I was watching an episode of Sesame Street with my 4 year old the other day. I stepped away for a minute and suddenly heard her screaming “Mama! Turn it off! Not this! Turn it off!” She’s at this age where there are a lot of things on shows and movies that freak her out, so we have an agreement that I will fast forward through whatever she wants. 

So I rush back into the living room figuring it was Cookie Monster (scary), someone fighting (scary), maybe someone making a mistake they get upset about (scary). But no. 

It was Tina Fey singing a delightful song with some muppets. Wait, was one of the muppets too freaky? I didn’t see cookie monster…

“What’s wrong kiddo?,” I asked “What don’t you like?” She pointed at the TV and whimpered “The pirate.” I looked again. Ah yes. In fact, Tina Fey was wearing a pirate hat and an eye patch – but also a big smile. 

“That’s Tina Fey!” I said, excited to clue my daughter in on a strong funny female role model “She’s an actor like mommy. In fact she’s sorta one of Mommy’s heroes.” 

“Why?” 

“Well, she’s really really smart and funny, and she’s a wonderful actor and writer. I just really admire her. Don’t you think she’s funny wearing that hat and dancing with those monsters?” #ABC eyed the TV warily. “No. I don’t like the pirate.” 

“But it’s Tina Fey, she’s not a real pirate-“

“I don’t like the pirate!”

Alllllllll righty then. My daughter is officially scared of Tina Fey. Damn. So is this a ding to my mom cred or my comedian cred? 

#momfail #comedyfail