What scandal? Louis CK is back on the comedy circuit after #MeToo banishment
Disgraced comedian Louis CK is back, performing his first new stand-up routine since admitting to numerous instances of sexual misconduct and harassment of women just 10 months ago.
Social media has been on fire with discussion over whether Louis CK has served enough time away from comedy. Some suggested he should continue working in the industry while others pointed out that he didn’t pay any real price for his past behavior.
Why should Louis CK stop doing what he loves? You can stop buying tickets and stop watching, but your opinion of what he chooses to do for a career should mean nothing to him. Wanna be mad? Be mad at the people who pay him. But he shouldn’t stop trying because you said so.
— Mandrew (@mrandrewworrell) August 28, 2018
Louis CK hasn’t been punished. https://t.co/VsfXAGsWXh
— Elad Nehorai (@PopChassid) August 28, 2018
“why can’t Louis CK make a comeback? Hasn’t he been punished enough?”-guy who thinks sitting alone in your mansion for a few months is an appropriate punishment for sex crimes
— Drew Landry (@MrDrewLandry) August 28, 2018
Indeed, the comedian’s banishment from the comedy world didn’t last long. He made his post-scandal debut at the Comedy Cellar in New York’s Greenwich Village where, according to the owner of the venue, Noam Dworman, his set consisted of “typical Louis CK stuff” like racism and tipping in restaurants – but no mention of his past misconduct.
Louis CK released a statement last year during the height of the #MeToo campaign movement, confirming that allegations made against him by five women, including that he masturbated in front of them, were in fact true and saying that he could never forgive himself for the “scope of hurt” he had caused.
READ MORE: Sexual misconduct ‘everywhere’: Letter from 200+ women in US national security
Unfortunately for some of the guests who would rather not have seen him, Louis CK’s appearance was unannounced and was not listed on the bill when people bought their tickets, which prompted some on Twitter to suggest it would have been better for the comedian to receive “consent” before dropping in unannounced. Despite that, however, Dworman said he received a warm reception from most of the audience.
And you know how it's clear Louis CK still doesn't get it? Dropping into a show without the audience's knowledge, which could include women who have been victims of this kind of thing. Informed consent still appears to be a remarkably fuzzy concept for him.
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) August 28, 2018
I can’t believe Louis CK of all people subjected an unsuspecting crowd to several minutes of self-indulgent behavior without their consent https://t.co/diusXWN1Nl
— Chandler Dean (@chandlerjdean) August 28, 2018
News of Louis CK’s return didn’t go down too well with his fellow comedians and others in the entertainment world, however, with some expressing their disappointment on social media.
Comedian Bris Farley tweeted that Louis CK’s “banishment” from stand-up comedy “wasn't some kind of petty punishment, it was a f*cking workplace safety issue” while screenwriter Jason Filiatrault pointed out that Louis CK would “be a f*cking pariah” and would have less chance of being forgiven so soon if he had “stolen jokes” from someone else.
