Louis CK Made a Joke About Rape Whistles in Return

Comedian's surprise set isn't sitting well with his critics
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 30, 2018 8:22 AM CDT
Louis CK Joked About Rape Whistles in New Routine
A file photo of Louis CK.   (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

Earlier this week, the New York Times provided a scoop from the world of comedy, reporting that Louis CK had returned to the stage for the first time since his sexual harassment scandal. The story said the comic got a rousing ovation when he made his surprise appearance at the Comedy Cellar, but now Vulture reports that the sentiment was not unanimous, especially from the women present. "There were at least four to five females that I could see, and three or four of them were not having it," one female attendee tells the site. "They were just looking at him, deadpan, straight, not having it." Another called the set "uncomfortable," especially when CK joked about the phrase "clean as a whistle," which culminated in a joke about rape whistles not being clean.

"When he said ‘rape whistle’ people were laughing, and I was just sitting there like oh my f---," the woman says. "This is so uncomfortable and so disgusting. Everyone around me was laughing. That was just depressing.” CK did not mention his scandal during the set before the heavily male audience, and he's been taking heavy flak from critics who say he returned too soon and without making proper amends for his behavior. Some, including Sady Doyle at Elle, argue he shouldn't return at all. Fast Company rounds up comments from 25 male comedians who criticized CK's move. One notable exception was comedian Michael Ian Black, who CBS News notes defended CK's decision to return. However, Black then took so much flak himself, he offered a clarification. (More Louis CK stories.)

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