Before he was essentially canceled by Hollywood in 2017, Louis C.K. was an awards magnet.
He had won six Emmys, two Grammys, three Critics Choice Awards, and three Peabody Awards, among many others. Then came the sexual misconduct allegations against C.K., and his later confession that the stories were, in fact, true. The comedian’s career dried up, as did his awards prospects — although the Recording Academy still honored him with a third Grammy in 2022 for Sincerely Louis C.K.
Now, he has been re-platformed by Netflix, which proved to be a safe space for another controversy-ridden comic, Dave Chappelle. Over the weekend, C.K. turned up as one of the spotlight roasters for Bill Maher’s Mark Twain Award ceremony, which will begin streaming July 21. And on Tuesday, his comeback special, Louis C.K.: Ridiculous, debuted on Netflix.
Directed and written by C.K., the one-hour program ruminates on growing old, from putting his father in a nursing home, to cremating his mother, to dating as a 58-year-old man. Notably, C.K. avoids talking about the serious issues that caused him to take a temporary step back from the industry.
This is his first stand-up special with a major distributor since his 2017 scandal — though he self-released four shows since then — and it has him positioned to once again be an awards player.
Louis C.K.: Ridiculous will be eligible at the Emmys for Best Pre-Recorded Variety Special (plus the corresponding races like writing, directing, etc.), the Grammys for Best Comedy Album, and the Golden Globes for Best Stand-Up Comedy Performance — a category created in 2024.
But to be nominated, he’ll first have to be submitted.
That option rests with Netflix and, if they choose not to, C.K. will have the option to self-submit. Gold Derby has learned that Netflix has not yet decided whether to launch a campaign for the comic; the streamer’s team has months to strategize internally before the first entry deadlines arrive.
As you might expect, reviews are mixed on C.K.’s comeback project.
Jesse Hassenger of The Guardian notes how the troubled comedian returns “with a whimper,” and that there are “not enough” moments to make the special, special.
Ben Travers of IndieWire writes how C.K.’s “misery is infectious,” explaining, “his push to marry uncomfortable comparisons and reach compelling conclusions also worked to alleviate any distress through rewarding intellectual rigor.”
Alison Herman of Variety praises Ridiculous as “a strong hour of material performed with practiced expertise.” She adds, despite C.K.’s allegations, “one thing was never in doubt: his talent.”
And Matthew Crith of The Wrap raves, “After years of clawing his way out of cancel culture purgatory, Louis C.K. emerges victorious in a hilarious set aimed at his older, loyal viewers.”
Awards bodies and critics may be willing to reconsider Louis C.K., but the court of public opinion is still in session.
