As Louis C.K was publicly accused of sexual misconduct, subsequently confirmed that “these stories are true,” partially retreated from public life and gradually returned — a trajectory that began with comedy club appearances just nine months after the story broke in the fall of 2017, then continued through sold-out tours, self-distributed specials, a Grammy, and finally “Ridiculous,” a new hour now streaming on Netflix — one thing was never in doubt: his talent.
C.K. is one of the most gifted and influential performers of his generation, and would remain so even if he never took the stage again. His FX series “Louie” set the template for an entire slate of auteurist sitcoms like “Ramy” and “Dave”; his pioneering method of selling specials and self-funded projects like the drama “Horace and Pete” through his website presaged the so-called creator economy, built on direct connection between performers and fans. (This same infrastructure would also allow him to weather the coming storm.) All this was built on a self-deprecating stand-up persona that made hay of middle-aged masculinity. C.K. had already been working for decades, but his career really popped off only when he was a divorced, pot-bellied dad mocking his own abjection. This was not a coincidence.
