7 Shocking Facts Behind The Viral Meme: 'Is There A Black Purse In Here?'

Few phrases have captured the internet's attention in recent memory quite like the seemingly innocuous question, "Is there a black purse in here?" As of December 17, 2025, this quote has transcended its original context, becoming a shorthand for excruciatingly awkward social moments and a staple of short-form comedy on platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The humor is not in the question itself, but in the cringe-worthy, racially charged double-entendre that the line implies, a masterful piece of comedic timing that has propelled its creator to viral fame.

The line is the centerpiece of a highly successful sketch from *The Chit Show*, a web series that has defined the modern era of workplace comedy. To truly understand its impact, one must look beyond the meme and delve into the brilliant, yet controversial, comedic mind of the man who created the character and the joke: comedian Jay Renshaw.

The Comedian Behind the Cringe: Jay Renshaw’s Biography and The Chit Show

The viral success of "Is there a black purse in here?" is inextricably linked to the character of Chit, a masterpiece of awkward, oblivious workplace comedy. The man behind the character, Jay Renshaw, is an accomplished improv comedian whose career trajectory shifted dramatically with the success of his short-form videos.

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• Full Name: Jay Renshaw
• Primary Role: Comedian, Actor, Writer, Content Creator
• Comedy Background: Renshaw is an alumnus of the prestigious Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, a breeding ground for some of the biggest names in American sketch and improv comedy, including Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, and Melissa McCarthy.
• Viral Series: *The Chit Show* (also known simply as "Chit"), a web comedy series primarily hosted on his @renshawjay TikTok account.
• Key Character: "Chit," an awkward, socially inept, but ultimately harmless coworker who constantly misreads social cues and creates uncomfortable situations. The character is often compared to figures from classic sitcoms like *The Office*.
• Notable Collaborators: His sketches frequently feature a core cast, including Kiel Kennedy, Lyric Lewis (who often plays the character "Linda"), and Michael Churven (who plays "Peter").
• Career Highlights: Before his viral fame, Renshaw worked as an actor and comedian, notably being a late cut during the casting process for the HBO series *Curb Your Enthusiasm*.
• Origin of Chit: The character was developed over time, drawing inspiration from the cringe-comedy genre and the universal experience of having an odd, oblivious colleague.

The True, Awkward Origin of the 'Black Purse' Sketch

The sketch that launched the phrase into the internet lexicon is a perfect example of high-stakes, verbal miscommunication comedy. It was originally performed at The Groundlings Theater, showcasing Renshaw’s talent for crafting jokes that walk a razor-thin line between absurdity and social commentary.

The Context: A Simple Question with a Volatile Sound

The scene revolves around the character Chit, who is searching for a misplaced item—a black purse. The comedic genius lies in the phrase's phonetic similarity to a highly sensitive and racially charged question: "Is there a black person here?"

In the sketch, Chit is seen repeatedly asking the question in a crowded or inappropriate setting, completely oblivious to the discomfort and shock he is causing his colleagues. The setup is designed to make the audience and the other characters believe he is asking the offensive question, only for the reveal to be the mundane object. This mishearing joke capitalizes on the human tendency to infer context, especially in tense social situations. The character's innocent, yet poorly articulated, query creates a moment of excruciating tension that resolves in a burst of relieved, awkward laughter.

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The video quickly became a viral sensation, accumulating tens of millions of views across various platforms. Its success proved that the appetite for sharp, well-written sketch comedy remains strong, even in the age of rapid-fire content.

The Cultural Impact: Why 'Chit' Became an Awkward Office Hero

The phrase "is there a black purse in here?" and the entire *Chit Show* series have made a significant mark on modern internet culture, establishing a new archetype of the "awkward office hero." This comedic style resonates with millions of viewers because it taps into the universal experience of workplace discomfort and the desire to laugh at the moments that make us cringe the hardest.

The Power of Awkward Humor and Relatability

The success of the "black purse" sketch and *The Chit Show* can be attributed to several factors:

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• The Cringe Factor: The comedy is built on cringeworthy, high-stakes scenarios. This type of humor, often called "cringe-comedy" or "awkward humor," thrives online because it is highly shareable and elicits a strong, immediate emotional reaction.
• Relatability: The workplace setting is a common denominator. Everyone has had a "Chit" in their office—the coworker who says the wrong thing, sends the confusing email, or is simply socially out-of-sync. This relatability is key to the show’s widespread appeal.
• Short-Form Sketch Mastery: Renshaw and his team have mastered the art of short-form comedy, creating fully contained, high-impact sketches perfect for the attention spans of TikTok and YouTube Shorts users. The jokes are quick, the payoff is immediate, and the punchline is quotable.

The 'Do It, Lady!' Connection: Expanding the Chit Universe

The "black purse" joke is not an isolated incident; it is part of a larger, interconnected comedic universe. Another equally viral sketch from *The Chit Show* is the "Do it, lady!" joke.

In this sketch, Chit is preparing a birthday card for his colleague Janice. Instead of writing a heartfelt or standard message, he writes the bizarre and nonsensical phrase, "Do it, lady!" This line, like "is there a black purse in here?", became an instant meme and a popular sound effect, further cementing Chit's status as the king of confusing, yet hilarious, office interactions. The repeated success demonstrates a clear formula for viral content: a strong, quotable catchphrase delivered by a compelling, awkward character. The sketches often feature the same ensemble cast (Kiel Kennedy, Lyric Lewis, Michael Churven), giving the series a consistent, sitcom-like feel that encourages viewers to follow *The Chit Show* as a whole, rather than just isolated clips.

From Joke to Internet Entity

The phrase has evolved beyond a mere joke. It is now a cultural entity, used in memes, reaction videos, and merchandise. You can find "Is there a black purse in here?" stickers, t-shirts, and sound buttons, a clear indicator of its deep penetration into internet meme culture. The longevity of the meme, months after its initial peak, highlights its quality as a piece of writing and performance. It serves as a modern case study in how a sharp, well-executed piece of sketch comedy can achieve global virality in the age of digital media.