Age, fame, and the 'good wife' dilemma – Leanne Morgan’s latest special tackles it all, but is it a laugh or a cringe? Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things on Netflix isn’t your typical stand-up routine. This 60-year-old Tennessee comedian, fresh off a whirlwind of success, uses her platform to explore the complexities of womanhood, marriage, and the sometimes-awkward dance between personal growth and societal expectations. But here's where it gets controversial: while Morgan’s humor is undeniably sharp, her portrayal of her relationship with her husband, Chuck, raises questions about agency and power dynamics, even in the face of her skyrocketing fame. Is she truly the 'good wife' by choice, or is it a role she feels pressured to maintain? And this is the part most people miss: Morgan’s comedy isn’t just about laughs; it’s a subtle commentary on the enduring influence of patriarchal norms, even in the life of a successful, independent woman.
In her second Netflix special, Morgan, now a sitcom star and Hollywood darling, takes us on a journey through her newfound celebrity, all while reminding us of her roots as a Christian, wife, mother of three, and grandmother. She affectionately (and hilariously) roasts her husband, whom she only refers to by his full name, and the 'unspeakable things' she does to keep him happy. But don't be fooled by the lighthearted tone – there's a deeper undercurrent here.
Morgan’s rise to fame began with her 2018 Dry Bar Comedy special, which amassed over 5 million views on YouTube, leading to her first Netflix special, I’m Every Woman. Its massive success, deemed the most-watched stand-up special by a woman globally in 2023, catapulted her into a two-special deal with Netflix and a sitcom, Leanne, co-created with Chuck Lorre and Susan McMartin, already renewed for a second season. This year alone, she’s co-starred alongside Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell in the Amazon Prime rom-com You’re Cordially Invited and presented at the Emmys.
On stage in Wilmington, NC, introduced by her youngest daughter (who also handles her makeup), Morgan reflects on her Hollywood experiences with self-deprecating humor. She jokes about her 'big ol’ Mamaw' breasts, comparing one to the size of Witherspoon’s head, and the weight gain induced by craft services and downtime on set. She shares tales of her visit to Atlanta’s iconic Clermont Lounge, a strip club that left her both amused and morally conflicted, and her disastrous first (and last) encounter with CBD gummies.
The special takes a nostalgic turn as Morgan reminisces about raising her children, contrasting her own parenting style with that of her daughter-in-law. She openly admits to being a 'hot mess' before meeting Chuck at the University of Tennessee, a time when her children’s Christian school prayed for her and sent her meatloafs after she replaced her IUD.
Morgan’s humor is laced with a poignant awareness of the passage of time and the shifting dynamics of her marriage. She jokes about Chuck’s lack of domestic prowess, from his questionable clothing choices to skiing mishaps. Yet, there’s a sense that she still feels the need to prioritize his needs, even as her star continues to rise.
The tonal shifts in the special are striking. We see Morgan feeling out of place on a movie set and in a strip club, only to be contrasted with her experiences as a young mother, where she often played second fiddle to her husband. This dynamic, while perhaps familiar to many women of her generation, feels jarring in the context of her current fame. When she brings Chuck and her children onstage at the end, he’s treated as just another member of the family, not given any special treatment.
As Morgan quips after leaving the Clermont Lounge, 'If times get bad, I think I’d be a big deal there.' But the truth is, she’s already a big deal. Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things is a must-watch, not just for the laughs, but for the thought-provoking questions it raises about identity, relationships, and the enduring power of societal expectations. It leaves us eager to see how Morgan’s comedy evolves as she continues to navigate the complexities of fame, family, and her own evolving sense of self.
STREAM IT. And then, let’s talk. Does Morgan’s portrayal of her marriage feel empowering or outdated? Does her humor challenge societal norms, or does it inadvertently reinforce them? The comments are open – let’s discuss!
