Can you call it a comeback?<\/p>\n
Comedian Louis C.K. is set to headline two nights of the New York Comedy Festival later this year \u2013 marking one of his first high-profile stand-up acts since being accused of sexual misconduct by five women back in 2017.<\/p>\n
Caroline Hirsch, the founder and owner of the New York Comedy Festival, announced the news in a statement on Monday, July 14.<\/p>\n
Louis C.K. during the 10th Annual U.S. Comedy Arts Festival at the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, Colorado. FilmMagic, Inc<\/p>\n
Louis C.K. attends a boxing match at Radio City Music Hall in April 2013. Anthony J. Causi<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to unveil this year\u2019s incredible lineup \u2013 a dynamic mix of global headliners and rising voices that reflect where comedy is right now and where it\u2019s headed,\u201d she told The Post. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to continue to bring New York City the very best of the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 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,\u201d Hirsch added.<\/p>\n
C.K. is scheduled to perform his newest comedy special, \u201cRidiculous,\u201d at the Beacon Theater on Nov. 14 and 15 as part of the annual festival.<\/p>\n
Louis C.K. arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills in February 2016. Evan Agostini\/Invision\/AP<\/p>\n
Other headliners include Margaret Cho, Hannah Berner, Pete Holmes, Morgan Jay, Ryan Long, Trevor Wallace and Michael Blackson.<\/p>\n
\u201cStrangers With Candy\u201d creators Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello will also host a reunion to mark the 25th anniversary of the sitcom\u2019s cancellation.<\/p>\n
The news that C.K. will headline two nights of the upcoming comedy festival comes nearly eight years after five women accused the \u201cLouis\u201d creator of sexual misconduct in a bombshell New York Times expos\u00e9<\/a>. <\/p>\n Louis C.K. performs at the Beacon Theatre on October 13, 2012, in New York City. WireImage<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThese stories are true,\u201d the comedian began. \u201cAt the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my d\u2013k without asking first, which is also true.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe power I had over these women is that they admired me,\u201d C.K. added. \u201cAnd I wielded that power irresponsibly.\u201d<\/p>\n Louis C.K. participates in the \u201cBetter Things\u201d panel during the FX Television Critics Association summer press tour at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills in August 2017. Chris Pizzello\/Invision\/AP<\/p>\n FX, Netflix, Showtime and HBO quickly cut ties with C.K.<\/a>, and he joked in 2019 that he lost an estimated $35 million<\/a> in income due to the scandal.<\/p>\n However, despite his sudden fall from grace, the canceled comedian later returned to the spotlight to\u00a0win a Grammy\u00a0in 2022<\/a> for his \u201cSincerely Louis C.K.\u201d album.<\/p>\n