If the streaming stand-up comedy were a low-income household, at the moment Netflix would be a cigarette and rum-stinking single Dad just home from a big win on the pokes, tossing out PlayStation games and razor scooters quicker than he can grab at them.
The all-seeing all-powerful overlord of on-demand content is on a tear through the higher echelons of stand-up at the moment, commissioning bulk specials from the Mount Rushmore-level heads of the industry.
Already we’ve got the likes of Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Jim Gaffigan, and Amy Schumer teed up to release live specials on the service in the coming months. And now you can chuck everyone’s favourite grump Louis CK onto that list as well.
Though he’s carved out a name for himself by shirking traditional distribution models and streaming stuff by himself, CK has signed on the dotted line with Netflix and will be pumping out two new hours of laughs for the service’s surprisingly rabid comedy fanbase.
The first of the two specials, simply titled ‘2017,’ has a scheduled release date of April 4th attached to it. The second will follow at some point after that, most likely.
Though the bulk of Louis’ previous stand-up specials are available to be streamed on Netflix as we speak, this’ll be the first time he’s ever produced a comedy special specifically for Netflix.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer (which is a badass job title, frankly) spoke thusly of their new mate:
“Louis has been one of the most innovative comedy voices in this new era of stand up. He has also been a thought leader in the business of comedy. We have marvelled at his creativity and his ability to invent comedically and commercially, and are thrilled that he is bringing his newest specials to Netflix.”
The stand-up specials top up and already overflowing pile of current work for CK, who is not only voicing one of the key roles on the upcoming animated series ‘The Cops,’ but is also serving as executive producer on a number of other shows such as Tig Notaro‘s ‘One Mississippi,’ Zach Galifianakis‘ ‘Baskets,’ and Pamela Adlon‘s low-key excellent ‘Better Things.’
So uh… maybe stop holding your breath for a new season of ‘Louie‘ anytime soon, yeah?
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty.
