Overview of #627 - Leanne Morgan (Theo Von Podcast)
In episode #627 Theo Von interviews comedian/actress/writer Leanne Morgan. The conversation is a relaxed, long-form mix of life story, career arc, Southern storytelling, and behind‑the‑scenes details about her Netflix stand‑up special Unspeakable Things and her Chuck Lorre–produced sitcom Leanne (both streaming on Netflix). The episode covers her late-blooming comedy career, family and faith, touring realities, regional folklore (Bell Witch), and a lot of anecdotal, character‑driven humor.
Key topics & segments
- Leanne’s current projects
- Stand-up special Unspeakable Things — out now on Netflix.
- Sitcom Leanne — multi‑cam series on Netflix produced by Chuck Lorre (first season released as 16 episodes).
- Career arc
- Early days: selling jewelry, local Rotary/hosting gigs, opening at Zanies, small-club grind.
- Dry Bar special and viral clips that led to breakout success in her early 50s.
- Touring and headlining clubs and small arenas (Zanies, Cap City, Off the Hook, Bricktown, etc.).
- Family and personal life
- Married to Chuck Morgan (about 34 years); three children and two grandchildren.
- Grew up in small‑town Tennessee (Adams, Robertson County) — strong Southern roots and storytelling tradition.
- Behind the scenes / showmaking
- Experience learning scripts and handling pressure for a multi‑cam Netflix sitcom.
- Casting highlights: Kristen Johnston, Ryan Stiles, Blake Clark, Tim Daly.
- Streaming format freedoms versus broadcast/cable rules (more explicit content allowed).
- Touring realities & the grind
- Honest talk about low‑paying gigs early on, motel life, long drives, and resourceful touring hacks (hanging groceries out hotel window, etc.).
- Southern lore & culture
- Discussion of the Bell Witch legend (Adams, TN) and local folklore.
- Numerous Southern cultural anecdotes (hunting, church, community, local characters).
- Sponsors and ads pepper the episode (Sebastian Maniscalco promo, Shopify, PDS Debt, BetterHelp, Modify, Sierra, Verizon).
Main takeaways
- Persistence matters: Leanne’s major break came late — in her early 50s — after years of steady work. She nearly quit but kept at it; social media clips pushed her into wider visibility.
- Authentic voice wins: Her comedy is rooted in lived Southern experience, family stories, and observational humor — that authenticity translated to wider appeal.
- Family & faith are central: Family life, marriage to Chuck Morgan, and faith/community values are recurring anchors in her story and comedy.
- Industry realities: Success doesn’t erase the grind — touring logistics, merchandise, and the emotional labor of making a sitcom/special remain demanding.
- Streaming allows different creative opportunities: Leanne’s multi‑cam sitcom and Netflix special took advantage of streaming’s looser content norms and programming flexibility.
Notable quotes & moments
- “This is my Super Bowl” — Leanne on being on Theo’s show.
- “My break came in my early 50s and I was just about to quit.” — on the turning point in her career.
- Story highlights: selling jewelry and doing Rotary shows before comedy clubs; hilarious touring survival anecdotes (hanging groceries out the window to keep them cold).
- Candid domestic moments: reflections on marriage, parenting, and balancing touring with family life.
- Bell Witch discussion: spooky local lore from Adams, Tennessee — she recounts stories and the Bell Witch play.
Guest bio & career highlights (concise)
- Leanne Morgan: stand‑up comedian, actress, and writer from Adams, Tennessee (Southern storyteller style).
- Breakthrough: late‑career viral attention (Dry Bar clip / social media) led to larger tours and streaming specials.
- Netflix: stand‑up special Unspeakable Things; sitcom Leanne produced with Chuck Lorre — multi‑cam format, notable cast members.
- Touring background: long history of club work, features to headlinings, resilience through low‑paying gigs and long stints on the road.
People & references mentioned (selected)
- Chuck Morgan (husband)
- Kristen Johnston, Ryan Stiles, Blake Clark, Tim Daly (co‑stars on Leanne)
- Morgan Wallen, Lane Kiffin, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley (personal anecdotes / sports/music ties)
- John Morgan (Raging Cajun), Etta May, Karen Mills (fellow comedians/storytellers)
- Joe Rogan (she recently appeared on his podcast)
- Bell Witch (Adams, TN folklore)
Recommended next steps / viewing
- Watch Leanne’s stand‑up special Unspeakable Things — Netflix.
- Watch the sitcom Leanne (Netflix) — first season was released as 16 episodes.
- If interested in Southern folklore, look up the Bell Witch play / Bell Witch Cave history in Adams, TN.
- For aspiring late‑blooming creators: study how authentic clips and persistent touring helped build Leanne’s audience — social clips + consistent stage work can shift a career.
Tone & who will like this episode
- Tone: conversational, warm, anecdotal, often uproarious and candid.
- Recommended for: fans of Southern comedy/storytelling, listeners who enjoy long-form profiles of working comedians, people who appreciate late-career success stories and behind‑the‑scenes media-making insights.
Episode ends with sponsor reads and a relaxed sign‑off. Overall, this is a character‑driven interview that mixes career lessons, family reflections, and plenty of comedic storytelling from Leanne Morgan.