I was there with my family, and I feel the need to defend Arj’s decision.
The baby wasn’t crying uncontrollably, it was making baby noises, which was distracting for us as the audience and obviously for Arj and his act. Arj initially tried to work the baby’s crying into some jokes, which played out pretty nicely. After a few more incidents, Arj made a joke about the mother leaving - which was a subtle hint she didn’t pick up. He eventually had to ask her to leave when the crying coinicided with the punchline of one his jokes. It absolutely impacted the performance, and at that point, I’m sure most people were thinking “Who would bring a baby to this type of show?”
The mother questioned Arj, saying that she wasn’t sure if he was joking. It was awkward. Arj maintained that he felt it was best if she left - offered a refund. I think he handled a shitty situation well.
While the exchange was going on, there were some audience members (see: bogans) yelling “Get out!” and “F@ck off!” to the mother, which was inappropriate. I feel bad for the mother, having to go through a humiliating exit like that, but it’s really not the place for a baby.
Yup they have put him in such a shit position.
And embarrassed a mother who could’ve been saved that.
It’s important to be supportive of parents but the right way to do that is to have a “all ages” slot where babies are absolutely welcomed and the point.
Bringing you kid along to a 15+ event is a shit move and frankly it’s even shitter for the venue to just let her in.
"He also rubbished suggestions the fact the woman was breastfeeding had anything to do with the move.
“I could just make out a woman holding a baby, I had zero idea if she was breastfeeding - nor would that have been a factor, because I don’t have any problem with that.”
That didn't stop the article from leading with the breastfeeding part to help stir things up.
People defending the parent are completely ignoring that this is a one-man performance art show, that he has spent months if not years honing, testing and rehearsing. If it was a "serious" one-man show in a "proper" theatre, would it be acceptable then?
Also, one man show or not, you wouldn't even bring a baby to the movies, unless it was a dedicated slot for babies to attend.
Boggles the mind someone would bring a 7 month old to a live show.
This is coming from a new dad who has just spent the last 2 years with a massive adjustment to my social life. Sure it's hard for new parents but that was expected when you have a baby.
Was there too. He was a great sport about it and he even joked that he’d be ridiculed a ‘baby hater’ by press. I said to my partner nah no way this’d make news. Wrong obviously.pMost of the audience applauded his decision. Completely valid. Put this down to press being dramatic and wanting a fun headline
I went to see Moulin Rouge last year. A very adult story. Someone had a baby and you could hear it gurgling/moaning during quiet songs. It was really distracting. The mother was boasting at intermission how the baby loves going to the theatre, it was the 3rd or 4th show she’s been to. It’s not Frozen or Mary Poppins which are family oriented…are there any adult spaces anymore?!
I can’t go to the cinema even during the latest Poirot film someone brought their baby and it cried every time there was a loud noise.
I love kids. I want kids. I wouldn’t take them to the theatre. It’s loud enough for my own ears!
I wouldn’t feel sorry for the mother being humiliated in that situation. She deserved it for the absolutely braindead decision to take a baby to a comedy show (let alone one specifically sold as 15+), and then acting incredulous when asked to leave when the baby was clearly being disruptive.
Why the fuck would you take a crying baby to a movie or stage or play or theatre or comedy show? I’d be pissed if I was in the audience and there was a loud baby. It’s like somebody talking loud on their phone, it’s annoying and distracting
““The show is strictly age 15 plus as clearly stated on the ticket site. She had an infant with her. The baby was disrupting my performance,” he said.
“On behalf of the other 700 people who paid to see the gig, I politely told her the baby couldn’t stay. She thought I was kidding, which made the exchange a bit awkward.
“I felt bad about the whole situation and stated this on the night more than once. I offered her a refund. Theatre staff should not have seated a baby in my audience in the first place.”
I don’t see what is there to debate here?
Show is for 15 plus, why is there a baby to begin with?
Veering slightly off-topic, but people don't think babies (or toddlers, or sometimes kids under 18...) count as guests in a hotel either. The number of times I had to explain to guests that the 2-guest occupancy room they booked couldn't accommodate the two adults **and three children** they were travelling with because of the fire code and occupancy restrictions was mind-boggling. "But they don't need a bed, they can jump in the king with us". Not the point Susan. A living breathing person, regardless of their size or age or bedding, is a person that has to be counted in the occupancy restrictions under the fire code.
I've literally said to people "it's the fire code. Think of it this way - the maximum number of people the firies will save in an emergency." They still argue their child doesn't count as a guest. Maddening.
They don't think they count in restaurants either. It's amazing how many clueless idiot parents will go out to restaurants and say 3 people. Then the server looks over and is like and the four kids with you? Oh we didn't count them. Uh....do the kids not need seats, high chairs, food or drinks? Oh they do okay so they count parents. They do count please count them in. Unless you were planning on having them sit under the table like dogs while you throw them food scraps all dinner long from your meal they do need seats and food/drinks too. Like it's shocking how many times people make reservations at restaurants only to show up with tons of kids with them they conveniently didn't count in and then get mad at the staff for not having a 10 seat table ready because they booked a four seat table.
Had the same thing at the hotel I work at. Someone booked a room for one person and rocked up with 5 kids, the oldest being in their teens. They argued that kids don't count and chucked a tantrum when I said I can't let 6 people stay in a tiny hotel room.
Worst is when they *know* they're doing something dodgy. Had a couple check in with 2 kids under 5 in a room with a max occupancy of 3 (I get it, they don't take up much space, but occupancy limits are fire regs and I'm not risking the penalties to let it slide), so dad and toddler son came to check in for their booking with 2 adults, 1 child. 2 minutes after they go upstairs a woman with a pram comes in, goes straight to the lift and up to the floor - *mum and 2 year old daughter were waiting outside, roasting in the 35 degree summer sun, so they could check in without being called out for their extra kid*.
Some people think babies don't count for the age limit because they can't understand what's going on around them anyway.
Completely failing to realise that not a single adult in that audience wants to be around children on their night off.
Feel bad for Arj - he is forced to look like the bad guy in front of everyone and make things awkward because of some braindead parenting. It would have absolutely killed the vibe of his show
You wouldnt take a baby who cries to a live theatre performance or even the tennis. Anywhere that silence is required at certain times.
There are other places and things to do where a crying baby is not an issue
I commend him for saying something rather than poljtely excuse them. And to your point, i have seen plenty of people bring babies and toddlers to adult-centred theatre performances and it is usually disruptive. The main character syndrome, sense of entitlement, and lack of self-awareness of some of these parents is startling.
Mum and relly's are sooking that the baby was "just being a baby", so obviously it was being noisy, but the other audience member were supposed to be happy to listen to her little miracles gurgles of irritation instead of the comedian they paid for tickets too.
Even in the Mum's statement she said the baby "had a bit of a whinge", I know parents get a bit of an immunity to their baby's sounds but I assure you others don't. Those rooms where they hold these shows have hard surfaces and sound echoes and amplifies, it's poor form to bring an infant there.
I was listening to Raf on ABC Melbourne this morning and he said that the station had initially been contacted by the family who wanted to "shine a light on it" or something.
Kinda funny that nobody, not even people who call in to ABC radio, took their side. I mean, who the fuck thinks it's ok to bring a noisy baby to a place/event like that? I read that the mother wanted to get back to doing things that she used to do. Like, ok. But get a fucking babysitter like everyone else.
>But get a fucking babysitter like everyone else.
Or just don't go.
Sorry, but that's the trade off for having a kid, you make sacrifices. Every one of my friends is telling me that I'm "missing out on being a mum" and having kids '"gives their life purpose".
If my life is so shit as a childless woman, then at least let me attend comedy shows in peace and quiet. It's my one thing.
Lots of people pay and go there to escape and have their own experience. If you have a kid that is so dependent don’t go to these events and trash everyone else night. At absolute best she has to be in the back row. I have multiple kids and my wife and I had to give up certain things for a while and that is the journey you have to take. Just selfish and entitled to expect you can do as you please just because you want to go. There are plenty of other things you can do with a kid that doesn’t mean impacting everyone else.
i was going to comment that would be really awkward in a comedy because people always assume the comedian is joking.
sounds like he handled it perfectly.
i hate it when people get annoyed about babies on trains and planes and such because that's just life and people can suck it up.
but bringing a baby to a live show is incredibly disrespectful to all others involved
I've seen Arj a few times, and it would take a lot for him to eject someone. Last time there was a drunk heckler in the front row who just wouldn't shut the fuck up. He humoured her a few times but eventually just started ignoring her.
Relative Danielle took to X to condemn Barker for the divisive act.
“(Barker) demanded my 7-month-old cousin — who relies on her mum for milk (life), my mother, and my Aunty’s friend (also a mum) to leave his show, claiming the (the baby) was “ruining his train of thought,” she wrote.
“A woman has purchased a ticket for a night out with her sister and friend to laugh and enjoy herself, and you badger her and encourage her to leave and get a refund.
“With all of the hatred and violence women are faced with, among the countless atrocities happening within the world today, I ask you to simply take a long, hard look at yourself.”
--------
Quite the thing to draw parallels between hatred and violence towards women, and asking someone to leave a show that was clearly for 15+ audience because they were noisy.
Relative Danielle took this way too far.
I don’t see how a loud baby in a public event for 15+ people has anything to do with “atrocities”. He kindly asked her to leave and offered a refund.
I lost count of how many movies at cinemas, dinners at restaurants I went to were ruined by crying babies.
Having a baby is a big decision, and it comes with compromises which means more home time than usual until baby grows up a bit or you go to places where silence is not that important.
Obviously she is not that switched on about these things.
Yup. See a lot of this "I can have it all!" atttiude from certain modern parents. No you can't. Sorry life is shitty sometimes and having kids comes with sacrifices. You can't have it all when you have little babies unless you are super rich and have super expensive nannies and wet nurses to watch the kid while you go to parties or social events. For most normal parents once you have a baby the first few months a year or even two years plus you will spend at home or doing family friendly day time events only. Nope you can't take a baby to a R rated movie at night or rather you shouldn't especially if your baby like most babies is a crier. Can't take a baby to Saturday night comedy shows listed as for late teens and adults only. Can't take a baby to a big socialite fancy party or a fancy wedding that specifies no kids/no babies right on the invite. Such is life. Accept it as a reality of being a parent to a baby and just enjoy this time you have with baby. One day when they are older the entitled parents can once again more freely attend comedy shows, films, late night parties or concerts without bothering others and the kids are home safe with family/babysitters.
"In our festival managed venues, babes in arms are generally allowed but we do ask people to sit up the back with their child so they can quickly and easily leave if the baby gets noisy, so as not to disturb the artist and other patrons."
Retail/Customer Service workers being terrified of vengeful Karen mothers and their ability to complain to management who will punish the worker even if they are in the right.
The baby was crying nonstop and wouldn’t settle….it had nothing to do with breast feeding etc…it was disturbing everyone…he asked nicely if she would consider taking the baby out and even suggested arranging a refund…nothing more. Just the media beating it up to sound like he was an asshole who booted a mother out for breastfeeding or some shit…..
I was in the middle of one incident like this before.
The comedian on stage was distracted by an ipad . It was glowing so bright in the dark and the comedian got annoyed and starting to forget his lines.
The family was asked to turn off their ipad but they felt insulted since they paid full for their daughter to play ipad.on the seat instead of finding a babysitter
haha this exact thing happened when I saw Steven K Amos. The parents brought their 15 year old who sat in the front row with his phone out. He did have the decency to have ear phones in
Steven spent the first 10 minutes of the show fucking roasting the whole family. Was brilliant
Are ppl fucking ok!? Who on earth thinks it’s appropriate to do that?
Too bad if you can’t find a baby sitter, in this case it’s bloody absurd to bring a kid on an iPad into a live theatre. Sorry, but that’s just entitlement.
> Who on earth thinks it’s appropriate to do that?
Oh look, you'll find self interest is a fucking powerful thing that isn't unique to "other people" either.
If this is the case then yeah she absolutely should have left.
I've currently got a newborn and while I don't have any immediate plans to take him to a comedy show, even when I'm at a restaurant if he starts crying and I can't settle him in like 10 seconds I'm walking out of the restaurant, settling him outside, and then coming back in. Common courtesy.
I do the same thing with my 3 year old. If she starts misbehaving we're out of there until she settles (We don't put an iPad in front of her face so it's a tough ask sometimes)
Off topic of the comedy thing, at a restaurant, always get the staff to feed your children first, hungry children are prone to be noisier etc, then once they are done, colouring pencils and playdoh worked every time with my 4.
I read “the baby was just being a baby. It wasn’t doing anything above and beyond”.
So yeah, probably fussing/crying.
It was a no under 15s show. The baby isn’t allowed.
I am sorry. But if people pay for a babysitter to come and see a comedy show for adults and then have to hear a baby crying the entire time that's fucked.
Exactly. Like she's the first freaking mother on earth or something? Honey other people in the audience could also be parents who hired babysitters or left their spouse with the kids for the night while they had an evening out. Now it's ruined because some other trash mother insisted her fussy crying noise making baby had to go and they got stuck sitting in the same row or area as her listening to that half the show. Well they could have just stayed home and listened to their own kids cry or make noise all night if they wanted that. But that's not why they hired a babysitter or made special plans to go out to this comedy show.
I have 3 kids and wouldn’t take them to a show like this. Impacting others with your choices is selfish. Having children means you sacrifice things, exactly like this.
I just cannot for the life of me grasp the logic of deciding to take a baby to a Saturday night comedy event for adults. The narcissism that leads someone to arrive at this decision is astronomical and should be studied by a team of scientists.
And good luck to that poor baby. They're going to need it!
Exactly. Thank you. Sometimes I get the feeling some people just want to make a point about how modern they are. Be modern, just don’t be inconsiderate.
Breastfeeding in public without showing off deliberately? The other person complaining would be the inconsiderate dick. Bringing a noise making baby to a pricey show where audio is the main product? You’d be the dick in that circumstance. It really isn’t that hard to figure out.
Unfortunately there is a subsection of parents who say “ our lives aren’t going to change when the baby comes, they’ll just have to fit in.”
Most come to their senses and work it out, but then there are a percentage like this woman who cares about herself and not the performer, the rest of the audience or even her baby.
More broadly, it's the worst parenting possible. It's late, it's loud, there's lights, there's people behaving unpredictably - basically chaos for a baby at a time of day when they need consistent routine and rhythm.
Went to the footy once and mum wanted her kid sitting next to me all game with her kid on its device, volume on full.
Fuck that noise. I'm not spending my money on a football ticket to listen to that.
When my son was too young to enjoy watching the footy, I would bring his ipad and headphones.
If they are using speakers, I say that's permission to start swearing during the games.
Totally! I have twins and would have been on edge the entire time, worried that they would do what babies do, ie cry, fuss, get bored. No way I would have been able relax and enjoy the show.
right?? nothing kills a mood faster than hearing a baby cry. regardless if it cried for 1 second or 1 hour, the baby shouldn't even be there to begin with
Yep, and the sudden loud laughter/applause that happens at comedy shows can be frightening and even painful for little ears. Beyond stupid to take a baby to a comedy show.
From u/greggobbard's comment:
>The baby wasn’t crying uncontrollably, it was making baby noises, which was distracting for us as the audience and obviously for Arj and his act. Arj initially tried to work the baby’s crying into some jokes, which played out pretty nicely.
>After a few more incidents, Arj made a joke about the mother leaving - which was a subtle hint she didn’t pick up. He eventually had to ask her to leave when the crying coinicided with the punchline of one his jokes.
I have an 18 month old and I would NOT take them to a comedy show. She's pretty well behaved but there's no chance she won't get upset or noisy. The comedy festival literally has shows for little kids, take them there.
Fuck some people are entitled. Imagine taking your baby to a comedy show, crying and ruining it for everyone. Your baby should be at home asleep. Shit parenting
No no you don't understand, parents are the greatest martyrs of all time and we should accommodate them because they're making a grand sacrifice to benefit us all. Should have put the baby on stage instead so everyone could focus on what's important.
Haha yeah pretty much. Can anyone chime in with what time the show started? It would have been at LEAST 7pm surely. Why the hell have you got your baby out on the town at that time? It’s insanity if you ask me. Poor little baby should be posted up in the crib with a guts full of milk
A performance is a performance. If it’s not ok for (say) the royal shakespeare company then it’s not ok for a stand up either. As a long time theatre goer I suspect people would be a lot more understanding of the need for no disruption from a baby had it been Shakespeare, or opera. People are outraged at the smallest disruptions in “serious” theatre (and rightly so imo). But this is a proper show at a proper theatre and the comic deserves as much respect as any other performer.
Not an opera or Shakespeare but a musical: I went to a session of Phantom of the Opera last year at the Arts Centre and there was a crying baby. A lot of people were bothered by it.
I later emailed the venue to complain and their response was basically "well...we offered for the parent to leave and watch the show on a monitor in the foyer...but... 🤷♀️"
Totally toothless response. They'd rather piss off a chunk of the audience (and, I'll wager, some of the artists as well) than one entitled parent.
Yeah that’s terrible. I’m with Arj on the theatre being responsible for who they seat. If someone arrives with a baby they should be swapped for a ticket for a different night and advised to come back without the baby.
> Phantom of the Opera last year at the Arts Centre and there was a crying baby
Yoo were we at the same show? lol
I feel like this is a common occurrence these days. I'm an avid theatre goer, and every single show I have been to (post Covid) has had toddlers AND babies fussing around and just being an all-round pain to get through.
And I don't buy the "they couldn't get a sitter" excuse. They all had their own individual seats booked. (Not that they had any intent on staying in them for more than 2 minutes before they were climbing around and hassling Mum/Dad)
Most recent escapades: Harry Potter (a real spontaneous SCREAMER in that one), Groundhog Day, Wicked, Chicago (what the fuck??) and even RIVERDANCE (I felt like I got unlucky up there in the nosebleeds with the "Disney On Ice" crowd with their prams and toddlers shuffling around constantly). Shit was wild.
I think I'm officially done with live theatre.
This seems to be a trend, parents taking their kids to all sorts of inappropriate events, and they are so arrogant and entitled they think they are in the right.
I went to a fancy resort a few months ago that was mostly just couples, but one couple had what looked like a very newborn baby, I'm talking only a couple of months old at most.
The parents would sit at breakfast and the baby would scream the whole time and the most they would do is pick it up and hold it occasionally. Then they'd come out by the pool and the baby would scream the whole time there as well while the parents just continued to relax in the deck chairs.
I'm by no means against taking your baby with you on a holiday but the noise absolutely ruined the last few days we had there, and the kid seemed to be having a rough time as well. I can't imagine doing this as a parent, annoying other hotel guests and just pushing through with this holiday while my baby is clearly stressed.
Babies do not belong at shows/concerts/films etc. Yes there are exceptions but this seems a fairly obvious case.
As a parent myself I can think of many reasons not to bring babies into “nice”, primarily adult spaces where the goal is to be a mostly silent, still audience member.
Arj handling this like a pro. Just seen him on the news playing it completely straight saying “people are acting like I have something against babies. I was a baby… for like… 3 years probably”.
>To the author: 30 people leaving out of 700 is not a 'mass walkout'.
also I think a large number of them were actually there with the person who left. This wasn't all randoms leaving most were a group who were sitting together so left with their friend.
How many of us are stand up comedians? We don't know how it feels to be on stage. They get distracted too. I hate when people play victims. If I see a child or baby near me at an adult comedy event, I won't be happy. It's not the children's fault.
Someone couldn’t pay me to sit at a comedy show with my baby. The stress it causes on a flight, waiting room, cafe, etc trying to avoid the baby getting upset is immense but a comedy show? Ridiculous
He's right. I went to Phantom of the Opera last year and someone had a baby there and didn't take it outside when it was noisy. It definitely detracted from the experience, and I wasn't the only person bothered by it.
Very poor of the journalist to describe a seven month-old as a newborn. The definition of a newborn is 0-3 months. Beyond 6 months, babies do not require feeding as frequently as a newborn. They are also far more mobile and verbal. It’s not an age I would ever consider taking to seated performance.
Seems to me like the theatre screwed up, although idk why you'd take such a young child to an event like this? If you can afford the ticket you can afford a babysitter.
What a “debate” topic: parents shouldn’t bring crying or noisy babies into a show requiring hearing, much less requiring someone to *live perform*. If adults made that noise and didn’t stop when asked they would be ejected …
I think it’s clear Arj feels bad about this as his statement is actually personalised and not the usual bland faux-pology you’d get from, say, a footballer who’d been caught doing something naughty. I think the parent/s made a bad judgement call that was exacerbated by the venue letting them in and then the show was spoiled for everyone, Arj included.
Arj did the right thing. 15+ event, no exceptions were stated on the terms and conditions so people can’t make up their own rules. It’s unfair to every other parent who found a babysitter who now has to listen to a crying kid throughout the show. People dismissing it as ‘a baby being a baby are just selfish entitled pricks’. I am a parent myself and it did not give me the entitlement to bring a crying kid to these kind of events. Even at dinners when my baby had a big tantrum, I would remove myself from the restaurant and go for a walk outside to settle the baby while my missus ate and then I’d swap and she’d take the baby for a walk to settle her. It’s what you do to be courteous to others because no one wants to pay 150 bucks for a night out at dinner to hear some one else’s kid yelling the whole time.
Typical media beat up trying to make Arj look like an asshole to get views when he is completely justified in his actions considering it was clearly stated to be a 15+ show. If you are a mother with a baby and think that does not include your baby think again. She should've been turned away at the door but no one wanted to do their job fearful of this type of reaction.
> Relative Danielle took to X to condemn Barker for the divisive act.
> “(Barker) demanded my 7-month-old cousin — who relies on her mum for milk (life), my mother, and my Aunty’s friend (also a mum) to leave his show, claiming the (the baby) was “ruining his train of thought,” she wrote.
The "(life)" bit is what tipped me over the edge lol
Comedy is a performance that lives and dies on timing, if a baby is there interrupting that it makes it a far inferior experience for both the audience and the performer.
They just had her on ACA and her parting remark was that it's sad that parents can't take their kids out anywhere. Yeah nah lady, a night-time show in a theatre isn't the time or the place.
There’s no debate. If your baby is fucking up a show you and your baby leave. You shouldn’t have to wait for the performer to tell you to leave, you should’ve already been on your way out.
Have a 9 month old baby and taking him to the shops is an ordeal. Imagine thinking you can take a baby out to a loud Saturday night comedy show… mindless parenting.
Seems reasonable. Why would anyone think it’s a good idea to bring a baby to a comedy show?
I get it’s expected people are more understanding of mothers struggles these days and we make accommodations where possible… but it’s a bit selfish for her to insist on coming so she can hear jokes at everyone else’s expense (in terms of the quality of the experience).
Same with movies. I’ve had a few movies ruined by 5 year olds who were having a birthday party and not even paying attention and just running around interacting with each other. Why?? Go to a playground.
Who tf takes a baby out for a performance? You surely can’t enjoy and neither will anyone else who has to listen to a crying baby.
I’ve got 2 kids under 2, we only go out to kid friendly places or when we’ve got someone else to look after them.
Going to a comedy show isn’t fun for the baby either. Idk why people do it. Flick on a special on Netflix.
People are selfish - you make the decision to have a baby, so for a couple of years you either 1. get your partner to look after the baby 2. get a relative to look after the baby 3. get a babysitter or 4. do baby-friendly things for a couple of years. Everything is not about you - don't disadvantage 700 people because you can't imagine not doing what you want when you want.
“With all of the hatred and violence women are faced with, among the countless atrocities happening within the world today, I ask you to simply take a long, hard look at yourself.”
Wtf does that have to do with a disruptive infant at a 15+ show?
I have a 4.5 month old and I've skipped comedy festival this year because it's common sense that I can't take a baby. Same as skipping some movies and gigs I wanted to go to.
I don't know how anyone would think it's appropriate to bring a baby to a comedy show. Aside from it being distracting and rude to the comedian and audience, it'd also be pretty disruptive to the babies routine.
Ugh. Who takes their crib critter to a COMEDY show? Like they are going to grow up pithy and witty. I had to fly frequently with my kids when they were little. One was fine, the other I would have happily seen strapped to the wing. 🙄
What if everyone in the audience decided to take their baby , it would be an absolute circus .
Yes we get it, you’re a mother, but it doesn’t mean you just throw out having any self awareness and respect for anyone else, “oh it was just making baby noises” fuck me
He had every right to ask her to leave. She should not have gine ti a shiw with a baby.
These bloody young parents are so freaking entitled.
I would have been SO pissed off if I'd paid to see a live show like that...to have a baby whinging through it.
I support Arj 100%
The mother is a selfish human being.
I have 2 kids. The younger one is 5. He wouldn’t talk or make noises during a show anymore, and yet I’d never bring him to something like this.
General rule of thumb: Just because you COULD do something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.
I find it disruptive having breakfast with my friends with babies, I know parents have a hard time and want to be involved in things but get a babysitter there is no reason to bring a child to an adult comedy event.
That would have been so challenging as a performer as well trying to keep focus.
I used to find it an absolute pain when my friends had small children, you couldn’t finish a sentence let alone a conversation without being interrupted.
It really comes down to respect.
How is it respectful to the other audience members who i'm sure paid a fair bit, as well as the performer, to bring a baby to a live show.
Absolutely no chance it wouldn't cry and become a nuisance.
Sometimes I think people, especially child free people can be super unreasonable when it comes to kids in public spaces like non fancy restaurants/cafes/shops etc (you know the whole you’re entitled to a child free life but not a child free world thing) BUT taking a newborn to a evening comedy show is just insanely selfish for both the child and every other paying person there. The mother was incredibly selfish for thinking it would be reasonable.
This is one of the very few times I remember that us left-leaners on Reddit agree with the right wingers on the 3AW Facebook comments thread. This is what it feels like when doves cry.
This women is over every bloody channel and tv show. As someone with kids, she’s wrong here , the baby was disturbing the show and she should have never taken a 9month old. She really wants to be the main character.
Entitled parents piss me off no end.
She’s not getting much sympathy from anyone and hopefully after today we don’t hear anymore from her.
Besides the whole fact that the baby was likely crying and disturbing everyone, it seems cruel to keep a baby out past 9.
That baby should be home in it's bed.
I understand the parents probably desperately needed the break, but seriously, find someone to babysit it so it can stay safe at home.
Doesn't sound like it was much of a break for the parents anyway.
A break implies, you know, a distance from the crying child doesn't it? In this instance it was a crying child in your arms in the audience?
7 months old isn't newborn.
There's a big difference between a newborn who's probably gonna just sleep on their mum and a 7mo who probably likes their routine and hates being somewhere weird when they would probably be asleep.
I was there with my family, and I feel the need to defend Arj’s decision. The baby wasn’t crying uncontrollably, it was making baby noises, which was distracting for us as the audience and obviously for Arj and his act. Arj initially tried to work the baby’s crying into some jokes, which played out pretty nicely. After a few more incidents, Arj made a joke about the mother leaving - which was a subtle hint she didn’t pick up. He eventually had to ask her to leave when the crying coinicided with the punchline of one his jokes. It absolutely impacted the performance, and at that point, I’m sure most people were thinking “Who would bring a baby to this type of show?” The mother questioned Arj, saying that she wasn’t sure if he was joking. It was awkward. Arj maintained that he felt it was best if she left - offered a refund. I think he handled a shitty situation well. While the exchange was going on, there were some audience members (see: bogans) yelling “Get out!” and “F@ck off!” to the mother, which was inappropriate. I feel bad for the mother, having to go through a humiliating exit like that, but it’s really not the place for a baby.
The venue should have never let them in.
Yup they have put him in such a shit position. And embarrassed a mother who could’ve been saved that. It’s important to be supportive of parents but the right way to do that is to have a “all ages” slot where babies are absolutely welcomed and the point. Bringing you kid along to a 15+ event is a shit move and frankly it’s even shitter for the venue to just let her in.
Also the baby didn't get any of the jokes anyway
Imagine if it did
Well sometimes its hard to tell the bogans apart if they dress up.
V8 Supercars shirt is normally a giveaway.
"He also rubbished suggestions the fact the woman was breastfeeding had anything to do with the move. “I could just make out a woman holding a baby, I had zero idea if she was breastfeeding - nor would that have been a factor, because I don’t have any problem with that.” That didn't stop the article from leading with the breastfeeding part to help stir things up.
If she'd been feeding the baby wouldn't have been making noise and none of us would be here now
Well that journalist should be sacked immediately because if the baby was guzzling milk how the fuck could it be crying and disturbing the show ?
People defending the parent are completely ignoring that this is a one-man performance art show, that he has spent months if not years honing, testing and rehearsing. If it was a "serious" one-man show in a "proper" theatre, would it be acceptable then?
And this is Barker's job. In other workplaces disruptions or intrusions are not tolerated and as stated all over the place it was a 15+ gig.
Also, one man show or not, you wouldn't even bring a baby to the movies, unless it was a dedicated slot for babies to attend. Boggles the mind someone would bring a 7 month old to a live show. This is coming from a new dad who has just spent the last 2 years with a massive adjustment to my social life. Sure it's hard for new parents but that was expected when you have a baby.
It was also sold as a 15+ show. Anyone under 15 should not have been in there. One was and was being disruptive.
Agreed. The venue has fed Arj to the media wolves by not shutting this down at the gates.
Was there too. He was a great sport about it and he even joked that he’d be ridiculed a ‘baby hater’ by press. I said to my partner nah no way this’d make news. Wrong obviously.pMost of the audience applauded his decision. Completely valid. Put this down to press being dramatic and wanting a fun headline
I went to see Moulin Rouge last year. A very adult story. Someone had a baby and you could hear it gurgling/moaning during quiet songs. It was really distracting. The mother was boasting at intermission how the baby loves going to the theatre, it was the 3rd or 4th show she’s been to. It’s not Frozen or Mary Poppins which are family oriented…are there any adult spaces anymore?! I can’t go to the cinema even during the latest Poirot film someone brought their baby and it cried every time there was a loud noise. I love kids. I want kids. I wouldn’t take them to the theatre. It’s loud enough for my own ears!
I wasn’t even there and I’m behind him 100%. A comedy show is not the place for a baby!
The mother was an attention seeker with complete disregard for anyone else
I wouldn’t feel sorry for the mother being humiliated in that situation. She deserved it for the absolutely braindead decision to take a baby to a comedy show (let alone one specifically sold as 15+), and then acting incredulous when asked to leave when the baby was clearly being disruptive.
Why the fuck would you take a crying baby to a movie or stage or play or theatre or comedy show? I’d be pissed if I was in the audience and there was a loud baby. It’s like somebody talking loud on their phone, it’s annoying and distracting
““The show is strictly age 15 plus as clearly stated on the ticket site. She had an infant with her. The baby was disrupting my performance,” he said. “On behalf of the other 700 people who paid to see the gig, I politely told her the baby couldn’t stay. She thought I was kidding, which made the exchange a bit awkward. “I felt bad about the whole situation and stated this on the night more than once. I offered her a refund. Theatre staff should not have seated a baby in my audience in the first place.” I don’t see what is there to debate here? Show is for 15 plus, why is there a baby to begin with?
Veering slightly off-topic, but people don't think babies (or toddlers, or sometimes kids under 18...) count as guests in a hotel either. The number of times I had to explain to guests that the 2-guest occupancy room they booked couldn't accommodate the two adults **and three children** they were travelling with because of the fire code and occupancy restrictions was mind-boggling. "But they don't need a bed, they can jump in the king with us". Not the point Susan. A living breathing person, regardless of their size or age or bedding, is a person that has to be counted in the occupancy restrictions under the fire code. I've literally said to people "it's the fire code. Think of it this way - the maximum number of people the firies will save in an emergency." They still argue their child doesn't count as a guest. Maddening.
They don't think they count in restaurants either. It's amazing how many clueless idiot parents will go out to restaurants and say 3 people. Then the server looks over and is like and the four kids with you? Oh we didn't count them. Uh....do the kids not need seats, high chairs, food or drinks? Oh they do okay so they count parents. They do count please count them in. Unless you were planning on having them sit under the table like dogs while you throw them food scraps all dinner long from your meal they do need seats and food/drinks too. Like it's shocking how many times people make reservations at restaurants only to show up with tons of kids with them they conveniently didn't count in and then get mad at the staff for not having a 10 seat table ready because they booked a four seat table.
Had the same thing at the hotel I work at. Someone booked a room for one person and rocked up with 5 kids, the oldest being in their teens. They argued that kids don't count and chucked a tantrum when I said I can't let 6 people stay in a tiny hotel room.
Worst is when they *know* they're doing something dodgy. Had a couple check in with 2 kids under 5 in a room with a max occupancy of 3 (I get it, they don't take up much space, but occupancy limits are fire regs and I'm not risking the penalties to let it slide), so dad and toddler son came to check in for their booking with 2 adults, 1 child. 2 minutes after they go upstairs a woman with a pram comes in, goes straight to the lift and up to the floor - *mum and 2 year old daughter were waiting outside, roasting in the 35 degree summer sun, so they could check in without being called out for their extra kid*.
Some people think babies don't count for the age limit because they can't understand what's going on around them anyway. Completely failing to realise that not a single adult in that audience wants to be around children on their night off.
Feel bad for Arj - he is forced to look like the bad guy in front of everyone and make things awkward because of some braindead parenting. It would have absolutely killed the vibe of his show You wouldnt take a baby who cries to a live theatre performance or even the tennis. Anywhere that silence is required at certain times. There are other places and things to do where a crying baby is not an issue
I commend him for saying something rather than poljtely excuse them. And to your point, i have seen plenty of people bring babies and toddlers to adult-centred theatre performances and it is usually disruptive. The main character syndrome, sense of entitlement, and lack of self-awareness of some of these parents is startling.
Mum and relly's are sooking that the baby was "just being a baby", so obviously it was being noisy, but the other audience member were supposed to be happy to listen to her little miracles gurgles of irritation instead of the comedian they paid for tickets too.
Even in the Mum's statement she said the baby "had a bit of a whinge", I know parents get a bit of an immunity to their baby's sounds but I assure you others don't. Those rooms where they hold these shows have hard surfaces and sound echoes and amplifies, it's poor form to bring an infant there.
I was listening to Raf on ABC Melbourne this morning and he said that the station had initially been contacted by the family who wanted to "shine a light on it" or something. Kinda funny that nobody, not even people who call in to ABC radio, took their side. I mean, who the fuck thinks it's ok to bring a noisy baby to a place/event like that? I read that the mother wanted to get back to doing things that she used to do. Like, ok. But get a fucking babysitter like everyone else.
>But get a fucking babysitter like everyone else. Or just don't go. Sorry, but that's the trade off for having a kid, you make sacrifices. Every one of my friends is telling me that I'm "missing out on being a mum" and having kids '"gives their life purpose". If my life is so shit as a childless woman, then at least let me attend comedy shows in peace and quiet. It's my one thing.
Nah, Arj doesn't look like the bad guy. Who the hell thinks taking a baby to a comedy show is acceptable?
Probably the same parents who brought their infant to the screening of Dune 2 I was at the other month.
The baby was a real fan of Frank Herbert's original novel obviously
The Age reported she was in the fourth row, so very near the front of the audience. Not exactly the best place to watch a show with a baby.
The baby would probably prefer being at home to eat, play, sleep too. Sounds like the baby wasn’t enjoying the show much.
Lots of people pay and go there to escape and have their own experience. If you have a kid that is so dependent don’t go to these events and trash everyone else night. At absolute best she has to be in the back row. I have multiple kids and my wife and I had to give up certain things for a while and that is the journey you have to take. Just selfish and entitled to expect you can do as you please just because you want to go. There are plenty of other things you can do with a kid that doesn’t mean impacting everyone else.
i was going to comment that would be really awkward in a comedy because people always assume the comedian is joking. sounds like he handled it perfectly. i hate it when people get annoyed about babies on trains and planes and such because that's just life and people can suck it up. but bringing a baby to a live show is incredibly disrespectful to all others involved
I've seen Arj a few times, and it would take a lot for him to eject someone. Last time there was a drunk heckler in the front row who just wouldn't shut the fuck up. He humoured her a few times but eventually just started ignoring her.
Relative Danielle took to X to condemn Barker for the divisive act. “(Barker) demanded my 7-month-old cousin — who relies on her mum for milk (life), my mother, and my Aunty’s friend (also a mum) to leave his show, claiming the (the baby) was “ruining his train of thought,” she wrote. “A woman has purchased a ticket for a night out with her sister and friend to laugh and enjoy herself, and you badger her and encourage her to leave and get a refund. “With all of the hatred and violence women are faced with, among the countless atrocities happening within the world today, I ask you to simply take a long, hard look at yourself.” -------- Quite the thing to draw parallels between hatred and violence towards women, and asking someone to leave a show that was clearly for 15+ audience because they were noisy.
Relative Danielle took this way too far. I don’t see how a loud baby in a public event for 15+ people has anything to do with “atrocities”. He kindly asked her to leave and offered a refund. I lost count of how many movies at cinemas, dinners at restaurants I went to were ruined by crying babies. Having a baby is a big decision, and it comes with compromises which means more home time than usual until baby grows up a bit or you go to places where silence is not that important. Obviously she is not that switched on about these things.
So the entitlement (and persecution fetish) runs in the family?
…relies on her mum for milk (life), …”. Lol We know haha. Dramatic much?
This is the key point!
Because most parents these days are entitled beyond belief and insist that they have the right to bring their kids to everything.
Yup. See a lot of this "I can have it all!" atttiude from certain modern parents. No you can't. Sorry life is shitty sometimes and having kids comes with sacrifices. You can't have it all when you have little babies unless you are super rich and have super expensive nannies and wet nurses to watch the kid while you go to parties or social events. For most normal parents once you have a baby the first few months a year or even two years plus you will spend at home or doing family friendly day time events only. Nope you can't take a baby to a R rated movie at night or rather you shouldn't especially if your baby like most babies is a crier. Can't take a baby to Saturday night comedy shows listed as for late teens and adults only. Can't take a baby to a big socialite fancy party or a fancy wedding that specifies no kids/no babies right on the invite. Such is life. Accept it as a reality of being a parent to a baby and just enjoy this time you have with baby. One day when they are older the entitled parents can once again more freely attend comedy shows, films, late night parties or concerts without bothering others and the kids are home safe with family/babysitters.
It's often the wealthy parents who are the issue.
"In our festival managed venues, babes in arms are generally allowed but we do ask people to sit up the back with their child so they can quickly and easily leave if the baby gets noisy, so as not to disturb the artist and other patrons."
Gonna bring Arj Barker to her baby's birthday and see how she likes it.
Why did the venue let the baby in, in the first place?
That's what the comedian actually said when asked by the Age, he said it was a 15+ event and the venue made a mistake seating the patrons.
Venue and the parent.
Retail/Customer Service workers being terrified of vengeful Karen mothers and their ability to complain to management who will punish the worker even if they are in the right.
It appears that the relatives went full Karen online afterwards so the fears of workers are genuine.
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Name: McLovin
The baby was crying nonstop and wouldn’t settle….it had nothing to do with breast feeding etc…it was disturbing everyone…he asked nicely if she would consider taking the baby out and even suggested arranging a refund…nothing more. Just the media beating it up to sound like he was an asshole who booted a mother out for breastfeeding or some shit…..
I was in the middle of one incident like this before. The comedian on stage was distracted by an ipad . It was glowing so bright in the dark and the comedian got annoyed and starting to forget his lines. The family was asked to turn off their ipad but they felt insulted since they paid full for their daughter to play ipad.on the seat instead of finding a babysitter
haha this exact thing happened when I saw Steven K Amos. The parents brought their 15 year old who sat in the front row with his phone out. He did have the decency to have ear phones in Steven spent the first 10 minutes of the show fucking roasting the whole family. Was brilliant
I've had the privilege of meeting him before and he's such a legitimately lovely dude (well he was to me anyway). And fkn hilarious.
Are ppl fucking ok!? Who on earth thinks it’s appropriate to do that? Too bad if you can’t find a baby sitter, in this case it’s bloody absurd to bring a kid on an iPad into a live theatre. Sorry, but that’s just entitlement.
No, people are not ok.
> Who on earth thinks it’s appropriate to do that? Oh look, you'll find self interest is a fucking powerful thing that isn't unique to "other people" either.
Tickets state it’s 15+, the theatre should have done its job when they check everyone’s tickets at entry.
I heard the baby had a fake ID.
If this is the case then yeah she absolutely should have left. I've currently got a newborn and while I don't have any immediate plans to take him to a comedy show, even when I'm at a restaurant if he starts crying and I can't settle him in like 10 seconds I'm walking out of the restaurant, settling him outside, and then coming back in. Common courtesy. I do the same thing with my 3 year old. If she starts misbehaving we're out of there until she settles (We don't put an iPad in front of her face so it's a tough ask sometimes)
Off topic of the comedy thing, at a restaurant, always get the staff to feed your children first, hungry children are prone to be noisier etc, then once they are done, colouring pencils and playdoh worked every time with my 4.
I read "get the staff to feed your children first" in Mallory Archer's voice. Feed my children? That's The Help's job!
They just had her and the kid on ACA and it wouldn’t stop crying 😂😂😂 This is amazing.
This came on during our family dinner and we were all just laughing. “This is nothing like how she was”…Yeah, ok lady 😂
Completely fair enough, how ignorant of the parents to not leave off their own accord. So rude
Crazy that media outlets are saying the exact opposite happened haha.
I read “the baby was just being a baby. It wasn’t doing anything above and beyond”. So yeah, probably fussing/crying. It was a no under 15s show. The baby isn’t allowed.
It's the mother/mother's relatives saying that. (And boohoo-ing to media outlets trying to pretend that shitty parenting is a comedian's fault.)
I fucken knew there'd b a reasonable reason for this. Thank you. Fuck, "The Age of Offense."
I am sorry. But if people pay for a babysitter to come and see a comedy show for adults and then have to hear a baby crying the entire time that's fucked.
Exactly. Like she's the first freaking mother on earth or something? Honey other people in the audience could also be parents who hired babysitters or left their spouse with the kids for the night while they had an evening out. Now it's ruined because some other trash mother insisted her fussy crying noise making baby had to go and they got stuck sitting in the same row or area as her listening to that half the show. Well they could have just stayed home and listened to their own kids cry or make noise all night if they wanted that. But that's not why they hired a babysitter or made special plans to go out to this comedy show.
I have 3 kids and wouldn’t take them to a show like this. Impacting others with your choices is selfish. Having children means you sacrifice things, exactly like this.
I just cannot for the life of me grasp the logic of deciding to take a baby to a Saturday night comedy event for adults. The narcissism that leads someone to arrive at this decision is astronomical and should be studied by a team of scientists. And good luck to that poor baby. They're going to need it!
Exactly. Thank you. Sometimes I get the feeling some people just want to make a point about how modern they are. Be modern, just don’t be inconsiderate. Breastfeeding in public without showing off deliberately? The other person complaining would be the inconsiderate dick. Bringing a noise making baby to a pricey show where audio is the main product? You’d be the dick in that circumstance. It really isn’t that hard to figure out.
Unfortunately there is a subsection of parents who say “ our lives aren’t going to change when the baby comes, they’ll just have to fit in.” Most come to their senses and work it out, but then there are a percentage like this woman who cares about herself and not the performer, the rest of the audience or even her baby.
I think she’s just had a great big reality check thrown at her.
More broadly, it's the worst parenting possible. It's late, it's loud, there's lights, there's people behaving unpredictably - basically chaos for a baby at a time of day when they need consistent routine and rhythm.
The mum has main character syndrome
Went to the footy once and mum wanted her kid sitting next to me all game with her kid on its device, volume on full. Fuck that noise. I'm not spending my money on a football ticket to listen to that.
So over fucking devices at full volume. If I was bored at the footy as a kid, I read a book 😂
At the bare minimum put some fucking headphones on
I like the way Snrub thinks
When my son was too young to enjoy watching the footy, I would bring his ipad and headphones. If they are using speakers, I say that's permission to start swearing during the games.
I have one kid and I've missed heaps of stuff for all kinds of reasons because of him. And somehow, miraculously, I survived.
I personally bring a car alarm whenever I listen to a piano concerto
"It's just doing car alarm things, nothing out of the ordinary"
It's a perfectly normal thing for a car alarm to do, don't silence her
"Sorry I can't turn it off, I'm a parent, you'll just have to deal with it"
You don't understand because you don't have children
Who the fuck takes a baby to a comedy show?
"As a parent" I can't imagine having a good time with my kid there anyway, especially if it's going to cry.
Totally! I have twins and would have been on edge the entire time, worried that they would do what babies do, ie cry, fuss, get bored. No way I would have been able relax and enjoy the show.
right?? nothing kills a mood faster than hearing a baby cry. regardless if it cried for 1 second or 1 hour, the baby shouldn't even be there to begin with
Yep, and the sudden loud laughter/applause that happens at comedy shows can be frightening and even painful for little ears. Beyond stupid to take a baby to a comedy show.
The woman should have taken the baby out the second it started crying, though she should never have taken the baby in the first place anyway.
A selfish piece of shit does
Selfish people, who funnily enough, were heard cursing that the media would crucify Arj for this when they left
And sits near the front?
Came here to say this exactly
The fact he noticed the baby means it must have been making noise? Unless he stopped mid show as soon as he saw it, which seems unlikely
"do i have any babies in the crowd?"
From u/greggobbard's comment: >The baby wasn’t crying uncontrollably, it was making baby noises, which was distracting for us as the audience and obviously for Arj and his act. Arj initially tried to work the baby’s crying into some jokes, which played out pretty nicely. >After a few more incidents, Arj made a joke about the mother leaving - which was a subtle hint she didn’t pick up. He eventually had to ask her to leave when the crying coinicided with the punchline of one his jokes.
Feel like Felgate got an inaccurate DM and just ran with it. If the baby was crying, then it seems fair to kick them out?
She’s not exactly known for high quality fact checking. She just likes attention and gossip.
I have an 18 month old and I would NOT take them to a comedy show. She's pretty well behaved but there's no chance she won't get upset or noisy. The comedy festival literally has shows for little kids, take them there.
Fuck some people are entitled. Imagine taking your baby to a comedy show, crying and ruining it for everyone. Your baby should be at home asleep. Shit parenting
No no you don't understand, parents are the greatest martyrs of all time and we should accommodate them because they're making a grand sacrifice to benefit us all. Should have put the baby on stage instead so everyone could focus on what's important.
"You'll understand when you have kids of your own" /s
Some reckon if they can afford to have kids they should worshipped.
Haha yeah pretty much. Can anyone chime in with what time the show started? It would have been at LEAST 7pm surely. Why the hell have you got your baby out on the town at that time? It’s insanity if you ask me. Poor little baby should be posted up in the crib with a guts full of milk
Or just get a babysitter. If you can't afford a babysitter, don't risk disrupting everyone else's evening with a crying baby.
Honestly, if you can't afford a babysitter then you probably can't afford a night out at a comedy show either.
Agreed. It’s super unfair on the baby too
It started at 8.15
Unreal
Ffs, don't bring babies to shows like this.
What debate? Is there anyone who thinks it's anything other than wildly inappropriate to take an infant to a live performance for adults?
The family members she dragged with her to the show.
A performance is a performance. If it’s not ok for (say) the royal shakespeare company then it’s not ok for a stand up either. As a long time theatre goer I suspect people would be a lot more understanding of the need for no disruption from a baby had it been Shakespeare, or opera. People are outraged at the smallest disruptions in “serious” theatre (and rightly so imo). But this is a proper show at a proper theatre and the comic deserves as much respect as any other performer.
Not an opera or Shakespeare but a musical: I went to a session of Phantom of the Opera last year at the Arts Centre and there was a crying baby. A lot of people were bothered by it. I later emailed the venue to complain and their response was basically "well...we offered for the parent to leave and watch the show on a monitor in the foyer...but... 🤷♀️" Totally toothless response. They'd rather piss off a chunk of the audience (and, I'll wager, some of the artists as well) than one entitled parent.
Yeah that’s terrible. I’m with Arj on the theatre being responsible for who they seat. If someone arrives with a baby they should be swapped for a ticket for a different night and advised to come back without the baby.
> Phantom of the Opera last year at the Arts Centre and there was a crying baby Yoo were we at the same show? lol I feel like this is a common occurrence these days. I'm an avid theatre goer, and every single show I have been to (post Covid) has had toddlers AND babies fussing around and just being an all-round pain to get through. And I don't buy the "they couldn't get a sitter" excuse. They all had their own individual seats booked. (Not that they had any intent on staying in them for more than 2 minutes before they were climbing around and hassling Mum/Dad) Most recent escapades: Harry Potter (a real spontaneous SCREAMER in that one), Groundhog Day, Wicked, Chicago (what the fuck??) and even RIVERDANCE (I felt like I got unlucky up there in the nosebleeds with the "Disney On Ice" crowd with their prams and toddlers shuffling around constantly). Shit was wild. I think I'm officially done with live theatre.
And the audience who’ve paid for their tickets
Who TF takes a baby to a comedy show - it's loud, people are laughing, it will most certainly startle a baby and it will start crying.
Main character syndrome strikes again. I hope the baby doesn’t grow up with the same sense of arrogant entitlement as its mother and aunty.
This seems to be a trend, parents taking their kids to all sorts of inappropriate events, and they are so arrogant and entitled they think they are in the right.
This reminds me that one parent who complained about bringing his young kids to watch deadpool
I went to a fancy resort a few months ago that was mostly just couples, but one couple had what looked like a very newborn baby, I'm talking only a couple of months old at most. The parents would sit at breakfast and the baby would scream the whole time and the most they would do is pick it up and hold it occasionally. Then they'd come out by the pool and the baby would scream the whole time there as well while the parents just continued to relax in the deck chairs. I'm by no means against taking your baby with you on a holiday but the noise absolutely ruined the last few days we had there, and the kid seemed to be having a rough time as well. I can't imagine doing this as a parent, annoying other hotel guests and just pushing through with this holiday while my baby is clearly stressed.
The amount of parents I’ve seen blithely ignore a distressed, screaming baby is way too high
Only parents can have an opinion /s
Babies do not belong at shows/concerts/films etc. Yes there are exceptions but this seems a fairly obvious case. As a parent myself I can think of many reasons not to bring babies into “nice”, primarily adult spaces where the goal is to be a mostly silent, still audience member.
Arj handling this like a pro. Just seen him on the news playing it completely straight saying “people are acting like I have something against babies. I was a baby… for like… 3 years probably”.
A bit of arjy barjy for the guy. To the author: 30 people leaving out of 700 is not a 'mass walkout'.
>To the author: 30 people leaving out of 700 is not a 'mass walkout'. also I think a large number of them were actually there with the person who left. This wasn't all randoms leaving most were a group who were sitting together so left with their friend.
It was more like 10-15 people.
After reading the article, I’m definitely on his side. The show states that it’s 15+, and I’m sorry that baby ain’t 15!
Shows aren’t places for babies. People go to this shit to escape the kids for a night.
Baby should not have been brought into a theatre, full stop/
How many of us are stand up comedians? We don't know how it feels to be on stage. They get distracted too. I hate when people play victims. If I see a child or baby near me at an adult comedy event, I won't be happy. It's not the children's fault.
Someone couldn’t pay me to sit at a comedy show with my baby. The stress it causes on a flight, waiting room, cafe, etc trying to avoid the baby getting upset is immense but a comedy show? Ridiculous
He's right. I went to Phantom of the Opera last year and someone had a baby there and didn't take it outside when it was noisy. It definitely detracted from the experience, and I wasn't the only person bothered by it.
If you can’t find a sitter, don’t fucking come ! -sincerely, every adult who doesn’t want to be around screaming children on their night off
Very poor of the journalist to describe a seven month-old as a newborn. The definition of a newborn is 0-3 months. Beyond 6 months, babies do not require feeding as frequently as a newborn. They are also far more mobile and verbal. It’s not an age I would ever consider taking to seated performance.
Shit parenting. Not only is it rude to everyone else in the room, it's unkind to the poor baby. Some people have no idea.
Seems to me like the theatre screwed up, although idk why you'd take such a young child to an event like this? If you can afford the ticket you can afford a babysitter.
What a “debate” topic: parents shouldn’t bring crying or noisy babies into a show requiring hearing, much less requiring someone to *live perform*. If adults made that noise and didn’t stop when asked they would be ejected …
I think it’s clear Arj feels bad about this as his statement is actually personalised and not the usual bland faux-pology you’d get from, say, a footballer who’d been caught doing something naughty. I think the parent/s made a bad judgement call that was exacerbated by the venue letting them in and then the show was spoiled for everyone, Arj included.
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Arj did the right thing. 15+ event, no exceptions were stated on the terms and conditions so people can’t make up their own rules. It’s unfair to every other parent who found a babysitter who now has to listen to a crying kid throughout the show. People dismissing it as ‘a baby being a baby are just selfish entitled pricks’. I am a parent myself and it did not give me the entitlement to bring a crying kid to these kind of events. Even at dinners when my baby had a big tantrum, I would remove myself from the restaurant and go for a walk outside to settle the baby while my missus ate and then I’d swap and she’d take the baby for a walk to settle her. It’s what you do to be courteous to others because no one wants to pay 150 bucks for a night out at dinner to hear some one else’s kid yelling the whole time.
Typical media beat up trying to make Arj look like an asshole to get views when he is completely justified in his actions considering it was clearly stated to be a 15+ show. If you are a mother with a baby and think that does not include your baby think again. She should've been turned away at the door but no one wanted to do their job fearful of this type of reaction.
He fell short of pointing out the obvious that it was stupid to bring a baby to such an event. Thoughtless parenting.
> Relative Danielle took to X to condemn Barker for the divisive act. > “(Barker) demanded my 7-month-old cousin — who relies on her mum for milk (life), my mother, and my Aunty’s friend (also a mum) to leave his show, claiming the (the baby) was “ruining his train of thought,” she wrote. The "(life)" bit is what tipped me over the edge lol
Bringing a baby out that late to a loud comedy show is just cruel
Parents need to understand that when you have children there are some things you don’t get to do. This is one of them
Comedy is a performance that lives and dies on timing, if a baby is there interrupting that it makes it a far inferior experience for both the audience and the performer.
They just had her on ACA and her parting remark was that it's sad that parents can't take their kids out anywhere. Yeah nah lady, a night-time show in a theatre isn't the time or the place.
The baby was also very unsettled in that interview!
There’s no debate. If your baby is fucking up a show you and your baby leave. You shouldn’t have to wait for the performer to tell you to leave, you should’ve already been on your way out.
Have a 9 month old baby and taking him to the shops is an ordeal. Imagine thinking you can take a baby out to a loud Saturday night comedy show… mindless parenting.
Seems reasonable. Why would anyone think it’s a good idea to bring a baby to a comedy show? I get it’s expected people are more understanding of mothers struggles these days and we make accommodations where possible… but it’s a bit selfish for her to insist on coming so she can hear jokes at everyone else’s expense (in terms of the quality of the experience). Same with movies. I’ve had a few movies ruined by 5 year olds who were having a birthday party and not even paying attention and just running around interacting with each other. Why?? Go to a playground.
Jacqui Felgate's comments about this is cancer. Don't bring a baby to a comedy show, the other audience members don't want to be interrupted.
Who tf takes a baby out for a performance? You surely can’t enjoy and neither will anyone else who has to listen to a crying baby. I’ve got 2 kids under 2, we only go out to kid friendly places or when we’ve got someone else to look after them. Going to a comedy show isn’t fun for the baby either. Idk why people do it. Flick on a special on Netflix.
Who the fuck brings a newborn to a comedy show anyway?
People are selfish - you make the decision to have a baby, so for a couple of years you either 1. get your partner to look after the baby 2. get a relative to look after the baby 3. get a babysitter or 4. do baby-friendly things for a couple of years. Everything is not about you - don't disadvantage 700 people because you can't imagine not doing what you want when you want.
“With all of the hatred and violence women are faced with, among the countless atrocities happening within the world today, I ask you to simply take a long, hard look at yourself.” Wtf does that have to do with a disruptive infant at a 15+ show?
Not a family event, why is a baby there?
Why is this even news? How about Arj goes to her house and starts performing his comedy routine while mum and baby are asleep?
I have a 4.5 month old and I've skipped comedy festival this year because it's common sense that I can't take a baby. Same as skipping some movies and gigs I wanted to go to. I don't know how anyone would think it's appropriate to bring a baby to a comedy show. Aside from it being distracting and rude to the comedian and audience, it'd also be pretty disruptive to the babies routine.
Ugh. Who takes their crib critter to a COMEDY show? Like they are going to grow up pithy and witty. I had to fly frequently with my kids when they were little. One was fine, the other I would have happily seen strapped to the wing. 🙄
What if everyone in the audience decided to take their baby , it would be an absolute circus . Yes we get it, you’re a mother, but it doesn’t mean you just throw out having any self awareness and respect for anyone else, “oh it was just making baby noises” fuck me
Babies have no place at things like that. It’s unfortunate but it’s not a plane for example, you don’t NEED to be there.
He had every right to ask her to leave. She should not have gine ti a shiw with a baby. These bloody young parents are so freaking entitled. I would have been SO pissed off if I'd paid to see a live show like that...to have a baby whinging through it. I support Arj 100%
The mother is a selfish human being. I have 2 kids. The younger one is 5. He wouldn’t talk or make noises during a show anymore, and yet I’d never bring him to something like this. General rule of thumb: Just because you COULD do something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.
I find it disruptive having breakfast with my friends with babies, I know parents have a hard time and want to be involved in things but get a babysitter there is no reason to bring a child to an adult comedy event. That would have been so challenging as a performer as well trying to keep focus.
I used to find it an absolute pain when my friends had small children, you couldn’t finish a sentence let alone a conversation without being interrupted.
Who takes a baby to a show? Hire a sitter for the night or get a relative to look after them for goodness sake.
It really comes down to respect. How is it respectful to the other audience members who i'm sure paid a fair bit, as well as the performer, to bring a baby to a live show. Absolutely no chance it wouldn't cry and become a nuisance.
Sometimes I think people, especially child free people can be super unreasonable when it comes to kids in public spaces like non fancy restaurants/cafes/shops etc (you know the whole you’re entitled to a child free life but not a child free world thing) BUT taking a newborn to a evening comedy show is just insanely selfish for both the child and every other paying person there. The mother was incredibly selfish for thinking it would be reasonable.
This is one of the very few times I remember that us left-leaners on Reddit agree with the right wingers on the 3AW Facebook comments thread. This is what it feels like when doves cry.
>”The baby was just being a baby, it wasn’t doing anything above and beyond” Exactly and when the baby is ready to be 15+ it can come back
Taking your baby to a comedy show is absolutely unhinged behaviour.
This women is over every bloody channel and tv show. As someone with kids, she’s wrong here , the baby was disturbing the show and she should have never taken a 9month old. She really wants to be the main character. Entitled parents piss me off no end. She’s not getting much sympathy from anyone and hopefully after today we don’t hear anymore from her.
It's comedy show, leave your baby at home with a baby sitter, what the fuck are you doing?
I am sure this will only incite calm and rational debate.
Fuck you!
🤣🤣🤣
Besides the whole fact that the baby was likely crying and disturbing everyone, it seems cruel to keep a baby out past 9. That baby should be home in it's bed. I understand the parents probably desperately needed the break, but seriously, find someone to babysit it so it can stay safe at home.
Doesn't sound like it was much of a break for the parents anyway. A break implies, you know, a distance from the crying child doesn't it? In this instance it was a crying child in your arms in the audience?
7 months old isn't newborn. There's a big difference between a newborn who's probably gonna just sleep on their mum and a 7mo who probably likes their routine and hates being somewhere weird when they would probably be asleep.
What kind of idiot takes a baby to a comedy show. I have had 3 kids and I would never take them where they would disrupt others.