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When the world felt heavy during the height of COVID and the summer of 2020 — a time marked by isolation, the Black Lives Matter protests, and community tension — Lenton Lees decided his hometown needed a laugh. Armed with quick wit, Photoshop, and a knack for turning everyday absurdities into satire, Lees created Newnan Time with Harold — a spoof on local news that looked so real even lifelong residents had to do a double take.
What began as a joke born out of stress and division became something deeper: a creative lifeline that helped Lees — and his community — rediscover joy.
Finding humor in hard times
Lees, 37, has spent most of his life in Coweta County. “I grew up in Senoia — or ‘Sonoy,’ depending on who you ask,” he said with a grin. After moving out at 16, he made Newnan home and has spent the past two decades immersed in local creativity as an improv director at Southside Theatre Guild.
But Newnan Time with Harold was born from that chaotic summer when the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests collided, and Newnan became a place of both activism and unrest. “It was very hostile,” Lees recalled. “I just thought, instead of being uncomfortable, is there something I can do to offset how stressful everything is — something silly?”
So he began parodying The Newnan Times-Herald — mimicking its fonts, tone, and headlines — except his version featured offbeat local jokes. “I wish the paper would post some silly stuff,” he said. “They weren’t going to, so I just did it.”
At first, he expected only a few laughs. Instead, the posts spread like wildfire, drawing thousands of followers who began checking Harold daily for their dose of small-town satire.
Laughing through the struggle
Behind the jokes, Lees carries a story of struggle and survival. He’s been open about his type 1 diabetes, neuropathy, and mental health battles, including a near-suicidal period just three years ago.
“I’ve always dealt with depression,” he said. “But I’m finally in the best place I’ve ever been. Three years ago, I planned to take my own life. And now, I can’t believe how good life feels.”
He says speaking openly has connected him to other men facing similar struggles. “The amount of guys who’ve reached out to me saying, ‘It means a lot to hear you say this,’ — that’s what keeps me open about it,” he said.
For Lees, humor isn’t just entertainment — it’s medicine. “If something I write makes someone smile who’s struggling, that’s worth more than money,” he said.
Turning satire into connection
Lees’ comedic hits range from the wildly popular “Peachtree City went as itself for Halloween” post — featuring devil horns photoshopped onto a city sign — to his tongue-in-cheek list of “The Top 10 Hottest Newnan Police Officers.”
“The Peachtree City jokes always go over incredibly well,” he laughed. “When I make fun of them, everyone in Newnan comes together as a team.”
That sense of togetherness extends beyond his humor. Lees interviewed all three Newnan mayoral candidates — in character as Harold — staging comic bits like playing Candy Land in the park with the incumbent, doing a Rorschach test with one challenger, and writing Mad Libs in a barber shop with the newly elected mayor.
“Everything was so serious,” he said. “I just wanted to show these people as human beings. Everybody has a fun side.”
A creative calling
Today, Lees splits his time between running High Spirits Entertainment, hosting trivia nights across Fayette and Coweta counties, and directing improv. “Daytime is about taking care of my body. Nighttime is when I make my money,” he said.
He’s modest about the business side of Newnan Time with Harold. The website draws hundreds of daily visitors, but Lees says he’s more focused on joy than monetization. “I forget I can use Harold to make money,” he admitted. “It feels weird to turn something silly into something profitable.”
Still, he’s open to partnerships that could help him grow the platform while staying true to his mission — laughter that heals.
Finding light again
From a childhood shaped by creativity and faith to an adulthood of self-discovery and resilience, Lees sees his journey as proof that laughter can coexist with pain.
“I just want people to laugh together and judge each other a little less,” he said. “I’ve been through dark times, but I believe most people can be redeemed. I want my humor to remind folks that we can be silly together again.”
Whether it’s a fake headline, a podcast bit, or an improv skit, “Harold” — Lees’ mustached alter ego — is proof that comedy can bridge divides and bring hope.
“The person I make fun of the most is me,” he said with a smile. “And that’s what keeps it honest.”
Follow Lenton (“Harold”) Lees
Newnan Time with Harold Website
Newnan Time with Harold Facebook
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