Orly Lewittes joins Shelf

Orly Lewittes is the kind of comedian who makes you laugh so hard you forget you just got left on read

A New York–based writer, stand-up, and sketch comedian, Orly first captured hearts (and timelines) with her viral 2024 commencement speech at Northwestern University, which racked up over 2.5 million views on TikTok and “literally no views” on YouTube. A proud queer performer and sharp-as-hell storyteller, she’s a sketch writer for the Upright Citizens Brigade’s Maude Night team, Freak Jones, and one half of the beloved sketch duo Boy Crazy, whose monthly late-night show brings big laughs to UCB and comedy theaters across the city. But when she’s not performing at clubs and chaotic little bars all over NYC, she’s online hosting Left on Read—a wildly funny show on TikTok and Instagram with over 13 million views where she speaks to New Yorkers who’ve ghosted and been ghosted. But today, Orly isn’t here to unpack our online dating trauma, she’s here to share some of the different media that’s shaped her into one of our favorite comedians online.

ShelfMAG: What TikTok audio is currently living in your head rent-free?

@orlylewittes: None. I know I host a TikTok show, but gonna come clean and admit that I really only use TikTok to watch people silently clean really old rugs.

ShelfMAG: If one album could soundtrack the last five years of your life, what would it be and why? 

@orlylewittes: Probably The Divine Feminine by Mac Miller. I became a lesbian! Sorry! 

ShelfMAG: If you could only watch one movie on repeat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

@orlylewittes: Bridesmaids. It’s the best movie in the world and if you haven’t seen it you need to stop reading this profile and go watch it OR I WILL KILL YOU!! Can I say that?

ShelfMAG: What song would wake you up from a coma?

@orlylewittes: Ideally something really soothing, but realistically something very alarming and scary like the song that’s like “pour some sugar on me” - what’s it called? Is it called “Pour Some Sugar on Me"? 

ShelfMAG: The item on your shelf most likely to stay there forever?

@orlylewittes: All of them. I’m anxious attached so, yeah, no one’s going anywhere.

Curious about what else Orly is into? Get real-time updates at shelf.im/orlylewittes