Louis CK is back, again. Nearly a decade after admitting guilt in a series of sexual misconduct allegations in 2017, the comedian, actor, and writer-director has released a new Netflix special titled Ridiculous. The special marks a full-circle moment for CK, whose last pre-scandal hour, 2017, was also a Netflix release. Since the allegations, he has toured extensively, often to crowds that imply he was wronged, and self-released four comedy specials.
A Gradual Return Rather Than a Triumph
The special feels less like a triumphant return and more like a gradual slinking back, with an unspoken assumption that audiences no longer care about his behavior. There is no defense or apology, just a shrugging acceptance. When describing a tour of his elderly father's prospective nursing home, CK says: "The theme of the tour is: 'This Is What This Is,'" implying grim acceptance. This theme seems to apply to Ridiculous as well.
Self-Deprecation vs. Reality
Some moments highlight the contrast between CK's self-deprecating presentation and his real-life failings. A funny observation like "I can't be held responsible for what I dream. I'm not a good guy in my dreams" doesn't land as well because audiences know about his real-life misconduct. Similarly, jokes about not having sex much and dating women his own age feel like an attempt to burnish his regular-schlub credibility, positioning himself as harmless.
Brilliant Stretches Amid Uneven Quality
Despite the uneven quality, Ridiculous has brilliant stretches. CK remains a keen comic mind, both structurally and instinctively. A bit about hating waking up on an airplane, where he backtracks to clarify that waking up in general is terrible, is laugh-out-loud funny. A sidebar about his love for the damp pad in a package of chicken breast is a classic observational moment, pushed further by visceral weirdness.
Reliance on Dopey Shock Laughs
Elsewhere, CK relies on dopey shock laughs. In past specials, shocks often stemmed from logical progression, trapping audiences into laughing at taboo subjects. Here, jokes about cremating his mother or a callback to a child-abuse joke feel like blunt-force mischief. Some jokes lack effort, like saying his 42-year-old friend had trouble getting pregnant because her eggs were "scrambled" or "rotten."
Flashes of Writer's Flair
CK is capable of more, and Ridiculous has flashes of his writer's flair for crystallizing standard comedians' laments into vividly relatable material. "Every part of my body hates the part next to it," he says, describing the physical indignities of aging. This material remains punchy, while his philosopher side, like his famous "everything is amazing and nobody is happy" routine, trails off.
Conclusion: A Valuable Reminder
The pedestrian nature of this Netflix-released special makes it valuable. It reminds us that CK's weaknesses, on and off stage, are his own doing. Louis CK: Ridiculous is now available on Netflix.
