Louis C.K. Returns to Netflix with New Stand-up Special and Headlining Performance at Hollywood Bowl
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, Louis C.K. is returning to Netflix with a new stand-up special titled “Ridiculous,” which is set to stream on the platform this summer.
The comedian is also scheduled to perform as a headliner at the Hollywood Bowl on May 5 as part of the Netflix Is a Joke festival.
C.K. has been touring this new hour for nearly a year, performing in theaters, clubs, and small arenas across the United States. “Ridiculous” marks his first special to be released by a major distributor since his previous collaboration with Netflix in 2017. He had released his four subsequent specials independently following a sexual misconduct scandal that disrupted his relationship with mainstream Hollywood.
In 2017, The New York Times published sexual misconduct allegations against C.K. from five women, some of whom stated that C.K. had masturbated in their presence. Shortly thereafter, C.K. issued a statement admitting to the behavior and apologizing, writing, “These stories are true.” The comedian stated he initially believed his actions were “okay because I never showed a woman my dick without asking first,” but later realized the inherent power dynamic between him and the women, noting, “I used that power irresponsibly.”
In the wake of the #MeToo scandal, Netflix and FX severed ties with C.K., while HBO removed him from a televised event and pulled his previous specials from its on-demand library. His management also stopped representing him, the release of his film I Love You, Daddy was canceled, and his animated project The Cops was scrapped.
C.K. remained largely out of the public eye for several years before making a return through surprise sets at comedy clubs, which were often met with standing ovations as well as online backlash. He released the special Sincerely Louis C.K. on his website in 2020, addressing the scandal in its opening minutes. He followed this with three more independent releases: Sorry (2021), Louis C.K. at The Dolby (2023), and Back to the Garden (2023).
While C.K. has been able to draw large crowds in major venues worldwide post-scandal, the release of “Ridiculous” on Netflix signifies his major return to the Hollywood establishment.
