Matt Forde has caused a debate online with a tweet about someone bringing a baby to his show
(Picture: handout)Stand-up comedian Matt Forde has blasted a parent who attended his show at the Edinburgh Fringe after they brought along their crying baby.
The comedian, whose material often includes political satire as well as adult humour, and who is known for voicing Boris Johnson and Donald Trump in Spitting Image, claimed that “large parts” of his set were ruined, and “derailed” because the person “wouldn’t do the decent thing and just leave” when their newborn started to cry.
Mr Forde, who also is currently touring his Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right show, said he received messages from other attendees after the performance “about the fact it p****d them off”, reports the Daily Mail.
Now, he is urging new parents to refrain from bringing babies to adult shows. In a tweet shared after his performance, Mr Forde wrote: “Someone brought their baby to my show last night.
“Sadly it derailed large parts of it because they wouldn’t do the decent thing and just leave when it started crying.
“I get that it must be tough as a new parent but please, don’t bring babies to adult shows.
“It’s always a problem.”
Someone brought their baby to my show last night. Sadly it derailed large parts of it because they wouldn't do the decent thing and just leave when it started crying. I get that it must be tough as a new parent but please, don't bring babies to adult shows. It's always a problem.
— Matt Forde (@mattforde) August 16, 2022
I realise this sounds a bit whiny but it’s just to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s like someone’s phone continually ringing and them not turning it off. I’ve had so many messages from people who were there last night who were very polite about the fact it pissed them off.
— Matt Forde (@mattforde) August 16, 2022
Mr Forde added: “I realise this sounds a bit whiny but it’s just to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“It’s like someone’s phone continually ringing and them not turning it off.
“I’ve had so many messages from people who were there last night who were very polite about the fact it p****d them off.”
This morning, the comedian followed up the tweet, saying: “Morning everyone. Just catching up on Twitter, anything big happen on here yesterday?”
Morning everyone. Just catching up on Twitter, anything big happen on here yesterday?
— Matt Forde (@mattforde) August 17, 2022
Many people on Twitter were quick to respond and shared their upset and anger at the sentiments, while others agreed with Matt that they wouldn’t dream of bringing their children to a performance.
One said: “Comparing a parent struggling with a noisy baby to a mobile phone that you can turn off? Come on Matt.”
I get that it’s not the most sensible place to take a baby, and must have been very disruptive. But comparing a parent struggling with a noisy baby to a mobile phone that you can turn off? Come on Matt.
— Danielle Rowley (@DaniRowley) August 16, 2022
Another agreed with Matt, saying: “I don’t understand how you’re getting so much s*** for this. I’m a mother of a 4 year old and never in my wildest dreams would I take a baby to a show. If I can’t get a sitter I don’t go - simple. The fact these parents didn’t even leave when it wouldn’t stop baffles me!?”
I don’t understand how you’re getting so much shit for this 😂 I’m a mother of a 4 year old and never in my wildest dreams would I take a baby to a show. If I can’t get a sitter I don’t go - simple. The fact these parents didn’t even leave when it wouldn’t stop baffles me!? 🙈
— Terri Jean (@missterrijean) August 16, 2022
Some saw the funny side, punning: “Apologise now - and make a donation to Childwhine”
apologise now - and make a donation to Childwhine
— Chris Musson (@ChrisMusson) August 16, 2022
Others agreed that it was a shame that people attending the shows couldn’t find “sitters”.
With you on this. I'm sorry people who have children can't find sitters. Their choice. Why disrupt a show for many others w/ a crying child? NOT whiny and it is like a phone or a bag o' crisps during. I shudder.
— Joan Eisenstodt/she/her/they (@JoanEisenstodt) August 16, 2022
A third also agreed, saying that they agreed with him, but warned him to “turn the comments off” next time as sending tweets like this opens a “Pandora’s Box”.
I agree with you Matt and as a parent would never take my kids to a show like this. Turn the comments off next time you trigger the whiny parents though cos you open Pandora’s box with this type of posting.
— 👀 👜 (@brandasbags) August 17, 2022
Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi said: “I hear you but personally I’m fine with it and say yes when asked if babes in arms are allowed. We just make sure they have a seat near the door so they can slip the f*** out if the little b****** cries.”
I hear you but personally I'm fine with it and say yes when asked if babes in arms are allowed. We just make sure they have a seat near the door so they can slip the fuck out if the little bastard cries ❤️
— Shaparak Khorsandi 🌻💙💛 (@ShappiKhorsandi) August 16, 2022
Another added: “It’s genuinely rubbish having to miss stuff because you can’t get the kids watched. I wouldn’t take my children even a babe in arms to a comedy show though. It’s one of those things you have to accept being a parent that you might miss things, surely?”
It's genuinely rubbish having to miss stuff because you can't get the kids watched. I wouldn't take my children even a babe in arms to a comedy show though.
— Name Goes Here (@notreallymelads) August 16, 2022
It's one of those things you have to accept being a parent that you might miss things, surely?
Matt Forde’s show, Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right, runs until Sunday, August 28 at the Edinburgh Fringe, and the official Edinburgh Fringe website claims that: “Babies do not require a ticket.”
