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Can you call it a comeback?
Comedian Louis C.K. is set to headline two nights of the New York Comedy Festival later this year – marking one of his first high-profile stand-up acts since being accused of sexual misconduct by five women back in 2017.
Caroline Hirsch, the founder and owner of the New York Comedy Festival, announced the news in a statement on Monday, July 14.
“We’re thrilled to unveil this year’s incredible lineup – a dynamic mix of global headliners and rising voices that reflect where comedy is right now and where it’s headed,” she told The Post. “We’re proud to continue to bring New York City the very best of the best.”
“In a constantly shifting landscape, we stay committed to spotlighting new voices, championing fresh perspectives, breaking form, and shaping a festival that sets the standard both creatively and commercially,” Hirsch added.
C.K. is scheduled to perform his newest comedy special, “Ridiculous,” at the Beacon Theater on Nov. 14 and 15 as part of the annual festival.
Other headliners include Margaret Cho, Hannah Berner, Pete Holmes, Morgan Jay, Ryan Long, Trevor Wallace and Michael Blackson.
“Strangers With Candy” creators Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello will also host a reunion to mark the 25th anniversary of the sitcom’s cancellation.
The news that C.K. will headline two nights of the upcoming comedy festival comes nearly eight years after five women accused the “Louis” creator of sexual misconduct in a bombshell New York Times exposé.
The women claimed that the comedian exposed himself and masturbated in front of them without their consent, and C.K. later admitted to the allegations and issued a lengthy apology.
“These stories are true,” the comedian began. “At the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my d–k without asking first, which is also true.”
“The power I had over these women is that they admired me,” C.K. added. “And I wielded that power irresponsibly.”
FX, Netflix, Showtime and HBO quickly cut ties with C.K., and he joked in 2019 that he lost an estimated $35 million in income due to the scandal.
However, despite his sudden fall from grace, the canceled comedian later returned to the spotlight to win a Grammy in 2022 for his “Sincerely Louis C.K.” album.
The “American Hustle” star’s award brought backlash, and one of his accusers spoke out after the surprising win.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if people would not be rewarded for bad behavior?” actress Julia Wolov, who was named in the exposé about C.K., said at the time. “But what are you supposed to do?”
“These people voted for him. I guess that’s what happens when comedy and music come together,” she added. “I don’t believe in cancel culture, but obviously, Louis is not canceled. He seems fine to me. He’s touring. He’s selling out. He’s winning Grammys.”
C.K. later returned to the stand-up circuit, too. He announced an international 2025-2026 tour, called the “Ridiculous Tour”, earlier this year.
The Post has reached out to the New York Comedy Festival’s organizers for comment.
English (US)