James Austin Johnson On Leaving Christian Comedy 

Loved his observation at 4:30 about these so-called libertarian, individualistic places where everyone must conform and be normal to be socially accepted. So true.

Most impressions are pretty good, but this dude is *spot on exactly* like Trump. It's uncanny.

I'm so glad I decided to watch this video. As someone who broke away from mainstream Christianity in my adulthood it feels very affirming to hear someone echo the same things I was thinking. I don't recognize what's going on in in the church I grew up in anymore.

When Trump speaks more softly it creeps me the fuck out. I respect that this guy appreciates that.

I'm here after seeing James on SNL last Saturday. Holy crap he nailed it. And now hearing his story, even better.

I grew up christian and have no idea what christian comedy is.

He’s gonna be on SNL. This guy is so talented. Excited for what he’ll do in the future!

This guy is not only bloody funny, but he is also bloody smart.

James Austin Johnson is by far one of the best New hires in SNL history, such an intelligent and talented guy

I feel this guy man. Im from knoxville and am literally the only one in my family that didnt vote for trump and it's rare that you run into someone who doesnt like him around my area. I usually ask a couple questions to feel them out and if I find they dont like him it's like having a secret conversation. They love him here. Although january 6th changed some folks like my parents.

When this 1st aired I had no idea who this dude was. Now, he's like a huge rock star on SNL + good for him, he's hilarious 👏

His story regarding the choice he made in his faith and family hits close to home for many of us. My Catholic Church gave in to Trump and it was maddenining for me and ~70% of my extended family. Its created a schism that is going to take years to heal.

James Austin Johnson is talking to Sam and Emma Very Strongly

I'm here after Johnson just performed one of the best cold openings and best Trump impressions in SNL history. The fact that he's also a cool guy makes me all the more happy for his success. I almost want Trump to run in 2024 just to give Johnson more material -- and more exposure on SNL.

Christian comedians. Thank you, I’ll be here all night..

He does a good job of explaining how much conservative Christianity has changed from my childhood. How that orange unchristian man could take over Christian republicans shows how shallow their belief system is.

Can we see more of James, please? I loved this conversation. Greetings from Australia :)

Never heard of this guy, but found what he had to contribute fascinating. Thanks!

Loved this interview. Thanks for it. Please have this guy on again. ❤👍

I feel ya dude. I grew up in a tiny rural town where they burned harry potter books. I went to school in a fairly liberal city in my red state and have been living here for almost a decade. Every time I drive home, especially in the last 4 years, it's felt like driving into Innsmouth or Jonestown pre-massacre.

I can really relate to him on all of the religious issues. I’m from the south and I’m so anti politics in religion. So I get it! JAJ is a really smart guys, I wish nothing but good luck to this young man.

Wow, thanks TMR, this is interesting. And JAJ's impression of the former resident is uncannily excellent.

Was this the guy on the call with Judy Gold? He was fucking AMAZING

So often when hearing "X does not represent Christian values" I wince internally, like many being raised in that variable culture and eventually, painfully, reasoning my way out, only to be constantly reminded that so many more never did~

I know why they called it "Christian comedy" because it feels as you are being crucified by a bunch of Roman soldiers.

Christian Comedy is an oxymoron I hadn't heard before

For anyone who's ever watched the classic 1969 Road Movie 'Easy Rider', what he said @ 4:31-53 is just like the famous George Hanson's speech at the bonfire scene, when Hanson ruminates about what's wrong w/ America. 'The Man' talks the talk about 'Freedom', but its'a all talk, they don't walk the walk. Namely when those folks see someone who is really free they get scared, and quickly get violent, because they realize that deep down they themselves are just cogs trapped in the machine. They live in a simulacrum of freedom.

The reason there aren't "conservative" comics is the same reason the Right can't meme. As Johnson notes, the premises of right-wing "humor" are not based in reality. And, ironically -- given the typical accusation against Lefties -- the Right has become darkly humorless. Trump himself famously doesn't laugh. What passes for humor among Right-wingers is so dark and mean-spirited, it ceases to be clever or funny to anyone but low-minded bullies.

Great interview. Love the honesty about his home and the family/community conflicts. Trump has divided families all over the world. As an irish person most Christmases since Trump (and Brexit - same movement really, think Nigel Farage) have had at least one huge family political row. Also, horrifying to me so many of my irish American aunties and cousins worshipping Trump and going into a tizz on his talking points. Particularly when I hear them becoming hysterical about the need for a wall against immigrants. Have they forgotten their own history? Hannity and Bannon have names that tell me their people travelled to America as lowly Irish immigrants. Also, no conflict for them being practising Catholics and Trump lovers. Worse, Trump worship hasn’t waned for them. And he could still return to power. That would cast a huge beacon for the far right in Europe. Same anti immigrant hysteria fuels far right moving to mainstream in Europe. (UK Tory party, in power now, over a decade, also have swung to far right values). Every economic shock seems to scare people into supporting authoritarian types of rulers. Also cannot believe how victor Orban is lionised by gop. Blatant fascist. Scary times. Lessons of ww2 have been forgotten.

james has a beautiful soul

If you grew up in the church and among conservatives and never heard the term "evangelical," you were probably a mainline protestant - Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian. We got pushed out of the evangelical club when we started doing "repulsive" things like ordaining women. Maybe earlier.

This interview was brilliant. I became aware of JAJ when he became a cast member of SNL and I recognized him as the best new cast member in a very long time. This interview shows me that I need to look up more of his work. He speaks the truth and when you can do that and make people laugh at the same time, he is going to have an amazing career. Thank you folks for this video.

Congrats on joining SNL!!

I know exactly where this guy is coming from he’s correct.

This is a great interview, thank you both for allowing him to speak his mind.

Amazing conversation!

Awesome conversation. This guys is hilarious and this conversation was really fascinating.

Love James. Please keep having him on the show!

Christian comedy can actually be funny if it's jokes that poke fun at their own culture. I know this as a former Christian who heard jokes that only Christians would understand.

The interviewers seemed disconnected. James had it spot on

I enjoyed interview that so much!

Feeling like you need to bring this guy into the Majority Report family..

At 2 minutes and 18 seconds when he talks about Trump and his calm down move, I always call that the seal. He put his hands ✋, like whoa there betsy, so defensive.

having grown up in the midwest, i'm painfully familiar with the conform or die mentality of certain regions.

This was excellent! Insight from one who carries the lessons of their youth and belief (be kind) into this craziness. I enjoyed his story and his view of what was his world in the bible belt. Refreshing to know the veil has fallen from his eyes. Comedy contributes to better mental health. There are many who do not have this hand-rail (comedy) to support them through the adjustment to the real world. Some will suffer without relief. Good Show!

@13:38 There used to be a saying something like, "2 things you never talk about in mixed company, religion and politics." Gearheads might say Ford vs. Chevy. Oil or spark plug preference....very polarizing and personal topics. To push them to the front is to make them a badge of association and tribal fealty. It leaves no room for compromise, and ultimately, any attempts to achieve progress through discussion becomes unfeasible. *_"Without dialogue, there is only war."_*

I know there's some video delay, and that plays a part. But I'm not used to just how much they kept interrupting him, in the first half of this video.

It was so cathartic seeing him do Trump impressions!!!

James, like me 'you've been spared' ! I thank God! You're great! Maybe you can reach Maga! I have 3 sisters and a brother who have fallen for the big lie. Will they ever wake up? I love you. Thank you!

WOW! That's a GREAT impression of Trump!

I remember this dudes Scooby-Doo rant

10:30 This is something I have tried to explain to some younger people I know. So much was kind of 'settled' in the 90s when I was a teenager that now is up for a debate. Like we were given serious sex ed. Gay people, while not liked and generally insulted, were kind of ignored and not seen as a threat (at least where I lived) to the point where we even had an openly gay state leader (clearly not the USA to be fair) who was reelected multiple times. There was talk of more than two sexes (a lot of the language wasn't there). Trans people weren't really understood but they were a thing. etc etc etc. But then in the naughts and especially 10s, suddenly it wasn't enough for people not to like someone or something. Now they had to prove it or at least argue their case. With a lot of the louder 'rights' groups being a response to the right wing politicisation of peoples existence. In some ways I wish the alt-right or whatever we are calling them would just admit there is no science or reason behind their position. That they just don't like x or y group. Or its a matter of faith. I hate the dishonesty and all the anguish it creates.

This guy is amazing!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

James got the call! Headed to NYC&SNL!😎

that impression is bone chilling...

James learned the lesson of the Dune Saga. Never trust your leaders.

So well articulated.

James is so aware!

Wild wild world ...I love this thank you guys..

You can tell this guy is much smarter than the interviewers.

'Excuse me Glen excuse me, excuse me Glen" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍

I like the comparison he makes about the four years of Trump and yes Trump was like vomit.

Thank you James!

Man I miss Michael Brooks.

YES I love this guy!

Fantastic dude

What a great interview 👍

Very well spoken and informative and intelligent

AND NOW HE'S ON SNL BABY

Super interesting interview!

Ok, good impression of DT, but the words donnie trump and sexy should never be used in the same sentence, unless it has the word NOT in between the words.

I thought this was a parody interview. James looks like a deepfake Sam.

Leftist aren't immune to this but this happens to conservative comics a lot more. They completely ignore the basic structure of what makes a joke a joke in the first place. They just kind of rant about stuff that pisses them off. Before we can ask "was the joke funny", it has to be a joke in the first place.

Thumbs up and an additional comment to beat the algorithm. Thanks for the video! 👍🔥

So happy he was hired to SNL , very talented guy

Sounds like Christian Comedy needs some George Carlin.

This is so good ❤

I love the insight.

They believe in Creation, but they are so . In the mid-Eighties I knew a Christian artist that couldn't even draw a decent picture from a photo. A book on his shelf explained why women are not as good as men. He had a flyer for an event called, "What About Us?" It was copying the two US Festivals that took place in the LA area in 1982 & 1983. They couldn't think of an original name for it.

Evangelical doesn't actually mean speaking in tongues or megachurches . It's a term describing a general movement amongst protestant denominations who are categorized by how the read the Bible and how they worship and organize. My family in Upstate NY are Methodists and technically evangelical Christians but they are not like what we might expect of midwestern or southern church groups. Doesn't mean many evangelicals aren't detestable, it's just not universal.

Great use of the word, "Quashed." Most people just say "Squashed."

This is already on the SNL crew.

Isn't it just that everything has become political? Evangelicals think George Carlin is very political if they look at his stuff today, but back in the day it was comedy, or sometimes "controversial comedy", but it wasn't seen as particularly political - even though he was clearly left of center.

A big mistake that SNL makes is that they make Trump look funny, but they don't make him look evil, and he's one of the most evil, heartless people around.

Wonder if he went to First Church in East Nashville... Haven't been there since the 90's.

This dude is telling my story.

Is he related to Lauren Michaels is it just me or does he look kind of like a young Lauren Michaels by the way your spelling Lauren Michael's wrong

He's SCARY good with that Trump

Carl Hurly (spelled wrong) Worlds funniest professor.

Miss that intro music

The Go Off Kings watch Brad Stein on twitch regularly, fantastic stuff.

"A lot of oozing." Score one for Emma!

what a solid guy.

Live this guy. ShrimpJaj I guess. Can't wait to see what's next.

this guy is hilariuos. he looks nothing like the accent!!!

This guy did a cameo for my boss, and he loved it.

Am I the only one that thought that the thumbnail was a picture of a younger Sam. He looks like his twin! 😲

All decent comics, sooner or later, become Carlin.

wow I saw this video when it was published and saw when he was on SNL and didn't make the connection until now that it is the same guy

He truly understands the impression...unlike Alec Baldwin...weird impression, hateful