Earlier today, Pescatelli went on the Jim Norton Advice Show, where Schumer herself appeared as a guest the day before, and apologized profusely for her tweets and accusations. "I went too deep," Pescatelli said. "I went too far and I am super apologetic."
Pescatelli also agreed that the Trainwreck star had "every right to be mad," and that the parallel thinking between both their jokes and skits "does happen" in the industry.
Updated January 20, 8:15 p.m.: Amy Schumer has responded to the accusations with a categorical denial.
On my life, I have never and would never steal a joke.
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) January 20, 2016
There are lots of explanations for why the jokes are similar. And they are, have no doubt, very similar. For reference: here’s Amy's “Slap Chef” sketch, and here’s Kathleen Madigan’s bit on the same general topic.
Stealing jokes is a major accusation for a comedian to make, and also distressingly common. Anyone who's made a joke and then heard another kid repeat it for huge laughs knows the feeling. Now picture that literally being your career. Not fun. (This Key & Peele sketch does a pretty great job with the topic.)
Over the weekend, three female comedians — Wendy Liebman, Tammy Pescatelli, and Kathleen Madigan— all shared frustrations on Twitter about seeing familiar material appear in a variety of bits by Schumer, ranging from Inside Amy Schumer to Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo to Trainwreck.
Apparently, it started with a now-deleted tweet from Liebman reading, “Between Amy Schumer doing 1 of my best jokes on her HBO special and this meme of my joke, I’m done with social media.” The meme, which was not related to Schumer, shows another alleged rip-off of one of Liebman's jokes.
Then, Chuck Martin, a comedian, writer, director, and producer, suggested Liebman talk to Pescatelli and Madigan about their own qualms with Schumer's jokes.
Thus ensued the following back-and-forth conversation on Twitter, in which the comedians point out specific instances where they believe Schumer took jokes from their stand-up routines. Pescatelli said Schumer used to open for them when she was on the road, which could be where she first heard the material. Some of the tweets have since been deleted, but we've captured the text, below.
So maddening. You and @kathleenmadigan should talk. https://t.co/I93bbZdx5l
— Chuck Martin (@MrChuckMartin) January 18, 2016
What has always been amazing to me is that she purports to be a feminist and yet only steals from other female comedians. If we call her on
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) January 19, 2016
it we are "jealous" or career shamed. Be successful. WE want you to do well, just do it will your own material.BTW she blocked me
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) January 19, 2016
Get More: Comedy Central,Funny Videos,Funny TV Shows
Look @WendyLiebman here is my joke from my #ComedyCentral half hour '06
https://t.co/nEU4SCrmGA….
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) January 19, 2016
Here is @kathleenmadigan joke she turned into a sketch called "Slap Oprah" S1ep3.
Start around 2:50 https://t.co/jflwrhHP8K
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) January 19, 2016
Amy's sketch https://t.co/uVxtn7cY6V…
So many more but nobody listens...at least Cosby knocked his victims out b4 he raped them.
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) January 19, 2016
Get More: Comedy Central,Funny Videos,Funny TV Shows
No beef. Just presenting facts of oppression and degradation https://t.co/dL3dmCr5KF
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) January 19, 2016
I tell my truth today, because I too, have a dream...... #MLKDay
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) January 19, 2016
@Disillusioned24@kathleenmadigan@WendyLiebman Wait? We aren't fighting. Just stating facts....
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) January 19, 2016
The discussion eventually simmered down, with Liebman issuing this last tweet.
It's all good.
— Wendy Liebman (@WendyLiebman) January 19, 2016
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