Comedy in Black and White - working with D.L. Hughly

Comedy in Black and White - working with D.L. Hughly

From Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips From a Comedian by Jan McInnis

February 23, 2026 · 6 min

About this episode

Jan McInnis shares her experience opening for D.L. Hughly and the lessons learned about the differences in black and white comedians and their audiences.

What are the differences in black and white comedians and the audiences they draw? I had an interesting experience opening for DL Hughly. He was a huge star and I was an open mic comic. It didn't go well for me. Here's the quick story and the lesson I learned. https://www.TheWorkLady.com Jan McInnis is a top change management keynote speaker, comedian, and funny motivational speaker who helps organizations use humor to handle change, build resilience, and strengthen leadership skills. With her laugh-out-loud stories and practical tips, Jan shows audiences how humor isn't just entertainment—it's a business skill that drives communication, connection, and stress relief. A conference keynote speaker, Master of Ceremonies, and comedy writer , Jan has written material for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as well as radio, TV, and syndicated cartoon strips. She's the author of two books— Finding the Funny Fast and Convention Comedian —and her insights on humor in business have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Huffington Post . For over 25 years, she has been helping leaders and teams discover how to bounce back from setbacks, embrace change, and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jan McInnis, Jan

Guest: D.L. Hughly

Topics covered

  • comedy
  • audience differences
  • leadership
  • personal experience

Keywords

  • humor
  • change management
  • communication
  • resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Finding the Funny Fast, Convention Comedian

Books & works: Comedy in Black and White, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Finding the Funny Fast and Convention Comedian, Finding the Funny: Leadership Tips from a Comedian, Comedian Stories: Tales From the Road in Under 5 Minutes

Places: Washington, D.C.

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