Leslie Jones: Time Machine

Leslie Jones Takes a Wild Ride in Time Machine—With a Surprising Creative Team Behind the Wheel

Leslie Jones has never been one to play it safe, and her 2020 Netflix special Leslie Jones: Time Machine is no exception. But the real surprise? The duo steering this comedic spaceship: Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Yes, the same pair behind Westeros’ fiery finale—and the same ones who faced both acclaim and backlash for their work on the HBO juggernaut. latestnetflix.com's read is that their pivot to comedy with Jones raises eyebrows, but the evidence suggests this was no random detour.

From Dragons to Stand-Up: How Benioff and Weiss Ended Up Here

Benioff and Weiss’s involvement in Time Machine isn’t just a footnote—it’s a full directorial credit . After wrapping Game of Thrones in 2019, the duo didn’t retreat into obscurity. Instead, they leaned into producing and directing, with Time Machine marking one of their first post-GoT projects. The special’s genre—sketches and stand-up—departs sharply from their fantasy roots, but the pairing makes sense in hindsight. Jones’ high-energy, unfiltered style thrives in structured chaos, and Benioff and Weiss have a knack for balancing spectacle with narrative .

What’s less clear is how the collaboration came together. Netflix had been home to Jones’ comedy for years, but the Game of Thrones creators’ jump to stand-up feels like an unexpected match. Rumor (unconfirmed) suggests the connection might trace back to mutual industry ties, possibly through HBO or Netflix’s comedy division. For now, the how remains a mystery, but the what is undeniable: a GoT powerhouse directing one of comedy’s boldest voices.

The Special’s Vibe: A Time-Traveling Comedy Extravaganza

Time Machine isn’t your typical stand-up special. Clocking in at 66 minutes, it blends Jones’ signature rants with sketch-like segments, all tied together by a loose time-travel theme . The trailers—yes, plural—hint at a visual flair that goes beyond a static stage. Netflix released at least four different trailers and teasers, each emphasizing Jones’ manic energy and the special’s sci-fi trappings . One trailer shows Jones in a futuristic chair, gesturing wildly as if piloting a literal time machine, while another cuts between her stand-up and what looks like scripted vignettes.

The special’s structure suggests Benioff and Weiss brought more than just a director’s chair—they likely shaped its hybrid format. Jones has always excelled at blending personal storytelling with absurdist humor, but Time Machine seems to push that further, leaning into the kind of visual storytelling the GoT duo knows well. Whether it’s a hit or a miss depends on who you ask, but the ambition is undeniable.

The Netflix Factor: Why This Special Matters

Netflix has a history of giving comedians creative freedom, and Time Machine fits that mold. The platform’s investment in the project is evident from the sheer volume of promotional material—trailers, teasers, and promos all dropped in the lead-up to its release . For Jones, this was a chance to flex beyond traditional stand-up. For Benioff and Weiss, it was an opportunity to prove they could pivot from epic fantasy to comedy without losing their edge.

The special’s reception, however, is harder to pin down. Without critical reviews or audience scores in the provided evidence, it’s tough to gauge its impact. What’s clear is that Time Machine wasn’t just another comedy special—it was a statement. Jones’ fearless humor paired with Benioff and Weiss’ directorial muscle suggests a deliberate play for something bigger than a one-night laugh.

The Big Question: What’s Next for This Team?

The collaboration between Jones and the GoT creators raises an obvious question: Was Time Machine a one-off experiment, or the start of something bigger? The evidence doesn’t offer answers, but the pairing is intriguing enough to warrant speculation. Benioff and Weiss have since moved on to other projects (including a Star Wars film and a Netflix adaptation of The Three-Body Problem), but their work on Time Machine proves they’re not afraid to take risks outside their comfort zone.

For Jones, the special reinforces her status as a comedian who thrives on reinvention. Whether she’ll reunite with Benioff and Weiss—or if this was just a quirky detour—remains to be seen. One thing’s certain: Leslie Jones: Time Machine is a footnote worth remembering in both their careers.