Comedian Leanne Morgan Shows Us How to See the Funny in Life’s Curveballs and Blessings

For years, nobody in the comedy world would pay attention to Leanne Morgan, a 50-something-year-old woman from rural Tennessee.

Then, thanks to a hilarious video she posted that went viral, Morgan landed a Netflix comedy special. Now, the 59-year-old grandmother is filming a sitcom in Los Angeles and is frequently referred to as America’s newest standup sensation.

In her new book, What in the World?!: A Southern Woman’s Guide to Laughing at Life’s Unexpected Curveballs and Beautiful Blessings, Morgan muses on everything from menopause and granny panties to dealing with mean teenage daughters and finally finding her calling after years spent trying to figure out what that meant. It’s a beautiful reminder that life often leaves all of us baffled and asking, “What in the world?!” And when it does, sometimes the best thing to do is laugh—and trust that something good will come of whatever you’re going through someday.

This week, The Sunday Paper sat down with Morgan to learn more about how she learned to laugh at life’s curveballs and blessings, and to get her best advice for the rest of us hoping to do the same.

A CONVERSATION WITH LEANNE MORGAN

How did you learn to see the funny in what life throws your way?

I think I get a positive attitude from my little mama, Lucille. I’m from a rural, farming community of 500 people and my extended family—my grandparents, aunts and uncles, a lot of family—were always around. And we always seemed to make jokes out of bad times. We use humor to get through things. Bad things would happen, but we would make light of what we could to get through it.

I think humor can help us see that even when bad things come, there are silver linings. Like, Oh, that happened, and this wonderful thing came out of it.

You write in your book that for decades, you felt unseen in the comedy industry. What’s your advice for people who don’t feel seen?

I was coming up in comedy clubs when Comedy Central was big, and back then, they didn’t want to see a mama talking about three little children and how she couldn't fit in her pants. I didn’t fit the bill. Nobody cared. But I knew in my heart there were women out there who’d relate to me.

I didn't go and live in New York or LA, because my husband had a good job and we needed health insurance. But that ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me—it was one of those silver linings and blessings, because I was able to have a real life with my family. And my real life led to all this wonderful material I could mine that people could relate to.

What I had to do—and what I’d tell others to do—is just keep believing in yourself. I just kept  going. I would pray about it, and God never shut that door. When I would get discouraged, I’d get some kind of sign to keep me going.

Now, at 59 years old, I feel I’ve really become my authentic self. I was recently asked to speak at my alma mater, the University of Tennessee, and I told those kids, “Don’t change who you are. Don’t be ashamed of where you’re from. That’s what made you who you are. Be authentic. That’s what people are attracted to.”

Your spirituality plays an important role in your life…

I was raised in church. And then in the 80s, I walked away—but I came back when I had my babies and wanted my children to be raised in church and to have hope in this world. I describe myself as a non-denominational Evangelical little Christian woman and grandmama.

In my book, I look back at all the ups and downs in my life, all the rejections and things that happened in our family. And you know, life is hard and kicks you in the teeth. Everybody has to go through horrible things on this earth. But when I look back on all of it, I see God's presence in every bit of it.

We’re living in noisy, stressful, anxiety-provoking times. What do you do to stay above the noise?

I can get bogged down and start looking at social media and freak out. It’s easy to get sucked in and start thinking the world's on fire. When that happens, I get off social media and try to remember that God is in control. I pray. And I try to get out and walk. Being in nature helps me. Seeing my magical grandbabies keeps me grounded.

And when I come home from Los Angeles where I’m shooting a sitcom for Netflix—where everybody thinks I'm a star and my name is on things and I feel like Beyoncé—and my family is like, “Can you wash my panties? And I need you to go pick up a prescription at Walgreens!” … that keeps me grounded. 

Any advice for those of us who want to be funnier, or to find the funny in the curveballs and blessings life throws our way?

Go to live shows. Go see your favorite comedian or go see a funny Broadway show. It really does feel good to laugh with other people. You could even go on social media and find somebody that tickles you and watch them instead of all this other mess about death and impending World War III.

Find the things that make you laugh, because it really does change your mood. It makes you feel better. It gives you endorphins. It is the medicine we all need right now.

Leanne Morgan is a comedian, actress, writer, producer, wife, mother, and grandmama. Her first Netflix special, I'm Every Woman, was one of the most-watched specials on Netflix in 2023. Leanne has been named to the Forbes 50 Over 50 list and Variety's 10 Comics to Watch list. When she's not on the road, Leanne loves to be at home in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her husband, three children, two grandbabies, and beagle.