they show up and they go. And I see so many young comics that like really are so good and they stop there. Yeah, you know, they stop there and let me tell you, it's something that happens. Listen, when I, I have been doing comedy for three years and I was like, I'm the best, you know, I'm the best comic out there. And I remember talking to J. Anthony Brown and I was like, jay, you know I'm funny. He was like, yeah, you, you hella funny. And I was like, so how long is it going to take me to make it? And he was like, to be a good comedian. I was like, yeah. He was like 10 years. I just burst into tears because part of me knew that I could take this cheap road.

[Mick]

Right.

[Leslie Jones]

Part of me knew that I could fake it to you. I could. But part of me knew that if I wanted to be that comic he was talking about, the 10 years is true.

[Mick]

Yeah.

[Leslie Jones]

So I was gonna have to live it.

[Mick]

It's the work.

[Leslie Jones]

So I went and got a job.

[Mick]

That's it. And, you know, it's another hot take you had. And you kind of elaborated on it earlier, but you said, stop asking for easy. It's never gonna be easy.

[Leslie Jones]

And then, too, I always tell people, like, people think of struggling and try to make it as struggling. No, this is growing. You are growing. You're gonna do this. No matter if you try to do a straight job or a hard job, you. You're going to have to go through some shit. It irks me that we're not in a balanced state right now. You know, in order for you to be happy, you have to be sad. In order for you to be sick, you have to be. Well. You have to know the two. The rain. It rains on the just as it does the unjust. You are not. You're not minus from going through growing pains. You're not minus through that. If you want to be a good person, then you have to go through that type of stuff. You have to go through stuff that's going to teach you empathy and boundaries, and you got to go through, like, you don't open up a bottle of wine early facts. Why are you trying to open yourself up early?

[Chime Disclaimer Voice]

Learn.

[Leslie Jones]

Learn. It's like, people are so quick to become a headliner. I tell these youngins, I'll be like, don't. You're racing. And if you're in it for the money, just stop doing it. Stop if you're in it. And I'm gonna tell you, with any career, if you're in it just for the money, just stop. Just stop. I don't want a doctor that just wants the money. I don't want. You don't care if I'm sick or just. I want someone who wants to do what they do. So you gotta get that out your head already. The money don't come for a long time. A long fucking time. You gotta want to do it. You gotta want to make people laugh. It's gotta be something that you feel. I hate when people just do it just because they're going, oh, I can become an actor if I become a comedian first. Stop that shit. Stop that shit.

[Mick]

It's 100,000 other you that are trying to do the exact same thing.

[Leslie Jones]

And you are special. Yes, in that, but that is not a special thing to do. Does that make sense? Oh, I can't wait to get a manager. A manager will find you if you're funny enough.

[Mick]

Right?

[Leslie Jones]

If you're funny, they will find you.

[Mick]

Yep.

[Leslie Jones]

Keep doing the work. Keep doing the work. And yes, the business is a big part of talent that they say talent. They say talent is only 15% of making it. I don't believe that. I believe that talent is very much a big part of it. Making it the business is something that you definitely should learn so you don't get taken advantage of and also so you could put yourself out of a desperate position. Because a lot of people work off of desperation and people don't understand what I'm. Cause when someone said, well, Katt told me, he was like, when you get rid of your desperation, you're going to be amazing. And I was like, are you crazy? I'm fucking broke. I'm going to always be desperate. He was like, you're not desperate. You're talented. You have a talent. You just don't have no money. That's. That's different than being broke. You should. You just don't have no money. You have a talent. You're not broke. You just don't have no money.

[Mick]

Yeah.

[Leslie Jones]

So when you take yourself out of desperate mode, then you don't just jump at bullshit, you make a plan. Does that make sense? You go. You believe in yourself enough to go, listen, I can wait. No, this is not the right way. Do you know how many shows, Bad boys of comedy, all kinds of shows that I turned down because I knew that it was not a good. Not that it was not a good look, but it's just not a good contract. It's just like, I don't need to do that, you know, I don't need to sacrifice what it is that I do. Even when I went to snl, I made it known. Hey, I am a freelance artist that is letting you borrow my talent for some time.

[Mick]

There you go.

[Leslie Jones]

Let's get it straight. I own who I am. You can't make me shit. You can show me stuff. I can learn some things, but you're not in control of this mechanism that I've built. In other words, I'm willing to learn. Trust me, I am there. When I was at snl, I want to learn how to write or when I'm there. But don't think because I'm older, I was old Enough. Like when you get the kids, the young kids, maybe you can do that. But I'm old enough to have been through some shit and you can't tell me who I am.

[Mick]

There it is, you know, so. Exactly. Exactly.

[Leslie Jones]

I don't know. But that's just me, though, you know, my story may not work for everybody, and that's why I always tell everybody, find out your insecurities, your sadness, everything that you built is your shit. Just think of it as a vessel. That vessel, that's yours, you own that. No one could touch that but you. Only you. So if you want it to look like a certain way, that's your job, you know?

[Mick]

And you hit on something I think is really important. You said you have to own the vessel. Because I'm gonna tell you what I dislike the most in the world are the people who try to out woe is me. Someone, right? Like, their story is the worst. And no matter what anyone else is going through, nobody's got it worse than them. And at some point, I just wanna look at them and say, what are you doing about it? Right? And I know that it could appear to be easy to say that in moments that you're not going through something, but I promise you, everybody's gone through something and are gonna continue to go through something. Like, I promise you, Leslie and I are probably gonna go through something at some point before it's all said and done, right? Like, but it's life, but we know you gotta fight. Like, just because there's a wall there doesn't mean I'm gonna let the wall just punch me. You know what I mean? Like, I'm gonna attack the wall back. And I don't think enough people have that fight in them. They just want everybody to see I'm going through this because they want the easy. I'm just going to say it. They want the handout, right? Like, they don't want to try to figure it out. They don't want to try to fight. I mean.

[Leslie Jones]

And I think.

[Mick]

I know there are circumstances where you can't control.

[Leslie Jones]

I think it's more so this generation, too. They're just like, we don't want to do all that hard stuff that you did. Okay, well, what do you. What's your plan? What's your plan if you have a good plan to think that you can beat it and make it still good? We could do that. But again, you still need to know how the shit was, how it was going, you know? Yeah, I do. I do know those type of people. You basically. And two, you get caught up in that too. If you like that person or if that person's your friend or whatever, and you go, oh man, let me, at one point, you do have to stop and go, I am not responsible for your fucking life. You are responsible for your life. Yes, it is hard. Fucking shit's hard. Like there's some things that my people have went through that I'd be like, that shit is hard, that shit is hard. But. And I can only help you so much, you know what I mean? I can't be your ATM or your, or your problem solver. I can only pray for you and support you. But yeah, you gotta. I'm not saying that there's not people in the world that don't need help because I've been helped. Does that make sense? There's a difference when helping someone. And then they take that and pull themselves up, then for them constantly, help, help, help. What have you done to change your shit? Because doing the same thing, thinking it's going to change is insanity, right?

[Mick]

Yep.

[Leslie Jones]

So me as a friend is not helping you by continuing to save you.

[Mick]

Correct.

[Leslie Jones]

Sometimes you have to fall on your ass, man. You have to fall on your ass, man. Sometimes you have to fall on your ass. Now some. And we. God, I'd just be wanting people to fight back too, for their life. If you fall on your ass, get up, right? And it don't matter what the fuck you gotta do to get up, if you got to work 17 shifts at fucking McDonald's, do it right, fucking do it. Like I've been in that position.

[Mick]

Yep.

[Leslie Jones]

I bartend, waitress, all that shit, everything. You gotta do what you gotta do. When, when, whenever I hear people like comedians, there's new comedians that love to say, oh, there's one comedian I remember, he's like, oh, yeah, I'm living in my van because I'm going to make it. I said, you going to make what? What the fuck are you going to make? Because like, you just started, it's a long time, you better go get a fucking job, right? Get a job, pay your taxes. Stop trying to beat the system with, with bullshit. Yep, it is what it is. You gonna get what you put into it. Now, I'm not saying again, I'm not saying that there's not people out there that maybe doesn't need a push or maybe a help. I believe in that wholeheartedly. But when you depend on it and you're full bodied and you're full mind, that's where I have the problem.

[Mick]

Amen to that. But, you know, I'm right there with you. I'm right there with you. See, y' all thought this was just going to be jokes today. I told y', all, this is why Leslie is one of my favorite people on Earth.

[Leslie Jones]

I need to start telling jokes right now. They're gonna be like, oh, she's.

[Mick]

No, no, no, no, no. So speaking of jokes, then, I know you got a lot going on. I'm gonna have links to Leslie's site so you can see the cities, because she will be near you really soon. But, Leslie, like, tell us all the cool things you have going on right now. I know you got a POC or you got a podcast.

[Leslie Jones]

Yeah, I'm working on getting the podcast out. My special that's on Peacock now, but it's going to. On July 14th. You said June 14th.

[Mick]

But I'm gonna have a link to it right here. Everybody go watch this. Right there is the link to the YouTube video comedy special that Leslie was like, I'm doing so much.

[Leslie Jones]

I forgot about that one. Well, we got the show coming out, too. I did a new show on HGTV called Roast My Rental that's coming out now. That's July 24th.

[Mick]

July 24th.

[Leslie Jones]

Yes.

[Mick]

Right now, everybody go make sure HGTV Roast My Rental. It's gonna be a movie.

[Leslie Jones]

And, you know, working on the new tour, working on a couple of other things. So, yeah, it's. It's been. It's a good season for me right now.

[Mick]

I love it. I love it. And I know how much you. You enjoy writing and producing and all that. I don't ever ask for much. This isn't a handout. I'm gonna work really hard. You need to tell me what I gotta do to be an extra on the next thing that you produce yourself and develop yourself. I'm gonna work really, really hard.

[Leslie Jones]

You don't have to do much. As a matter of fact, I would make you do exactly what you're doing now. I would make it like. That would be your part.

[Mick]

I'm there, Mama. I told you I was gonna make it. I told you.

[Leslie Jones]

That's hilarious. It's like just one podcast away from Megan and Mama.

[Mick]

Just one. This was it. This was the one. But no, Leslie, I know how busy you are, and again, I just freaking adore you so much for.

[Leslie Jones]

Thank you so much. You so sweet. You're making me blush.

[Mick]

No, I'm not sweet. I promise you. Just on Thursdays. Just on Thursdays.

[Leslie Jones]

I caught you on the right day.

[Mick]

But no, I'm truly honored. I'm gonna get you outta here on what I call the Unplugged five. So rapid fire quick five. You ready?

[Leslie Jones]

Okay.

[Mick]

All right. I know you're about to go to the gym, but when you. When you want that cheat meal, what's Leslie eating? What's your cheat.

[Leslie Jones]

Go to wiener senso.

[Mick]

Okay.

[Leslie Jones]

Chili cheese dog with a pickle spear and ketchup and mustard.

[Mick]

That was detailed, too.

[Leslie Jones]

And some peach lemonade.

[Mick]

The whole bill. I got it. That's what I'm talking about. That's what I'm talking about. What's the one stage that you will always remember the most?

[Leslie Jones]

Damn. I always say Grand Rapids when I was on the cat tour. Okay. That one in Constitution Hall. Yeah.

[Mick]

Okay. Okay.

[Leslie Jones]

Them two was really good.

[Mick]

I like that. I like that. What's your favorite role that you've played? I've always wanted to ask you that one, too.

[Leslie Jones]

Oh, Spanish Jackie.

[Mick]

Okay.

[Leslie Jones]

Spanish Jackie was so fun.

[Mick]

Okay.

[Leslie Jones]

Just had so much potential to become just something great. I just like doing weird things, you know? All the stuff they would have me doing that was weird on snl, I just ate that up.

[Mick]

Okay. Okay. I dig it. I know as a child you moved around a lot. Right. What's one place that you consider home?

[Leslie Jones]

I probably would say Cali now. Cause I spend most of the time in Cali. I really feel home here because I know where everything is.

[Mick]

Yeah.

[Leslie Jones]

I would have to say Cali.

[Mick]

Yeah, I like that. All right, so last question. When the story of Leslie Jones is being told, when it's being written, what's one word you want to make sure is in there to define you?

[Leslie Jones]

Funny.

[Mick]

There it is.

[Leslie Jones]

Funny.

[Mick]

I love it. I love it. I love it.

[Leslie Jones]

And then, too, I want to say, so I can put this out there. My mayor, Muslim. My bagel, Jewish. My Christian Dior. My president, stinko Nicks and Cinco.

[Chime Ad Voice]

All right.

[Mick]

Hey. It's looking like it. Last night was interesting. I turned the game off, and then this morning I had to catch an early flight. I'm looking. I'm like, ESPN got it wrong. Like, there's no way.

[Leslie Jones]

Yeah. It was the comeback of a lifetime. It was one of the best comebacks I've ever seen, ever played, ever.

[Mick]

Yeah. So who's the bigger Nick fan between you? Tracy Morgan and Spike Lee?

[Leslie Jones]

Spike Lee.

[Mick]

Okay.

[Leslie Jones]

Spike Lee wears Nick underwear. I think. I think everything in his house is orange and blue.

[Chime Disclaimer Voice]

Like.

[Leslie Jones]

Yeah, yeah, he's the bigger Nick fan for sure.

[Mick]

Spike went on the Eddie Special and just pulled out a Nick hat before he went.

[Leslie Jones]

I was like, yeah.

[Mick]

I thought he was giving Eddie a gift. He was like, nah, I'm throw this Knick.

[Leslie Jones]

Think about all the movies he did. Nicks was always represented in all his movies.

[Mick]

Absolutely. Yeah. Well, Leslie, again, I'm totally honored. This has been a dream come true for me.

[Leslie Jones]

Not a dream come true.

[Mick]

You are my goat. You are my goat. I promise you.

[Leslie Jones]

Damn.

[Mick]

Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean that for my soul. Like I said, I'm going to have links to everything Leslie has and does here in the show, notes in the descriptions. Get the memoir, Go watch the show on YouTube. Go make sure you're on HGTV. Support Leslie and all the things that she does.

[Leslie Jones]

And every once in a while, smile

[Mick]

and tell her, hey, yes.

[Leslie Jones]

Smile and say, hey, yes. Put me out there so I can be, you know, one of the. You know, we gotta break the monotony of just what the regular comics that they show. You know what I'm saying? You know, I wanna break that. You know, I wanna be the black female that comes in and be just as funny.

[Mick]

You know, there it is. There it is. And to all the viewers and listeners, remember your. Because is your superpower. Go unleash it.

[Leslie Jones]

Yes.

[Mick]

It.