Growing

Amy Schumer takes the stage visibly pregnant and ready to pivot, attempting to reconcile her established identity as a messy party girl with her new reality as an expectant mother. It is a transition made literal by her physical condition, capturing a comedian trying to grow up without losing her edge.

The special, filmed at the Chicago Theatre and released in 2019, was recorded during Schumer’s second trimester. This was a period marked by severe morning sickness that hospitalized her on her original filming date and eventually forced her to cancel the rest of her tour. On stage, she leans into the messy physical realities of pregnancy, contrasting her own experiences with the pristine public image of Meghan Markle, who was pregnant at the same time. She also speaks candidly about her marriage to chef Chris Fischer, addressing his autism diagnosis with directness and warmth, and jokes about the lack of dignity in serving as a bridesmaid in your late thirties.

Reviewers noted that this hour marked a distinct shift from her earlier work, trading some of her chaotic, late-night energy for a more grounded, observational tone. The special earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special.