Andrew Schulz’s Comedy Special Tackles Personal Fertility Struggles

NEW YORK, NY — Comedian Andrew Schulz is making waves with his latest hour-long special, “Life,” which premiered earlier this week. The New York-native standup has enjoyed previous successes, including sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden and his hit podcast, “Flagrant.” However, this new special delves into a deeply personal aspect of his life: the fertility challenges he and his wife faced while trying to conceive their first child.

In a candid reflection, Schulz described the special as the most personal content he has ever created, recounting the emotional journey of his struggles with sperm motility. “It was kind of a crazy thing to do,” he noted, explaining how he intended to share his story during what is arguably the biggest tour of his life. “I’m like, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll tell a story. I’ve never done that,’” Schulz recounted during a recent interview.

The comedian also humorously recalls a memorable moment when he and his wife prepared for their first attempt at having a baby. “I remember my wife being like, ‘Okay, let’s start,’” Schulz said, reflecting on his mindset at the time. “And I remember there was a little part of me that was like, ‘That sperm is like half Molly; I’d be fine if it didn’t work this month.’” This humor became a coping mechanism for Schulz as they grappled with the complexities of fertility.

Ultimately, the couple celebrated their daughter’s first birthday last month, marking a joyful end to their fertility struggles. Schulz revealed that discussing these challenges on stage offered him a unique platform to share and find humor in the situation, despite the heavy nature of the topic. “No, it was the best to talk about it on stage,” he said, admitting that he felt more comfortable sharing in front of a live audience than in more vulnerable conversation formats.

The special, filmed at The Beacon Theatre in New York, was initially intended to be recorded at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. However, after a controversial episode featuring then-presidential nominee Donald Trump on his podcast, plans changed. Schulz mentioned that after the Trump episode, the venue’s board expressed concerns, leading the comedian to seek an alternative location.

Engaging with politically charged topics has brought both attention and controversy to Schulz. “The negative of getting involved in anything like politics or religion is that you’re either a hero or a villain,” he explained, acknowledging that reactions to his Trump interview varied greatly among audiences.

Schulz’s special not only explores his comedic journey through personal experiences but also touches on broader societal issues. He remarked, “You got to understand, I didn’t know that this was an issue at all. It wasn’t just an issue for me and my wife.” His ability to shed light on fertility challenges resonated with many audience members, who often approached him after shows to share their own experiences. Schulz elaborated, “It was wild how many DMs I’d get from guys who wanted to talk about their struggles with infertility.”

The comedian’s willingness to tackle uncomfortable subjects in his performances is refreshing, both for him and his audience. He also discusses how comedy has evolved in recent years, suggesting that some of the pressures from cancel culture have lessened, allowing comedians to freely express themselves. “It’s over,” suggested Schulz, reflecting on how audiences are becoming desensitized to cancel culture’s effects.

Looking ahead, Schulz is excited about the future of comedy and expressed his desire to continue creating unique content. He shared his intentions to explore different formats and storytelling methods, aiming to connect with audiences in new ways. “I’ve never done one-liners. What if I worked on three minutes of one-liners?” he pondered, indicating that he is eager to delve into new artistic territories.