Janelle James on Fifth Emmy Nomination for Abbott Elementary, Comedy Idols & Dealing with Hecklers

Jimmy Kimmel Live · 8:30

104,882 views · 3,689 likes · Aug 20, 2026

Janelle talks about her fifth Emmy nomination for “Abbott Elementary,” practicing her losing face, doing stand-up for the last fifteen years, loving Richard Pryor and Lucille Ball, auditioning for Abbott during the pandemic, going on the road and opening up for a lot of comedians, how she deals with hecklers, bombing on stage, and her upcoming Netflix comedy special.

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Janelle talks about her fifth Emmy nomination for “Abbott Elementary,” practicing her losing face, doing stand-up for the last fifteen years, loving Richard Pryor and Lucille Ball, auditioning for Abbott during the pandemic, going on the road and opening up for a lot of comedians, how she deals with hecklers, bombing on stage, and her upcoming Netflix comedy special.

SUBSCRIBE to get the latest #…

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