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Promotional art for Say I Won't
Cover image credit: Promotional image via Prime Video

Say I Won't

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

YouTube · 2023 · 74 min

A self-financed hour of clean, observational comedy about getting older.

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Anjelah Johnson-Reyes heads to her adopted hometown of Nashville to record her sixth stand-up hour, trading the high-gloss production of a major streaming platform for a self-financed release on YouTube. The move represents a return to the platform that launched her career. Stepping onto the stage at the Ryman Auditorium, she focuses on the realities of settling into middle age, domestic life, and her cross-country move from California.

She spends a good portion of the set on the mundane indignities of getting older. This includes buying clothes at Costco, managing the social anxiety of trying to sneak a second free sample from a store employee, and deciphering modern text acronyms. She points out that sending an ‘LOL’ has simply become a polite acknowledgement of receipt rather than an actual physical reaction, usually indicating nothing more than a brief puff of air escaping a nostril.

Family and domestic shifts take up the rest of the set, particularly the distinct contrast between her sister’s corporate phone voice and her chaotic real personality. She also contrasts the early days of the pandemic, comparing the severe global shutdown to Florida’s refusal to stop partying, and offers a nod to the Trader Joe’s workers who donned Hawaiian shirts to work through the crisis.

The set list

4 bits

  1. Aging out of youthful clothing stores

    Contrasts shopping at Forever 21 in her twenties with transitioning to stores like Ann Taylor Loft, Chico's, and ultimately embracing Kirkland brand clothing at Costco.

  2. Getting free samples at Costco

    Describes strategies for securing second samples, changing hairstyles between laps, and confronting the judgmental attitude of sample workers like 'Beth'.

  3. Modern texting acronyms and excessive 'LOL' usage

    Discusses confusion with modern acronyms like TLDR and dissects how 'LOL' has devolved into polite acknowledgment rather than actual laughter.

  4. The dynamic between sisters and calling during work hours

    Reflects on the bond between younger and older siblings, recalling nostalgic snacks like Dorito and pickle sandwiches while repeatedly calling her sister during conference calls.

How it plays

Tone
Light-hearted, relatable, and observational.
On stage
Relatable, witty, and charismatic with light-hearted storytelling and animated conversational impressions.
About
aging and turning 40, wardrobe and fashion changes, Costco shopping and free samples, texting etiquette and acronyms, sisterhood and childhood memories, marriage and friendship

What the critics said

Praised as an uproarious, side-splitting comedic tour de force showcasing Johnson-Reyes' trademark wit and relatable humor.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: 800poundgorillamedia.com, themoviedb.org, justwatch.com, comedylens.com, en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, primevideo.com.

Backstory

Reflecting on moving from California to Nashville, coming to grips with turning 40, and independently financing, producing, and owning the production under Laugh on Beat Productions alongside husband Manny Reyes.

Details

Released
Taped
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
Runtime
74 min
Where
YouTube
Director
Manny Rodriguez
Topics
Before
Mahalo & Goodnight (2017)
After
Technically Not Stalking (2024)

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