While there are a handful of powerful Hollywood figures who are currently serving jail time after allegations of sexual harassment and assault came to light during the #MeToo movement – namely, Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby – there are also a few celebs whose careers have essentially been put on hold or canceled as a result of the allegations levied against them.
One of the more high-profile ones who fits into the latter category is comedian and actor Louis C.K., who was accused by multiple women of masturbating in front of them in small, closed-off settings (such as in hotel rooms or on phone calls). Not long after these allegations came to light, Louis admitted that they were true and issued an apology. Still, it wasn’t long before he was dropped from a handful of upcoming projects; his feature film I Love You, Daddy was shelved and FX terminated their business with C.K.’s production company, effectively putting an end to the critically acclaimed series Louie.Â
However, after laying low for a bit, Louis returned to performing comedy shows in the second half of 2018, which was met with both support and disdain from fellow comedians. Just yesterday, though, C.K. made waves thanks to his brand new comedy special, which he made available on his personal website for $7.99.
Of course, some aren’t happy about its release, presumably because they feel his comeback is a bit premature. But C.K. has since addressed the aforementioned allegations, issuing a statement which can be read below:
I feel like there are two kinds of people in this world. One kind needs to laugh when things get shitty. In fact, the shittier things get, the more serious, the more dark the more terrifying, the more dangerous and dire anything is, the more important it is to laugh in The midst of it and often directly in its face.
These people believe it’s no coincidence that human beings have survived despite our fragile hairless bodies, through the most difficult of times And that we are the only species, besides ladybugs, Who laugh at life.
The other kind of people feel that it’s important to put aside laughter in times of difficulty and give serious And painful things the respect and the silence due to them. And to bow their heads to the tragic and to show kindness to people who are afraid and hurting by not making light of their fears or pain.
I don’t think that either one of these kinds of people is right over the other. I can only say that I belong to the first group.
I Love and respect many members of the latter group And I can’t stand many members Of my own.
Anyway, for those who need to laugh, I hope my new show will help.
For those of you that can’t laugh right now I just wish you all the peace you can grab in this shitty shitty time.
Despite his candidness, however, the release of his new comedy special has still drawn the ire of many and down below you’ll see just a sampling of what folks are saying on Twitter:
The funniest thing Louis CK could do would be to make everyone pay $8 to watch a video of him jacking off.
— Luis J. Gomez (@luisjgomez) April 4, 2020
Saw Louis CK trending, was hoping he had donated some money to NYC healthcare workers. Nope. Just another horrible act from a horrible man. Who also is not remotely funny. pic.twitter.com/geaH5tLaxy
— LilaM (@RMurane) April 4, 2020
louis ck committed sexual assault multiple times over many years. he admitted to it. anyone who defends or suppports him is a bad person
— Avery Edison (@aedison) April 4, 2020
Everyone is trapped in a room, terrified and exhausted. There has never been a more appropriate time for Louis CK to release a comedy special.
— Elizabeth Quarrin' (@feraljokes) April 4, 2020
Louis CK is a shitty person who spent years sexually assaulting women, and burying the careers of anyone who dared to speak the truth. Please do not give him your money. https://t.co/v1IaFyjYDq
— Michelle Kinney ?STAY THE F HOME? (@MichelleKinney) April 5, 2020
Trolls coming @ me for saying #LouisCK doesn't deserve a comeback, thnx for proving my point. He is profiting off of misogyny,catering to those who hate the #MeToo movement. No one DESERVES a comeback. No one is ENTITLED to redemption. Forgiveness is earned. He hasn't earned it.
— Helana Darwin (@HelanaDarwin) April 5, 2020
Louis CK used to be one of my top 5 comedians. His specials should not get any ink.
— lyneka little (@lyneka) April 5, 2020
i loved louis ck’s stand up as much as the next guy but like…. i don’t want him to have a career? or success? ever? for the rest of his life?
— alex (@alxrunyon) April 5, 2020
Louis CK sickens me.
— Patricia Rose??? (@HowardBeale12) April 5, 2020
yeah id pay $8 to watch louis ck………..watch him eat a bunch of literal shit
— Alex (@AandSandO) April 5, 2020
People getting excited about a Louis CK show coming soon, wasn’t he a massive, sleazy sex-pest three/four years ago and has stuff cancelled because of it?
— Wilder (@wildebeast1) April 5, 2020
A few others, meanwhile, have instead opted to poke fun at how quick some Twitter users were to voice their opinions about the new special.
Louis CK has a new special and Twitter is now like pic.twitter.com/xNv6oYXABV
— Frank Mineo (@DYmilkshake) April 4, 2020
So many funny, original people on twitter! #LouisCK pic.twitter.com/WLI0PyYdnz
— Billy (@Wannu001) April 4, 2020
If one thing’s clear, it’s that the internet might never reach a consensus on whether or not Louis C.K. deserves to return to the world of stand-up comedy. But if you feel like giving his new special a watch, you can do so over on his official website.
