Choice Words with Samantha Bee

When Karamo was 15 years old, he came out as gay to his best friend. That didn’t stop her from convincing him to lose their virginity together and ten years later, he found out he had a son. Sam asks Karamo about the choices he made to forgive his friend, take custody of his son, and stop living in fear. They talk about his experience as the first openly gay Black man on reality TV, how his social work background helped him land his iconic role on “Queer Eye,” and the best ways to break through to men.   Follow Karamo @karamo on Instagram, @karamoshow on TikTok, and @Karamo on Twitter.   Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.   For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When comedian Eric André was boarding a flight in Atlanta, Georgia, he was “randomly” picked out of line by cops and searched for drugs. Instead of chalking the experience up to yet another racist day in America, he decided to sue the Clayton County Police Department for racial profiling. Sam asks Eric what went into making that choice, why he no longer works in coffee shops, and how one prank on his show led to his arrest. Follow Eric André @ericfuckingandre on Instagram and @ericandre on Twitter. Check out his podcast, Bombing with Eric Andre, from iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Ricki Lake hosted her eponymous talk show in the 1990s, she wore hairpieces and extensions to hide the fact that her hair was thinning. After decades of privately feeling shame about her hair, Ricki learned she had androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss in both men and women. Sam asks Ricki about her decision to go public with her alopecia diagnosis, how she landed the gig hosting her talk show when she was only 23 years old, and the 35th anniversary of her star-making role as Tracy Turnblad in “Hairspray.”     Follow Ricki Lake @rickilake on Instagram and @RickiLake on Twitter. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Alyssa Mastromonaco was Deputy Chief of Staff in the Obama Administration, there was a point in time when she was averaging two hours of sleep per night. After a doctor’s visit confirmed she was exceedingly sleep deprived, she decided it was time to leave the White House after working for President Obama for nearly 10 years. Sam asks Alyssa what it was like to go from that high-stakes environment to watching HGTV all day, what made her decide that she’s never wearing Spanx again, and how she got deep into the world of jam making.    Follow Alyssa Mastromonaco @AlyssaMastro44 on Twitter and @mastro175 on Instagram.   Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.   For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Bob the Drag Queen was broke and working at a Ruby Tuesday in Georgia, a theater friend offered to buy his ticket to New York City if he promised to leave right away. The decision to take that ticket changed the entire trajectory of his life. Sam asks Bob how he went from performing in children's theater to drag brunches, where he received the most heat while filming the HBO reality series “We’re Here,” and why our politics seem to be backsliding into a sinkhole. Follow Bob the Drag Queen @bobthedragqueen on Instagram and TikTok. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Governor Gretchen Whitmer was at the start of her political career, she found herself caring for both her newborn daughter and her mother, who was dying from brain cancer. The choice to become her mother’s primary caregiver as a new legislator, mom, and wife taught her to stay focused on what matters and not get distracted by things that don’t. Sam asks Governor Whitmer how she handles haters, what’s front of mind as we enter the 2024 presidential election season, and why there needs to be more women sports broadcasters. Follow Gretchen Whitmer online @GovWhitmer on Twitter, @whitmermi on Instagram, and @biggretchwhitmer on TikTok. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today as a special treat, we’re sharing an episode of Hysteria from Crooked Media featuring our very own Samantha Bee!    Each week on Hysteria, political commentator and comedy writer Erin Ryan and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by a bicoastal squad of funny, opinionated women to talk through everything from reproductive rights to romcoms. They break down the political news of the week, plus the topics, trends, and cultural stories that affect women’s lives.   In the episode you’re about to hear, Samantha Bee joins Erin and Alyssa to discuss women in late night, stealing cars, and her podcast, Choice Words. Next, the hosts invite Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein and Halle Kiefer to talk about possibly the best reality dating show: The Ultimatum: Queer Love. Finally, a range of emotions in Sani-Petty (AI finishes bodies, college reunions are happening, body hair is growing, and a Manson girl might leave prison).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When actor Rob Delaney’s two-and-a-half-year-old son Henry died, Rob decided to share his family’s experience with Henry’s illness and death with the world. What emerged was the deeply personal memoir, “A Heart That Works.” Sam asks Rob about how his approach to his career shifted after Henry passed away, a seemingly small choice he made at a recovery meeting that ultimately changed the trajectory of his life, and his thoughts on the platform formerly known as Twitter going off the rails. Follow Rob Delaney @robdelaney on Twitter and @robdelaney on Instagram. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Amber Ruffin was living in Omaha, Nebraska, she figured she’d stay there forever – carrying the mail, buying a home, and maybe doing some community theater. Then she attended the Chicago Improv Festival with her Omaha improv group, and decided to pack up and move to the Windy City and give full-time comedy a try. Sam asks her how she got from improv to hosting her own late night TV show, her Tony Award-winning turn as a Broadway writer, and how she finds her amazing wardrobe of suits.   Follow Amber Ruffin @ambermruffin on Twitter and @amberruffin on Instagram.   Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.   For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Greta Gerwig is directing a film, each choice feels like the next move in a dance. When she falls out of step, she just has to find the dance again. Sam asks her about the art of directing, why attending Barnard College changed her life, and if she played with Barbies growing up.   Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.   For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When comedian Michelle Buteau saw elementary school kids practice an active shooter drill, she questioned whether or not America was the right place to raise her newly born twins. Tack on Trump’s presidency and some not-so-choice Supreme Court justices, and her husband’s home country of the Netherlands started to look even more attractive. Sam asks Michelle whether her family’s summer in Amsterdam may turn into a permanent move, the perks of being an expat in Europe, and how her book, “Survival of the Thickest,” turned into a Netflix series. Follow Michelle Buteau @michellebuteau on Instagram and @MichelleButeau on Twitter. Check out her new Netflix series, “Survival of the Thickest.” Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Judy Blume was 22 years old, she decided to defy her husband’s orders and vote for John F. Kennedy rather than Richard Nixon. That tiny act of rebellion in the ballot box became a defining moment in her life. Sam asks Judy how that set her off to become one of the top banned authors in the country, what her ideal sex ed curriculum looks like, and whether she’ll ever write a book about Margaret in menopause. Follow Judy Blume @judyblume on Twitter and @judyblume4real on Instagram. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Check out Alexis Jones' book, "Joy Hunter," where she details her journey with her husband and her best friend in an RV, as she both heals and disrupts her life. If you’re at a crossroads with choices in your life, then this is a book for you. Learn more at http://apple.co/lemonadabooks Choice Words is sponsored by Hairstory. Have your best hair day ever and try New Wash today. Go to www.hairstory.com and use code SAMBEE for 20% off your order.  For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When actor Betty Gilpin was simultaneously filming “Masters of Sex” and doing wrestling training to prepare for “Glow” (oh, and planning her wedding), she went into full upper body muscle spasms. Her nervous system was having a panic attack. Sam asks Betty how that moment taught her to slow down and changed the way she approached her life and career. They also discuss horse feuds, fake authenticity, and why we need to stop calling women badass.  Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Apple Books has teamed up with Lemonada Media for an audiobook club. The June pick is "Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding)" by actress and activist Laura Dern, and her mother, legendary actress Diane Ladd. For more details, visit http://apple.co/lemonadabooks Choice Words is sponsored by Hairstory. Have your best hair day ever and try New Wash today. Go to www.hairstory.com and use code SAMBEE for 20% off your order.  For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When two-time Emmy-winning actor Uzo Aduba was in high school, she thought she was going to be a lawyer. Then her creative writing teacher asked her if she’d ever considered going to art school, which introduced a choice to Uzo that she didn’t even know existed. Sam asks Uzo how she chooses her projects, including her upcoming Netflix series "Painkiller," and about the day she decided to quit acting, which then turned into the day she booked "Orange Is the New Black."  Follow Uzo Aduba online @UzoAduba on Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Choice Words is sponsored by Hairstory. Have your best hair day ever and try New Wash today. Go to www.hairstory.com and use code SAMBEE for 20% off your order.  Apple Books has teamed up with Lemonada Media for an audiobook club. The June pick is "Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding)" by actress and activist Laura Dern, and her mother, legendary actress Diane Ladd. For more details, visit http://apple.co/lemonadabooks For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Laura Dern found out that her mother, Diane Ladd, had scarring on her lungs, the doctor told her to be gentle with her mom because she’d be dead in 6 months. Laura chose to challenge that diagnosis by taking her mother on regular walks to expand her lung capacity. Not only did it work, but it turned into a new book co-written by the two award-winning actresses. Sam asks the mother-daughter duo how those walks saved Diane’s life and what family stories and secrets were uncovered during those strolls. Follow Laura Dern @LauraDern on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Diane Ladd @Diane_Ladd on Twitter and @rosedianeladd on Instagram. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Choice Words is sponsored by Hairstory. Have your best hair day ever and try New Wash today. Go to www.hairstory.com and use code SAMBEE for 20% off your order.  Apple Books has teamed up with Lemonada Media for an audiobook club. The June pick is "Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding)" by actress and activist Laura Dern, and her mother, legendary actress Diane Ladd. For more details, visit http://apple.co/lemonadabooks For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Katie Couric was leaving CBS News as the first solo female anchor of a nightly news broadcast on a major network, she read a handwritten note from a former colleague that informed her next choice. Sam asks Katie about that moment and other big ones, like interviewing Sarah Palin at a pivotal moment in the 2008 presidential election and building her own media company. Katie talks about why she waited to have kids, whether her moniker of “America’s Sweetheart” holds true, and which stories she finds most intriguing (and terrifying) today. Follow Katie Couric @katiecouric on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Choice Words is sponsored by Hairstory. Have your best hair day ever and try New Wash today. Go to www.hairstory.com and use code SAMBEE for 20% off your order.  Apple Books has teamed up with Lemonada Media for an audiobook club. The June pick is "Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding)" by actress and activist Laura Dern, and her mother, legendary actress Diane Ladd. For more details, visit http://apple.co/lemonadabooks For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Judd Apatow was in sixth grade, he knew he wasn’t like the other kids. While everyone else played sports, he would come directly home from school to watch shows like M*A*S*H, The Odd Couple, and Monty Python. Sam asks Judd about his choice to write jokes for comics twice his age, where his unearned confidence came from, and how to stay humble in Hollywood. Plus, they swap crime stories, from changing the price tags on racquetball racquets to… stealing cars? Check out his new book, “Sicker in the Head: More Conversations About Life and Comedy.” Follow Judd Apatow @JuddApatow on Twitter and Instagram.  Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Choice Words is sponsored by Hairstory. Have your best hair day ever and try New Wash today. Go to www.hairstory.com and use code SAMBEE for 20% off your order.  Apple Books has teamed up with Lemonada Media for an audiobook club. The June pick is "Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding)" by actress and activist Laura Dern, and her mother, legendary actress Diane Ladd. For more details, visit http://apple.co/lemonadabooks For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Rosie O’Donnell chose to step away from her talk show after six successful seasons, her actor friends thought she was out of her mind. Sam asks Rosie what went into that professional choice as well as a personal one: celebrating her 50th by adopting a baby. Rosie relives moments like drunk-dialing Oprah, fighting with Eileen Fisher, and uttering a sentence that’s never been said in Hollywood. Follow Rosie O’Donnell @Rosie on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and Twitter. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Choice Words is sponsored by Hairstory. Have your best hair day ever and try New Wash today. Go to www.hairstory.com and use code SAMBEE for 20% off your order.  Apple Books has teamed up with Lemonada Media for an audiobook club. The June pick is "Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding)" by actress and activist Laura Dern, and her mother, legendary actress Diane Ladd. For more details, visit http://apple.co/lemonadabooks For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samantha Bee is pro-choice. Yes, that one, but also others! Each week, Sam will sit down with people she admires to explore the biggest choices they’ve made in their lives and the ripple effects those decisions have had – the good, the bad, and everything in between. What wisdom can we glean from the choices made by some of the most successful people in film, comedy, music, sports, and politics? Find out on Choice Words, coming June 1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samantha Bee is coming back! Starting this June, Sam will talk to celebrities, politicians, journalists, chefs, artists, and athletes about the big choices they’ve had to make in life to get them to where they are today. Because she's not just pro-choice; she's pro-choices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.