Podcast Summary: Toure Show – Episode Featuring Leslie Jones: "I Might Be Insane"

Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host: Toure
Guest: Leslie Jones
Website: dcpofficial.com/toureshow

1. Introduction to Leslie Jones and Her Comedy Journey

Toure opens the episode by highlighting Leslie Jones as one of the great comedians of her time, recalling her impactful performances on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). He sets the stage for an in-depth conversation about her experiences in comedy, her personal growth, and the persona she presents on stage versus her off-stage self.

Notable Quote:

[02:19] Toure: "Leslie Jones is one of the great comedians of our time. I remember watching her on SNL and Being like, how much is she like, this actual person?"

2. Early Life and Introduction to Comedy

Leslie delves into her upbringing, sharing anecdotes from her childhood in Memphis and later in Compton, Los Angeles. She discusses her early interactions with Suge Knight and her transition from aspiring to be a DJ or electronic engineer to discovering her passion for comedy.

Notable Quotes:

[09:05] Toure: "Were you a funny kid, son?"
[09:08] Leslie Jones: "I was a problem child. That's what my mom used to call me. Problem child. I think I was insane."

[56:08] Leslie Jones: "Well, I was born in Memphis, Tennessee. And then we came to LA when I was, like, 14. And then I was raised there in Linwood. Compton."

3. College Years and the Shift to Stand-Up Comedy

Leslie recounts her college experience, highlighting her struggles academically and her burgeoning interest in making people laugh as a coping mechanism. She explains how her comedic persona developed as a way to protect herself and gain acceptance among peers.

Notable Quotes:

[13:56] Leslie Jones: "Cause I was not doing good in college. Oh, my God. I would wear glasses that had no lens. Like, the teachers fucking hated me."

[16:30] Leslie Jones: "I was reading about your come up. I was like, Chappelle noticed it, Fox noticed it, Rock noticed it. But the industry is not noticing it, right?"

4. Experiences on Saturday Night Live (SNL)

Leslie shares her multifaceted experience on SNL, comparing it to a rigorous educational program where she learned various aspects of production and performance. She discusses the high-pressure environment, her creative contributions, and the limitations she faced in expressing her full comedic range due to being typecast.

Notable Quotes:

[22:46] Toure: "So SNL is a whole life changing experience."
[23:18] Leslie Jones: "SNL was very much like college, college, college."

[54:28] Toure: "Why did it end? Did you walk away or did they say, enough of you?"
[54:39] Leslie Jones: "No, I was me. It was time for me to go."

5. Creating Her Comedic Persona and Handling Typecasting

Leslie discusses how SNL shaped her on-stage persona as the aggressive, larger-than-life character, contrasting it with her more relaxed off-stage self. She emphasizes the importance of controlling the energy in a room and how her comedic style is rooted in self-deprecation and making others laugh at themselves.

Notable Quotes:

[19:58] Toure: "But there is a big difference between Leslie Jones on stage, on TV, and let's say, quote unquote, real Leslie Jones."
[20:07] Leslie Jones: "Right? Right. I mean, Lenny was here, I'd be like, Lenny. He'd be like, no, it's not."

[04:18] Leslie Jones: "Because I have had to get out of situations. And only way to get out is to make motherfuckers laugh."

6. Notable SNL Sketches and Moments

Leslie reminisces about specific sketches and moments on SNL that stand out in her memory. She shares behind-the-scenes stories, such as portraying Donald Trump and dealing with sketches involving other celebrities like James Franco. These anecdotes illustrate her creative process and the challenges of bringing her unique humor to a live audience.

Notable Quotes:

[43:28] Leslie Jones: "But the vibe director, too. That was the funniest shit to me."

[50:44] Leslie Jones: "It's too many. Oh, my God. When I played the ninja, and my eye wouldn't stop tearing for some reason."

[44:38] Leslie Jones: "You told him to shut the fuck up. Like, get away from the fucking cue cards."

7. Controversial Moments and Handling Offense

The conversation shifts to discussing controversial moments in comedy, specifically addressing Leslie's experience with a joke about slavery that was deemed offensive when performed on SNL. She defends her approach to comedy, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and the challenges comedians face when addressing sensitive historical topics.

Notable Quotes:

[31:10] Leslie Jones: "Oh, my God. Read that fucking book."
[32:21] Leslie Jones: "Right? But fucked up for who? You or me?"

[63:14] Leslie Jones: "This is what I be want black people to do to just take a second."

8. Post-SNL Career and Future Endeavors

After leaving SNL, Leslie discusses her aspirations beyond the show, including writing, acting, and creating her own projects. She expresses a desire to showcase the capabilities of black women in the entertainment industry and hints at future projects like a special with Larry Wilmore and possibly her own show.

Notable Quotes:

[78:44] Leslie Jones: "The mission was never to be the funniest or the most famous. The mission was always to be able to pay to buy your aunt house in Memphis."

[80:21] Leslie Jones: "We're working on something. We working on something. We working on it."

[79:54] Toure: "What's the Larry Wilmore show?"
[79:55] Leslie Jones: "It's about me. It's about when I used to coach kids at the YMCA."

9. Reflections on Comedy and Personal Growth

Leslie reflects on her comedic evolution, acknowledging feedback about her humor and striving to align her jokes more closely with her personal experiences and identity. She emphasizes the importance of comedians owning their narratives and not being confined to stereotypes or limited character portrayals.

Notable Quotes:

[75:16] Leslie Jones: "Because I was doing these fucking jokes, but my talent of doing them is way better."

[65:41] Leslie Jones: "They're into self-deprecation. And they're also into making a person laugh at themselves."

10. Closing Thoughts and Future Projects

As the interview winds down, Leslie shares her upcoming projects and the mission behind her work, focusing on steady growth and meaningful contributions rather than just fame. She hints at a potential show with Larry Wilmore and a special titled "Life Part Two," aiming to continue impacting audiences with her unique comedic voice.

Notable Quotes:

[78:44] Leslie Jones: "To steadily work. Now I know what it is. Now I know what the mission is."

[81:47] Toure: "Are you kidding?"
[81:48] Leslie Jones: "That would be so fucking funny."

Conclusion

In this candid and comprehensive interview, Leslie Jones opens up about her journey in comedy, the challenges of navigating a high-pressure environment like SNL, and her commitment to evolving her craft. Through personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and reflections on the art of comedy, Leslie provides listeners with a multifaceted view of what it takes to succeed in the entertainment industry while staying true to oneself.

Final Notable Quote:

[81:53] Leslie Jones: "Thank you. I had so much fun."

Note: Timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are included to highlight key moments and quotes throughout the episode.