Oprah & Comedian Leanne Morgan: It's Never Too Late to Make Your Dreams Come True

Hi y'all everybody. Thank you for being. with me here on the Oprah podcast. Uh. I'm already talking with a southern. accent because my guest is a true blue. southern woman. She's having a. breakthrough moment right now. It's one. she's been working toward her entire. life. And if you're listening in your. car, on your headphones, or watching on. YouTube, get ready to lol for real out. loud because joining me in my tea house. is the oh so funny, hilarious comedian,

actress, actress, author, wife, mother, and grandmama Lee Anne Morgan. So, let. me explain how Leanne and I met. So many. people were telling me, "You have to. watch this comedy special on Netflix. It's called I'm Every Woman." Now, I'm. Every Woman for many years. Those of you. who watch the show know that was the. theme song to the Oprah show cuz I. thought, "I'm every woman." So, I was. alone in my house laughing out loud and.

I'm thinking, "Who is this woman? And. why am I just now finding out about. her?" It comes in the middle of the. night like a ghost. and it's called perry menopause. and nobody talks about it and they. should because it lasts 10 years. So you talk a lot about menopause and. the women are crying and laughing and. then I told my producers let's see if. she will be a part of the menopause.

revolution and you said yes to that. special that we did on ABC. Can you. believe your life right now? >> No. >> What in the world? >> What in the world? >> What in the world? >> Every day I go, "What in the world?". Because this is the craziest and more. wonderful things happen one right after. another for me. >> Well, for anybody listening, that. special is still streaming on Hulu on. menopause where we actually get serious. with some funny things from Leanne about. uh menopause on Hulu.

You know, I didn't know at the time that. I met you that there was a book and then. the producer says, you know, she has a. book. I go, oh my god, she has a book, too. She has a book. And I started. reading this book and it is really truly. laugh out loud funny. And it's just you. telling your your your stories. It's. just you and your life. So, let's talk. about one of the reasons why I wanted to. have you on this podcast is because you. are having a moment right now and you. have the book and you have the Netflix.

special and you're going to leave here. and film the finale of your new sitcom. premiering on Netflix. After 33 years of. complete and utter devotion, you find. out he's run off with a younger woman. How do you know she's younger? She has. to be. Otherwise, I'm driving off a. bridge. Any idea how long this has been going. on? >> I'm no Sherlock Holmes, but I'd say. right around the time Amazon delivered. that nose hair trimmer. >> This year you're on the Forbes 50 for.

50. You're I mean, you're you're you're. just soaring in your life right now. And. you always knew and felt this inside. yourself and you never gave up. And. that's why I thought you would be so. inspirational to anybody listening or. watching us right now because you just. never gave up. Well, thank you. That. means the world to me. Well, I got to. tell you, I've got a literary agent and. he said to me when I started the book, I.

wanted to tell every horrible thing that. ever happened to me, all my sin in the. 80s, every horrible. And I have done some. stuff. >> All my sin. >> And he all my sin. And he goes, "Hey, um, honey, um, you're not Joan Crawford. yet." He goes, "Let's do a book that. introduces you to the world and then. maybe a cookbook and then you can tell. your sin." So someday I want to tell all. my sin, but I did tell a little bit of. it in. >> You did. And and and most sinning. happens with men.

>> Yes. >> I mean, so you dumb man. >> Yeah. where you were very very very I. thought your cander about your early. days and dealing with men and the. mistakes you made are so helpful to. other women who are going through it. because you know once we get to a. certain age you can see things that. other people cannot see. >> and if anybody had told you at the time. you wouldn't have been able to see it. right. >> no I didn't listen to anybody but I. remember watching your talk show and one. you said one day and I laughed until I.

cried You said, "I dated some men that. didn't even that couldn't read." Yeah. They didn't know who the president was. >> Yes. Absolutely. >> And I I did too. But I look back on it. and they're probably they probably know. who I am or remember me and think she. was a ding-dong. But anyway, yes, I do. And I do think we all have made, you. know, mistakes. And it's okay to, you. know, >> you know what I think? I think about all. of those bad men that we had in our. lives or bad relationships. I remember. one day being in my closet look at.

looking through some old love letters. that I had written to some of them and I. like wept for the woman I was like what. an idiot how foolish how not standing. inside myself how not owning my own self. and so I don't blame any of them because. all of them were teachers don't you. think. >> well yes you're right about that you. look at the positive side yes and but I. do too I when writing that I would.

grieve for that little girl 20 20 21. flailing. Yeah. >> You know making horrible decisions and I. and I wish I could go back and say to. her it's going to be all right. Everything's going to be all right. But. I'd say from like 17 to 24 I was a loose. cannon. I mean it was a. >> it was a booger. >> Yeah. >> That time. Well, you know, I got. married. I got married really young. >> Yeah. I don't know if his real name was. William or you changed the name in the. book. changed the name. Okay. >> And he was beautiful, charismatic,

>> but mean as a snake. And it was um. >> it was a bad it was a bad time. >> And then you married, you're not. married, but then you dated this other. guy, Evan. I'm sure that wasn't his name. either. >> Right. Right. Well, that's the one I. married the honey. There was so many. men. You know, I've always loved men. Yeah. >> Oh, I still love them. Short, big, I. don't care. I've always been fascinated. by them. But Evan was the one and I. married at 21. And and I I want to say this that that.

this is one thing that I pride myself. on. I remember him saying to me, he was. very verbally abusive. And he said, and. he was probably, I don't know, insecure. and intimidating, wanted to bring me. down, but he said, "People are making. fun of you the way you talk and you need. diction lessons." And I remember. thinking there was a lot of things that. I took to heart that he said and that. damaged me. But that was the one thing. that I thought he's wrong. This is who I. am and I'm going to be who I am and I'm.

not going to change that. And I'm glad I. didn't. I think that has helped me. through my life. But anyway, >> yes. Being able being because going when. I first met you, I said, "Is this your. real voice or is this this is you? >> This is me from Adams, Tennessee. 500. people on the Kentucky Tennessee border. that grew dark fired tobacco and and my. people came and settled in that area and. people didn't leave and so we've got. this very unusual accent that's in. middle Tennessee.

um and around Dixon. Do you remember? Yes, absolutely. >> I was in Robertson County, Dixon, Aaron, all down in there. >> Can you share the moment when you were. with Evan and he stormed out of the. restaurant? He walked out and you didn't. have enough money to pay for the meal. >> Yes. And I don't even remember what he. got so mad at me for. But I walked on. eggshells for the three years I was. married to him. And it was so volatile. I just didn't know from day to day what. was going to happen. And we it was. Christmas time and he got mad over. something and walked off and left me in.

a restaurant. No cell phone. I had no. money. >> Yeah. There was a time where there were. no cell phones. Right. And um the. waitress came up to me and I said, "I. don't have any money to pay for this.". And she said, "Honey, it's okay. I'm I. know or I get it or what?" Something. something in her face. >> I knew she had been through something. bad. And I feel like that was one of. those God moments where. >> he sent her to me and it it was a sign. like, "Okay,

you need to get out. I'm shutting this. door and this to this part of your life. we're getting out and moving on. >> I love that, too, since we're talking. about men. There was another I I don't. remember his name in the book, but there. was another guy you were dating and. there was a moment where he said, "Um, I. just want to stay home when when we get. married. I want to stay home and take. care of the kids, and you make the. living." And you said, "Get out of my. car right now." That was an artist, honey, with long hair. I tell everybody.

he looked like my sister. But he had a. bicycle that had a sticker on it that. said burn fat, not oil. He didn't have a. car. I had the car, but he was beautiful. and he could dance and he was emotional. But yeah, and he could make his own. mayonnaise from scratch. I thought that. was pretty nifty and um and yeah, he. said that to me and I thought, "Oh my. goodness, I don't have any earning. potential. I want to be the mama." And I I like a. hunter and a gather. Yeah. I said, "Let's it's over." I like a hunter and a.

gatherer. I like a man that wants to. protect and provide. I do too. >> So, I love this moment that you tell in. the book when the man is coming to sell. insurance at the house and what are you. five, six, eight years old? I don't even. know. >> A little bitty child. >> A little bitty thing and tell that. story. Man comes to sell insurance. There was a time, y'all, when people. went door todo selling insurance. And my. mom would always say, "Tell them I'm not. here." And I'd say, "My mama says she's. not here. But the insurance man came in and and I.

thought, I have an audience. I need to. tap. And I had no tab shoes or anything. like that. We lived so far out, so rural. that I never got to take any dance. classes or anything. And then I. projected that onto my children later. and made them take every lesson that I. could get them in. But I would put I put. on a little shoe and started to do a. dance routine. I had a whole dance. routine made up. I had a whole thing and. I I danced for that poor man. >> in your living room.

>> In my living room and I remember him. >> stomping because you didn't have tap. shoes. Yes. >> Yeah. >> But you're doing that because you. instinctively felt that you needed to. perform and you wanted an audience and. this showed up over and over and over. again in your life. >> Yes. And I went uh when did you know or. how did what what does that feel like? Because people always, you know, I speak. at conferences and go around and have. conversations with people and people are. always like, "How do you know your.

purpose?" I say, "It's a feeling inside. that won't let go of you." It's. something that you it it's almost like. the voice of God, but it's not like. Moses in the burning bush, right? But it. is an instinct, an intuition, a feeling, a knowingness that my life is not meant. to be this, that there's something else. >> And I always felt that. And I heard. Steve Harvey say one time that God put. that in his imagination when he was 10.

The teacher wanted them to get up and. say, "What do you want to be when you. grow up?" And he said, "I'm going to be. on television." And she made fun of him. And he said, I was so devastated, but. because I knew this was He said, I know. God must have put this in my. imagination. What 10-year-old would. >> says, I'm going to be on TV. >> Yeah. And I and I was it I know I was. nine or 10 and I would tell everybody. I'm going to Hollywood. I'm going to be. on TV. And I don't know where it came. from before that, but I always felt it. in my heart. And you're right, it would. not let go of me. And it was a.

knowingness. And I remember my high. school friends remember me talking about. it. Oh, I'm going to Hollywood and I'm. going to be in this magazine and I'm. going to do this and and then I there. were times when I would think, am I. crazy? Nobody else is talking about. this. Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe I'm like. one of those little children on American. Idol that thinks I can sing. You know, I But then I was this little. bitty country girl that. >> was cute. That was cute. >> I was cute. And I could dazzle. And we.

own the grocery store in the little. town. And my mama. >> And y'all had a Coke machine. >> We had a Coke machine which was a big. deal and everybody loved that Coke. machine and um and my little mama. Lucille is um fun and positive and. everybody wants to be around her and. she'd always have on a. >> and she knows how and she knows and she. knows how to skin a deer with a tennis. ball which I couldn't figure out how you. even do that. Even the description in. the book. >> to skin a deer with a tennis ball. >> Yes. So we had the grocery store and. then my little daddy, everybody kept.

saying to my little daddy, he had worked. at Kroger cutting up meat. >> Yeah. >> When they first got married and they had. my sister in Bowling Green, Kentucky and. then they moved back to Adams to run the. grocery store for my grandparents and. everybody you couldn't make any money on. a little grocery store. That was back. then when you could you the farmers. their when their crop money came in they. could pay off their bill so they could. charge all year. >> That's right. And so that you just. couldn't make any money. But. >> because everybody's on credit, >> everybody's on credit. And everybody.

asked my dad to cut up the their meat. for them, their livestock, their beef. and hogs and everything. And so we he. decided to open up a meat processing. plant. And that's when Lucille could. skin a deer with a golf ball. You put a. golf ball on a string to hang the deer. up. I mean, I can't even talk about it. because I I'm not I'm but she. would. You take that golf ball on that. string, go around, and it skins a deer. in two minutes. Well, she could. >> That's your mama. >> My little very feminine, glamorous,

darling mama. Lucail, but worked like a. mule for me and my sister. Both of them. did for us to go to college. And that's. what they did. They worked hard manual. labor in in in freezers like they were. freezers but Lucille would take. everybody's orders. She did all the. counting. I've got a very smart mama. >> So you knew though that something you. sort certainly felt inside yourself that. something bigger was coming. But college. not so much. >> I really didn't. But everybody was going.

and my little daddy said it's either. that or the military. I was raised near. 101st Airborne in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I was like, I can't go in the. military. I don't even know how to mow. He wouldn't let us mow. I was afraid our. feet would get cut off. So, I said, "Okay, I'll go to college." And I was. dating William. And you talk about it. That was my high school boy friend. And. his family were farming people. >> And uh he was going to the University of. Tennessee. And he was like, "Of course. you got to go to college." He was so.

smart. And I And so I followed him. I. hate to even tell you that, Oprah, but I. did. I followed him. And I thought, "I'm. not going to stay here long." But in the. back of my mind thinking Hollywood, but. I'm not going to stay here at UT. I. mean, I'm probably not going to even. finish because we're going to raise. tobacco and I'm gonna can our food and. I'm gonna have six babies and you know, I don't know. I was just lonely. But I. went to I never it never dawned on me to. pack up everything I own and go to LA. >> to go to Hollywood. Like I see hear. people do that. It never I just didn't.

have the wherewithal or the confidence. or or go to Second City in Chicago. because I love Saturday Night Live. I. just didn't know what you would do to. get to Hollywood. >> You're waiting on the insurance man to. come through so you can tap dance. Okay. So, you you I was very moved by your. story, your decision to return to school. and finish college after divorcing so. young cuz you were a divorcee at 23. >> At 23 because Evan turned out Evan.

turned out to be a butthole. Right. Yes. And for those of you who listening when. you you say in the book that when the. times were good, they were very very. good, intensely good and then that thing. starts to happen. It wants to separate. you from your family and doesn't want. other people calling you and before long. the goods aren't as good as they used to. be and the bads are more frequent. And. that's what happened with him. >> That's what happened. It was an abusive. >> It was physical, not as much as verbal. It was more verbal.

>> but just chaotic. >> Yeah. >> And I I look back on it now and I think. um. >> pro mental illness, you know, and I just. did you back then you just think. somebody's mean, but I think that's. probably what it was. >> But didn't you run into him like 30. something years later? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> And he was still. >> dredging up all the I mean just still an. unrestful soul. Just still disturbed. And it made me grieve for him because I. thought, >> did he apologize? >> He did. And he and I he married and had.

a beautiful wife and little children. And I hope that he was better to her, you know, maybe learn. I don't know. But. I did see him later. And it and I for. had forgiven. I mean, it it's like it. never even happened to me. I had. forgiven and let that go. I really did. >> But you after divorcing, you went back. to school. It seemed like a defining. moment for you. Where did you Where did. you find the courage to do that? Well, I. was working u behind a makeup counter in. the mall and when I was married to him.

and um and I remember them saying, "We. want to promote you. We want to give you. your own counter." And I my heart was. beating out of my body and I was so. tickled and she put uh on a piece of. paper the. >> we want to promote you and give you your. own counter. >> your own counter and you would make you. know a commission and all that and I was. like what? And she pushed that piece of. paper and with the total on it of my. salary and it was below poverty level. >> and I remember what the number was. >> $12,000. >> Okay.

>> And that was going to be your promotion. >> And that was going to be promotion. Plus. you get you get a disc you get a. commission but it wasn't one of the big. lines. It wasn't Lancome. Yeah. You know. Oprah. >> So I I just remember thinking I mean I. was in a horrible marriage. I was scared. out of my mind. I would see these people. working in in this department store. I. became friends with these all these. people that were working that were going. to college, going back to UT, and they. had big futures ahead of them. And I. just thought, I cannot this is not what.

I want. I cannot do this. I've got to go. back to school. And it was also like he. wanted me to quit. I quit because of. him. I had dropped out of college to get. married. >> because of the. >> and I and so the whole thing I thought. I've got to go back. I want to do this. for myself. I'm gonna do this for. myself. And I said to my little daddy, Jimmy Fletcher, I go, I'm going to be 26. by the time I because I had to redo all. my. >> And he said, you're going to be 26. anyway. >> You might as well be educated.

>> Yeah. You were like, I'm going to be 26. when I graduated from college. He goes, well, you're going to be 26 if you. don't, so you might as well go. >> I know. And my little mom and daddy made. sure that I paid all my bills and all. that to live, but they paid for my. school. They go, "We'll pay you for you. to go back.". >> And I went back and you know, and that's. been one of the best things I ever did. That gave me so much confidence after. being through in something and beat. down. That was it meant so much to me to. finish something I had started. >> Absolutely.

>> And then the University of Tennessee, you won't believe what all they do for. me. And they award me uh oh, alumni of. the year. And I I they've just now. awarded something that I will uh. professional achievement award. There's. five of us in 2026. And my little mom. and daddy will go and cry and then it'll. make me feel bad cuz Chuck Morgan made. straight A's and everything he did and I. was really hanging on. But anyway, they. and it means a lot to me and I love my. school and then I went back and. finished. >> Well, I love that. So, let's talk about.

Chuck Morgan. Let's talk about you went. through that uh range of bad men and bad. decisions and after divorcing Evan, you'd made a decision that you are just. not going to going to engage with. another guy cuz you've got business to. attend to. You're going to be your own. woman and you've learned from that. mistake. And along comes Chuck Morgan. >> Okay, Chuck Morgan. And I had shaved,

not shaved my head, >> but I cut my hair off. Yeah. >> I just I was in therapy. I always believed in therapy and love. therapy. And I um I got my degree in. child family studies, crisis. intervention counseling. So I thought, I. don't need anything from anybody. I. don't want a date. I don't want any of. that. And he we were working at the same. restaurant while I was trying to finish. my degree. And he'd come back to get a. master's in business. and um and very.

quiet, would not even hardly speak to. me. I thought, who is this tall man that. looks like a praying mantis? And I say. that because he had lost some weight and. was on a um he he watches his weight and. he was so thin. He's 6'4. He looked like. the rifleman. Remember the rifleman? >> I remember the rifleman. Chuck Connors. >> Chuck Connors. >> Okay. and he um would just stand there. and I'd be like and I would be talking. to people waiting for my tables to be um. sat and he would um he fell in love with.

me and and started if I said to my. girlfriends that I was waiting tables. with, I love your Doney and Burke purse. Cute. There'd be a Doney and Burke purse. there with a big ribbon on it. If I. said, "I've got a test and I can. somebody pick up my shift?" He would. pick up my shift and give me the money. for it. It would say, "I'm not taking. this money. I want you to have this. money.". >> No. Uh, this is when I knew he was he is. the he's the man. Is that part of your.

shift duty was to go in and clean up the. lady's bathroom, right? >> Yes. Which is like the shining. A woman a woman's restaurant bathroom is. like the shining. Awful. The men's was. not a big deal. You could clean the men. all day long. >> Shining. >> Oh, horrible. Women just spray and do. and awful. And he he would do all my. side work every shift. Um when. >> he would surprise you. You'd go into the. bathroom and thinking you had to clean. it and it would be done. I mean, what.

else do you want? >> I know. And I And he pursued me like. oldtimey. men would pursue and said, "I'll take. care of you and I'll never hurt you.". you and I because I was like, "No, I. don't want anybody taking care of me.". You know, I had been through something. >> I've been to college. I got my degree. I. can take care of myself. >> Yeah. I don't need I don't need. >> So, I want to take just a quick look at. my favorite moment from the Netflix. special. This is my fa I have lots of. favorite moments in this Netflix. special, but this this one I love.

>> But my husband and I met and I was so. cute and I was little. I had on little. britches and my thyroid was functioning. And I felt good. And he was so. enthralled with me and so in love with. me and pursued me and bought me presents. and and vacuumed out my car and did all. kinds of things for me. And we. celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. this year. Thank y'all.

Thank y'all. And now I truly believe he. would not pull me out of a burning. vehicle. [Laughter]. My concert promoter said, "Lean, that's. the ticket. That that ticket that is the. ticket. >> because so many men, you know, you get. in a relationship, you've been married. 30 years and and I I wonder if something. was on fire, would he come and get me?". >> I know. But I love that he cleaned out. your car, the vacuuming of your car. I.

mean, I don't think men any Who does. that anymore? >> I know. >> Who does that anymore for? >> And he wants to take care of me. and he. still wants to take care of me, but he's. also bossy. But. >> but I will say this, there was a moment. where he's bossy, protective, and you. know, you say in the book, where would. you be had he not been the kind of. person that saved and wanted to protect. and make sure you had things for the. future? But he was doing that, saving. for retirement when you all were. >> 27 years old. 27. >> He is, I guess, an old soul. Well, I. guess I would say that honest because he.

has worried about that and worried about. these girls weddings when they were. little. Like I've got to pay for. weddings and I've got to that is his. role. He wants to be our provider and. take care of us. >> But the but the most the most uh the. moment that shows us the most who he is. is you're on the way to the hospital. You're on the way to the hospital. I. think this was with Charlie, right? >> He drives like a maniac normally. Still. does. I mean, he's just aggressive. driver. And he was going, I don't know, 20 m an hour. I go, "What are you.

doing?" I was, "My water got broken.". >> Broken. Your water had broken. >> I was holding on to the dash. I was. hurting so bad. And he said, "If we can. wait till midnight, after midnight, they. won't charge us to today for the for the. hospital room. It won't go on the. insurance or go against I don't even. know how insurance works because he's. always taking care of everything." Yes. That's what he did to me. And then and I. was like, >> "So I'm driving slow so we can get to. the hospital after midnight midnight so. we don't have to pay for today.". >> Yes. >> Oh my goodness. >> I know. And he would do it a day. He.

would do it today. If I was going to do. it go into birth a day, he would do it. again. He likes to save money. He would. if he flew out here today, I bet. guarantee you'd be sitting by the toilet. and coach. He say, "We don't need to be. spending that money." But um yeah, and I. got to the hospital and my baby was. breached and I didn't know it and I had. to have a C-section and um yeah, everything turned out okay. >> But I also love the moment that um you. it was a friend that called and said cuz.

you were going through challenging times. and they said you could sell jewelry. The sell this is what I want to say to. everybody. Whatever you're going through. in your life, nothing is lost or wasted. Nothing is ever lost or wasted. Everything that's happening is leading. to something else that was meant to. happen. And so the moment the friend. called and asked you to sell jewelry, you thought you were just going to be. selling jewelry. Tell us about the. moment you were selling jewelry in your.

living room and you made the woman pee. on herself. >> Okay. All right. I, you know, I had. married Chuck Morgan by now. He had had. pursued me at the University of. Tennessee while he was getting his MBA. Then he bought a used mobile home. business in foothills of the Appalachia. Mountains. When I got up there, I. thought, what have I done? I'm from. rural, but not that rural. I mean, there. were, you know, that was a whole. different can of worms. But anyway, I. had my first baby can of rural that was. Yes. I had my first baby, Charlie, and I. wanted to stay at home with him and.

nurse and stay at home, but I we didn't. have I mean, Chuck was 26 years old, had. a business and, you know, had employees. and payroll and all that. >> And um and I had my degree, but I wanted. to be a stay at home mom all the time. thinking I'm going to Hollywood anyway. So, she says, "Why don't you sell this. jewelry? You can stay home with Charlie. Chuck can take care of the baby at. night. You can meet friends in the. Appalachia Mountains." cuz I was so. isolated. And you can make a little. money and you can wear this cute jewelry.

and it'll be fun for you. And I go, "Okay, I don't care a thing in the world. about jewelry. I don't know. I" And I. but I thought, "Okay, I you know, like. Tupperware, Mary Kay.". >> And um they gave me a spiel that you do, >> you know, and and you're selling the. jewelry. >> and they're selling the jewelry. And so. I started selling. >> 14 karat gold necklace, blah da da da. Well, and it wasn't 14 karat gold, but. you know, the earrings were around 1999. >> Okay.

>> It was costume. We We weren't supposed. to call it that, but. >> Okay. >> Okay. And I slept this big case and then. put it out there and then you know women. in the south somebody have a coconut. cake a dip brownie and um and I was. supposed to tell this big spiel about oh. you can put a clip earring on the on the. top of your pump and change the look of. your shoe and do all that and by then I. was pregnant with my second baby Maggie. and I was um Lord I had breast put a.

clip on the top of your shoe. That's. >> all that. And they told us, "Wear as. much jewelry as you can out the grocery. store, so somebody will ask you about. your jewelry." And I said, "But we all. look like Mr. T." I mean, we all had on. way too much. But anyway, I would I. started doing that and I developed some. of my first material that I ever worked. in a comedy club in those little living. rooms with, you think about it, my. demographic sitting right there in my. like my own little comedy club. Everybody was young and you well I mean.

there were all ages but there were. school teachers people at this at the. Methodist church they're raising. children. >> they're raising children they're. pregnant they're breastfeeding all that. >> and they're just coming to your house to. get some relief. >> Yeah. Well I would go to that somebody's. house and then they started people. thought I was funny and so they would. say you need to book a party with her. cuz you know everybody avoids those. parties. Everybody's like Lord so and. so's having a cabbie. >> We're going to have to go and buy. something. But people wanted to go. because they thought I was fun. And um.

the company Oh well, but let me tell you. about her pee pan. So one night I was. telling some big tale and Carmen. McDonald who works at my eye doctor and. I love her with all my heart. I still. see her all the time. She laughed so. hard that she pee peed on Janet. Williams. >> She spit out her tea. Didn't she spit. out her teeth? >> She spent peed. Everybody had to get a. tail blot. But I'm telling y'all, I knew that. moment I thought I'm killing up here.

I'm gonna be I need to be a standup. That's what I need to be doing. I need. to be doing stand up. >> But are you killing them? But am I. selling jewelry? Were you. >> I was selling a buttload of jewelry and. I was booking so far in advance that the. company noticed and asked me to start. speaking at their big things about how I. was booking so far in advance. But that. was terrible because I really couldn't. say, "Well, I'm up here doing standup. and I'm fine and I'm really not talking. about jewelry. I'm talking about my. hemorrhoids and Chuck Morgan didn't hear.

the baby crying the night and I want to. kill him." That kind of thing. >> Yeah. >> And um but I remember saying to people, which was so arrogant, but I would say. to those women, "You can book a party. with me now or you can see me in Las. Vegas later." Because I knew I thought. I'm going to I'm going to be I'm going. to be big time. And those little women. would, you know, get a piece of paper. and write down they wanted to have a. party. I stayed busy covered up doing. these parties. >> Okay. So, the big breakthrough though, was it the big break big break big.

through the the Mike sandwich shop? Wasn't that it? >> Yes. Okay. So, this little man in. Marstown, Tennessee, um came to the. Kanascapers. Okay. So, the my in my. Sunday school class, all these darling, we had a wonderful Sunday school class. We all had our babies together and we. were all crazy about each other and it. was so sweet and one of the the husbands. sadly and I'm in the Kuanas capers like. Rotary. >> Yeah. >> Can you come and MC cuz you're a ham.

Can you and I was been selling this. jewelry and they thought I was a cut up. in Sunday school. So he said would you. MC this Kuanas capers and you know. nobody else wanted to do it and I was. like I'm on fire. I'm putting on a. girdle a heel. I'm yes I will do it. Gonna put a clip on your shoe and put. earring on my pumps. >> On your pumps and you're gonna change. the look of your shoe. >> Yes. And then so the little Mike that. owned a sandwich shop and an oil change. place. said afterwards, "Lyn, I have bands that.

come to my sandwich shop, would you ever. want to do standup?" That's the first. time I'd ever really somebody said. standup. Even though before Chuck Morgan. and I had married, we came out here to. California to see my sister. She lived. in Huntington Beach and I got to go to. the comedy store. I said he said, "Where. do you want to go?" And I said, "I want. to ride around in the hearse and see. where people got murdered in Hollywood. and I want to I did and I had a ball and. Chuck said this the most morbid thing. I've ever and how do you know that Bugsy.

Seagull got shot through his front. door?" He said, "You've got a lot of. knowledge that's not, you know, necessary." But anyway, so we went through that and then I said, "I want to go to the famous comedy. store." and my heart beat out of my body. and I had a physical response. I mean, I. thought this is what I'm supposed. >> Yes. And this watching them on stage, I. thought this is what I'm supposed to be. doing. But anyway, so um so uh yeah, little Mike said, "Do you want to do". And I go, "Okay." And he goes, "Can you.

do 45?" And I went, "Okay, 45 minutes.". Which was crazy. And I should have never. agreed to that. that it was like, you. know, people get up and do an open mic. for three minutes. Yeah. The first time. I ever got on stage and called it. standup, I did 45 minutes. >> in Mike's sandwich shop. >> Yes. And I'm sure it sucked. And I'm. worried. I still get up at 4:00 in the. morning thinking, did somebody film. that? Is that going to come out. somewhere? But anyway, there was a big. window in front of this sandwich shop. and he said, I'll give you the door.

money and and I'll make money off the. sandwiches. And Chuck Morgan would drive. with three babies by then. I had three. in a minivan back and forth and people. would say Chuck's driving behind you. because it's a little tail on everybody. knew us and I had to go to an ear, nose, and throat doctor that day because I. could not move my neck because I was so. I thought something was terrible wrong. with me. He looked like Tim McGraw by. the way and I said something is bad. wrong with me. Do I have cancer? And he.

said I think you are so scared about cuz. I said I'm doing this thing tonight. He. said, "I think you are stiff." Those. nerves. You were literally scared stiff. >> I was scared stiff. >> Wow. >> Once I got on stage, I was fine. Um, and. I I had a little. >> The moment you you stood in front of. that microphone, you're right. That the. moment you walked in and you got in. front of the microphone, the nerves in. your neck relaxed and. >> I was fine. >> You were fine. >> And it felt like home. It felt like, "Okay, girl." I know exactly what that.

feeling is because I'd been doing news. uh in Baltimore and had gotten removed. from the news and they didn't know what. to do with me and they put me on a talk. show and the very first day I did that. talk show. It felt like coming home. I. felt like ah this is what I'm supposed. to be doing. This is what I'm supposed. to doing. And you knew that too. >> I knew it. I knew it. And in the middle. of all that, >> that was the first time you got paid,

like physically paid. >> I got paid. And he said, "Can you do it. again?" And so I would do it, I think, once a month. And it was kind of like a. little onewoman show and people it would. sell out every time. And then, but in. the middle of all that, there were there. was upheaval like, you know, Chuck was. trying to figure out a young man had. this business. He had all these. employees and back and forth where um um. we moved to Myrtle Beach for a little. while. His dad took over the business so.

he he thought he wanted to do something. else. He came we came back to Mars Town. and and we didn't have any money and he. bought a his dad we had we always had. this business called Refer Co. where you. refurbish used mobile homes and his dad. had a double wide that had been set on. fire. or somebody was going to repo. It. had been set on fire. You could see. black marks from smoke. When somebody's. about to lose their home, a lot of times. they'll take a hammer and like knock the. sinks out and stuff like that. God love. them. Okay, so Chuck said, "Just trust.

me, Lyn. I want to move I want to move. us back. I'm going to work for this big. mobile home manufacturing company that's. now Birkshshire Hathaway Warren Buffett. company." But he said, "Just trust me. I'm gonna put us in this double wide. that's been set on fire. out in the middle of this lot, but I'll be able to turn it and we'll. make a bunch of money off of it. I'm. going to flip it and then we're going to. we'll buy because we had had a beautiful. home. I was a member of a country club. for the first time in my life before all.

this happened. I took my little children. up there and they and we had a pool cuz. I was raised there. I had to swim in a. pond with Converse high top tennis shoes. on cuz there were turtles in it. Anyway, I had a pool. I was I've had this. wonderful life and I it was it was a. wonderful life. And then he decided some. little upheaval in his, you know, career. and what he wanted. >> So, you all had moved and you came back. and came back. >> So, you lost that h lost that house cuz. you. >> sold that house and sold everything so. he could go and do this new venture. Then we got there and realized this is.

not what he needs to be doing. He took. the elsat was going to go to law school. I found out I was pregnant with my third. baby. He he said, "We can't I can't do. that. We got too many babies." So I So. he we came back. He put me in this. double wide and I I and I had. >> What did you do when you first saw that. double wide? >> Oh, and nothing against people having to. live in manufactured homes, but I had I. mean it was I was devastated. I thought. and my little mom and dad stairs, right? Cuz you. >> did that back stairs and he owned a. mobile home company where he had stairs. in a field, a million of them. So I.

don't know if he was just overwhelmed, but I would have to like throw my babies. up in it. And I was big pregnant and had. to get my leg up in it. And then the he. put they put indoor carpet in it and. that had been out and been weathered, you know, rained on and stuff. So we all. had mold and allergies. My sister at the. same time was getting married to this. hoop-doo man. And. >> I remember it was when Princess Dye had. passed away because I remember sitting. on the couch and watching that Princess. Dy had passed away and Beth was planning.

her wedding to this hoop man. >> I remember we all remember that, isn't. it? And that's I was in that double wide. and um and but I remember getting locked. out of the double wide. It's in the book. about I got locked out of the double. wide. I was big pregnant with TS, my. baby. Um I had to walk down the road. with two babies and two car seats and so. this little woman could drive me to. Morristown to go I went to church on. Wednesday night because there was a meal. and all my friends were there and Miss. Betty cooked and it was social for me.

and I was so you know isolated. We moved. out here in the country. >> We moved me out with the double wide was. out in the country and I got had to ride. with this God lover pitiful woman that. said the f-word in front of my children. and smoked generic cigarettes. It. smelled so bad and she left. She gave me. a ride. God lover. And I was in this. little bitty car that the floor was. rusted out and I could see the highway. under my feet and I had to prop my feet. up on this so that my feet wouldn't get.

torn on the road and my little children. were holding hands in the back and. Charlie said, "Nice car you got here.". He was about three and I drove up. I. mean, I remember riding down the road. and and saying I mean, I just felt so. like, "What in the how did my life turn. to this? >> How am I in a rusted? >> What did I get? How did I get here?" And. I prayed about it and I said, "God, what. what have I done?" I know I did some. things in the 80s I shouldn't have, but. what did I do to get this? And I promise.

you, as God is my witness, he spoke to. me and it wasn't an audible. It's in my. soul. God saying, "Just hold on, Lyn. I. got I got you. This is all going to this. story is going to be told. This is. there's a reason for all of this." A. feeling you had. You had. >> I had a feeling in in that car where you. can see I felt like he spoke to me and I. like I say, it wasn't like Morgan. Freeman speaking to me. It was in my. soul. >> He said, "It's there's a reason. Hold.

on. There's a reason, Lyn." And I was. like, "Okay, okay." And but I've had several of those. moments in my life. Yeah. >> And now I can look back and and I just. know, you know, when you think your gut, whatever you call it, >> I feel like that's God speaking to me. And he was with me. >> You call them God moments. I call them. God moments. God winks. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Wasn't there a moment where you. thought, "Okay, maybe I'm just going to. throw in the towel and.

>> it was my early 50s and it really was. not going well." And I was working a. lot, but it wasn't the work I wanted. It. really I just knew in my heart, this is. not I mean, I wanted to be like Jim Gaff. and Nate Batsky, all these people I. admired, and I thought, "This is not. these are horrible gigs. I'm staying in. a hotel on the side of the interstate. I. don't feel safe." I mean, I just thought. I just had it and I broke down. We were. at dinner at a restaurant. tell that. story. But when you were 42, like out of. a fairy tale, a Hollywood producer.

called, right, saying he wanted to. create a sitcom based on your life. Yes. >> Pitching you as the next. >> Roseanne. Right. You flew to Los Angeles. for meetings. And then what happened? >> Um the writer strike hit. We sold it to. ABC before we got out of the parking. lot. >> Um and um the writer strike hit. that. first writer strike hit when it like. then reality show became such a big deal. came and they said it's over and one day. they go oh sorry lean it's over and I. mean I was flying back and forth they.

were starting to talk about casting. >> I remember that summer that the of the. writer strike and that's when you know. all the reality shows started because. there were no writers yes. >> yes and I here I was in the middle I was. in Knoxville I'd started out Chuck had. we had been moved to San Antonio to be. over South Texas for his company. I. started really doing standup in Austin, Texas. And that's how I got that that. first deal. And then we moved back to to. Knoxville and I I got the television. deal and then I got after that I went. into I feel like I went into a deep. depression. That was my first rodeo with.

Hollywood. It did not work happen. And I. was on this high and then it was over. and it was just like nobody cares. anymore. I couldn't get booked. Um Chuck. brought me a little beagle from Ogden, Utah. I'd love a dog. Wanted to make, you know, make me feel better. I just. remember thinking, it's over. I mean, nothing's ever going to happen. So, all. the time I was living out in Knoxville, raising three children, even if I wasn't. one of the cool kids, I call them in LA.

and New York and all the people going. and doing, I still God would send me. these things that would keep me going. Even if they didn't make it, I would. think. >> What do you think now though, looking. back, Leanne? What was God, the life. force, trying to tell you or teach you? Because when things don't work out, sometimes they don't work out for the. best reason for you for the future. Because if it had worked out, then you. would have to leave your children or. move your children. >> I would have had to, they tell me, they. go, "Your husband cannot quit his job.

He needs to stay there with the. children. You need to leave away from. live away from your children to see if. this is going to make it. It most likely. will get cancelled so he doesn't need to. quit his job." I mean, it was just like. a crapshoot. And I was so caught up in. it that I was willing. I thought, "Okay, well, we'll figure it out." And now I. look back on it and I think, "Oh my. gosh, that was God's protection over. me." Yes. >> I could not have lived away from my. children. Chuck was an executive. working, traveling all over the United. States. There there's no way it could. have happened. But, you know, I was.

caught up in it. And I was caught up in. the, you know, the could I be famous? Could this, you know, be I'm I could. finally be a sitcom star. this is going. to be da da cuz I was a working comedian. and that was you know a dream of a lot. of comedians and but I look back on it. and that God wanted me to stay in. Knoxville, Tennessee, raise these. children, have relatable material for. when I was in my 50s and this blew up. and that's why all these women in the. United States of America can relate to.

me and I started talking about perry. menopause. Don't get a special in until. I'm in my late mid late 50s. So when you. were 54, actually was about 5 years ago, you had no website and you had decided. to spend some money and hire two young. men, right? >> Two young social media guys. >> See if they could on social media boost, you know, your clips or whatever. >> So I could sell a ticket somewhere. >> So you could sell a ticket somewhere. And they posted a clip of your standup. call. I saw this when you go to concerts.

with old people. I I love this. It went. viral. Let's watch this short clip. Woo. Okay, let me tell you. Have y'all been. to concerts lately with old people that. are older than I am? So, we go to De. Leopard in Journey and everybody there. is our age and and everybody's worried. about the snack bar, first of all, and I. was too. And every once in a while, somebody would stand up and.

and then they'd sat back down. I thought, isn't it funny how things. have changed since I went to concerts. when I was 20? Everybody was walking out. like this cuz everybody had inflammation. in their feet. trying to get to their car. and it was like 10:00. I thought, "What.

are we doing out here? What are we. doing? [Applause]. We got to get home. We got to get in the. van.". That was the first time I'd ever told. that story. Somebody got it on film. >> Wow. >> We had just I just taken Chuck Morgan to. go see De Le and Journey and um some. little guy filmed it for me and I gave. it to those boys, those social media. guys. And I thought, I've got I'm going. to give this three months cuz it was.

expensive. I thought I'm going to give. this three months. If nothing happens, then that's God telling me that I need. to open a hardware store in Knoxville. and I'll dazzle there and I'll be a. grandmama. I knew I was going to have. grandb babies. Yeah. >> And I thought I had a child. >> Dazzle at the hardware store. >> I'll dazzle. I'll get a cheese wheel. cuz my people, you know, that's my past. is I love a grocery store. I don't have. a liquor sense over a grocery store. cheese wheel, slice my own bacon and.

have canning goods, you know. Yeah. >> I thought I'll just in rocking chairs. and I'll dazzle. And he said, "You have. lost your mind. Chunks." I was tell I. told him all this. I go, "I'll just. hardware store." He went, "Lynn, you've. lost your mind." But anyway, I gave. these three these boys that that's money. and I thought it last ditch effort and. then I'll let it go. I'll be able to let. it go and let this let go. And uh that. was the day they released that the day. that my baby child we moved her into an.

apartment in Brooklyn to go to school. for makeup for television and film who. now is my makeup artist and is on my. show and all that. But we moved her in. She'd gone to college and then she said. she wanted to do that. We moved her in. and I looked on my phone and well one of. I think one of those boys called me and. said, "Lean, something's happening. like. I don't know if you're seeing this and. you could just see thousands and. thousands and thousands of views. People. start they watch that and could relate. to that cuz who doesn't go to a concert.

and see fog hat and are worried out of. their mind and then you know everybody's. got planner fasiitis and then they. started looking to see what else I had. done. So then all the views on my other. things gone up and I had not done. anything with my social media. I had. babies, you know, children. I put up. pictures of my dogs and and stuff and it. started blowing up and I mean within I. don't even I wish I had journaled all. I. think within a week people were calling. trying to get me in comedy clubs all.

over the United States. And it had been. like four months before that I could not. sell a ticket. The improvs I'd done a. couple of improvs in Florida and they. were like we love her. She doesn't get. drunk and fight in the parking lot but. we're not having her back. She can't. sell a ticket. And I was just. devastated. >> Okay. And within a week, comedy clubs. all over the United States, I was. selling out one night. I couldn't even. cash the checks. Chuck said, "You're. like a drug dealer in your backpack. You. got all this money floating around." I. was going from town to town to sold out.

shows all over the United States. >> Oh my goodness. >> It was crazy. It was just like somebody. turned a light on. But I tell you what. happened. I found my audience. All those. years when I would be talking about my. every hour, new hour I would come up. with was what I was going through in my. life. So birthing, breastfeeding, all. that. Then elementary school, middle. school, sports, kids. >> You just take your comedy from whatever. is happening in life. >> Yeah. And I'm a storyteller. That's. right. >> And then um uh and I would think the.

whole all that 20 years where nothing. was happening. I would think I know. there's mamas out here and women that. are going to Weight Watchers and are and. are fighting their weight and they're. and they're feeling the same way I am. How do I get to them? I didn't know how. to get to them. And then through social. media, through those when when I hired. those, it was the best thing. The. manager I had at the time said, "You. can't afford it. You don't need to be. doing it." And I thought, "I'm going to. do it anyway. I'm I know what I'm. talking about because I would see Jim.

Gavkin and all these people I admired. They had them. And I thought that's the. new TV, radio, >> yeah, >> all that. And um and I took a gamble on. myself and I I invested in myself, which. was crazy that I waited that long to. invest in myself, but that's what I did. If I made money in gigs through the. years, I'd buy these children uniforms, get their haircut, and so this was. finally. >> spending money on everybody else. >> I was spending money. I had my friend. did my website for me out of the. goodness of her heart. It was, you know,

pitiful. But I mean, she just did the. best she could and I begged her to do. it. I never I had maybe two head shots. in 20 years, which was stupid. >> So, so and then it just took off. >> It took off. >> Tell me about Chuck Lori coming to your. house. >> Okay. So, I had I got big tours once. they saw me selling out all in clubs. I. got the first big theater tour, the big. panty tour. I called it the big panty. tour because I found I realized I was. talking about my panties a lot and I and.

I like a good comfortable panty. I've. done a 100 cities. This is winding it. down. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, and people ask me all the. time, why'd you name this Big Panty. Tour? And I tell people I like big. panties. Big panties say to me, "Freedom.". Chuck Lori flies to my home. He comes to. see me.

>> The most famous producer of sitcoms and. television. Yes. >> He sat and held my new grandbaby on the. back porch. We had lunch. I I still. worry that that bread was too hard. You know, southern women, we wanted. people to eat and enjoy their food. Yeah. >> Anyway, he came with my manager and they. um he sat there and said the sweetest. things to me, Oprah, like and I know. you've read this book because you've. read every book in the United States of. America,

>> but that book about 10,000 hours. >> Yes. >> He said, "Lean, I can tell you've put in. you've done that 10,000 hours and you've. mastered that." He said, "You have. mastered this and you are I I I wish. that we had recorded it." the things he. said to me and for me to be, you know, >> validated. You were validated. >> Validated, you know, because in in. Comedy Central had never wanted me, you. know, they were the the big thing. Never. wanted me. I got so many nos. I didn't. get to go to festivals. Very rarely. would they let me go to Montreal.

>> And I'm sure a lot of people were put. off by your accent, right? They were. like, "Who's going to relate to you?". And women have it tougher anyway. >> Tougher anyway. And then I was talking. I'm clean. I was talking about. >> Yeah. >> having babies in my stomach and Weight. Watchers. >> You're not cursing. You're not Yes. >> And they wanted edgy. There was times, you know, it goes through trends. They. they want more edgy. >> Yeah. >> And um and I was a little. weight is always one of my one of my.

funniest lines that you uh write about. in the book is going on Weight Watchers. nine nine separate times and losing. seven pounds. I said, >> "I've done Weight Watchers nine times. and I've lost seven pounds and all. [Applause]. It's because I don't follow it." And I. know it works. I really do. I know it.

works. When you first start, you're so. hungry that you could eat the wallpaper. off the wall. But I so I try to stay within my points. All right. My sister will go on it every. time I will. And she lives in. Clarksville, Tennessee, and she'll call. me and she'll say, "It's noon and I've. eaten all my points.". I've just I've got the app. I've got the. app right now. And every once in a. while, I'll go back. >> I was on the board. I was on the board. >> Oh, I know. I thought I I know. We all. know. And And you And you were the one.

we all wanted to do it for and make it. happen for. But I would get my friends. We would go have a ball first week, lose. water weight. It was our fault. It. wasn't Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers. works, but you got to do it. >> You got to do it. >> And then my mama's done Weight Watch. We've all, my sister will say, she said. to me recently, "Are you doing something. and you're not wanting to tell me? Is it. Weight Watchers?" I go, "If I was doing. Weight Watchers, I'd tell you. Why would. I keep that from you?" No, I'm shooting. a sitcom and I'm scared to dance. Yeah. and I've lost a little bit of weight,

but Oh, but yeah, Weight Watchers. meetings to me were so fun. And you. would hear them talk about, you know, what what's your travel snack? And you. know, somebody said string mozzarella. and then somebody said a little pack of. nuts and then a little woman behind me. said um somebody said boiled eggs. Take. two boiled eggs in a Ziploc bag. And she. said, "You don't want to get in a car. with me after I've eaten two boiled. eggs." I mean, I just thought it was. comedy gold. I thought it's like being. at your own comedy club cuz everybody's.

all these women are like there's fat-ree. chocolate chip men ice cream at the. Walmart off of Heramman Exit, you know, and everybody's like trying to get out. so they can go buy it. But I loved it. and I still I have the app and I'll do. it. >> And the fact that you did it nine times. Nine times. >> I've never been able to stick with. things. >> Okay. >> My mom loves a diet. My sister can do a. diet and I would try but I've never. stuck to anything. And I'm sitting up. here now. You ought to see my fanny on. TV. >> This is the thing. I started watching.

your new series, Leanne, on Netflix. They sent it to me. And you are so good. You were born for this. You were born. for this, Leanne. You were born for. this. >> Listen, you you you're you're you're. going to be with the greats because your. comedic timing and your ability to tell. stories. I just love the fact that it is. based on your family and it doesn't even. feel like you're acting. It feels like. you're the Leanne that's in front of me.

right now. >> Well, thank you. I hope that I do think. that these wonderful writers have gotten. my voice and that's hard. I am a. southern Christian woman, >> you know, from Tennessee, it'd be like. if I went to write for a Russian family. in New Jersey, you know, I wouldn't know. that. But they have they have really I. feel like have they've gotten my voice. I'm a writer, executive producer. >> So, you must be because as I was. watching it, I said to my producer, "Leanne must be writing this herself.". >> Oh, honey. No. But I tweak. >> Okay.

>> They they give me all the room to tweak. and this is how I would say it and this. is I don't like this way is this is. going. Can we do it this way? >> Your mom and daddy. I I love the all the. scenes with your mom and daddy. So, it's. your mom and daddy and. >> a husband that has walked off and left. me after 34 years. So Chuck Morgan and I. are still together. My little daddy, somebody told him on Facebook that we. were getting a divorce. And I said, "No, daddy. It's like Beverly Hillbillies.". You know, it's not true. But so it is. not based on my real family, but I do.

think it has my essence. >> Yes. >> Cuz I do think it would be weird to be. based on my real family. I think I would. be too protective of my children and my. >> But um but yes, >> some of the stories are taken out of. your life situation. Yes. So, what do you want to say about it? I. mean, the fact that now. >> what I mean, what in the world? >> What in the world? >> What in the world? >> And to get a sitcom on today in. television. >> when everybody says nobody's doing,

>> nobody's doing and and and we I we went. in there to sell that little Chuck Lori. and me and I say little way more than. everybody else in the room. >> And and they they said we'll do it if. whatever we because they want him so. badly. And then they put these. unbelievable writers with me that have. had this wonderful track record and then. this cast around me and um what I want. to say about. >> kissing scenes with temp. >> I have kissing scene. Oh my lord. Oprah,

you talking about somebody that has kept. his weight down. And on the weeks he's on the weeks he's. there, I lose weight because we have to. kiss and I don't want to burp in his. mouth and I eat Altoids and I get weak. as water. But anyway, precious, precious. guy. Sweet and a pro and made me feel. comfortable when I have to kiss and do. all that rigomearo. What are you doing? I'm getting undressed. That usually. happens at the end of the date.

I can't go. This was a mistake. Carol, you're going to have to call him. Tell. him I'm sick. We'll just try again in a. few years. >> He's an FBI agent. He's going to know. I'm lying. >> You're right. He is because he's so good. at his job and he's so good looking. >> You are too. Wait till he tries your. meatloaf. >> I got that recipe from Southern Living. It's not even mine. I'm a fraud. But it I hope people think.

it. I hope they like it and I hope I. think it's got wonderful jokes. I think. it's got heart. I think it has a lot of. heart and I think we need to laugh now. Laugh about ourselves and laugh about. our situations and our families. And I. think it is so heartwarming. I always. think comedians doing standup for so. many years um have seen a lot of life. all of the different cities and as you. were saying uh hotels by the freeway.

um and that that brings you kind of a. world experience don't you think? >> I think so. I think all of that and plus. I got to have both. I got to raise my. children. And when I did the movie with. Little Reese Witherspoon and Will Frell, >> she said to me every day on that set, Lean, you got to raise your own. children. You really got to do both. And. this happened in me in my 50s. Yes, did. I want to be younger and thinner. Yes, did I think, you know, I had a lot.

of heartache, a lot of nos and. rejection, but how what a blessing that. this happened to me. I got my children. grown. They don't need me like they did. And I'm able to do this. I could not. have gone out on the road and do a tour. like I'm doing with little children. I. couldn't have. I mean, I do a hundred. cities in a tour. The tour I'm on now is. called the Just Getting Started Tour and. it's 200 cities. >> Wow. >> And the Just Getting Started I Chuck. Morgan come with you cuz I see each. other. >> It's not a lot cuz he's still working a.

big job. He's over a division for that. Birkshshire Hathaway company and they. need him. They the kid and say, "Are you. a flight risk? Are you leaving Chuck?". But he he wants to see that through. because he's a loyal. >> He he loves his company and wants to see. that division through. Make sure it's. all right before he leaves. And also. Oprah, I don't want him to come on the. road with me because I'll be in a hotel. room and I'll have to do it. And then, you know, and then he he's. eating nuts and chomping and watching a. basketball game and I that's my time to.

like get right in my head, get my girdle. on, my eyelashes on. I can't be tended. to him and he needs to be tended to. cuz. he sees a hotel room and goes nuts. You. know, when he's in a hotel room, it's on. like Donkey Kong and I don't need that. I'm trying to do shows. So, I do My daughter uh travels with me. and that's been a blessing. And she can. still lift and open lift luggage and. open up pickle jars. I think my grip's gone. But anyway, we. do we get out and we do and I and I'm in.

front of thousands every night that are. women. I look out in that. It's a lot of. men now, too. But I look out in that and. I think I'd be best friends with every. one of them. I'm not kidding. All over. the United States. I think these are my. girls. >> Leanne, we are so excited for you. We. have seen you three times and we can't. wait to see you again. We love you. >> And they know exactly what I'm talking. about. I think that's so wonderful. That. is why the Oprah show worked all those. years cuz I love the audience. I thought. of myself as a surrogate for the.

audience and everybody who came from all. over the country. I just love them. I. just so appreciated them. Right. I know. that's I know exactly what you're. saying. I I I I think that's so. beautiful that you so relate to them and. they so relate to you. That's exactly. what I felt too every day. Oh, and. >> it's got to be so, you know, don't you. think it's so much more fun now cuz you. are mature enough to know what to do. with the money, to not to go crazy, to. understand what it means to fail and try.

again and get up and keep moving and be. disappointed and you have done that. again and again. And so that's why this. moment is so glorious. >> Thank you. I do think I can handle it. better if I'd have been that 20some year. old. >> Yes. >> Oh. >> Or even at 42 when you were like star. struck by the idea of coming to. Hollywood. Now you've had the it may not. work out and so you are a lot more.

stable in moving forward. Oh, I am. I I. I say I might need somebody to drive me. around because I can't see at night. But. other than that, I mean, I'm pretty down. to earth. I feel like, you know, I've. lived a lot of life and I changed. >> I do like a nice pair of shoes now that. I was on a budget so long with Chuck. Morgan, but even that I mean I'm just. I'm tickled that I can help my children. And. >> what have you allowed yourself to. splurge on? >> Oh, well, I've got Let me say this and. this is I don't mean to come across. sappy, but this really made me feel good.

to be. able to do this. my little high school I. graduated 42 people and it's a lot of. future farmers of America but now farms. people are not farming so um it's you. know not the most booming area but the. little children the vice principal got. through me to some from somebody to me. and said we need calculators from sixth. grade to um senior for all these. children thousand I mean. >> six to 12.

>> yeah six. >> and then they need them for the advanced. classes the the bad mama jama. calculators. >> Okay. >> And they said, would you be willing to. donate any money toward these. calculators? And I as I said to Chuck, I. want to do this. So, we did the whole. thing. And. that means the world to me for these. little rural children that don't have. the money to get a calculator and that. I'm able to do that. And I and I want to. I want them to know because people kind. of forget about the rural kids. Yeah. >> And I remember going to the University.

of Tennessee and I was not prepared and. there wasn't a lot of college prep. classes in my school at all. We took I. took home. I learned how to make an. omelette because they knew that a lot of. us weren't going to school. And and I. remember people making fun of me at UT. And somebody would read a paper of mine. and say, "What are you even doing here? How'd you get in here?" And I would. carry that, you know, and um for me to. be able to do that for those little. children, you know, that people kind of forget. about means the world to me. >> I was say I was just going to say, what.

in the world? >> What in the world? And I think that's. Chuck Morgan is very generous and. charitable. And then my middle child is. in nonprofit and raises money for. Children's Hospital. And those two have. taught me. I really think that's where. joy comes from when you can help. somebody else. Now, I have splurged on. an outdoor playground that does not. splinter for my grandchildren. It was. pretty nifty. That was one of the first. big purchases I made. I go, I'm doing. it. And I And they're going to have the. best playground. >> An outdoor playground that.

>> An outdoor playground that does not. splinter. >> Okay. >> And that's got nifty things on it. You. can change it out. Slides and what you. know. >> Well, what have you done for you, Leanne? >> I have Okay. I did I've raised these. children in the same house all these. years, 20some years in this house. It's. been a beautiful home. It's where Chuck. Lorie came. I did buy another home that. I'm renovating that's got a tiny. elevator in it. And so my my mom's had a. debilitating stroke is in a wheelchair, so I can take her up and down. And I.

made her um they've decorated for her. the wallpaper she wanted and all that. and a walk-in shower and everything's. ADA wheelchair for her. and my. mother-in-law is going to be on the. other side and she's on a walker. So, everybody's going to be able to go up. and down. And I would have never thought. I'd had a house with an elevator in it, but it's got a beautiful view of the. Smoky Mountains and the um and the lake. water and it's a beautiful home and and. I'll, you know, have privacy and all. that kind of stuff cuz you could walk up. into my house right now. People send me.

stuff all the time. A lot of cookies. People send me a lot of cookies. But I. did. I've bought a home. I haven't moved. in yet. that I'll get to move in in the. summer. >> What? >> So, that's been my biggest thing. >> Okay. And even then, I don't know if you. even realize this, those of you who are. listening and watching us know that even. then, when I say what have you done for. yourself, it was all about what you did. for your mother and your mother-in-law. You were that cuz that's the kind of. woman you are. I am so proud and happy. for your success and the fact that, you.

know, we often talk on this podcast. about what is the meaning of a. well-lived life. I think you are living. it right now. >> Thank you. >> You are living it right now. >> Thank you. >> And I I love I love that the book is. called What in the World? Because every. time something exciting or something. challenging what would happen in your. life, you say what in the world? >> What in the world? >> What in the world? What in the world? >> A valley or a mountaintop. We've all got. them. >> We got them. It's available anywhere you. buy your books. And I have to say, you. will be laughing out loud. And her.

Netflix standup special, I'm Every. Woman. It's a mustwatch. Every time. somebody new comes that hasn't seen it, I watch it again. And her sitcom, Leanne, is the breath of fresh air we've. all been waiting for. We all need right. now. It's streaming on Netflix, and I do. hope you watch it. >> Thank you, my darling. >> Thank you, dear listener, for joining us. today. Talk to you all next week. Go. well. You can subscribe to the Oprah. podcast on YouTube and follow us on. Spotify, Apple Podcast, or wherever you.

listen. I'll see you next week. Thanks. everybody.