Netflix is getting back into business with Louis C.K.
The comedian is headlining a show at The Hollywood Bowl as part of the streamer’s Netflix Is a Joke festival on May 5. And his upcoming comedy special, Ridiculous, will premiere on the platform this summer. Ridiculous is directed and executive produced by C.K. himself and executive produced by Lea Cohen Zuckerman and Brady Nasfell.
This marks the first time that Netflix has worked with the comedian since his 2017 special Louis C.K. 2017.
The move appears to mark a turning point for the comedian, who had been exiled from many mainstream comedy spaces following a 2017 New York Times report at the height of the #MeToo movement in which five women accused him of sexual misconduct. The women alleged that he masturbated in front of them or on the phone with them. C.K. later admitted to the behavior, saying he believed at the time it had been appropriate because he had asked first.
The report had major consequences for C.K., whose star power was then at its height following multiple Emmy wins for his acclaimed FX series Louie and eight sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. FX cut ties with C.K. and ended his overall deal, he lost executive producer titles on multiple shows from FX and other companies and his management firm and publicist dropped him as a client. A film he starred in, wrote and directed, I Love You, Daddy, was dropped by its distributor.
In the wake of the controversy, Louis C.K. began working again but with a far lower profile. He toured in the U.S. and in Europe, filmed some specials (including one called “Sorry”) and released a novel set in rural Texas.
But there have been signs that his star has been on the rise once more: He appeared on the Theo Von’s popular podcast This Past Weekend in 2025 and that same year was invited to the controversial Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, where he rubbed shoulders with Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle and Pete Davidson. C.K. later defended the decision, calling it a “good opportunity.”
With his Netflix Is a Joke appearance, C.K. will once again be in very starry company. Other comedians announced to be playing the nearly 18,000-seat Hollywood Bowl during the 2026 edition of the event are Shane Gillis, John Mulaney and Marcello Hernández. Jon Stewart will also host a “Night of Too Many Stars” at the venue featuring Conan O’Brien, Steve Carell, Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Sandler and others.
Netflix Is a Joke Fest runs from May 4 through 10 in L.A.
