Sam Jay

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Sam Jay
Born
Samaria Johnson

(1982-01-13) January 13, 1982 (age 39)
Atlanta, Georgia U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationStand-up comedian
Writer
Years active2012-present

Samaria Johnson[1] (born in January 13, 1982), known professionally as Sam Jay, is an American stand-up comedian and writer.[2][3] She is a staff writer for Saturday Night Live and has performed stand-up on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents and The Comedy Line-Up. Jay's first hour long comedy special, 3 in the Morning, was released on Netflix on August 4, 2020.[4]

Early life and education[]

Jay was born in Atlanta, Georgia,[5] but grew up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.[6]

Jay attended college for communications but quit due to lack of interest.[7]

Career[]

After working several office jobs and working as a music manager, she pursued a career in stand-up comedy in 2012 at age 29.[8][7] Jay's comedic style has been described as self-aware observational humor.[6] She has been compared to Patrice O’Neal.[9]

In October 2017, Jay joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live.[10] She is the only black lesbian staff writer on the show; and the second black lesbian to be involved with the show, after Danitra Vance.[8][6] She co-wrote "Black Jeopardy."[11]

Jay appeared on Netflix's Special The Comedy Lineup, which premiered on July 3, 2018, and starred in a half-hour stand-up comedy special for Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents.[12][13] She filmed her first one-hour Netflix comedy special, Sam Jay: 3 in the Morning, at The Masquerade in Atlanta, February 22, 2020,[14] which was released on August 4, 2020.[15]

Jay has appeared on Take My Wife and performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[16] She received positive critical reception for her performance at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.[17]

On September 29, 2020 it was announced that HBO ordered a half-hour, weekly series starring Jay.[18] Jay partnered with producer Prentice Penny to create the series. The first season was six episodes and called PAUSE with Sam Jay. It premiered in May 2021.[19] It was renewed by HBO for a second season in July 2021.[20]

Awards[]

Selected filmography[]

Film[]

TV[]

  • 2012: Just for Laughs: All Access (TV series) – (episode: "Episode #6.6")
  • 2015: Get Your Life (TV series) – Lady in Dickies (episode: "Girl Get Your Blacktresses")
  • 2016: Take My Wife (TV series) – (episode: "Punchline")
  • 2016: Flophouse (TV documentary) – (episode: "Haircuts at Babe Island")
  • 2016: The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail (TV series) – (episode: "The One Without Neil DeGrasse Tyson")
  • 2017: Pinsky (TV series) – Sam[1]
  • 2017: Comedy Central Presents (TV series) – (episode: "Sam Jay")
  • 2018–present: Saturday Night Live (TV series) – writer
  • 2018: Nobodies (TV series) – Andrea
  • 2018: The Comedy Lineup (TV series) – executive producer, writer (episode: "Sam Jay")
  • 2018: 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards (TV special) – writer
  • 2018: 70th Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special) – writer
  • 2019: Broad City (TV series) – Doorwoman (episode: "Along Came Molly")
  • 2019: Donald Glover Presents (TV mini-series) – writer (5 episodes)
  • 2020: BET Awards 2020 (TV special) – writer
  • 2020: Shrill (TV series) – Fran's Friend (2 episodes)
  • 2020: Sam Jay: 3 in the Morning (TV special) – executive producer, writer
  • 2021: Kenan (TV series) – consulting producer
  • 2021: That Damn Michael Che (TV series) – Barber (episode: "Well Played, Crackers")
  • 2021: Pause with Sam Jay (TV series) – executive producer, writer

Discography[]

  • 2018: Donna's Daughter (Comedy Central Records)[24]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Boston native and comedy powerhouse, Sam Jay joins the Pinsky cast!". Pinsky. 11 April 2015.
  2. ^ Zaino III, Nick A. (17 July 2014). "For Sam Jay, comedy isn't just an act". The Boston Globe.
  3. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (12 May 2021). "Sam Jay's Comedy of Compromise". Rolling Stone.
  4. ^ Wright, Megh (2020-07-21). "Sam Jay Has a Joke About Something Called 'Traveling'". Vulture. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  5. ^ "Netflix: Sam Jay: 3 in the morning". Netflix.com. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  6. ^ a b c Bendix, Trish. "INTO: A Digital Magazine for The Modern Queer World". intomore.com. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  7. ^ a b Khanna, Vish. "'Saturday Night Live' Writer Sam Jay Talks Bobby Brown, JAY-Z and Her New Album 'Donna's Daughter'". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  8. ^ a b Wilstein, Matt (2019-05-24). "Why SNL Writer Sam Jay Hates Performing Comedy for 'Woke' Kids". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  9. ^ Eakin, Marah. "Comedian Sam Jay hates Da Brat's "What'chu Like" identity crisis". AV Club. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (26 September 2017). "'Saturday Night Live' Taps Heidi Gardner, Luke Null & Chris Redd as New Cast Members, Adds 7 Writers for Season 43". Deadline. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  11. ^ "New 'SNL' writer Sam Jay thrives on a challenge". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  12. ^ "Sam Jay". IMDb.com.
  13. ^ "TV highlights: 'The Comedy Lineup' premieres on Netflix". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  14. ^ "NETFLIX ORIGINAL COMEDY SPECIAL TAPING: SAM JAY (1ST SHOW)". The Masquerade Altlanta. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  15. ^ Vo, Thao (2020-07-09). "Sam Jay Announces First Netflix Comedy Special, 'Sam Jay: 3 In The Morning'". Sheen Magazine. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  16. ^ "WATCH: Stand Up Comedy from Sam Jay Video". Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Retrieved 3 October 2017 – via ABC.go.com.
  17. ^ Limbong, Andrew. "Just For Laughs Comedy Festival Offers A Look At Up-And-Coming Talent". NPR.org. National Public Radio.
  18. ^ Porter, Rick (29 September 2020). "HBO Orders Late Night Show Starring 'SNL' Writer Sam Jay". Hollywood Reporter.
  19. ^ "PAUSE with Sam Jay".
  20. ^ "'Pause with Sam Jay' Renewed for Season 2". July 29, 2021.
  21. ^ "Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series Nominees / Winners 2018". Television Academy. 2018.
  22. ^ "Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series Nominees / Winners 2019". Television Academy. 2019.
  23. ^ "Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees 2020-2013". Writers Guild of America. 2020.
  24. ^ "Sam Jay Announces Debut Stand-up Album, Donna's Daughter". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-08-01.

External links[]

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