Louis C.K. Returns to Netflix With New Special & Hollywood Bowl Show

Louis C.K. Is returning to Netflix with a new stand-up special, “Ridiculous,” and a headlining show at the Hollywood Bowl as part of Netflix Is A Joke Fest, marking his first major streamer outing since the 2017 revelations of sexual misconduct allegations. The announcement, made on Thursday, April 2, 2026, signals a significant step in the comedian’s career resurgence.

The Hollywood Bowl performance is scheduled for May 5. Tickets will go on sale Monday, April 6 at 10 a.m. PT, according to festival organizers. “Ridiculous” will premiere on Netflix this summer.

This marks C.K.’s first show at the Netflix Is A Joke Fest. He has been touring the material for “Ridiculous” for nearly a year, performing in theaters, arenas and stadiums across the United States, Variety reports.

A Return to the Streamer

The special is C.K.’s first to be released by a major distributor since his 2017 Netflix special, Louis C.K. 2017. Following allegations of sexual misconduct, C.K. Released his last four specials independently: Sincerely Louis C.K. (2020), Sorry (2021), and Louis C.K. At The Dolby and Back to the Garden (both 2023).

In 2017, The New York Times published allegations of sexual misconduct against C.K. From five women, some of whom stated that he had masturbated in front of them. C.K. Subsequently released a statement apologizing and admitting to the behavior. He acknowledged initially believing it was acceptable as long as he asked first, but later recognized the inherent power dynamic and his irresponsible use of it.

Career Interruption and Subsequent Comeback

Following the allegations, Netflix and FX cut ties with C.K., and HBO dropped him from a televised event and removed his previous specials from its on-demand library. However, C.K. Resumed performing stand-up in 2018 and continued to sell out venues, including Madison Square Garden. He released his debut novel, Ingram, last fall.

Despite the controversy, C.K. Has continued to work, releasing multiple specials, including the Grammy-winning Sincerely Louis C.K. His return to Netflix is notable, particularly given his previous tendency to self-release his work, even before the 2017 allegations.

Industry Context and Recent Activity

The comedian’s career has been largely defined by his accomplishments before November 17, 2017, and everything he has done since, as noted by Deadline. His most recent special, Louis C.K. At The Dolby, was released in 2023.

In a recent interview with Theo Von on the This Past Weekend podcast, C.K. Expressed a sense of freedom following the public airing of the allegations against him. He stated, “When life f***s it up for you, when it gets torn up, it’s a relief.” He described feeling liberated from trying to manage internal problems and maintain a public image, acknowledging past behaviors he was ashamed of.

C.K. Is represented by Cinetic Media and Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes.