Parks and Recreation creator Mike Schur has apologised for casting Louis C.K. on the show, after five women came forward to allege sexual misconduct.
Earlier today, the New York Times published five on-the-record interviews with women who said C.K. either masturbated in front of them, or asked to masturbate in front of them.
But rumours around these specific incidents have been floating for years, largely led by now defunct website Gawker.
“I don’t remember when I heard the rumours about him,” tweeted Schur, under the name Ken Tremendous. “But I’m sure it was before the last time he was on Parks and Rec. And that sucks. And I’m sorry.”
The comedian appeared in the second season as Leslie Knope‘s (Amy Poehler) love interest, Dave Sanderson. He appears again in the fourth season, when he tries to convince Leslie to leave her partner, Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott).
Misogyny is a cancer. Harassment and abuse are that cancer metastasizing and going untreated. Stories like this being reported and printed are the first steps toward a cure. https://t.co/KgZXuzTNmB
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) November 9, 2017
I don’t remember when I heard the rumors about him. But I’m sure it was before the last time he was on Parks and Rec. And that sucks. And I’m sorry.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) November 9, 2017
Schur is the first of the Parks and Rec lot to comment publicly on the allegations.
The premiere for C.K.’s new film I Love You, Daddy was cancelled hours before the NYT report was published, with the comedian’s spot on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert also canned.
The film was already insanely on the nose, with a plot that revolved around C.K.’s character’s 17-year-old daughter (Chloë Grace Moretz) engaging in a relationship with a 68-year-old director (John Malkovich). The parallels between the plot and the allegations around Woody Allen are about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but also raised eyebrows given the persistent rumours about C.K. himself.
He also hasn’t denied the allegations whatsoever. After being contacted by the New York Times, his publicist Lewis Kay said the comedian would simply not respond.
“Louis is not going to answer any questions,” he said.
He has not yet commented on the media coverage.
