FX is ending its long relationship with Louis C.K. amid reports of sexual misconduct against the comedian. C.K. confirmed the allegations earlier today in a statement released through The New York Times.
C.K. has been a successful standup comedian for a couple decades now, but his stardom reached new heights when his FX sitcom Louie debuted in 2010. A blunt, experimental, hilarious new kind of sitcom, the show earned critical raves and awards, and helped put FX on the map as a destination for creatively adventurous programming. Louie ended its run in 2015, but C.K. has stayed involved with the network, producing current series like Better Things, Baskets, as well as the FX/Amazon co-production One Mississippi.
Related: Louis C.K. Issues Official Statement On Sexual Misconduct
That relationship came to an end today. Shortly after C.K. confirmed the allegations against him were true, FX issued a press release severing ties with him.
Today, FX Networks and FX Productions are ending our association with Louis C.K. 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.
The network claims there were no reports of misconduct on any of their productions with C.K., and they vow to make the network a place everyone can feel safe working.
FX Networks and FX Productions 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.
Related: Louis C.K.’s I Love You, Daddy Canceled
This news comes hot off the heels of HBO ending their relationship with C.K. as well, removing all of his standup specials and his early '00s HBO sitcom Lucky Louie from their streaming services. C.K.'s upcoming movie, I Love You, Daddy, has also been shelved.
C.K. is just the latest in a long line of high profile Hollywood power players who have been brought down amid widespread accusations of sexual misconduct. House of Cards star Kevin Spacey has been accused by several people - including Star Trek: Discovery star Anthony Rapp - of sexual assault against minors. Spacey has been fired from House of Cards and is being edited out of upcoming film All The Money In The World. Directors James Toback and Brett Ratner have also faced mounting allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
C.K. was an incredibly important collaborator for FX, helping them to build their reputation as one of cable's titans of high quality content. The network's swift decision to cut ties with him suggests they're serious about improving the culture around abuse in Hollywood, and hopefully other networks follow their lead.
Next: Hollywood’s Sexual Assault Scandals Create an Oscars Dilemma
Source: FX