Documentary capturing comedian Louis CK’s #MeToo scandal has been shelved at Showtime.
Director Caroline Suh (“Blackpink: Light Up the Sky”) was originally set to direct the documentary announced by Paramount Global executive David Nevins in August 2022. Nevins left Paramount in October 2022.
Showtime confirmed to Showtime that the documentary would not be moving forward, but gave no further reasons as to why. Variety first reported the news.
“Louis CK is a slightly different situation (than Harvey Weinstein),” then-Showtime CEO Nevins said at the time. “(He’s) a great, great comedian who’s back in his way.”
Nevins added: “I don’t think the social change that #MeToo has brought is solved. There’s some backlash against #MeToo, who has to go and who can come back.”
The documentary was meant to chart CK’s exit from the projects in 2017 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Netflix, HBO and FX (where CK had a blanket deal) have cut ties with the comedian following allegations the comedian was exposing himself to women.
The New York Times reporters who broke the news that CK was accused of masturbating in front of five women were expected to attend the film, produced by Amanda Branson-Gill (“Mrs. America”) and The New York Times.
CK released a statement at the time of the allegations, saying, “These stories are true. When you have power over another person, asking them to watch your dick isn’t a problem. It’s a difficult situation for them. The power I had over these women was that they looked up to me. And I exercised that power irresponsibly.
The “Louie” creator won his third Grammy for a 2020 self-produced comedy special “Sincerely, Louis CK” and debuted the film “Fourth of July” last summer. CK later headlined a sold out 24-city national tour in 2021.
CK accuser Julie Wolov spoke out about the comedian seemingly immune to culture nullification, saying, “No one cares. This is the message it sends. I don’t believe in cancel culture, but of course Louis doesn’t get cancelled. He looks fine to me. He’s on tour. He’s running out. He’s winning Grammys… What’s wrong with him about people? Wouldn’t it be nice if people weren’t rewarded for bad behavior? But what should you do? These people voted for him. I guess that’s what happens when comedy and music come together.
