Amy Schumer is familiar with controversy, in fact, she practically made a career out of it. After rising through the ranks as an edgy stand-up comedian, she soon branched into the world of television and film, starring in hit movies and her own TV show Inside Amy Schumer, which aired on Central for 4 seasons.
Related: Why Did Amy Schumer Pull Out Of The 'Barbie' Movie?
But, not everyone is a fan of the comedian. Some have gone as far as to accuse her of being a joke thief, which some say is the worst thing you can be accused of in the comedy world. While opinions about cancel culture are mixed, some are begging for Schumer to get canceled. Here are a few reasons why;
8 FWIW, Women Comedians Tend To Get A Lot Of Hate
First, to be fair to Schumer, it should be noted that women comedians tend to get a lot more hate than male comedians do. Trolls online seem to enjoy vilifying women who take on jobs that have been dominated by men in the past, and stand-up comedy is one of them. So, while Amy Schumer has said and done some questionable things, it is important to note not everyone's criticism is out of good faith.
7 She Agreed With Lena Dunham's Problematic Comments
That said, Schumer has put her foot in her mouth more than once. One of her most notorious cringe moments was when she was doing a podcast with Lena Dunham in 2016. The pair were venting about the Met Gala, which both hated attending, but Dunham said things that were deemed racist and selfish. Dunham accused athlete Odell Beckham Jr. of sexism and misogyny because he would not talk to her. Social media was quick to point out that just because Beckham did not strike up a conversation with Dunham did not mean he was judging her for her looks. Dunham soon apologized but during the podcast in question, Schumer agreed and supported Dunham's comments. This did not sit well with the public either.
6 Amy Schumer Supported Amber Heard
Schumer was one of the few celebs who initially sided with Amber Heard during her court battle with Johnny Depp. When news of the verdict coming in Johnny's favor was released, Schumer publicly stated that it was "a sad day for women's rights." However, she soon after deleted her posts supporting Heard, perhaps because of backlash from Depp fans and supporters.
Related: Why Courtney Love Regrets Supporting Johnny Depp Amid The Amber Heard Scandal
5 Some Were Not Cool With Her Take On The Will Smith Incident
She also ruffled some feathers, especially in the black community, when she said she was "triggered" after seeing Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. Many on social media, including Wayne Brady (who dissed the comedian on a Tik Tok live stream), argued that this was self-centered and in a way, racist because it was a white woman making a dispute about two black men about herself.
4 Her Movies Haven't Been Doing As Well As They Used To
While not necessarily a cancelable offense, her detractors are quick to point out that her last few movies and stand-up specials tanked compared to her successful films like Trainwreck. Those who are eager to see Schumer canceled use this as both fodder against her and as proof that she needs to go.
3 Amy Schumer Has Been Accused Of Racism
When Beyonce's song "Formation," came out, many praised the piece for bringing such positivity and strength to the representation of black women. Schumer decided that it would be a good idea to make fun of the album and video on her show Inside Amy Schumer.
The social media backlash was swift and intense. Many said that Schumer was being tone-deaf and belittling the black community. Schumer did not apologize and instead played the victim, complaining that she had a right to freedom of speech. Many then retorted she was missing the point and once again, inserting herself into issues she has no authority to speak about.
Related: Wayne Brady Reflects On The Time 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' Got Shockingly Real About Racism
2 She Has Been Accused Of Classism
In a Zoom call with Jameela Jamil and Chelsea Handler, Jamil made comments that were supportive of what the internet calls "girl boss feminism." Girl Boss feminism is the idea that sexism can be addressed by having more women bosses and more women-led workplaces. This differs from socialist feminism, which centers around organizing working-class women along with male comrades. Socialist feminists on social media lashed out mostly at Jamil, but Schumer and Handler got some of the wrath too. Schumer agreed wholeheartedly with Jamil's comments. For the record though, Schumer did once leave a waiter a $1,000 tip, so it's not like she hates the working class.
1 Amy Schumer Has Been Accused Of Joke Stealing
Joke stealing is one of the worst things a comedian can be accused of, and if the accusation can be proven then it can ruin a comic's career. For example, this happened when Joe Rogan called out Carlos Mencia for stealing his jokes. Schumer has been accused by several people of joke stealing, and there are even YouTube videos that compare Schumer's jokes with other comedians who made similar ones before her. Comedians like Kathleen Madigan, Wendy Liebman, and Tammy Pescatelli have all accused her of being a shameless joke stealer. Schumer took a lie detector test to prove she is no thief, however, this did not convince too many people because lie detector tests have been proven to be untrustworthy.
