The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentThe LatestTV

Exclusive: Amanda Seales Talks HBO Comedy Special ‘I Be Knowin’ at NY Premiere

by Kristen Martin January 24, 2019
by Kristen Martin January 24, 2019 0 comments
3.8K

On January 23, Amanda Seales hosted a red carpet premiere at the Roxy Hotel in NYC for her anticipated HBO comedy special, Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’.

Credit: Dorothy Hong/Team Epiphany

The exclusive screening was followed by a live set by DJ Parler and Q&A moderated by Angela Yee of The Breakfast Club. The event featured a cocktail hour, an HBO inspired photo booth, access to a limited-edition zine, and an intimate meet and greet.

Amanda Seales, Insecure series regular, podcast host (Small Doses), and creator of comedy game show Smart Funny & Black, will now make her stand-up debut in an hour-long special, which will premiere exclusively on HBO on Saturday, January 26th at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

We sat down with Amanda in celebration of this debut and asked how she felt sitting in the audience.

“I don’t know,” she says, “I have to assess that later. I’m just kind of like riding it out. I mean, this process is all new so I feel like I’m feeling feelings that I’ve never felt before so I haven’t come up with names for them yet! I’ve never done this. And this was the first screening. I’ve seen the [edited special] so many times and yet it was the first time because [I was] seeing it as an audience member and not an editor, or as an executive producer, or as a writer. You know? I’ve watched it in every other form except as a fan. This was the first time I got to sit there and watch it as a spectator.”

Credit: Dorothy Hong/Team Epiphany

She mentioned that she had no reservations when HBO decided to partner with her. “I was like ‘finally,’ I’m glad they finally figured out that it makes sense for them to do that,” she says.

It is obvious that Amanda’s way of storytelling lands comfortably and hilariously for her viewers.
She reflected on their response by saying, “I think the interesting part was seeing how many men would be like ‘word,’ [laughter] and outwardly express themselves. But I was just happy and relieved to hear the amount of laughter. All comics care about is, are they laughing, and they laughed. Mission accomplished.”

Throughout the special, she provides a comedic take on day-to-day occurrences. When we asked her about being confronted with the opportunity to compromise her self-branded authenticity, she explained an encounter with Drake.

“I screenshot a text from Drake and accidentally sent that back to him,” she tells us. “And he was like ‘who are you sending these texts to?’ And I had to decide in that moment … Like, am I going to lie, you know what I’m saying? And am I really going to let Drake have me lying? No. I [said to him], ‘my home girl asked if I heard from you, and this is the answer.’ So you know, you get tested! But you gotta stand your ground in who you are! And I’m an honest woman, and I’m authentic!”

We love her truth-be-told moments especially when romance is at the center. She continued on in saying, “I was having a romantic level of interest with a Jewish man, and I thought, can I say ni**a? And I had to decide. [I said], am I going to let this man deter me from my own personal choices? And I decided no.”

Whether it’s Amanda’s perfect comedic timing, her stage presence, or her applied African American studies from Columbia University, it is no surprise that this emerging sensation will continue to serve as the strong voice that she is.

Credit: Dorothy Hong/Team Epiphany

She explained to moderator Angela Yee, what she hopes folks will take away from her comedy special: “At the end of the day I just cared that black women felt their voice had been presented on a global stage in a way that isn’t presented enough. That was really what I cared about most. I really don’t care about much of what people think in general, but with this particular project, I really cared that sisters felt that they were acknowledged and that even if it wasn’t t their own personal experience, that they were glad to hear another sister’s experience, be supported and be vocalized and resonated [audience cheers]. And so that was the goal and anybody else who connects with it outside of that, I hope you laughed, I hope you thought it was funny. It’s my career now so I hope you like it, so I can pay this rent [laughter].”

We wrapped up with asking, what makes you beautiful, to which Amanda replied: “My brain makes me beautiful. I mean, I’ve got some solid genes going on here; I feel like I’ve put in work . I also have an incredible glam team, but what I think for me, is the fact that I genuinely love and have consideration/ care for what happens to people and what happens specifically to black people – that’s what makes me beautiful.”

For more information click here.

View the official trailer below:

Amanda SealesDrakeHBOI Be Knowin
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Kristen Martin

previous post
Liana’s Kitchen: White Chocolate Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls
next post
On The Scene: T-Pain Premieres New Track at Overthrow NYC

Related Posts

Dom Pérignon Unveils the Murakami Flower Studio in...

October 25, 2025

Brooklyn Gets a Glow-Up with Desolas Mezcal’s Reposado...

October 24, 2025

Discover Park Rose: The New Jewel of Park...

October 24, 2025

Spooky Streets and Autumn Eats: Celebrate Halloween in...

October 24, 2025

Back to Derry | HBO’s IT Prequel Delivers...

October 24, 2025

Baja California Sur Celebrates Two Upcoming Wellness Festivals:...

October 24, 2025

Not Ready for Prime Time: How MCC Theater...

October 24, 2025

Victoria Justice Hosts “LOVE ZOMBIE” Halloween Bash on...

October 24, 2025

The Familial Meta-Drama of Sentimental Value

October 23, 2025

Renowned Restaurant Fresco by Scotto Debuts a New...

October 22, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch