Conversation and Laughs with Punkie Johnson
In this hilarious moderated conversation, comedian PUNKIE JOHNSON keeps the audience laughing as she shares her journey in comedy, what it meant to her to be the first out Black lesbian cast member on Saturday Night Live, her latest projects, and her insights about life and love.
In-Person: Comedy Set and Moderated Conversation
In this unique and memorable program for in-person events, comedian PUNKIE JOHNSON performs a comedy set and engages the audience in a laugh-inducing and insightful moderated conversation.
Comedian Punkie Johnson made history on SNL and keeps audiences laughing
When celebrated comedian PUNKIE JOHNSON got her start at the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, she was waiting tables. For six months, Punkie was serving drinks, getting to know the scene, and working on her own comedy, and when the time was right – she put her name on the list for open mic night. When she was asked what kept her going, Punkie told NBC News: “You ever just keep failing at something, but you want the torture of it? I tried to do everything. I tried to write a book. I tried to be a rapper. I tried to be a teacher,” she said. “With this, I just didn’t want to quit. I’m going to take the rejection. I’m going to take the failure.”
During the pandemic, Punkie moved home to New Orleans to live with her mom and was surprised when the call came to make a tape for Saturday Night Live. After a series of celebrity impressions, Lorne Michaels was on the phone, inviting her to come to New York City. When Punkie joined the cast that season, she made history as the first out Black lesbian cast member and was honored by the messages of support she received: “My heart just opened up, I want this responsibility.” Known for a myriad of other credits including Netflix’s Space Force, HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, CBS’ Ghosts, and the new season of HBO Max’s Love Life - was TIME called her “a particular stand out.” In moderated conversations and live comedy sets, Punkie shares her journey to SNL, hilarious insights about life, love, and a career in Hollywood, and keeps audiences laughing.
Punkie Johnson is a comedian and writer from New Orleans, Louisiana who just joined the cast of Saturday Night Live for its 45th season. Recent credits include Space Force (Netflix), A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO), Corporate (Comedy Central), Adam Ruins Everything (truTV), and Bill Burr Presents: The Ringers (Comedy Central). She was a New Face at the Just For Laughs Festival in 2019, and is a proud paid regular at the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.
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