- James was targeted for her comments in a December 2021 Netflix special
- In it, she talked about realizing that her son was going through puberty
- Social media users said the piece was bizarre and tasteless
- James plays Principal Ava Coleman on the ABC series Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary star Janelle James found herself in the crosshairs of critics on Thursday when a segment from her 2021 Netflix comedy special “The Standups” resurfaced in which she joked about the size of her son's penis.
Several social media users condemned the comic actress, who plays lead actress Ava Coleman on the ABC series, on the comedy show, which debuted on the streamer in December 2021.
In routine, James said, “My youngest son has Ad**** now.” I didn't know that. I didn't know he had ad***. They say you blink and miss it. This is true. I didn't know he had ad***.'
She continued: “I was sitting on the edge of the bed and he ran past from the bathroom to… I think he forgot his towel or whatever and I thought, 'What the hell was that?'”
The Emmy-nominated entertainer said on stage that her son's growth has blown her away.
Janelle James came under fire from critics on Thursday when a segment from her 2021 Netflix comedy special “The Standups” resurfaced in which she joked about the size of her son's penis. Pictured in LA last June
Several social media users condemned the comic actress' role in the comedy show, which debuted on the streamer in December 2021
“I said, 'This is advertising – what?'” she said. “That bastard needs to get a job.” I can't walk around with all this crap and no income. That's disrespectful.
“He was always peeing. You know? The last time I saw that was a pee. You change the diaper, play rhythm guitar on the pee. No other parents here? That’s the best thing about having a little boy.”
James told Variety earlier this year that she is the mother of two sons, one in his early 20s and the other whose age she did not disclose.
One user wrote on Twitter: “Janelle James sexualizes her son and describes harassment.” Ma'am, WTF!? And of course, as principal of Abbott Elementary School, she is close to children. She has to go.
“You play rhythm guitar while you pee. That's the best thing about having a little boy.” Like hello?! Sick.'
One user called James “petty as hell and weird,” adding that she “thought it was really cool to get on stage and make jokes and talk about her son's genitals.”
Another user said the joke triggered unpleasant childhood memories.
“What Janelle James said in her stand-up just reminds me of the completely inappropriate things adults said about us as children while we were present,” the user said. “How our bodies developed, how attractive we were, things that made me damn uncomfortable. “I never got over that.”
The special first streamed on Netflix in December 2021
James plays Principal Ava Coleman on the ABC comedy “Abbott Elementary.”
Numerous people took to Twitter to criticize James' comedy part in the Netflix special
One user said the joke triggered unpleasant childhood memories
One user defended James amid outrage over the 2021 joke, saying he was an example of why no one “takes internet criticism seriously.”
Another user said: “It's sad that in our society it's so normal to be quiet where there should be outrage,” because “the whole room should have been empty after that.”
One user said that jokes like this “ARE NEVER FUNNY.”
One user defended James amid outrage over the 2021 joke, saying he was an example of why “no one takes internet criticism seriously.”
“Do I think Janelle James’ joke was in poor taste, yes,” the user said. “Do I think she's a child predator, no?” With you guys it's all or nothing, people sometimes take shit as it is.”
has contacted James' representatives for comment on the story.