The Wayback #48 | Luenell

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Wayback #48 | Luenell

Introduction

In episode #48 of The Wayback with Ryan Sickler, host Ryan Sickler welcomes the multifaceted comedian Luenell for an engaging and nostalgic conversation. The episode, released on November 28, 2024, dives deep into Luenell's upbringing, career, and personal experiences, offering listeners a heartfelt and humorous journey through her life.

Guest Introduction

Ryan begins by introducing Luenell, highlighting her unique position in the comedy scene:

Ryan Sickler [00:49]: "Luenell is the only black female comedian with a residency in Las Vegas at Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club."

Luenell complements the introduction with her own promotions, mentioning her appearances on HBO Max's Hacks and her active tour schedule.

Early Life and Upbringing

The conversation shifts to Luenell's childhood, painting a vivid picture of her early years:

Luenell [04:15]: "I was the baby of eight, and at two months old, I was transported to Oakland, California, where I was raised."

Ryan and Luenell discuss the challenges of being raised in a predominantly white suburb, Castro Valley, California. Luenell recounts her experiences as one of the few black children in her school:

Luenell [04:45]: "There were about three of us when I graduated in '93. Probably very few other black female comedians with a residency."

She humorously comments on her unique status:

Luenell [03:09]: "I'm the only black female comic in Vegas with a resume."

Childhood Adventures and Rebellious Moments

Luenell shares anecdotes from her youth, including sneaking out of her house and the subsequent adventures:

Luenell [07:20]: "I would take the bus late at night and get back before my father got up at 5 AM. A couple times I almost got busted."

Ryan adds to the storytelling with memories of his own rebellious antics, creating a relatable and lively exchange.

Family Dynamics and Family Reunions

The dialogue touches on Luenell's large family and the dynamics of being one of eight siblings:

Luenell [09:04]: "We have a family reunion every two years now because the old people started dying off. We better speed this up before everybody croaks out."

Ryan inquires about the logistics of these reunions, and Luenell describes road trips from California to Arkansas, emphasizing the family's resilience and togetherness.

Experiences with Cars and Mischief

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around memorable experiences with cars during their teenage years:

Ryan Sickler [10:05]: "I wrecked a few more cars every day. My entertainment became watching my brothers try to start that Dodge Caravan."

Luenell recounts her own mishaps:

Luenell [17:56]: "I crashed my first car coming home from work at a bank. I was sleepy and hit a street light. That's why I have a scar here."

They laugh over shared experiences of youthful recklessness, highlighting the bond formed through such memories.

Educational Pursuits and Extracurricular Activities

The hosts delve into their school days, with Luenell discussing her varied interests and pressures:

Luenell [25:26]: "I was a pretty average student but made good grades under a lot of pressure. I have a degree."

She shares her accidental foray into cross country:

Luenell [25:47]: "I accidentally signed up for cross country instead of sprinting, and next thing I know, we're running all over the city."

Ryan encourages her to reflect on her high school experiences, leading to a nostalgic exchange about their yearbooks and youthful antics.

Social Commentary: The Green Book and Racial Segregation

A pivotal moment in the episode is when Luenell introduces the concept of the Green Book, a historical guide for African American travelers during segregation:

Luenell [22:12]: "The Green Book is a book that black people have that show you places that will serve black people."

Ryan admits his unfamiliarity with it:

Ryan Sickler [22:31]: "I've never heard of the Green Book. You don't teach it in school?"

Luenell explains its significance, shedding light on the systemic racism of the past and its impact on everyday life:

Luenell [22:46]: "If you have a Green Book, it shows you hotels and restaurants that would accommodate you without discrimination."

This segment serves as an educational highlight, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and remembering such aspects of history.

Influence of Black Panthers and Community Support

The discussion transitions to the influence of the Black Panthers in Oakland and their community initiatives:

Luenell [24:07]: "The Panthers were doing good things like the breakfast program to feed kids and escorting women to classes to protect them."

Ryan seeks to understand the historical context, and Luenell provides insights into the positive community actions taken by the Panthers, contrasting them with the violence often associated with the group in mainstream narratives.

Personal Reflections and Achievements

Luenell reflects on her personal growth and achievements, expressing pride in her journey despite the challenges:

Luenell [19:52]: "I love you. I wish I still play [piano], but I have a mental block now, from Bach and Beethoven."

She touches upon her musical interests and the pressures of meeting expectations, conveying both vulnerability and strength.

Humorous Anecdotes and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with lighthearted stories and mutual appreciation between the hosts:

Luenell [27:22]: "Kids were flying all over the back of that car with cigarettes and everything. It's amazing we made it out."

Ryan and Luenell share laughs over past experiences, reinforcing the show's theme of nostalgia intertwined with humor.

Conclusion

The Wayback #48 | Luenell offers a rich tapestry of stories, blending humor with poignant reflections on race, family, and personal growth. Ryan Sickler and Luenell create an engaging narrative that not only entertains but also educates listeners on significant cultural and historical topics. For those who haven't tuned in, this episode promises a heartfelt and enlightening listen, celebrating the resilience and spirit of Luenell's journey.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Sickler [02:46]: "There gotta be very few."
• Luenell [03:09]: "I'm the only black female comic in Vegas with a resume."
• Luenell [22:12]: "The Green Book is a book that black people have that show you places that will serve black people."
• Luenell [24:07]: "The Panthers were doing good things like the breakfast program to feed kids and escorting women to classes to protect them."
• Luenell [27:22]: "Kids were flying all over the back of that car with cigarettes and everything. It's amazing we made it out."

Final Promotion

Before wrapping up, Luenell promotes her latest projects and performances:

Luenell [27:45]: "Watch me on Hacks Season 1, 2, and 3 on HBO Max. Come see me live at Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club in Las Vegas every Sunday and Monday at 9:30 PM."

Ryan reciprocates by encouraging listeners to attend his shows and follow him on social media.

Join the Journey

For more nostalgic and entertaining episodes, visit The Wayback with Ryan Sickler and follow Ryan on all social media platforms. To catch Luenell live, check her tour dates at heylunell.com.

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This detailed summary captures the essence of episode #48, highlighting the key themes, personal stories, and cultural insights shared by Ryan Sickler and Luenell.

Transcript

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[Lunel]

Hey baby, we're gonna be here all day.

[Ryan Sickler]

We're gonna be here all day, baby.

[Lunel]

I like this kind of party.

[Ryan Sickler]

Welcome back to the Way Back. Everybody. Ryan Sickler here. RyanCickler.com and Ryan Sickler on all your social media, come see me on tour. All my fall dates are up on my website right now@ryan sickler.com get your tickets there. And thank you. Thank you for supporting this show, man. This is a, a newer show. You guys helped it premiere number one in the us The UK and yeah, and Canada. So thank you. Keep support. This is one you need to watch. All right. If you'd like to listen, this is one you want to watch. We're bringing life to these shows and going through everybody's Instagrams and childhoods and bringing those pictures up so you can see what these people were like before they became who they are. And I'm very excited to have this guest on here. Ladies and gentlemen, in the Way Back with me. Welcome Lunel. Thank you for doing this.

[Lunel]

Thanks for having me.

[Ryan Sickler]

Before we talk about anything right there, promote it all, Lunel, please.

[Lunel]

Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club. I'm a resident, the only black female with a comedy residency in Las Vegas. Come see me every Sunday and Monday night at 9:30pm you can go on Kimmel's comedy club.com for tickets. Watch me on season one, two and three of hacks on HBO Max. And season four is coming up. I really enjoy that. And you can go to heylunell.com h e y l u e n e l l.com to get my tour dates because I might be coming to a city near you. That's all for now.

[Ryan Sickler]

I love it. That's all I gotta say. Like I, I do like to think that I'm a student of the game of comedy, and I like to think. I know I'm ignorant, though. Are there any other black female comedians that have a residency anywhere? When you were saying that, you said Vegas, but I'm thinking, does anybody have one anywhere?

[Lunel]

Well, because I don't know them all and don't know what's going on, like, in Chicago. And so I would say probably, but I don't know exactly who they are.

[Ryan Sickler]

There gotta be very few.

[Lunel]

Well, who cares? Because I'm in Vegas.

[Ryan Sickler]

You're the one.

[Lunel]

And that's the shit right there.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's right.

[Lunel]

So, yeah, I'm the only black female comic in Vegas with a resume.

[Ryan Sickler]

Incredible.

[Lunel]

Marsha Warfield is in Vegas, though.

[Ryan Sickler]

Marcia.

[Lunel]

Yeah, Marcia is out there and she's doing her thing. Legendary Night Court.

[Ryan Sickler]

Night Court.

[Lunel]

But it is not DC Cab, too. Oh, yeah, DC Cab.

[Ryan Sickler]

I'm all for DC Cab. Is one of my favorite moves, if you've ever seen the line. Gary Busey has. Also one of my favorite lines when he's talking about getting a divorce and he's like, I don't know what women are complaining about. They got half the money and all the pussy. What's D.C. cav?

[Lunel]

You must be a big Lebowski fan, too. Yeah, yeah, that was my. My poor husband's ex husband. Favorite movie. I said, this dumbass movie. That's his favorite.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's a great one.

[Lunel]

Stupid. He's crazy.

[Ryan Sickler]

All right, well, let's get back in because I know we all.

[Lunel]

By the way, you can't find 10 other black girls who know about Big Lebowski. Okay. Go on.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's probably a damn good point.

[Lunel]

It is true. I know. I know white shit because I went to white schools, remember? With white people.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. So let's talk about that. Okay, so you're from Arkansas originally. You're one of eight.

[Lunel]

Yes. And at two, the baby of eight.

[Ryan Sickler]

You're the baby of eight. And at two months old, I was.

[Lunel]

Transported to Oakland, California, where I was raised. But then we moved from Oakland to Castro Valley, California, white suburb, because they wanted to get me away from the drugs of Oakland. But they brought me to the better drugs of the suburbs. And then I got educated with more white people, from elementary schools to junior high school to high school to junior college to college.

[Ryan Sickler]

And are you the only black girl in your class?

[Lunel]

No, there's about three.

[Ryan Sickler]

Three.

[Lunel]

At that time, 77 is when I graduated. Don't do the fucking math on that either. Matter of fact, I'm Lying. I graduated in 93. Class of 93. But I'm class of 93. Class of 93. Okay.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's why it sounds so familiar.

[Lunel]

It's like. Yeah, right.

[Ryan Sickler]

Wait, so, okay, so you're out in the suburbs. This is your whole elementary school, your whole upbringings out here in this white area.

[Lunel]

Yes.

[Ryan Sickler]

And it's not very many black people.

[Lunel]

Out there at all. No, no, no, no, no. We went, you know, through the whole. You know, I think I have petition to keep us out because my parents were hardworking, but they were affluent. My mother was a nurse at Highland Hospital in Oakland and my father was the supervisor custodians for Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. They made some money at that time. So when we moved to Castro Valley, we moved into a newly built house. They don't. Nobody lived there before us.

[Ryan Sickler]

Let's talk about that. Because we don't have a lot of people. We had one in our life where we had a newly built house. I remember my dad taking us. They're like, we're like, what's this? He's like, that's the foundation.

[Lunel]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And the dirt and everything.

[Lunel]

Yep, yep. 2249 Norbridge Avenue, Castro Valley, California.

[Ryan Sickler]

Wait, hold on. This was your childhood home right here?

[Lunel]

That's my childhood home.

[Ryan Sickler]

2824 Norbridge Avenue. So how old are you when you get here?

[Lunel]

I moved into that house when I was probably fourth grade.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Lunel]

Until I got out of high school.

[Ryan Sickler]

Does it look the same?

[Lunel]

It's the same house.

[Ryan Sickler]

And your bedroom's where? Above the garage?

[Lunel]

See the front door? Yeah. Above the window right there?

[Ryan Sickler]

Yep.

[Lunel]

No, that's the living room. The window right there. My grandma and her sister, my aunt stayed in that house.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Lunel]

The window up there to the left of that, that's my bedroom window.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's your bedroom window.

[Lunel]

And the left. And that's my parents bathroom window.

[Ryan Sickler]

Could you ever sneak out of that house? Did you sneak out? How'd you do it?

[Lunel]

You come down here to the living room and you sneak out through the sliding door. That, and then you come down and then you go out the gate because.

[Ryan Sickler]

There was a patio always there and stuff.

[Lunel]

We built a patio, but that's a new patio.

[Ryan Sickler]

Can you put your mic up a little bit closer?

[Lunel]

Oh, shit, I forgot what's on tv? No, you're good. You're good. I done went back down memory lane. I'm like, oh, my God, that's what I want. Then my friend Janet Boykin lived in the house next door. I'd Sneak out that door right there.

[Ryan Sickler]

And where would you go?

[Lunel]

Are you looking at this? Well, Lisa, not probably. What could you be doing more important than looking where I used to sneak out the fucking house? I could do two things at once. No, you can't. You have to pay attention to what I'm saying. And then. Yeah, Janet Boykin lived over there.

[Ryan Sickler]

This is Jana Boykin's house. And where are you going when you go?

[Lunel]

She black too. So there's the two blackers right there.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, they kept you guys together so they could watch you.

[Lunel]

Easy segregating us. It was and it is. But I really want to go. I pulled up there a couple of times. I used to walk that way to go to school. I knew the lady who lived there and then. I can't tell you about the boy who lived over there. It was terrible. But I used to go over that house right there and kick it.

[Ryan Sickler]

So you had a lot of neighborhood kids your age in this neighborhood then.

[Lunel]

Sort of when you walked to school? Yeah, no, I wasn't playing with a bunch of them, but I had a couple, you know.

[Ryan Sickler]

Where are you going when you sneak out of the house at night back to Oakland? Oh, you damn.

[Lunel]

I would take the bus.

[Ryan Sickler]

You're not just running around the neighborhood? What do you mean?

[Lunel]

Going on in the neighborhood was how this, how old were you? Old enough to sneak out and catch a bus and be back before my father got up at 5 o'clock in the morning. Girl running away.

[Ryan Sickler]

You took a bus and got back before he Left for work. 5:00 in the morning sneaking back in the same way?

[Lunel]

Yes, and a couple times I almost got busted. You know, it's terrible. So yeah, I did do that.

[Ryan Sickler]

Now let me ask you this. You're. You're adopted. You said here, are there any other kids in this house? Are you by your. Okay. But you don't know what it's like to live with seven other siblings because you were just a baby and take it only.

[Lunel]

But, but I would go back like I'm going in August. We, we have a family reunion every two years. It used to be every five until the old people started dying off. We're like, we better, better speed this up. And so now we do every two years before everybody croaks the fuck out. And we're going in August. But so when I, I would go to the one thing they did do was let me know I had siblings, let me know what happened. So then I would go into summers and I would go in and see them So I know summers were.

[Ryan Sickler]

Did you drive or fly?

[Lunel]

We would. Back then. We would drive.

[Ryan Sickler]

You would drive to Arkansas, huh?

[Lunel]

From California.

[Ryan Sickler]

And what kind of car are you taking there?

[Lunel]

A Chrysler. Everything was Chrysler.

[Ryan Sickler]

Everything.

[Lunel]

Everything was Chrysler.

[Ryan Sickler]

Chrysler. What do you remember? Is it a wagon?

[Lunel]

Did you sit in the seat? I don't know what it was. Regular Chrysler. My mom had a barracuda.

[Ryan Sickler]

Whoa. For real? She's a Hemi lady.

[Lunel]

Yeah, but I wrecked that. It was the white one.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, man. My brother had a white one, too.

[Lunel]

She didn't deserve that car.

[Ryan Sickler]

This is crazy. So my brother had this same car.

[Lunel]

I had that. Now the money I could get. It's classic.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, yeah.

[Lunel]

He had the same car I got hit on. What? That's supposed to be my. You're not on the show, Elisa, but nice try anyway. No, no, leave it in. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh. My brother had. On the back, it said RT and it stood for road and track.

[Lunel]

Ah, Jesus.

[Ryan Sickler]

My brother got one of these from.

[Lunel]

A guy and Barracuda baby.

[Ryan Sickler]

It put it right in our drive. We had a gravel driveway. Okay. Little gravel driveway. And we were in this shitty little apartment. Me and my two brothers lived together.

[Lunel]

Oh, my God.

[Ryan Sickler]

By ourselves in high school.

[Lunel]

That's the first car I ever wrecked. I wrecked a few more.

[Ryan Sickler]

Every day. They'd come home and try to start this thing. They couldn't start it every day. They're on the hood every day. So I would just get some beers and I'd sit on the porch. And my entertainment became watching these. Try to get this car started.

[Lunel]

That thing said for 500 bucks.

[Ryan Sickler]

And now it can be yours for $2 million.

[Lunel]

Two milli.

[Ryan Sickler]

You better look at that car. So one day, my buddy Jim Grindstead. We're sitting there. We're. We're 18. We're having beers on the porch just like you and me. Ra that in Maryland. This is in Maryland. And they fired up.

[Lunel]

They fired up the car. Oh.

[Ryan Sickler]

And it sounded so. We were like, ah, it's been months. We getting. This is our after school.

[Lunel]

This is very. Giving me summer of 42 cries.

[Ryan Sickler]

We're like, oh, hell yeah. And then it died out. We're like, oh, let's go, let's go. So everyone. Everybody in the neighborhood gets it. We're trying to push it to pop. Started, never started.

[Lunel]

Now you got to get the car.

[Ryan Sickler]

It was one time, and then he got rid of it. Now I wonder. I wonder where that thing is for him now.

[Lunel]

So what you do? I ran a stop sign. Somebody hit me on my passenger Side. Then I had to drive home and I tried to hide it from my parents. So I drove. I parked it across the street so the side was up. Not slick at all. Was across the street from the house of Castro Valley. A freeway. You can't park over here.

[Ryan Sickler]

So that's back when a car could take a beating like that. And you could still drive at home. Yeah, you could still drive. You.

[Lunel]

You hitting these cars now you're sitting on the ground still splinters.

[Ryan Sickler]

I was asking you stuff too. Tell me about sneaking into theaters. You snuck out of the house. Were you sneaking in movie theaters?

[Lunel]

Absolutely. The East Mount.

[Ryan Sickler]

What was your method? Tell me your method.

[Lunel]

Okay. The Eastmont four. Oakland, California. Eastmont Mall. The movie Lady Sings the Blues. Five of us go.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's the Billie Holiday movie.

[Lunel]

Yes.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Lunel]

Five of us go. Two of us got money. The other three broke as fuck. You go on, you buy your popcorn and you can tell the person because it's in a mall. I gotta give my mom, you know, whatever, whatever. You come back. But you give your ticket to somebody, come back in with your popcorn. Now they got a ticket. And, you know, there's ways. I'm a scam artist. Don't forget it.

[Ryan Sickler]

And then you sneak in and watch your movies.

[Lunel]

Yes. And you stay there all day. Because now that you're in. It's the Eastmont Four. There's four theater. Yeah. You gotta hop. You're in the movie theater from 10:00 in the morning to 11:00 at night.

[Ryan Sickler]

So you're buying one ticket and you're getting all of them and everybody's rolling. That's smart. Yeah.

[Lunel]

And the parents didn't even give a where we were. Now that I think about it.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. As long as you're in there.

[Lunel]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

First boyfriend. It's all in this house as boyfriends and everything. Who's your first boyfriend? Like you liked who you liked. I like like this guy likes.

[Lunel]

I like the guy nobody liked, as per usual. I think his name was Stevie Higgins. And I think the song. What was this song? There was a song that was like our song. I think it was by Blue Magic. Don't none of y'all remember Blue Magic? What was this song? I can't remember, but there was a.

[Ryan Sickler]

Song about Bring up Blue Magic. Cursing the song, oh, Jesus, Just don't.

[Lunel]

Want to be lonely. Yeah, I think that was one of our songs. But that's not who I gave the head to though. Okay. This is why I suck this guy's dick. First of all, he Was my friend's brother. He was super, super cute. This is back in Big Afro days, Soul Train, look. And he was from Ohio. But he lied and told me that he was one of the Ohio Players.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, okay.

[Lunel]

And I loved the Ohio Players. I was like, oh my God. What?

[Ryan Sickler]

Not enough? If you didn't know, you really did.

[Lunel]

I loved the music. I didn't know what the fucking look like I do now. But I wasn't paying attention to the album cover. Everybody had an afro. They all looked like Jackson five. Oh my God. See, I used to love the guy. The guy on the right, he played the horn, top right. Uh huh. He played the horn. The other guy with the afro, almost to the left. The Sugarfoot loved him. The guy on the left, left played the drums. I had big old crush on him. And I remember the other guys. I was really just concerned with the top row start. So the guy told me he was one of the Ohio Players. I was like, you are. Oh my God.

[Ryan Sickler]

How old are you?

[Lunel]

None of your business. Too young to be sucking a dick, I tell you that. I think they call it. I think they call it statutory rape now.

[Ryan Sickler]

God. Oh God. We'll cut that part out.

[Lunel]

You gonna cut it? You too young to be scared.

[Ryan Sickler]

Too.

[Lunel]

Too young to be sucking a dick. Tell you that. I'm sorry. Never. Don't ask. Don't ask. No, no. Okay.

[Ryan Sickler]

Just the statutory rate.

[Lunel]

Far.

[Ryan Sickler]

Just the statutory rate. Far.

[Lunel]

I mean this funny story years ago. Okay, okay. All right.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh my.

[Lunel]

You're editing. You going have you gonna have a lot of work to do, girl.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh man.

[Lunel]

Between these two shows, you have a lot work to do.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh God.

[Lunel]

All right, let's go.

[Ryan Sickler]

All right, well, if we're going there. Is that your first sexual experience then? Like, had you been messing around boys a little bit before that? Kissing, making out, that kind of thing?

[Lunel]

Well, I think the thing that was popular back in the day was finger banging. You let somebody put their hand in your panties and put a finger up in your. I really enjoyed that. Whatever happened to that?

[Ryan Sickler]

Whatever happened to that?

[Lunel]

Let's bring that back.

[Ryan Sickler]

I thought this was supposed to be. Well, it's happened back in the way though.

[Lunel]

I'm inappropriate.

[Ryan Sickler]

We didn't need to be G rated at all.

[Lunel]

No, I asked what were the restraints and concern strength before I sat down.

[Ryan Sickler]

What's your first car? What's your first car?

[Lunel]

Not Arrow, Tangerine, Orange Plymouth Arrow. I bet you don't find that.

[Ryan Sickler]

Let's see, that's that right there.

[Lunel]

Oh my God. Wait a Minute. That's her. Wait. Okay, I'm gonna sit back down.

[Ryan Sickler]

No, go ahead, go ahead.

[Lunel]

Look, that's me.

[Ryan Sickler]

That was what you had?

[Lunel]

Yes, that was my first car when I was.

[Ryan Sickler]

I've never heard of the Plymouth Arrow. And I. I know cars.

[Lunel]

Don't forget. I was a privileged black girl with equestrian lessons and like that and. And swimming lessons and everything back in the day. Ballet, T. Yes.

[Ryan Sickler]

So this was your first ride here. Who bought this for you? Was this something you earned?

[Lunel]

You saved money? No, earned, no money.

[Ryan Sickler]

Was it new new when you got it?

[Lunel]

New new?

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. Whoa. You had a brand new car?

[Lunel]

More than one. Did you them all up?

[Ryan Sickler]

What was it? How'd you crash this one up?

[Lunel]

That one? I crashed when I was coming from work at where? A bank in the Bay Area. And I was really sleepy and I think we had had a Christmas party, but I wasn't really drinking. But we were. I was about to go over to San Mateo Bridge. Cause we now lived in a different part of Hayward. I was going to San Mateo Bridge and I fell asleep and hit a street light. And that's why I got a scar here.

[Ryan Sickler]

Is that right? Oh, I see.

[Lunel]

Yeah. Yeah. And I had scars on my knees because I could have killed myself. Yeah. I fucked that one up in the next car, too. And I think the one after that. That's why I have drivers now.

[Ryan Sickler]

Well, you dropped swim lessons in equestrian lessons. Tell me about these equestrian lessons.

[Lunel]

Well, I didn't have a horse, but my white friends did.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, so you go someplace and ride?

[Lunel]

Yeah, they had. Yes, I would go ride for sure. And I remember.

[Ryan Sickler]

What made you want to start? My little nephew does that. Nobody in our family rides horses, deals.

[Lunel]

That's from Arkansas, basically.

[Ryan Sickler]

Is that what it was?

[Lunel]

Yeah. They grew up riding horses bareback out there.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Lunel]

They can ride at a young age.

[Ryan Sickler]

So you're going down in the summers and seeing that, and then you come back and you want to be. You want to do it?

[Lunel]

No. I was just in the Valley, Castro Valley, with my white friend. And they were riding horses and I wanted to go ride with them. But then it came in handy when I went back down south. I could ride Okay. I could still ride.

[Ryan Sickler]

Did you like it?

[Lunel]

Yes, I do like it. But I don't think the horse enjoyed it. Cause I got a little weight, you know. I have tried to step up in a stirrup before. And the whole ass saddle go zhoop up under the horse like fuck and crazy. Glued this bitch down.

[Ryan Sickler]

Were you like just doing it to do it. Or did you race? Did you compete?

[Lunel]

No.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay. And swim lessons. You took swim lessons?

[Lunel]

Absolutely. Swim lessons. Ballet, piano.

[Ryan Sickler]

Really?

[Lunel]

Tap.

[Ryan Sickler]

Were these things you wanted to do or were you put in them?

[Lunel]

I put in them.

[Ryan Sickler]

You were put in them?

[Lunel]

Yes.

[Ryan Sickler]

What ones did you not like?

[Lunel]

None of this.

[Ryan Sickler]

You didn't like any of them?

[Lunel]

No, because I wanted to play what I wanted to play on the piano and they were making me learn classical. I didn't want to play necessarily.

[Ryan Sickler]

That. You didn't like piano. It's like you didn't like what you were.

[Lunel]

I love you. I wish I still play, but I have a mental block now. From Bach and Beethoven.

[Ryan Sickler]

What about. Tell me about vacations. What are you guys doing for family vacations?

[Lunel]

Most of the time we would just go down south and visit family.

[Ryan Sickler]

And did you ever fly anywhere? You ever take one?

[Lunel]

I've been flying since I was young. Yes. Yes. I don't remember. I think we flew to Texas. You know, where was black folks going in the 60s? We wasn't going to Dubai. Going to Texas, you know, everything was Texas. Whether you're driving, going back to Texas. Everything was Texas. Texas knock. So I didn't know there was any place else to go.

[Ryan Sickler]

There were three.

[Lunel]

I didn't know. There's no place else to go. But let me tell you, though, we were driving. We drive. My father. My mother was co pilot. He's drinking the whole time. She would be. No, he would be. She would fix him a cocktail. He driving. She drank it. The car smelled like corbel. Smoking, cigarettes, gun under the fucking seat. Would a basket of food be caught. Now, I'm always just thinking, we have a basket of food just because it's convenient. But actually, back in the day, unless you had a green book, which would tell you what black folks could eat, you would bring your food because you couldn't eat everywhere. That happened in my lifetime.

[Ryan Sickler]

Whoa.

[Lunel]

Yeah. We had.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay, so these are. We don't serve your kind.

[Lunel]

That's right. And your daughter can't pee here either.

[Ryan Sickler]

Whoa.

[Lunel]

At the gas station.

[Ryan Sickler]

You've had that experience before.

[Lunel]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

So you bring your own food so you don't starve.

[Lunel]

Right. And so you don't. And so you can eat.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Lunel]

Every place wasn't. If you have a green book, which. I have one in my house right now. The green book is a book. Will you look this up?

[Ryan Sickler]

Curse. I've never heard of the Green Book.

[Lunel]

The Green book is a book that black people have that show you places that will serve black people.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Lunel]

Hotels that will accommodate you. Let's see if you pull this bitch up.

[Ryan Sickler]

Let's see it.

[Lunel]

The Negro Motors green book.

[Ryan Sickler]

Holy shit. How am I 51? How's this? Never taught in school.

[Lunel]

Let's see. Why don't you ask. Never mind. Ask the Florida governor of the United.

[Ryan Sickler]

States or all my white teachers.

[Lunel]

Not the president. Ask the former president.

[Ryan Sickler]

Wow. So this book is.

[Lunel]

I have that book in my home right now.

[Ryan Sickler]

How old is that book? From the 50s? 60s.

[Lunel]

Definitely from the 50s.

[Ryan Sickler]

So this is a. Hey, if you're traveling across the United States, these are places that are safe for you to eat.

[Lunel]

That's right.

[Ryan Sickler]

You won't get killed because you want a meal. Jesus, I've never.

[Lunel]

And places you can stay.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, hotels as well. Okay.

[Lunel]

Well, they don't teach it. People are not. Will not receive it. And it's just like, there's a bunch of white things that y'all do that I don't know what the fuck it is. And there's a bunch of black things that we do that y'all don't know what the fuck it is. My sister over there, Iliana, she Mexican. God knows they got a bunch of shit we don't know what the fuck.

[Ryan Sickler]

What. Fuck y'all.

[Lunel]

What the fuck he doing? What is Elote?

[Ryan Sickler]

Just mayonnaise and corn over there.

[Lunel]

Most delicious you ever had in your life. Nothing but carbs and fat. Love it, love it, love it.

[Ryan Sickler]

Wow. That's what I'm. I learned something new today. For sure. I never.

[Lunel]

You didn't have any black friends when you growing up?

[Ryan Sickler]

Tons. I have tons of black friends.

[Lunel]

I've done this show, Don't Keep It Real for Years.

[Ryan Sickler]

I've never heard of that.

[Lunel]

Well, when you want to learn some more black history, keep talking to me, because I grew up with the Panthers, too. You did?

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. Are you doing that?

[Lunel]

I wasn't a Panther.

[Ryan Sickler]

No. But were you influenced by it? Were you?

[Lunel]

Yeah, I was influenced.

[Ryan Sickler]

Were you wanting to be?

[Lunel]

I think I am one.

[Ryan Sickler]

You are like an honorary. Or you just accidentally got.

[Lunel]

No, I just said it myself. Fuck a Black Panther, bitch. Because the Panthers were doing good things in Oakland. This before they tried to lump the Panthers with the sla. Do you remember the sla? Remember when Patty Hearst got kidnapped?

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Lunel]

Remember when they burnt him out to the ground in la? Right. But that wasn't the Panthers, though. And the Panthers, when I was growing up in Oakland, they were getting the breakfast program.

[Ryan Sickler]

Champ Newton, right?

[Lunel]

Yes. They would have the breakfast program to feed the kids. That didn't have a meal in the morning. They were walking women to and from classes on campuses so they wouldn't get raped and fucked up. They were doing good stuff.

[Ryan Sickler]

Is that a prominent thing when you're in high school? Like, are they.

[Lunel]

This wasn't a school thing.

[Ryan Sickler]

No, but I mean, when you're in high school, is that like the age where you're starting to learn about this sort of thing and the Panthers and stuff?

[Lunel]

More like elementary school.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Lunel]

Because that's when the breakfast program was going on. I wasn't, you know, my people have money, but I wasn't privy to it, but I knew it was was happening. And then they would give away bags of food and stuff. Like, I mean, I could see it, it was right there.

[Ryan Sickler]

What kind of student were you in school?

[Lunel]

Pretty average student. You know, I made pretty good grades. Cause I was under a lot of pressure to do that. And like I said, I got a degree. So, you know, I was an average student though. You know, I get a couple of Cs every now and then. Just while I'm fucking off most A's and B's though.

[Ryan Sickler]

You play sports at all in school?

[Lunel]

Sucked at everything. Sucked at kickball, volleyball, tennis ball, baseball. I accidentally signed up for cross country running, which I was trying to be on the table.

[Ryan Sickler]

Accidentally.

[Lunel]

I signed up for cross country accidentally. I meant to be a sprinter, not a long distance runner.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, I see, I see.

[Lunel]

But we start our practice, next thing I know we're fucking downtown. When we going back? Well, you're on cross country, you don't go back. We're running all over the city. That's in the Castro Valley High School yearbook. Castro Valley High School yearbook.

[Ryan Sickler]

Look that up. Kirsten Valley.

[Lunel]

There you are. Oh my God, that's my yearbook. I got artwork in that yearbook.

[Ryan Sickler]

Do you use something you drew is in that yearbook.

[Lunel]

Oh, God, my head's gonna explode. Please don't pull up my high school photos. Curse it. I'll you up. Jesus Christ.

[Ryan Sickler]

If you pull up right there on page 69.

[Lunel]

That's my favorite number, by the way. No, you know, you get old enough, you don't do 69 no more, you be fighting in people face. I'm done with that. That's a young people gang. If you don't get your ass out from front of my face. Don't threaten me with a gun talk.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh my God. This is not G rated. Just about growing up.

[Lunel]

Poly purebred over there.

[Ryan Sickler]

Lunel. Thank you for doing this.

[Lunel]

I love these because they remind me when There were no seat belts.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Lunel]

Kids were flying all over the back of that car.

[Ryan Sickler]

Cigarettes in them and everything.

[Lunel]

I know. With the windows rolled up.

[Ryan Sickler]

It's amazing. We made it out.

[Lunel]

I know.

[Ryan Sickler]

Windows rolled up, raining cigarettes, smoke, no seat belts, drinking and driving.

[Lunel]

Drinking and driving.

[Ryan Sickler]

I mean, that's what we were just at the mercy of whatever was going on out there.

[Lunel]

No. Right. How did we make it out? Praise God.

[Ryan Sickler]

Thank you for coming and doing this.

[Lunel]

Thank you for having me on the.

[Ryan Sickler]

One more time promote.

[Lunel]

Okay. Hacks Season 1, 2 and 3 on HBO Max. HBO Max. You can check me out on Hacks, this wonderful show, Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club in Las Vegas, every Sunday and Monday at 9:30pm kimmelscomedyclub.com for tickets and heylunel.com, my website, to see my tour dates. I may be coming to a city near you.

[Ryan Sickler]

I love it. Go see Lunell live if you can for sure, come see me as well. Tickets are up on my [e-mail] ryancickler.com and follow me on social media. Ryan Sickler on all your social media. We'll talk to you all next week.

[Lunel]

Peace.