Leslie Jones Says Comedy Needs Gatekeepers Again

2026-06-12

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EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here. Leslie Jones thinks comedy has a problem. The comedian and former 'Saturday Night Live' cast member joins Sam to talk about how comedy has changed, why viral fame doesn’t equal success, and why too many young comics are skipping the hard part: Honing their craft. She also reflects on her years at SNL, what she’s learned from nearly 40 years in comedy, and why she wants gatekeepers back.

EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.

Leslie Jones thinks comedy has a problem.

The comedian and former 'Saturday Night Live' cast member joins Sam to talk about how comedy has changed, why viral fame doesn’t equal success, and why too many young comics are skipping the hard part: Honing their craft.

She also reflects on her years at SNL, what she’s learned from nearly 40 years in comedy, and why she wants gatekeepers back.

Plus: menopause, comedy clubs, and the one thing every great comedian has in common.

Catch Leslie Jones on her 'I’m Hot Tour' and on her HGTV show 'Roast My Rental,' premiering July 24.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

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