LS Episode 531: Lack of Diversity in Comedy World (feat. Jay Jurden)

In this hilarious, vulnerable, and fast-moving episode, comedian Jay Jurden joins Lip Service to break down everything from his new Hulu special Yes Ma’am to sexuality, marriage, family, and the wild reality of being a queer Black comic in today’s comedy boom. Jay opens up about filming his debut hour in New Orleans — “the gayest, Blackest city in the South” — and why the energy of the Joy Theater made it the perfect home for his special.

Jay gets real about his relationship: being bisexual while married to a gay man, how they first met in college, who proposed to whom (yes, there were multiple proposals), navigating honesty, threesomes, poly dynamics in NYC, and why they chose to make their long-term commitment official. He also shares how moving to New York together shaped their marriage, how writing for Jon Stewart changed their lives, and why their wedding meant so much to their families.

The comedy talk goes deep — from Paul Mooney’s legacy and “sassy” influence, to how few openly gay Black male comedians exist, to messy behind-the-scenes stories like the Breakfast Club interview that never aired. Jay reveals the pressure comics face to always be funny, how trauma shows up on stage, and why he loves when comedians “act up a little” in interviews instead of playing it safe.

The episode gets even wilder when the group dives into dating culture, straight men “testing boundaries,” Grindr chaos, dick-pic economics, being catfished, OnlyFans, and the reality of queer men navigating hookup culture versus long-term partnership. Jay also talks about changing his voice around straight men, working at Abercrombie, coming out to his mom while watching Will & Grace and What Not to Wear, and why she always secretly knew.

Jay shows love to the people who have lifted him up — Wanda Sykes, Bob the Drag Queen, Taylor Tomlinson, and even the cast of Abbott Elementary, especially Janelle James. He reflects on comedy’s evolution, how Black queer voices are reshaping the landscape, and why it’s crucial for younger comics to be given the spotlight. Finally, he breaks down how his Hulu special came to be, the risks he took to make it happen, and what’s next for him.

Plus, Akeem Woods shares his viral Thanksgiving adventure — going to random followers’ homes for dinner — and the chaotic, heartwarming stories that followed.

This episode is packed with jokes, honesty, queer insight, southern charm, and nonstop energy from two of the funniest voices in comedy today.

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