Samaria Johnson (born January 13, 1982), better known as Sam Jay, is an American comedian and writer. She is best known as a writer for Saturday Night Live (2017–2020), her Netflix comedy special 3 in the Morning (2020), and as the co-creator and co-star of the HBO comedy series PAUSE with Sam Jay (2021–2022) and the Peacock comedy series Bust Down (2022).

Jay was born Samaria Johnson^[1] in Atlanta on January 13, 1982.^[2] She grew up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston,^[3] and studied for a degree in communications but quit due to lack of interest.^[4]

After years of working in an office and as a music manager, Jay performed her first stand-up comedy routine in 2012, at the age of 29.^[4][5] In 2017, she joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live,^[6] becoming the first black lesbian writer in the show's history and the second black lesbian to be involved with the show overall (after performer Danitra Vance joined the cast 32 years prior).^[3][5] She co-wrote the "Black Jeopardy" sketch.^[7] In 2018, she performed stand-up on Netflix's The Comedy Lineup and starred in a half-hour stand-up special for Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents.^[8][9]

Jay's first stand-up comedy release was Donna's Daughter (2018), which was made available as audio only.^[10] Her first Netflix stand-up comedy special, 3 in the Morning (2020), was filmed at The Masquerade in Atlanta^[11][12][13] and received acclaim.^[14][15][16] Her other work includes appearances on Flatbush Misdemeanors (2021–2022) and Take My Wife (2016–2018) and stand-up performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!^[17] and at the 2017 Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.^[18]

In September 2020, it was announced that HBO had ordered a sitcom co-written by and starring Jay.^[19] She partnered with producer Prentice Penny to create the series, which was named PAUSE with Sam Jay. The first season premiered in May 2021,^[20] and the show was renewed by HBO for a second season two months later.^[21] The comedy series Bust Down, co-created and co-starring by Jay, premiered on Peacock in March 2022.

Jay's stage persona has been described as self-aware and observational,^[3] inviting comparisons to Patrice O'Neal.^[22]

• 2018: Emmys, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for Saturday Night Live (nominee)^[23]
• 2019: Emmys, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for Saturday Night Live (nominee)^[24]
• 2020: Writers Guild of America, Best Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series for Saturday Night Live (nominee)^[25]