Michelle Wolf's touring show is called The Best Job in the World, leaving audiences to ponder whether it refers to motherhood or standup comedy. The Pennsylvanian comic, known for her sharp wit, delivers a sardonic take on society's dismissive attitude toward mothering and breastfeeding, among other underappreciated female experiences. Wolf aims to redress the balance, flying the flag for women's magnificence in a world not built for them.
Menstrual Cycle and Pregnancy Riffs
Wolf, 41, dedicates significant time to the menstrual cycle, not just the period but the entire month-long process she argues is poorly understood. She reimagines pregnancy discussions, suggesting they should focus on milestones like manufacturing a spine rather than comparing a baby to a fruit. Her material draws from personal experience as a mother of toddlers, including a proposal that The Very Hungry Caterpillar serves as a menopausal parable.
Devilment and Sharp Gags
The show is animated by Wolf's familiar devilment, evident in her relish for routines about her infant son's testicles and mixed feelings about them. She also includes catty gags rescued from her stint as Kim Kardashian's joke writer. However, some arguments, like those on female facial grooming, lose persuasiveness. A closing point on gender-essentialist propaganda is tenuously illustrated by skits on Stockholm syndrome and The Wheels on the Bus, but both routines remain funny.
A Nailed Performance
While the question of whether mothering or standup is the world's best job remains unresolved, Wolf clearly excels at one of them. The show tours until 5 December, offering a blend of mischief and trenchant commentary on women's lives.
