Brow Beat

FX Severs Ties With Louis C.K., and Better Things Co-Creator Pamela Adlon Releases Statement (Updated)

Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon on Louie.
Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon on Louie.

FX

Following Thursday’s New York Times story in which five women accused Louis C.K. of sexual misconduct—and his admission on Friday that those stories “are true”—FX, which produced Louie and also worked with C.K. on such shows as Better Things and Baskets, has severed all ties with the comedian. In a statement, FX Networks and FX Productions said:

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.

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 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.

The fallout from the Times story has been swift, with past collaborators such as Parks and Recreation’s Mike Schur distancing themselves from C.K., distributor the Orchard canceling the release of his controversial new film I Love You, Daddy, and Netflix announcing that it will not be producing a planned second stand-up special with C.K. His publicist, Lewis Kay, also announced on Friday that he will cease representing the comedian.

Update, 7:35 p.m.: Pamela Adlon, a longtime collaborator of C.K.’s who appeared often on Louie and co-created her FX series Better Things with C.K., has released a statement:

Hi. I’m here. I have to say something. It’s so important.

My family and I are devastated and in shock after the admission of abhorrent behavior by my friend and partner, Louis C.K. I feel deep sorrow and empathy for the women who have come forward. I am asking for privacy at this time for myself and my family. I am processing and grieving and hope to say more as soon as I am able.