Louis C.K. Returns to Netflix: New Special 'Ridiculous'

Louis C.K. Heads to Hollywood Bowl for New Netflix Special ‘Ridiculous’

The comedian returns to the streaming giant for the 'Netflix Is A Joke' festival on May 5, 2026, marking his first major project there in nine years.

Sofia Chen

Apr 2, 2026, 5:05 PM PT · 1 min read

Louis CK — Photo: Peabody Awards / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

Louis C.K. headlines Netflix Is A Joke festival on May 5, 2026.
New stand-up special "Ridiculous" arrives on Netflix in summer 2026.
C.K. serves as director and executive producer for the upcoming special.
First Netflix collaboration since the streamer severed ties in 2017.
The performance will take place at the historic Hollywood Bowl.

Louis C.K. is making a major comeback to Netflix. The comedian is set to headline the Netflix Is A Joke festival at the Hollywood Bowl on May 5, 2026. This announcement marks a significant turning point for both the streamer and the performer, as it is their first major collaboration since Netflix cut ties with him in 2017 following his admission of sexual misconduct.

The return includes a brand-new stand-up special titled "Ridiculous," which is scheduled for a summer 2026 release. C.K. is keeping the production in-house, as he is credited as both the director and executive producer of the project. This follows his 2020 self-released special, Sincerely Louis CK, which eventually earned him a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

Netflix originally ended its relationship with C.K. nine years ago, canceling a second planned special, while TBS scrapped his upcoming animated series, The Cops. Now, the streaming giant is bringing him back into the fold for one of the year’s biggest comedy events. The Hollywood Bowl performance will place C.K. back on one of the most prominent stages in the industry as part of the massive city-wide comedy festival.