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AIBU to find the comedian Katherine Ryan's turn to the right surprising?

233 replies

exceptmeandmymonkey · 10/04/2026 10:38

I was raised by a single mum and really liked Katherine Ryan's early standup that mostly focused on being a single mum in crap relationships. Several years ago she hooked up with her childhood sweetheart and had several kids with him, and since then her persona has taken quite a turn.

She defended the manosphere participants in Louis Theroux's recent docs, said that she liked Jordan Peterson, and today on social has featured her partner talking about how the moon landing is a conspiracy. Partner is 'not academic' I'll say politely, and MAGA-adjacent. He doesn't work and is a full time dad yet Katherine does the vast majority of childcare (and all of the earning) whilst he golfs. Clearly she got a lot of negative feedback from her (100% women and gay men) audience on her manosphere comments, because she backtracked a bit.

The situation seems like something she would have laughed at years ago, and it's been strange to see her comedy twist to support this, claiming she's always had provocative views.

I don't see any celebs as heroes so this isn't a 'my hero isn't who I expected' just more of a wow, didn't see this twist coming.

OP posts:
AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 10/04/2026 14:59

buymeaboaanddrivemetoreno · 10/04/2026 10:40

I can’t say I’m hugely surprised…she likes to shock, so this is the next shocking thing. Disappointed yes, surprised, not really.

This. I actually quite liked her on the Louis Theroux documentary when she was just at home being herself.

But this saying stuff just for shock value stunt is really, really fucking boring. And I apply that to all.comedians, not just KR.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 10/04/2026 14:55

I've always found her to be entertaining, but not at all funny. She's like a freak show, but I get the feeling that's what she's aiming for. The absolute confidence she has in whatever comes out of her mouth regardless of how shocking or inane it is, the surgeries, the trashy past getting mentioned at every opportunity, the 'modern' approach to motherhood - none of this is admirable to me, and I don't think she's ever made me laugh, but it is an entertaining schtick.

JHound · 10/04/2026 14:55

I dunno - she always seemed that way to me so it’s not much of a surprise. She always seemed very male centred.

Bokeitup · 10/04/2026 14:52

Nofeckingway · 10/04/2026 13:17

I think it's all just for shits and giggles. Saying provocative things to get attention as she needs to stay present in the public view. And maybe Bobby who I think is a beaut plays to the image of a bimbo house husband/ kept man. She says some pretty low things about him . Their teenage life sounds typical of small town stuff. And his ex wife never mentions anything. Somehow I think despite her wealth , she got the better deal. Who else would put up with her shit .

She got the better deal? She's bringing in all the money and twisting herself out of shape to stay sexually desirable to a man who is clearly a gold digger.

ExtraOnions · 10/04/2026 14:36

A flare up of my IBS is more entertaining than anything I’ve ever heard Katherine Ryan say.

exceptmeandmymonkey · 10/04/2026 14:25

Notebokk · 10/04/2026 12:18

I couldn’t agree with this more. I personally don’t have to be completely aligned with someone to like them. I find this approach baffling.

I actually agree with you, so perhaps have made my point clumsily and will clarify.

My reaction isn't 'Katherine's views don't align 100% with mine.' It's that KR held herself up as a mouthy, confident, funny single mum who was fairly left leaning on everything that she gave an opinion on.

Since getting together with her husband, her persona has shifted to:

  • agreeing with her self-avowed conspiracy theorist husband that people never landed on the moon and that Hillary Clinton literally trafficked children for sex via the basement of a pizza restaurant
  • is anti vax and rejects birth control based on MAHA/crunchy anti vax mum 'understanding' of 'the science'
  • has said manosphere and Jordan Peterson make great points (here, she stands with her pal Jimmy Carr)
  • brings in 100% of the income and works her tits off, whilst doing the lion's share of childcare, while also having a full-time nanny, whereas her 'SAHD' spouse is away from home multiple days per week golfing for a full day -- seems like something she would have scoffed at 5 years ago

So for me it’s less about politics, more that the shift feels quite stark.

OP posts:
NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 10/04/2026 14:23

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 10/04/2026 14:18

i think we also need to be aware that there is a class of celebrities that aren’t actually that interesting but keep themselves in the headlines and public eye by saying ragebait

I agree with this.

I remember watching a documentary type programme about her a little while ago. I want to say it was Louis Theroux doing the interviewing (but it can't have been) and I can't think who it was. Was it another comedian maybe? Not sure.

Anyway at the time what she was saying about her husband and so on seemed quite sweet, childhood sweethearts.

But as time has gone on it seems like they're stuck in high school together mentally and intellectually. I think she's dumbed herself down to match her guy.

She's very open about her cosmetic procedures and that also makes me question their relationship a bit. Like she's desperate to hang onto him.

It was Louis Theroux!

I agree she’s definitely still in high school mentality when it comes to him and has dumbed herself down for him.

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 10/04/2026 14:18

i think we also need to be aware that there is a class of celebrities that aren’t actually that interesting but keep themselves in the headlines and public eye by saying ragebait

I agree with this.

I remember watching a documentary type programme about her a little while ago. I want to say it was Louis Theroux doing the interviewing (but it can't have been) and I can't think who it was. Was it another comedian maybe? Not sure.

Anyway at the time what she was saying about her husband and so on seemed quite sweet, childhood sweethearts.

But as time has gone on it seems like they're stuck in high school together mentally and intellectually. I think she's dumbed herself down to match her guy.

She's very open about her cosmetic procedures and that also makes me question their relationship a bit. Like she's desperate to hang onto him.

Shedmistress · 10/04/2026 14:15

DripDripAprilshower · 10/04/2026 13:21

what is so bad about Jordan Peterson?

🤣🤣🤣 Bless your dear heart.

Ok, thats helpful.

DreamyScroller · 10/04/2026 14:05

It's shocking. Doesn't she realise that no-one in today's culture is allowed to hold a single traditionally right-wing view or opinion on anything?

DisappointedofMeryton · 10/04/2026 14:05

So she's gone from being Frankie Boyle adjacent to MAGA adjacent. They do say the political spectrum is shaped like a horse-shoe. She seems to just like misogynists of all colours.

Loppidoodle · 10/04/2026 13:51

Well, stand up comedy isn't a career path that's renowned for attracting well-balanced individuals who have healthy relationships and make good choices in their personal lives.

Obviously there are exceptions. But I don't think she's one of them.

Additup · 10/04/2026 13:46

MyFunSloth · 10/04/2026 10:50

I think we need to get away from a world view where people are expected to be 100% aligned with a particular stance. Human beings are allowed to be complicated, to change their views, maybe even to occasionally say silly things.

Most debates are much more nuanced than black-and-white and maybe it’s refreshing to see people acknowledge that rather than just blindly following the herd.

Absolutely this. I remember the ridiculous furore in some quarters when Kate Bush said in an interview that she liked/voted for Theresa May
😂
Annoyingly this sort of criticism always seems to come from the left as well.

I don't care if an entertainer votes left or right I care about if they are good at what they do. Unless they are extremist nutters of either ilk then I will judge them. Same for friends, family, colleagues, partners etc. The whole 'never kissed a Tory' thing is just embarrassing. Also, how would you know unless you watch them vote?

Ps. I don't find Katherine Ryan particularly funny irrespective of how she votes/supports.

bigwidegreyarea · 10/04/2026 13:35

I actually have a little skin in the comedy game, so have name changed and here’s my twopenneth, for what it’s worth.

There’s Katherine Ryan at home and there’s Katherine Ryan when she’s working. When she’s working she dials everything up, because that’s how you grab and keep attention, which is what ultimately pays her bills. She actually has quite balanced debates with her guests on her podcast but you’re not going to get the full breadth of that in the short snippets they upload to social media to promote it.

You can substitute Katherine in that above scenario with any other comedian who is spread across various platforms. They’re at work. Then the microphones get switched off and they’re just people. You’ve mentioned a few names here and some I know to be reasonable people and a few that you have sainted are complete dicks. Katherine isn’t one of the dicks. People don’t like her because she refuses to be apologetic about her life choices, for example her cosmetic surgery. Why should she? She doesn’t owe anybody anything, people are capable of avoiding her work if they want to.

napody · 10/04/2026 13:31

greyweek · 10/04/2026 11:07

I was always on the fence about her jokes but yes - noticed the change after she got together with that man. He made some awful jokes about her (I don’t remember them precisely - was it something to do with anal sex…?!) on stage (no doubt a gig she got him) and she had to defend him and call it just ‘banter’.
She had him on several couples’ shows with her and every time I thought that man does not like you or respect you. She did look very much in love with him tough.

I realise I can’t quote anything specific, just some vague remembering of my personal impressions to say I do agree with op…

Agree. The way she used to talk about her daughter Violet was lovely. Then she got (back) with that bloke and talked about the new dynamic in their household, with him throwing his weight around with her daughter yet contributing absolutely fuck all. I felt so sorry for Violet, it must have been such a shock to suddenly have to deal with living with him whilst entering adolescence. KR always showed internalised misogyny but it really accelerated from that point on.

Spaghettea · 10/04/2026 13:24

Yes, this "She’s basically still her 16 year old self around him, still views him the way she did, trying to make sure he doesn’t dump her again like he did back then. He may have been at catch at high school Katherine but he sure isn’t now!"
I get the impression her husband is quite a problem and drags her down.

And having a face lift with an 8 week old baby makes my skin crawl. It is a very good face lift though.

DripDripAprilshower · 10/04/2026 13:21

what is so bad about Jordan Peterson?

🤣🤣🤣 Bless your dear heart.

Nofeckingway · 10/04/2026 13:17

I think it's all just for shits and giggles. Saying provocative things to get attention as she needs to stay present in the public view. And maybe Bobby who I think is a beaut plays to the image of a bimbo house husband/ kept man. She says some pretty low things about him . Their teenage life sounds typical of small town stuff. And his ex wife never mentions anything. Somehow I think despite her wealth , she got the better deal. Who else would put up with her shit .

Mangelwurzelfortea · 10/04/2026 13:05

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 10/04/2026 11:34

Yanbu.
“Full time dad” is laughable seeing as they have nannies, when she goes to events/on tour he goes with her (leaving the kids behind) and she does as much if not more parenting than him, as well as bringing in all the money.

She’s basically still her 16 year old self around him, still views him the way she did, trying to make sure he doesn’t dump her again like he did back then. He may have been at catch at high school Katherine but he sure isn’t now!

Yes it’s extremely disappointing from a previously left wing feminist that she’s now lapping up Bobby’s right-wing, conspiracy theory nonsense.

I also find her obsession with ‘looking good’ disturbing.

I've got a friend who got together with the man formerly considered the hottest boy at their school. I didn't know them then, so haven't got that memory of him at his finest, and he just seems like an ordinary, balding, quite dull bloke to me. She clearly still sees him as the catch who she's incredibly lucky to be dating - even though he's got a crap job, she brings in all the cash, he's never fully committed to the relationship despite them having three kids, and he doesn't do any childcare either. They remind me of Katherine Ryan and her husband. Maybe the scales will fall from her eyes at some point!

sunnydisaster · 10/04/2026 12:44

I’ve never liked her so I’m not surprised. As a PP said, it was all the Hooters stuff - she wanted to be ‘pretty’ and a Hooters girl.
Her DH sounds like a complete knob.

Naunet · 10/04/2026 12:41

Right or left, shes always dick pandering

LamentableShoes · 10/04/2026 12:29

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 10/04/2026 12:15

You don’t need to have listened to the podcast, the op states she “does the vast majority of the childcare” but your post said it was ok for her to do a bit whilst he did a hobby.

I've explained that upthread, but happy to repeat - I thought the OP was saying, using the literal meaning of the words, that she did the vast majority of the childcare whilst he golfs. I.e. during the time that he golfs.

I see now that perhaps it wasn't meant as it was phrased.

It's not a particularly important point, so perhaps I shouldn't have asked for clarification, but I was trying to understand the context.

ahshggs78 · 10/04/2026 12:27

I have to think, so what? As much as I am left leaning myself, people are allowed differing views to you. I really think the biggest harm to politics in recent years has been the deep division, people defining their whole personality on whether they are left or right. Life isn’t that simple, you can still be a good person and not be liberal. Heaven forbid, you can even have a range opinions that sit across the spectrum and even change your mind.

Whatafustercluck · 10/04/2026 12:25

I've never really 'got' her tbh, and something about her persona doesn't sit quite right with me. I can't really explain it beyond it feels like she finds validation comforting, while simultaneously rejecting the notion of validation. She's very contradictory, and that's often something that, over time, takes its toll. I look at her and think she's always a stone's throw from some kind of breakdown, and actually quite vulnerable underneath it all. She clearly cares deeply about her appearance, and why shouldn't she I suppose. But it's almost like her whole self worth is wrapped up in how others see her, so she overcompensates with fake and showy examples of 'strength'. Men like those found in the manosphere are very attracted to women who are like her.