Podcast Summary: Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Guest: Leanne Morgan
Episode Title: Leanne Morgan on Her Viral Rise, Netflix Sitcom, and Stand Up Success
Date: November 16, 2025
Host: Willie Geist

Episode Overview

Willie Geist sits down with comedian Leanne Morgan to discuss her remarkable, late-blooming success in comedy. The conversation delves into her viral stand-up, hit Netflix sitcom, the unique path she carved as a comedian, balancing family life, and remaining grounded through her meteoric rise in her 50s and 60s. Leanne, known for her relatable humor and thick Southern accent, shares wisdom, behind-the-scenes stories, and reflections on perseverance, authenticity, and reinvention at any age.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Whirlwind of Sudden Fame (03:30–05:00)

• Leanne details her current busy schedule: fresh off the Tonight Show, prepping for her sitcom’s second season, and just finishing a 2.5-year tour.
• She reflects on managing energy and gratitude at 60, contrasting her drive with fans her age who ask, "How are you doing a tour at 60?"
  • Quote: "It's like a whirlwind, my darling... But I'm trying to be present and every day, you know, And I'm so grateful." (03:48, Leanne Morgan)
• Willie brings up the long road to success—over 25 years in stand-up.
• Leanne's perseverance: She candidly discusses moments of self-doubt and pushes through, always receiving "one little something" to keep her going.

2. The Creative Process and Family as Material (07:04–12:09)

• Leanne explains that her comedy is deeply rooted in everyday life and family stories, adapting material to match stages of motherhood and now, grandmotherhood.
  • Quote: "I'm a mama and a grandmama...I like to talk about my kids and their daddy. He gives me a lot of material." (09:58, Leanne Morgan)
• Writing process: She now uses her iPhone for ideas but laughs about losing hours of material on checkbooks and receipts during her early days.
• She is careful and respectful—her husband Chuck and her kids get veto power on stories.
  • Notably, Chuck objected only once, about a joke on affording breast implants, which touched his provider identity, not about more embarrassing stories.

3. Maturity, Authenticity & Representation in Comedy (14:07–16:27)

• Willie observes that Leanne connects with women who feel unseen in traditional standup, especially as her material aligns with her life stage.
• Leanne reflects on the heartbreak of many failed TV deals in her 40s and the realization, in hindsight, that the timing was perfect:
  • Quote: "I have led a full life as a mama, a grandmama... I just think all of it was wonderful timing, because that's what people are relating to." (14:38, Leanne Morgan)
• She muses on now being compared to classic older actresses, relishing the chance to keep working and relating as she ages.

4. The Netflix Sitcom Experience (16:27–21:22)

• Leanne recalls the terror of leading her own sitcom, new to acting, with her daughter doing her makeup and comforting her.
• By episode 6, with a legendary director’s help, she found her confidence.
• She describes the thrill—and anxiety—of waiting for Netflix's ratings verdict, competing with shows like "Hunting Wives," and receiving reassuring calls from Jerry Seinfeld.
  • Quote: "Jerry Seinfeld called me... and said...you're in there with Bob Newhart, Mary Tyler Moore, Lucille Ball. Wasn't that sweet?" (21:03, Leanne Morgan)

5. Community and Mentorship in Comedy (22:18–24:12)

• Leanne talks about famous comedians, from Nate Bargatze to Amy Poehler and Jerry Seinfeld, now being peers and supporters.
• She recalls always feeling like "not one of the cool kids" until her viral breakthrough.

6. The “Phenomenon”: Why Now? (24:40–28:05)

• Leanne and industry figures reflect on the unpredictable timing of her rise—one day, “it’s like somebody turns a light on in a dark room."
• She credits God’s timing, her authenticity (discussing menopause and everyday life), and the post-pandemic hunger for laughter.
• Going viral was a turning point: a short video about taking Chuck to see Def Leppard and Journey exploded online just as her last child moved out.

7. Staying Grounded & Family Life (28:04–32:40)

• Despite fame, she relishes grocery shopping and Costco trips, joking about Chuck’s frugality and their adventures sharing hotel rooms on tour.
• Quote: "First thing I do is like, let's go to the grocery store and then have all these babies over... That's what I enjoy doing." (30:10, Leanne Morgan)

8. The Bird Bath Scene & Movie Cameo (34:14–36:39)

• Discussion of her viral 30-second scene in the Reese Witherspoon/Will Ferrell film, spinning a real story about Chuck’s gift of a birdbath that "looked like a grave."
• She shares her nerves acting “without the feedback” of a live audience, the thrill of improvising on set, and her pride in being funny over “pretty.”
  • Encouragement from co-star Kristen Johnson: "Think of Lucille Ball... It's about being funny. It's not about being pretty." (36:39, paraphrased)

9. Origin Story: From Jewelry Parties to Stand-Up (37:13–41:29)

• Leanne’s comedy roots lie in selling jewelry at house parties, entertaining women with personal stories rather than sales pitches.
• Mentorship from a Christian comedian gave her the confidence to pursue open mics and ultimately move into professional comedy while raising three children.

10. Perseverance, Setbacks, and Inspiration to Others (41:47–45:08)

• She recalls periods of doubt and near-retirement, at one point wanting to open a hardware store instead—until a viral stand-up video and social media tipped her career.
• Most industry paths were closed: “Agents wouldn’t take me...then I got my first tour, the big panty tour.”
• Life lesson: It's never too late to chase your dreams, and the years honing her craft prepared her for this moment.
  • Quote: "Things end at 40...That's crazy. We're the best...I feel like I'm the best I've ever been at my job right now." (45:08, Leanne Morgan)

11. Gratitude for Her Fans & the Tour’s Success (47:15–48:58)

• Emotional recaps of her recent sold-out tour: Leanne is moved by the outpouring from audiences, families, and her mix of fans: "these fans of mine want to see me win."
  • "They stand and blow kisses to me and give me a standing ovation before I've ever said a word..." (47:35, Leanne Morgan)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Finally Making It
  "For a long time I thought, am I crazy? Am I like one of those little kids on American Idol that thinks they can sing?...But then I would get one little, you know, something to keep me going all those years." (04:30, Leanne Morgan)
• On Being a Late Bloomer
  "I wanted to make it when I was young and thin, really...But I look back on it, and I think all of it, I think it was wonderful timing." (14:38, Leanne Morgan)
• On Why Now
  "I feel like it's God's timing...I started talking about menopause. Nobody was talking about it. I just talked about regular, everyday life." (24:45, Leanne Morgan)
• On Family and Authenticity
  "I run everything through everybody, and everybody's okay with everything." (10:34, Leanne Morgan)
• On Audience Connection
  "These fans of mine want to see me win. And if somebody says something mean to me on social media, honey, thousands will go after them." (47:35, Leanne Morgan)
• Closing Lesson
  "Life is short. I know that now. And I've just turned 60. I think, gosh, where did this go? I tell my children every day, do what y' all want to do. That makes you happy, you know, and go for it, because you don't want to regret that." (45:08, Leanne Morgan)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:30] – Leanne on living “in a whirlwind” and being present at 60
• [07:04] – On transforming family life into her stand-up act
• [10:34] – Family participation and veto power on comedic material
• [14:38] – The gift and luck of making it later, with richer material
• [16:27]–[21:22] – Story of starring in her first sitcom and the anxiety of waiting for Netflix’s green light
• [24:40] – "The light turning on": why viral success came now
• [28:04] – Staying grounded and humble amid success
• [34:14] – The real-life bird bath story behind her viral movie scene
• [37:13] – Tracing stand-up roots to jewelry parties and the break into comedy
• [41:47] – Persevering through setbacks and near-retirement
• [45:08] – Encouraging listeners to chase dreams at any age
• [47:35] – Deep gratitude for audiences and the meaning of her tour’s success

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, humorous, and deeply personal. Leanne’s Southern charm and down-to-earth wit shine throughout, as Willie prompts her to share both the challenges and joys of her journey. Both speakers cycle seamlessly between poignant lessons, playful teasing, and moments of belly-laugh storytelling.

Conclusion

This episode offers an inspirational look at how persistence, authenticity, and humor can lead to success at any age. Leanne Morgan’s story is a template for embracing the peaks and valleys of a creative life and is packed with relatable advice for anyone considering a new chapter or chasing a shelved dream. Her strong connection with fans, playful rapport with her family, and refusal to trade her values—or her humility—for fame showcase why she’s resonated with millions, and why, as Willie notes, she’s now officially “one of the cool kids.”