This comedian's shocking response to a mum and baby in his show will shock you!
- Replies 30
The world of live comedy can be unpredictable and full of surprises.
After all, it's also a test of improvisation skills.
For one Melbourne mum, a supposedly fun experience turned to the uncomfortable at a recent comedy festival.
During the Melbourne Comedy Festival, comedian Arj Barker found himself at the centre of a contentious situation when he asked a mum and her baby to leave his show—which sparked a heated debate among present audience members.
Trish Faranda, mum to a seven-month-old girl, recounted her 'humiliating' experience at the Athenaeum Theatre.
'She did a little bit of babbling, and he just stopped and said, "Is there a baby here?" and he did a thing about babies,' she recounted.
'Then he said, "I speak fluent baby, and it said take me outside."'
Faranda, seated just four rows from the front, needed clarification on whether Barker's request was part of the act or a serious demand.
'She had a little whinge, and I popped her on the breast to feed her, and she was quiet,' she added.
Despite quieting down, Barker insisted that Faranda's presence disrupted his rhythm and the crowd's enjoyment.
The crowd's laughter only added to her confusion as she struggled to discern if the comedian was still playing a part or genuinely asking her to leave.
Faranda described the ordeal as 'intimidating and humiliating'.
'I didn't want to ruin anyone's night; it was never my intention to go and disrupt people or create a scene,' she said.
She likened her baby's noise to someone coughing during a performance.
'If he had just stopped the show, moved the microphone away and said to me, "Hey, actually I'm finding it a bit distracting. Do you mind leaving?", I wouldn't have minded.'
'My goal is to do a great show and make people happy for an hour; unfortunately, not everyone left happy,' he wrote.
'I have no hostility towards the woman, the child or the people who are mad at me...I will try to learn from it and find if there is a more gentle solution if this ever happens again.'
Witnesses described the moment as 'unbelievably awkward', with reports of several audience members walking out in solidarity with Faranda.
The incident also ignited a fiery debate on social media, with opinions sharply divided.
Some users have sided with Barker in the debacle.
'Good—it was also ruining the show for everyone else who paid to enjoy the show,' one wrote.
‘100 per cent with Arj Barker in this...Keep babies at home. They don't belong at the theatre,' another said.
Others have criticised Barker for his insensitivity, particularly towards a breastfeeding mother.
'Disgusting behaviour asking a breastfeeding mother to leave your show,' another commenter wrote, siding with Faranda. 'If it distracted you that much, you're the one with the problem.'
This story may resonate with readers on multiple levels.
Many have raised children and understand the challenges of parenting in public spaces.
This incident raises important questions about the balance between accommodating families and ensuring the enjoyment of all patrons in public venues.
You may watch the full story here:
Source: Today Show Australia/YouTube
Have you ever faced a similar situation? How do you think performers and venues should handle such delicate situations? Your insights are valuable, and we look forward to reading your insights in the comments below.
After all, it's also a test of improvisation skills.
For one Melbourne mum, a supposedly fun experience turned to the uncomfortable at a recent comedy festival.
During the Melbourne Comedy Festival, comedian Arj Barker found himself at the centre of a contentious situation when he asked a mum and her baby to leave his show—which sparked a heated debate among present audience members.
Trish Faranda, mum to a seven-month-old girl, recounted her 'humiliating' experience at the Athenaeum Theatre.
'She did a little bit of babbling, and he just stopped and said, "Is there a baby here?" and he did a thing about babies,' she recounted.
'Then he said, "I speak fluent baby, and it said take me outside."'
Comedian Arj Barker's actions sparked discussions about public decorum and how performers confront situations such as encountering a baby in the venue. Image Credit: Instagram/Arj Barker
Faranda, seated just four rows from the front, needed clarification on whether Barker's request was part of the act or a serious demand.
'She had a little whinge, and I popped her on the breast to feed her, and she was quiet,' she added.
Despite quieting down, Barker insisted that Faranda's presence disrupted his rhythm and the crowd's enjoyment.
The crowd's laughter only added to her confusion as she struggled to discern if the comedian was still playing a part or genuinely asking her to leave.
Faranda described the ordeal as 'intimidating and humiliating'.
'I didn't want to ruin anyone's night; it was never my intention to go and disrupt people or create a scene,' she said.
She likened her baby's noise to someone coughing during a performance.
'If he had just stopped the show, moved the microphone away and said to me, "Hey, actually I'm finding it a bit distracting. Do you mind leaving?", I wouldn't have minded.'
In response to the backlash, Barker took to social media and expressed his distress over the upset.'My goal is to do a great show and make people happy for an hour; unfortunately, not everyone left happy,' he wrote.
'I have no hostility towards the woman, the child or the people who are mad at me...I will try to learn from it and find if there is a more gentle solution if this ever happens again.'
Witnesses described the moment as 'unbelievably awkward', with reports of several audience members walking out in solidarity with Faranda.
The incident also ignited a fiery debate on social media, with opinions sharply divided.
Some users have sided with Barker in the debacle.
'Good—it was also ruining the show for everyone else who paid to enjoy the show,' one wrote.
‘100 per cent with Arj Barker in this...Keep babies at home. They don't belong at the theatre,' another said.
Others have criticised Barker for his insensitivity, particularly towards a breastfeeding mother.
'Disgusting behaviour asking a breastfeeding mother to leave your show,' another commenter wrote, siding with Faranda. 'If it distracted you that much, you're the one with the problem.'
This story may resonate with readers on multiple levels.
Many have raised children and understand the challenges of parenting in public spaces.
This incident raises important questions about the balance between accommodating families and ensuring the enjoyment of all patrons in public venues.
You may watch the full story here:
Source: Today Show Australia/YouTube
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You don’t get it do you Ranky the baby should have been in bed not out in an adult venue she’s a bad inconsiderate mother. 
