Sam Jay

Samaria Johnson[1] (born in January 12, 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]

Sam Jay
Born
Samaria Johnson

(1982-01-12) January 12, 1982
Atlanta, Georgia U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationStand-up comedian
Writer
Years active2012-present

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. "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. Bendix, Trish. "INTO: A Digital Magazine for The Modern Queer World". intomore.com. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  7. 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. 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.
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