Opinion Arj Barker’s biggest joke was evicting a breastfeeding mum from his show Instagram is abuzz with news that comedian Arj Barker ceased his performance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival a few minutes in to publicly request a woman with her baby depart the audience as he feared the seven-month-old would make noises and detract from his show. A variety of views have been aired on this, including whether a comedy show is an appropriate place for a baby, and the public has been divided between scolding the woman for attempting such a feat, and championing her for trying. Following this event, women have been coming forward to share their stories of other comedians who, when caught off guard by a baby in the audience but being nonetheless used to heckling, have embraced it as part of their show. American comedian Matt Rife ended up with a baby on stage at his Australian performance earlier this year and it helped rather than hindered the LOLs. This latest example speaks to a far bigger issue in our country: we don’t tolerate children in public spaces. To be clear, I have no concerns with baby-free spaces existing. My concern is that, since having kids, I have noticed that this is too often the rule, not the exception. It isn’t explicit, it is cultural, and understanding why these unspoken rules exist often feels a little arbitrary. It also isn’t a universal experience. Last year I took my kids to Italy and it was a delightful culture shock. When I asked my Italian mother-in-law about whether we should look into nanny options to assist us on the journey, she laughed. Italians simply take their children with them. Everywhere. Children enjoy bars and restaurants in Sicily, sometimes until the early hours of the morning, making friends with other kids. Not only is it tolerated, it is welcomed, and you receive a lot of smiles. Friends tell me Spain has a similar attitude in its bars and restaurants, where kids play and interact until late. And I hear Greece is similar. Back home, my sister-in-law, who is well-practised in dining out with her children, suggested I prioritise Asian restaurants for dinner. Thai and Japanese are always fairly reliable because, despite the amount of rice lying in a ring around the chairs post-dinner, there is never a whiff of disgruntled attitude. And they love seeing you return. So I dare say, this is an Anglo issue. An extension of the NO BALL GAMES sign outside a London apartment building, an echo of the familiar refrain many grew up with: that children should be seen but not heard. So few and far between are places that make mothers and children feel welcome that I’ve resorted to Googling “child-friendly brunch spots” and I now keep a list on my phone. I even endured someone complaining to me about children at the beach over summer, so I guess that’s ruled out, too. There’s always the risk of tears, especially when you reach toddler years, but most parents will depart if this occurs. It’s no longer enjoyable for mother or child in that context, so why would we stay? I’d hazard a guess the mother at the comedy gig would have been the first to take it on herself to exit if her child had started excessively bothering either crowd or comedian. But the expectation that there be no noise at all is a high bar, and one that seems selectively applied to children when you consider the heckles and liveliness (sometimes intoxicated) from comedy festival crowds. Currently, the bar set for children is silent and invisible, and certainly not partaking in any behaviour that might, indeed, identify them as a … child. Heaven forbid! That standard is impossible to satisfy if mothers like me are ever to leave our homes. And for parents who already feel isolated, this is a hugely compounding factor. Being family-friendly is less about whether you have highchairs, room for a stroller, or a kids’ menu. It’s about the environment and attitudes of the establishment and its staff. We talk a lot about the gender pay gap, women’s representation in politics and a multitude of areas we need to desperately improve on, but these challenges permeate so many more experiences beyond just work and pay. It’s also about “play”. Hospitality, corporates and the public should keep in mind that if you want women of child-rearing age to be welcome, that means children are too. So to all mums daring to take back a little bit of public space for their families, welcome to the revolution. See you out there, at your favourite local establishment or, dare I say it – comedy gig. At least babies in the audience give comedians an excuse for dad jokes. Brigid Meney is a mum who enjoys leaving her house with her children occasionally. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter .
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Tisha Campbell Finds Late Dad’s Porn Collection in Hilarious Video
Tisha Campbell made pretty hilarious discovery in cleaning out her late father’s home following his death … coming across a seemingly-endless collection of porn DVDs.
5-year-old saves Dad’s life with 911 but her hilarious commentary has dispatchers doubled up
Imagine a tiny hero, just five years old, with the composure of a seasoned emergency responder.
That’s Savannah from Indiana, who didn’t just know what to do when her dad started experiencing chest pains; she actually saved his life by making that crucial call to 911.
It’s a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, the smallest among us can be the biggest lifesavers.
Savannah’s conversation with the 911 operator wasn’t just a display of her quick thinking; it was also a moment of unexpected levity.
She spoke with clarity and directness, ensuring the gravity of the situation was understood, yet managed to sprinkle in a dose of humor that made the internet chuckle and cheer.
The recording of her call didn’t just go viral for its cuteness; it was a testament to her bravery and wit.
When the 911 operator, Jason Bonham, picked up Savannah’s call, her words were simple yet urgent:
“Um… my dad can’t hardly breathe.”
Bonham acted swiftly, dispatching an ambulance to their home.
Savannah, with a mix of innocence and urgency, told him, “OK… you need to come reaalll fast!”
It’s the kind of earnestness that can only come from a child, and yet, it was exactly what the situation called for.
Bonham, maintaining his professional calm, reassured Savannah that help was on the way and proceeded to gather more information.
“Yes, he’s awake,” she confirmed when asked about her dad’s consciousness.
And when it came to ensuring the responders could enter their home quickly, Savannah didn’t miss a beat.
She checked with her dad and unlocked the door, following Bonham’s instructions to the letter.
As they waited for the ambulance, Savannah didn’t just sit idly by.
She comforted her dad, telling him:
“Don’t worry Dad!”
Her voice was steady, her presence a reassuring beacon in a sea of fear.
It’s remarkable how this young girl embodied such strength and calm, becoming her father’s rock when he needed her the most.
Savannah’s diligence extended to answering all of Bonham’s questions with a level of focus that belied her young age.
“No, so far so good. He’s still awake,” she reported when asked if this had happened before.
She even relayed her dad’s symptoms back to Bonham, confirming his chest pain and that it was his first time experiencing such distress.
Through the audio, Savannah’s calm demeanor never wavered, her voice a constant in the unfolding drama.
But then, in a twist that could only come from the mind of a child, Savannah’s concern shifted momentarily to her attire.
“Ok. We’re in our jammies! And I’m in a tank top, so… I’ll have to get dressed,” she informed Bonham with a seriousness that was both comical and endearing.
She knew her dad needed oxygen, fast, but she also knew she had to change out of her pajamas. Priorities, right?
Bonham, ever the professional, redirected her focus, asking, “Is he still doing OK, Savannah?” She assured him her dad was fine and excused herself to get changed. It was a moment of innocence amidst the urgency, a reminder that Savannah, despite her bravery, was still very much a child.
And just when you thought Savannah had covered all her bases, she remembered another important family member: their dog, Lou. “Ok. I got that. And… we have a dog….that’s really… um….. small,” she said, her voice taking on the tone of someone imparting crucial information.
She even called out to Lou, ensuring the dog was out of the way for when help arrived.
In the end, Savannah’s dad was alright, and our little heroine had not only saved the day but also provided some much-needed comic relief.
Her adorable 911 call had everyone, including Bonham, in stitches.
This story of a pint-sized hero with a heart of gold and the composure of a champion has the internet standing in applause for her and the parents who taught her so well.
Listen to the hilariously adorable live interaction in the video below, and share this story to spread a little joy and a lot of pride in the bravery of our children.
Listen to the hilariously adorable live interaction in the video below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Cockatoo Refuses To Go To Her Cage, Throws Hilarious ‘Temper Tantrum’
Sometimes, especially when they don’t listen, kids can be a handful. It’s not uncommon for youngsters to have temper tantrums when they don’t get their way. But this temper tantrum is unlike any you’ve ever seen before. That’s because it isn’t a kid; rather, it’s a Cockatoo! Pebble the Cockatoo does not want to go back into her cage, as she would rather explore. This amusing video captured Pebble’s playful yet naughty side, as she has a tantrum when being told ‘no.’ Image/Story Video Source Credit: MegaBirdCrazy Channel via YouTube Video She talks endlessly to her human dad, who repeatedly tells her to come closer. Some of what she says is inaudible, but a few curse words are distinct. At 2:43 into the video , Pebble’s father asks if she has an attitude; conforming to his request, Pebble answers “ Ya, that’s right! ” It’s evident that this feisty bird won’t sugarcoat how she feels and takes no orders from anyone willingly. Image/Story Video Source Credit: MegaBirdCrazy Channel via YouTube Video Sadly, Pebble has gone from home to home in the past 20 years, but she’s finally with a loving family who takes great care of her. She may get moody sometimes, but she’s a great bird! Image/Story Video Source Credit: MegaBirdCrazy Channel via YouTube Video Cockatoos are part of the Parrot family and they share the talent for imitating sounds, including speech. Some Parrots, such as the African Grey Parrot imitate human speech perfectly, but Cockatoos are not quite as good at it. They can mimic words and sounds but their accuracy is limited which can make it hard to understand what Pebble is saying sometimes. Click to watch what Pebbles has to say in the video below – enjoy! Please ‘SHARE’ to pass on this story to a friend or family member
HILARIOUS: White Woman Does Spot-On Impression of ‘Every Kamala Harris Speech’ (VIDEO) | The Gateway Pundit | by Mike LaChance
A woman who goes by the name Elsa Kurt on Twitter/X and other social media platforms does a Kamala Harris impression that is outstanding. You won’t see her on Saturday Night Live or the Daily Show, because those ‘comedy’ shows don’t make fun of Democrats. Only Republicans can be used as a punchline. We have the video however, and you need to see it. Sister Toldjah of RedState wrote about this: ‘Basically Every Kamala Speech’: Hilarious Impersonator Highlights the VP’s Biggest Problem in New Clip With the Biden admin and POTUS’ apologists still doing inverted backflips to try and contain the damage after special counsel Robert Hur’s damning report on Biden’s handling of classified documents, now is as good a time as any for a refresher on his second in command as the 2024 presidential campaign season kicks into high gear. Kamala Harris being Joe Biden’s vice president naturally means the spotlight has been more on her over the last three years than you typically see on veeps considering Biden’s age and frequent memory lapses, both of which were highlighted in the Hur report. But as talk turns to “what about Kamala?” as rumors again bubble to the surface about Democrats dumping Biden from the 2024 ticket, it’s important to point out that in addition to her lack of meaningful political skills and policy gravitas, Kamala Harris has a big comms problem. This is not just because her comms department has a high turnover rate but also because Kamala herself is a word salad nightmare, something brilliantly and hilariously outlined by Kamala impersonator Elsa Kurt, who we’ve written about before and who in early February explained in Kamala-speak basically what every platitude-filled Kamala Harris speech sounds like. Watch below, this is great. Basically every kamala speech in one video. she nails it!⤵️ pic.twitter.com/mp6RbvQu29 — Jannine.. #MagaMemeQueen ™️ (@janninereid1) February 10, 2024 It’s actually better than anything you’ll see on SNL. Just a riot.