The 50/50 Podcast
The 50/50 Podcast
50/50 Film Festival
HOW TO: Journey from Standup to SNL — and Beyond (w/ Vannessa Jackson)
1 hour 5 minutes Posted Oct 22, 2025 at 5:27 am.
0:00
1:05:59
Download MP3
Show notes
This week, Luke and Wyatt sit down with writer/comedian Vanessa Jackson —whose path to standup comedy began, believe it or not, in a “red carpet interview” class that was... sketchy AF. 
Vanessa walks us through her years in comedy, from the early open mics to her current “refinement era,” where she’s polishing instead of carving. She shares why comedy can be honed but not learned, what day jobs actually help comedians grow, and how her relationship with her stage persona finally clicked in year seven.
We also dive into the real differences between LA and NY standup scenes, what a healthy dynamic with agents and managers looks like, and what her time at Saturday Night Live taught her about imperfection, chaos, and pitching a sketch solo to Dave Chappelle.
IMDB
STAND-UP SPECIAL: AMERICAN GIRL