On Friday, comedian Louis C.K. released a statement admitting that the allegations of sexual misconduct against him that were reported in The New York Times are true. In light of his admission, FX has cut ties with Louis C.K., and his publicist, Lewis Kay, has dropped him as a client. Given the number of television series that C.K. served as a writer or executive producer on — including Better Things, Baskets, and One Mississippi — the question of what will happen to C.K.'s shows now that FX, FX Networks, HBO, and Netflix have all cut ties with the comedian looms large.
By all accounts, it seems these TV series will proceed without him, while any future seasons of Louie or comedy specials are off the table. Right now, all of the networks that were involved with C.K. appear to be placing their focus where it belongs — making sure the people working on C.K.'s shows have a safe work environment and not causing further stress for the women who came forward with the allegations against C.K. by continuing to do business with him.
In addition to being dropped by the networks he's worked with, C.K. has lost his publicist as well. In a tweet on Friday, Kay confirmed that he would no longer be representing C.K. as a client.
This news comes at a time when C.K. has promised to step back and try to be accountable for his actions, which include masturbating in front of women. In his lengthy statement, C.K. said,
"I have spent my long and lucky career talking and saying anything I want. I will now step back and take a long time to listen."
The networks that were working with C.K. seem to be giving him plenty of time to reflect, as evidenced by their reactions to C.K.'s admission that the allegations against him are true.
FX Networks & FX Productions
FX and FX Networks released a statement to Bustle on Friday, revealing that they are "ending [their] association with Louis C.K." The statement reads, in part:
"We are cancelling the overall deal between FX Productions and his production company, Pig Newton. He will no longer serve as executive producer or receive compensation on any of the four shows we were producing with him – 'Better Things,' 'Baskets,' 'One Mississippi,' and 'The Cops.'
Louis has now confirmed the truth of the reports relating to the five women victimized by his misconduct, which we were unaware of previously. As far as we know, his behavior over the past 8 years on all five series he has produced for FX Networks and/or FX Productions has been professional. However, now is not the time for him to make television shows. Now is the time for him to honestly address the women who have come forth to speak about their painful experiences, a process which he began today with his public statement."
FX also added that they "remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure that all people work in an environment that is safe, respectful and fair, and we will continue our review of all of these productions to ensure that was and is the case."
It seems that Better Things, Baskets, and One Mississippi will continue with their creators and current head writers, sans C.K.'s involvement. While C.K. served as an executive producer on all three series, he didn't star in them. However, according to Deadline, production on the new TBS animated series The Cops has been suspended for now. C.K. was set to voice one of the two main characters.
HBO
According to The Hollywood Reporter, HBO is also cutting ties with C.K., and that includes nixing his planned appearance on the Nov. 18 special Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs. In addition, HBO will remove his series Lucky Louie, and comedy specials One Night Stand, Oh My God, and Shameless from their on demand services.
Netflix
Netflix had a deal with C.K. to complete two new stand-up specials for their service. The first special, Louis C.K. 2017, is already streaming, and Netflix has not announced plans to pull it from the site. However, they have canceled C.K.'s second special. In a statement to The New York Times, Netflix said,
"The allegations made by several women in The New York Times about Louis C.K.’s behavior are disturbing. Louis’s unprofessional and inappropriate behavior with female colleagues has led us to decide not to produce a second stand-up special, as had been planned."
Additionally, C.K.'s new film, I Love You Daddy will not be released by its distributor The Orchard, as reported by The Verge. As it stands, the shows in which C.K. played a behind the scenes role only will continue without him, but the comedian's solo work has been mostly excised by FX, HBO, and Netflix.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit online.rainn.org.
