It is inarguable that Louis CK is one of the greatest comedy minds of the last decade or two. As a standup and as a TV writer and creator, he has had a huge influence over comedy.
However, he also had a habit of masturbating in front of female comedians. Nine months ago, when this was revealed, he admitted it, and went away.
Last week, he dropped in for an unannounced 15 minute set in the Comedy Cellar, which was reportedly warmly received by most in the audience. Let's talk about it on Feminism Sunday.
CK dropping in for unannounced sets in the Cellar used to be a feature. I freely admit that the possibility of it happening was a big factor in my decision to go to the Cellar each time I've been to NYC in recent years. But that was then. And this is now.
Many criticized his decision to make this appearance, and that criticism was met with a backlash, which can be summed up as "what is he expected to do? Stay away forever? This is his job!"
To which I have a few replies. First, the dude is a multi-millionaire. He absolutely could stay away for ever and be absolutely fine.
Beyond that, apart from the most strident, most people don't want or expect him to be gone forever. But coming back should not be as simple as dropping in and giving a set that does not address what happened in any way.
Louis CK is, as I wrote, a brilliant comic mind. He is more than capable of interrogating his own wrongdoing as fodder for his comedy. As long as the comedy's target is himself, and not his victims, this seems a reasonable path.
The things CK did were gross, but in the scale of #metoo culprits, he is far from the worst. To my mind - and I hasten to add that as a man, my opinion on this should not be given too much weight - someone like Matt Lauer, with his hidden door locking button, is far worse. For Lauer, coming back should never be an option. Ever. And that's on the harassment level. Those who committed assault belong in jail.
So, for me, there is a path for CK to return. I would still defer to his victims, such as Rebecca Corry, but that's my view.
But that path should be a careful one. One that acknowledges the harm he caused. Not one where the audience, as the brilliant Emily Heller tweeted, didn't consent to his appearance.
