Amy Schumer cancels Naperville book event

Under fire following provocative comments about rape by one of her longtime writers, Amy Schumer has canceled several promotional events for her new book, including one scheduled for Saturday in Naperville.

The 2 p.m. signing at North Central College was arranged by Anderson’s Bookshops. “The cancellation was made by the publisher (Simon & Schuster),” a statement from the bookseller said, “and is out of the control of either Anderson’s Bookshops or North Central College.” No further explanation was provided.

Schumer became a social media target this week after an “Inside Amy Schumer” writer, Kurt Metzger, ridiculed a New York theater’s ban of a comedian accused of sexual abuse and criticized rape victims who go public with allegations without reporting them to police.

“With no details/proof/a story about what happened of any kind, a bunch of people feel comfortable declaring guilt and going out of their way to destroy someone,” Metzger wrote on one of a series of posts on his Facebook page. “But I’m right and that’s why we have a constitution and laws.”

In response Schumer tweeted she was “saddened and disappointed” by her former colleague, but “he does not work for me.”

The comedian then added, “I didn’t fire Kurt. He isn’t a writer for my show because we aren’t making the show anymore. There are no writers for it.”

When some interpreted that as Schumer announcing the demise of her series, she clarified with a tweet saying “Inside” is merely going on hiatus as she concentrates on stand-up, writing and movies.

Schumer is in the midst of promoting her candid new collection of essays, “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo,” released Tuesday. She and co-star Goldie Hawn just wrapped shooting Schumer’s still-untitled follow-up to last year’s “Trainwreck,” and she will embark on a globetrotting stand-up tour later this month that comes to the Allstate Arena on Nov. 25 and the UIC Pavilion on Nov. 26.

“We are slated for a Season 5,” she reassured fans, “but not in the foreseeable future.”

Contributing: USA TODAY