Sam Jay

Samaria Johnson (born January 13, 1982), better known as Sam Jay, is an American comedian and writer. She is best known as a writer for Saturday Night Live (2017–2020), her Netflix comedy special 3 in the Morning (2020), and as the co-creator and co-star of the HBO comedy series PAUSE with Sam Jay (2021–2022) and the Peacock comedy series Bust Down (2022).

Sam Jay
Born
Samaria Johnson

(1982-01-13) January 13, 1982
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation(s)Comedian, writer
Years active2012–present

Early life

Jay was born Samaria Johnson[1] in Atlanta on January 13, 1982.[2] She grew up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston,[3] and studied for a degree in communications but quit due to lack of interest.[4]

Career

After years of working in an office and as a music manager, Jay performed her first stand-up comedy routine in 2012, at the age of 29.[4][5] In 2017, she joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live,[6] becoming the first black lesbian writer in the show's history and the second black lesbian to be involved with the show overall (after performer Danitra Vance joined the cast 32 years prior).[3][5] She co-wrote the "Black Jeopardy" sketch.[7] In 2018, she performed stand-up on Netflix's The Comedy Lineup and starred in a half-hour stand-up special for Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents.[8][9]

Jay's first stand-up comedy release was Donna's Daughter (2018), which was made available as audio only.[10] Her first Netflix stand-up comedy special, 3 in the Morning (2020), was filmed at The Masquerade in Atlanta[11][12][13] and received acclaim.[14][15][16] Her other work includes appearances on Flatbush Misdemeanors (2021-2022) and Take My Wife (2016–2018) and stand-up performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live![17] and at the 2017 Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.[18]

In September 2020, it was announced that HBO had ordered a sitcom co-written by and starring Jay.[19] She partnered with producer Prentice Penny to create the series, which was named PAUSE with Sam Jay. The first season premiered in May 2021,[20] and the show was renewed by HBO for a second season two months later.[21] The comedy series Bust Down, co-created and co-starring by Jay, premiered on Peacock in March 2022.

Style

Jay's stage persona has been described as self-aware and observational,[3] inviting comparisons to Patrice O'Neal.[22]

Comedy albums
Year Title Notes
2018 Donna's Daughter Comedy Central Records
2020 3 in the Morning Netflix

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References
  1. "Boston native and comedy powerhouse, Sam Jay joins the Pinsky cast!". Pinsky. 11 April 2015.
  2. "Netflix: Sam Jay: 3 in the morning". Netflix.com. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  3. Bendix, Trish (31 January 2018). "INTO: A Digital Magazine for The Modern Queer World". intomore.com. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  4. 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.
  5. Wilstein, Matt (2019-05-24). "Why SNL Writer Sam Jay Hates Performing Comedy for 'Woke' Kids". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  6. 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.
  7. "New 'SNL' writer Sam Jay thrives on a challenge". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  8. "Sam Jay". IMDb.com.
  9. "TV highlights: 'The Comedy Lineup' premieres on Netflix". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  10. "Sam Jay Announces Debut Stand-up Album, Donna's Daughter". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  11. August 02, Alamin Yohannes; EDT, 2020 at 10:00 AM. "'SNL' writer Sam Jay shares how she turned the British Museum up in clip from new comedy special". EW.com. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  12. "NETFLIX ORIGINAL COMEDY SPECIAL TAPING: SAM JAY (1ST SHOW)". The Masquerade Altlanta. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  13. Vo, Thao (2020-07-09). "Sam Jay Announces First Netflix Comedy Special, 'Sam Jay: 3 In The Morning'". Sheen Magazine. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  14. Wright, Megh (2020-07-21). "Sam Jay Has a Joke About Something Called 'Traveling'". Vulture. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  15. Zaino III, Nick A. (17 July 2014). "For Sam Jay, comedy isn't just an act". The Boston Globe.
  16. Conteh, Mankaprr (12 May 2021). "Sam Jay's Comedy of Compromise". Rolling Stone.
  17. "WATCH: Stand Up Comedy from Sam Jay Video". Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Retrieved 3 October 2017 – via ABC.go.com.
  18. Limbong, Andrew. "Just For Laughs Comedy Festival Offers A Look At Up-And-Coming Talent". NPR.org. National Public Radio.
  19. Porter, Rick (29 September 2020). "HBO Orders Late Night Show Starring 'SNL' Writer Sam Jay". Hollywood Reporter.
  20. "PAUSE with Sam Jay".
  21. "'Pause with Sam Jay' Renewed for Season 2". July 29, 2021.
  22. Eakin, Marah (May 2016). "Comedian Sam Jay hates Da Brat's "What'chu Like" identity crisis". AV Club. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  23. "Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series Nominees / Winners 2018". Television Academy. 2018.
  24. "Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series Nominees / Winners 2019". Television Academy. 2019.
  25. "Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees 2020-2013". Writers Guild of America. 2020.
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