MeToo is over – ask Louis C.K.

Lykke Eder-Ekman, writing for Svenska Dagbladet, observes that comedian Louis C.K.'s new Netflix special, "Ridiculous," conspicuously omits any mention of the MeToo scandal that led to his "cancellation." This silence, she argues, speaks volumes about the current cultural climate.

C.K. is described as a "MeToo survivor" not in the sense of having experienced sexual harassment, but of having faced accusations himself and subsequently "survived" the backlash. Netflix severed ties with the comedian in 2017 following multiple accusations of sexual harassment. Their renewed collaboration with "Ridiculous" marks his return to mainstream visibility, a path that has not been without its challenges, including a poorly received novel.

The author expresses initial apprehension about the show, fearing C.K. might adopt a politically correct tone. However, she quickly finds herself laughing at his jokes, noting that he does not engage with his past accusations or the aftermath. This approach, Eder-Ekman suggests, aligns with the idea of a "post-woke" era, where reactions to the debates of the 2010s are prevalent. C.K.'s recent work, she posits, mirrors the phases of the MeToo era, from his initial boycott and self-released shows addressing his "cancellation" to "Ingram," his awkward apology novel.

"Ridiculous" completely sidesteps the MeToo allegations and their consequences, as if they never happened. Eder-Ekman speculates this is a public relations strategy by Netflix, but also posits that C.K.'s silence, and its acceptance, might signify a societal shift. While acknowledging the reprehensibility of his past actions, she questions the value of dedicating an entire show to rehashing them. The author concludes that C.K. is right to focus his hour-long special on other material, rather than dwelling on the pain he caused or the subsequent debates about free speech.