Talk TV: Pittsburgh resident Learnmore Jonasi competes on ‘AGT’

Comedian Learnmore Jonasi, a 31-year-old Zimbabwean-born Pittsburgh native, is having a moment this summer on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” making it to the Top 44 with his next appearance tonight (8 p.m., WPXI-TV ) that he is competing for a place in the semi-finals of the show.

Jonasi, who told “AGT” it was his dream to appear on the show, received a golden buzzer from host Terry Crews, whose performances on “White Chicks” and “Everybody Hates Chris” Jonasi used to mimic on childhood. And as he got older, Jonas regularly watched “AGT” with his mother.

“My mom always tells me, ‘I’ll see you on this stage one day,'” he recalled. “Because she sees me on that stage, she’s like, ‘Oh my God.’ Her dreams really did come true.”

Jonasi began his stand-up career at age 18 in his native Zimbabwe and applied for and won a Comedian Fellowship from the Steel City Arts Foundation, so he ended up moving to Pittsburgh three years ago. Jonas recently moved to Friendship.

“I learned about (Pittsburgh) in the movies, but I never thought I’d end up there,” Jonasi said. “It’s one of those cities you don’t hear much about, but moving there was such an exciting move and I’m glad I did because I found community and friends.”

Before his first stand-up performance on “AGT” two months ago, Jonasi said he sat backstage trying out all the worst-case scenarios that could happen to him when he went before the judges.

“I was nervous, but then as I walked on stage, I was home,” Jonasi said. “I’ve been doing this since I was a teenager and it felt like any other stage. … When I finished my performance and everyone gave me a standing ovation, that was enough. I said, “I did.” I was so afraid of (getting started on) the red bell, having Terry Crews ring the gold bell, which was the cherry on top, the stamp of approval from the person I used to look up to as a kid.”

Judge Howie Mandel praised Jonasi’s performance, which included jokes about his hometown in Africa and his comical reaction to discovering in America that some poor people are white.

“Stand-up comedy is hard enough as it is,” Mandel said, “but to come from another country where English is not your first language, not only to communicate with everyone, but to tickle everyone , to make everyone laugh, to make it a better place. , you are truly amazing.”

Judge Simon Cowell called Jonasi “one of the funniest people I’ve come across in years”.

Jonasi describes his comedy style as self-deprecating, observational and physical, partly due to his 6ft 5in frame, for which he was bullied in Zimbabwe, where he said people tend to be shorter . He finds himself admired for his height in America.

“I’m really tall and big on that stage and I use my body to make people laugh,” he said.

Jonas dresses to make them smile, too, wearing colorful suit jackets (he and his sister rocked the one featured on his previous “AGT” appearance) and shoes.

“I like to stand out,” Jonasi said. “I like to be the center of attention and that color, that’s me right there.”

Regarding his unique first name, Jonasi said it was common for those born in Zimbabwe to have first names derived from English words.

“My mother’s sister is Profit,” he said. “And one of my friends growing up was Takeiteasy.”

Regardless of what happens this week on “AGT,” getting the golden bell treatment has already had a positive career impact.

“I went straight into the tournament after winning the golden bell,” Jonasi said. “It opened so many doors for me that were closed. I started touring all over — big cities, small towns across America — and preparing for the live shows and testing the material, making sure it was up to date.”

Jonasi did not say whether Pittsburgh will appear on his set on tonight’s “AGT.”

“You’ll just have to watch,” he said. “But I will represent. Now I’m a Yinzer!”

After this week’s live “AGT” shows — results show Wednesday at 8 p.m. — Jonasi will perform Thursday at The Pittsburgh Improv at 7 p.m.

“Only Crimes”

Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” returned today for its fourth season (new episodes air weekly on Tuesdays), and this time the trio not only has to deal with a new crime, but also a stupid Hollywood.

Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) finally realize Charles’ stunt double, Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), has been murdered in Charles’ apartment, a particularly cruel blow to Charles, who begins to hallucinate. to Sazz.

Could the killer be one of the residents of the West Tower played by Richard Kind and Kumail Nanjiani?

At the same time, Paramount Pictures is looking to adapt the trio’s podcast into a film starring Eugene Levy as Charles, Zach Galifianakis as Oliver and Eva Longoria as Mabel. Longoria, in particular, seems to revel in sending up Hollywood diva stereotypes.

With seven episodes available for review, this season of “Only Murders” fits the bill quite well, both due to viewers’ familiarity with the returners and the influx of Hollywood characters that add humor and a wealth of new suspects.

WPKD-TV for sale?

According to Bloomberg, Paramount Global may be looking to sell some of its independent television stations, including Pittsburgh-based WPKD-TV, Channel 19 (AKA KDKA+).

The report says Paramount has hired an investment bank to explore selling TV stations not considered core to its business. A Paramount representative declined to comment on the reports.

Kept/cancelled

Trade publications are reporting that Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” will return for a fourth season, but so far only three of the original cast members have been contacted to return: Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca, Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent and Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins. Others, including star Jason Sudeikis, are expected to be attached down the road.

Apple TV+ has renewed the thriller “Criminal Record” for a second season.

The syndicated daytime series “The Drew Barrymore Show” has received an early season six renewal for 2025-2026 ahead of its fifth season premiere on September 9.

The CW dropped its planned fall series “The Librarians: The Next Chapter,” and TNT picked it up and ordered a second season for good measure.

HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere” will wrap up its third season, premiering at 5:30 p.m. on October 27.

Amazon’s Prime Video has canceled “My Lady Jane” after just one season.

National Geographic Channel has canceled the docu-reality series “Wicked Tuna” after 13 seasons.

You can reach TV writer Rob Owen at [email protected] or 412-380-8559. Follow @RobOwenTV on Threads, Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook. Ask TV questions by email or phone. Please include your first name and location.