Louis C.K.'s comeback: a metoo rejection in Isolation

Louis CK’s comeback: A&C

A #MeToo Rejection in Isolation

By Grace Stone “T hese stories are true,” says Louis CK in re sponse to accusations of sexual misconduct. Unlike many other men accused in the past two years (Harvey Weinstein and Brett Kavanaugh are among the most recognizable figures), he admitted to partaking in sexual misconduct throughout his career. Because of this admission, his fans were forced to face the reality of the situation: that this renowned comedian had committed sexual assault. Furthermore, they thought that Louis CK would fade out of the public eye, settle down in an extravagant mansion, and eventually, everyone would forget him. This was not the case. Just nine months passed before Louis CK was out in the public again with a surprise performance at New York’s Comedy Cellar. According to Vox, after a 15-minute set, he received a standing ovation from the stunned audience. Howev er, at the same time, neither the Comedy Cellar’s owner nor the audience knew he was coming. Additionally, it has since been reported that during this show, he cracked jokes about his sexual misconduct. The audience was then essentially forced to watch a show centered on testimonies of sexual assault from the assailant himself. Regardless of the standing ovation he received, Louis CK’s appearance on stage that night, nonetheless, most likely stirred discomfort in the audi ence. Louis CK’s fame continues to prevail. In early November, NBC published an article that the comedian had began an international tour beginning in Virginia and traveling as far as eastern Europe. Just a week later, Fox News disclosed that he had sold out his shows in Rome, Tel Aviv, and Bratislava, Slovakia. This news was shocking to many. What made it permissible to have

Louis CK, who admitted to sexual misconduct, go on tour? The point here, though, is that Louis CK clearly does not care about how the media, survivors, or the public overall will react to his “comeback.” As long as he continues to sell shows and receive standing ovations, “can cel-culture” will not affect him. These situations play out similarly to many abusers accused with in the #MeToo movement. Brett

Kavanaugh still got his Supreme Court seat, and Donald Trump remains president. Hollywood personality Ryan Seacrest still remains an important figure in the celebrity realm.

Louis CK is another burning example of the work that proponents of the #MeToo movement still have to do, and the steps they still have to take to fully hold abusers accountable. While #MeToo has made signifi cant changes to the attitude and rhetoric around sexual assault, and there is now more accountability, we need to keep moving towards justice and let abusers know that we will not stand for even a comeback tour.