After 9 Years, Louis CK Is Returning to Netflix

Louis CK is back on Netflix's slate for the first time in almost a decade. The streamer says it will release a new stand-up special from the comedian, titled Ridiculous, this summer, and he'll also headline the Hollywood Bowl on May 5 as part of the Netflix Is a Joke Fest, Variety reports. He's been working out the hour on a lengthy tour through theaters, arenas, and even small stadiums.

Ridiculous is his first special with a major distributor since 2017, the year the New York Times reported accusations from five women who said CK engaged in sexual misconduct, including masturbating in front of them. He acknowledged the accounts, saying, "These stories are true," and admitted he had abused the power dynamic. "The power I had over these women is that they admired me," he said, per the Guardian. "And I wielded that power irresponsibly."

After the reports, Netflix, FX, and HBO severed ties and his film and TV projects were shelved. He largely retreated from public view before gradually returning via club sets and four self-released specials. By 2021, he was selling out large venues in the US and Europe. The Netflix deal marks his clearest move back into mainstream Hollywood since the fallout, Variety reports.