Amy Schumer, ledge, has returned to the stand-up stage less than two weeks after giving birth. She did a surprise set at New York’s famous Comedy Cellar, having recently given birth to son Gene.
After sharing a picture of her performance on Instagram, she all too predictably received some comments damning her for having the audacity to do it so soon. “Like, I can still smell your placenta... take a damn break ffs,” commented one such doofus.
(To be fair, most of the comments were very much supporting her, with a few seeming to suggest they thought she was contractually obliged to perform – as she discussed in her Netflix special).
Schumer followed her post up by sarcastically thanking the people who had found the time to judge her for her actions, writing: “Sending out love to the moms shaming me for doing standup last night” – and sharing another pic of her pumping milk, after the positive response to her last one.
What do her naysayers want her to do, though? Stop doing anything other than mothering? Leave the idea of Amy Schumer, Comedian behind and become Mother Schumer, Feeder And No More?
To be honest, shortly after giving birth seems like a pretty great time to do stand-up. You’re up at all hours anyway – perfect for rolling up for a surprise set like Schumer did – and the initial shell-shock has worn off, replaced by endless routine, which can be kind of… boring?
You’ve just been through the most insane, absurd experience there is, which by all rights should give you all the self-confidence in the world. On top of that, you’re learning all kinds of crazy stuff about babies, and yourself, and your partner, and insomnia – the kind of material most comedians feed off.
It’s not like it’s hard for Schumer. She’s a seasoned professional, famous and beloved by millions. She could turn up completely knackered and still bring the house down. And if you think how much pressure most Hollywood actresses face to exercise back to their the pre-birth body shape, holding a microphone for 20 minutes or so is a weird thing to criticise someone for.
If Schumer were a new father, nobody would bat an eyelid. When (male) footballers return to the pitch mere days after having children, they’re applauded and congratulated. The incentive is there: they’re paid less if they don’t play, after all – just like comedians – and they have families to provide for.
Prince Harry went to the Hague three days after becoming a dad and nobody gave him beef. That’s a lot further from his house than the Comedy Cellar is from Amy Schumer’s, a much longer trip, and three days into parenthood is very different to two weeks in. But people understood because, hey, it’s his job.
Being a comedian is Amy Schumer’s job, and one she’s great at. It’s almost like people are dicks to women or something.