Louis C.K. Returns to Netflix With New Special and Headlining Comedy Show at Hollywood Bowl
Louis C.K. returns to Netflix with a new stand-up special, “Ridiculous,” which will premiere on the streamer this summer.
The comic will also headline the Hollywood Bowl on May 5 as part of the Netflix Is a Joke Fest.
C.K. has been touring this new hour for nearly a year, headlining theaters, arenas and even small stadiums across the United States. “Ridiculous” marks his first special to be released by a major distributor since 2017, when he last partnered with Netflix. C.K. released his last four specials independently, following a sexual misconduct scandal that derailed his relationship with mainstream Hollywood.
In 2017, The New York Times published allegations of sexual misconduct against C.K. from five women, some of whom said C.K. had masturbated in front of them. Soon after, C.K. released a statement apologizing and admitting to the behavior, writing, “These stories are true.” The comic said he initially thought “it was okay because I never showed a woman my dick without asking first,” but then he came to understand there was an inherent power dynamic between him and the women, and “I wielded that power irresponsibly.”
Following the #MeToo scandal, Netflix and FX cut ties with C.K., and HBO dropped him from a televised event and removed his previous specials from its on-demand library. His manager dropped him as a client, the release of his film “I Love You Daddy” was canceled and his animated project “The Cops” was scrapped.
C.K. mostly disappeared from the public eye for a few years before returning with some surprise sets at comedy clubs, which often drew standing ovations and online backlash. He self-released his special “Sincerely Louis C.K.” on his website in 2020, referencing the controversy in the first few minutes of the set. C.K. followed it up with three more self-released specials, “Sorry” in 2021, and “Louis C.K. at The Dolby” and “Back to the Garden” in 2023.
While C.K. has been able to draw audiences at large venues across the world for years after his scandal, “Ridiculous” going to Netflix marks his first major return to Hollywood.
The comic will also headline the Hollywood Bowl on May 5 as part of the Netflix Is a Joke Fest.
C.K. has been touring this new hour for nearly a year, headlining theaters, arenas and even small stadiums across the United States. “Ridiculous” marks his first special to be released by a major distributor since 2017, when he last partnered with Netflix. C.K. released his last four specials independently, following a sexual misconduct scandal that derailed his relationship with mainstream Hollywood.
In 2017, The New York Times published allegations of sexual misconduct against C.K. from five women, some of whom said C.K. had masturbated in front of them. Soon after, C.K. released a statement apologizing and admitting to the behavior, writing, “These stories are true.” The comic said he initially thought “it was okay because I never showed a woman my dick without asking first,” but then he came to understand there was an inherent power dynamic between him and the women, and “I wielded that power irresponsibly.”
Following the #MeToo scandal, Netflix and FX cut ties with C.K., and HBO dropped him from a televised event and removed his previous specials from its on-demand library. His manager dropped him as a client, the release of his film “I Love You Daddy” was canceled and his animated project “The Cops” was scrapped.
C.K. mostly disappeared from the public eye for a few years before returning with some surprise sets at comedy clubs, which often drew standing ovations and online backlash. He self-released his special “Sincerely Louis C.K.” on his website in 2020, referencing the controversy in the first few minutes of the set. C.K. followed it up with three more self-released specials, “Sorry” in 2021, and “Louis C.K. at The Dolby” and “Back to the Garden” in 2023.
While C.K. has been able to draw audiences at large venues across the world for years after his scandal, “Ridiculous” going to Netflix marks his first major return to Hollywood.