My Thoughts on Louis CK Headlining Netflix is a Joke

​Maybe the most controversial yet influential comedian of his generation Louis CK, has officially been "uncanceled." While many will argue he never was canceled, the way we define the ambiguous term can create it's own controversary when discussing comics behaving badly. On May 5th Louis CK will have all the backing of Netflix once again, as he headlines The Hollywood Bowl and then produces another special for the streamer. While his long time fans are excited, his detractors are disgusted that a massive corporation is funding his comedy, while not promoting more women comics or even those who need the exposure and push. This really shouldn't be a debatable topic, as the man really has lost the right to be sponsored by a huge company or network, considering the perverted acts he's done, but this also becomes a "mirror on society" moment, as Netflix wouldn't do this unless their algorithm allowed them. 

My Clear Stance on Louis CK
Louis CK was a favorite comic of mine when starting out. The man is funny and insightful. That is undeniable. But when he decided to abuse his power and sexually harass/assault/provoke women by whacking off in front of them, he lost my financial contributions. I saw him live once at The Comedy Store in 2015 when I was first starting out, and it was a huge moment for me at the time. But today, I wouldn't even think about buying a ticket to see him. 

I try to live by The Golden Rule ("Do unto others as you would have do unto you..."), and while I didn't know the women he hurt, they are still a human being. They are someone's sister, daughter, friend, etc. If he had done that to me, and I found out a massive company just didn't care because I wasn't important enough to care about, I'd be devastated.

But I also understand that people are complicated. So I understand why others wouldn't stop supporting Louis CK, as they "know" him (he made them laugh) and "didn't know" the victims (who weren't famous). We call that low emotional intelligence. It's the inability to show empathy for another or a stranger, and it's why so many can mentally separate the act of masturbating in front of female co-workers (unwanted and non-consensual) and the way Louis CK can tell a story or joke. I choose not to support him anymore. That's my official stance.

Netflix Is Just a Money Hungry Corporation 
Don't fool yourself. Ted Sarandos and his team are after two things: Money and Awards. So when they decide to financially back and market Louis CK, they've done extensive research into what types of content they can make to retain viewers and bring in new ones. 

What Netflix realized is that people will cancel their subscriptions for a season but return once a new show or film debuts. They might get pushback on X and Facebook from comics and actors, but those same artists would sign a contract with them if offered a show or comedy special. They know that people will complain and write think pieces, but in the end want to have the entire Netflix catalog to enjoy. 

As much as I'm disappointed in Netflix, I still look forward to other projects they're making with artists I do support. If I had to cancel every streamer with a problematic producer, comic, or actor, then I'd be only watching The Weather Channel. And so would you. Netflix isn't approving his behavior - as they would fire an administrative employee who did the same acts of sexual perversion, but they will work with an artist for a time to maximize their quarterly earnings. This collaboration has less to do with the moral compass of Netflix and more with shareholder spreadsheets. 

Once you accept Hollywood is a moral wasteland, you can digest these types of frustrating deals more and more. The trick is to call it out, move on, and try to be the change you want to see. The best thing that can happen is the Hollywood Bowl show is half full (There's still plenty of tickets according to Ticketmaster) and then don't watch the streaming special. 

Cancel Culture is Over 
With this hiring, Netflix has essentially ended the cancel culture. While many argue Louis CK was never canceled because he still performed worldwide, went on podcasts, and sold his own merch, the truth was he did that independent of the corporate machine. 

I actually didn't have a problem with Louis CK performing at Madison Square Garden, because he was responsible for his own ticket sales. If he could find people who were willing to overlook his moral shortcomings, then the capitalistic market once again showed how supply and demand works. 

Where the problem in this situation lies is that Louis CK is getting the full blessing of the most powerful content creation machine on earth. They have a vested interest in his success, and that is why its creepy and ugly. 

If the independent media scene (social media, YouTube, podcasts, etc.)  has taught us anything, it is you don't have to use Big Media anymore to build a brand. But its also revealed how many people just don't care about the moral behavior of their favorite stars. 

We are seeing underage girl DM king Chris D'Eila still get spots at clubs and sell out shows. We see woman abusers like Jonathan Majors get movie deals with the conservative media outlet The Daily Wire. We see people like Kevin Spacey still get invites to international events.

We are learning more about the ethos of the citizens of the world with every "canceled" artist, and its revealing that many people don't care how artists behave as long as they entertain us.

Final Thoughts 
If you still enjoy Louis CK and want to support his comedy, you have a free market right. That's literally how this whole capitalistic marketplace works. But if you ever get hurt by a famous comic or producer, and your friends choose to still support their projects, you don't get to say anything to them. It's that simple. 

There's a difference between tone and behavior. Howard Stern had a crude tone but wasn't a sexual assault abuser. Joe Rogan is a politically controversial figure, and you have every right to not listen, but he's not a been accused of mistreating women. Those men have a tone that many can despise and many do. Louis CK admitted he did the acts he was accused of. He's written jokes about it. To then say, you get to represent our company is a slap in the face to his victims. 

Bill Burr once asked, "If these people are canceled, are they not allowed to be plumbers? Where does it end." (Paraphrasing) That's a funny joke, but not a fair assessment. They can go do whatever they want, but if their bad behavior prohibits them from being hired, then that's on them. They can start their own plumbing business (in theory), but should they get a job over better behaved and equally talented plumbers? The same applies to comics. The big clubs shouldn't help those who hurt so many. If independent theaters want to rent out the building to them - sure - but all Netflix is doing is making us feel like we have to pick sides, and there are no winners in the end.  

​If Netflix really wanted to be cutting edge, they'd put their money behind rising talent and use their marketing schemes to create more value in a young comic with no baggage. Now there's an idea: Use your resources to build something up instead of taking something that's already been built and refresh it because it is just easier and in the end lazier.