‘Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife’

If you’re a mother, a woman or anyone even slightly intrigued (read shook) by birth, its aftermath and the scam that is having children, hit play on Ali Wong’s latest comedy special.

Back on Netflix after the success of ‘Baby Cobra’ (2016), Wong serves her motherhood truth bombs deadpan, irreverent and dirty whilst clad in baby bump hugging leopard print and gold pumps. The sparkly shoes ostensibly to compensate for the light that dies inside you after you have a child. Her words, not mine.

To be clear, Wong loves her daughter more than anything in the world. Wong knows this because she spends a huge portion of her day sniffing her baby’s a**. She doesn’t even do that for her husband. But she does add that she licks his a** because she is a grown, sexual and completely unfussed woman.

And that’s Wong.

Taking motherhood where many mothers, let alone comedians, dare to tread, ‘Hard Knock Wife’ is what many new mothers may be thinking but shudder to say given the rainbows, all day glow and sense of fulfilment pregnancy and motherhood are sold as being.

Though Wong’s comedy persona is deliciously filthy and over the top, where the comedian really wins is in her refusal to tone down her act now that she’s a mom.

Because that’s what women are supposed to do.

Have children and ascend to some saintly level of womanhood where you can’t talk about how your spawn completely wrecked your vagina, that you will have a 25-year-old nanny over your dead body because marriage is weak amidst newborn and you’re so tired you and your partner masturbate more than you have sex.

Frankly and firmly, what Wong wants everyone to know is that in between what is amazing and well documented, there is the pits.

Refreshing, no holds barred and not beyond acting out risqué hypothetical cunnilingus seeking scenes to highlight some of the first flush of the double standards between men and women, Wong also elaborates on the need for maternity leave, the sometimes bloody reality of breast feeding and a couple more gems in between.

As for what’s in the title: Basically, giving birth and starting a family is a hard knock life. And so relatable that Wong, in the wake of ‘Baby Cobra’, now gets recognised in public.

A sudden surge of fame that has messed with her ability to shamelessly haggle on Craigslist while out-earning her husband considerably. That last bit to the horror of her mum who is more worried about her husband leaving her than Wong’s d*ck jokes.

Stream this to meet your new comedic fave and, those contemplating children, be afraid.

Be excited, giddy, hopeful and all the great things, but afraid.

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