Another shoe has dropped in the wave of sexual misconduct allegations as comedian Louis C.K. has been accused of masturbating in front of five different women -- a long-rumored story that many people in the comedy community have been waiting to go public.
In an exposé published by the New York Times on Thursday, Chicago comedy duo Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov alleged that in 2002 the comedian invited them up to his hotel room for a drink while they were at a comedy festival in Aspen, Colorado.
They said that when they got to his room, he asked if he could take his penis out. They laughed it off, "and then he really did it," Goodman said. "He proceeded to take all of his clothes off, and get completely naked, and started masturbating."
Getty
Today in Hollywood Harassment: Kevin Spacey Replaced While Ed Westwick and Jeremy Piven Face New Accusations
View StoryComedian Abby Schachner said she called Louis C.K. in 2003 to invite him to one of her shows and heard him masturbating on the other end of the line.
Rebecca Corry also accused him of asking if he could masturbate in front of her while they were working on a television pilot together in 2005. She angrily refused, reminding him he had a daughter and a pregnant wife. "His face got red, and he told me he had issues."
That show's executive producers Courteney Cox and David Arquette both confirmed the incident to the NYT. "What happened to Rebecca on that set was awful," Cox said, saying she also felt "outrage and shock" over what happened.
A fifth woman who spoke anonymously said C.K. repeatedly asked her to watch him masturbate in his office while they were both working on "The Chris Rock Show" in the late '90s. "I think the big piece of why I said yes was because of the culture," she said. "He abused his power."
Getty
'Transparent' Star Jeffrey Tambor Denies Sexual Harassment Allegation From 'Disgruntled Assistant'
View StoryComedian Tig Notaro, whose career went viral following a 2012 comedy album that Louis C.K. promoted and whose show "One Mississippi" lists him as an executive producer, told the NYT that she fears "he released my album to cover his tracks. He knew it was going to make him look like a good guy, supporting a woman. [...] Sadly, I've come to learn that Louis C.K.'s victims are not only real, but many are actual friends of mine within the comedy community."
The news spread quickly through the comedy community on Twitter:
wow
@Rosie
i guess nothing will ever surprise me again
regarding men
Louis C.K. - https://t.co/brUoHJT78y
Gentlemen, comedy is often inappropriate. It is sometimes daring and audacious and shocking. But our behavior, in the real world, toward women - that doesn't get a pass on inappropriate.
@IJasonAlexander
I had a feeling most men didnt realize how prevalent it is. It's very frightening and disorienting when it happens https://t.co/Q1jt7KNqpS
@DebraMessing
For everybody asking, I know and like Louis C.K. I won't defend him. This is inexcusable and he needs to address it. https://t.co/wyA5ImeDO7
@michaelianblack
Though he apologized for his one time comment to me, I will no longer casually call Louie a friend. I can't support what I now KNOW are his contributions to the power dynamic in this business.
@JenKirkman
Tig isn't his friend anymore but she did, and I admire her for it. She's been through a lot and she's eloquent as hell on it. https://t.co/Y93FxNM5gw
@SaraJBenincasa
THE EMPEROR WASN'T WEARING ANY CLOTHES & HE WAS JERKING OFF THE WHOLE TIME BELIEVE WOMEN
@aparnapkin
Yep. I'm just gonna keep restating the obvious because if it makes it real for all the women and men and children abused in the industry I'll keep lookin that amazed. 😡
@NekoCase
Fuck yes they're brave. NO MORE SILENCING. https://t.co/8WnMUR6lZf
@Racheldoesstuff
You men would find it gross if a homeless man started jerking off next to you on the subway, but somehow Louis CK doing it is overblown mmmk
@ira
I was waiting for this one.
@MaraWilson
We are, I am guessing, hours from all the Louis CK stories breaking and I will admit, this one, I've been waiting for.
@rgay
Louis CK is disgusting.
@andylassner
Roy Moore is disgusting.
You don't need to pick only one just to push your political viewpoint.
Goes away for a bit, gets therapy, then comes back with a while act about that sorrow and introspection and his fans will forgive and forget
@iliza
I was told to delete a tweet I wrote about Louis CK abusing women before I applied to a high-profile comedy job because the people conducting the hiring process might not like it. These women who have spoken up are brave, and we owe them so much.https://t.co/yECc41l1Uz
@nsilverberg
The main thing that strikes me is that there's tons of people who would love to watch Louis CK jerk offf. To force it on people against their will is the fucked up part.
@kurtbraunohler
The ghastly part of all of this (and it's already so horrific) is knowing so many people (especially in this industry) will STILL come to the defence of Louis CK.
@brookeperrin
Here's the order of me hearing about Louis CK
@allisonkilkenny
1. female comics
2. male comics
3. Gawker
4. everywhere else
HUGE props to everyone who told their story in that piece on Louis CK. It takes big guts to tell the truth about such a powerful guy. I'm glad that in the wake of the Weinstein expose, people are listening.
@emilynussbaum
Ha, remember when every shit comedian's defense for rape jokes was "but Louis CK tells them."
@sadydoyle
Louis CK's manager tried to silence the women he abused. I hope the other comics that Dave Becky represents - @KevinHart4real @azizansari Amy Poehler - will say something.
@JessicaValenti
Louie is the show
@RheaButcher
Louis CK is the monster
it's so disappointing to say farewell to my comedic hero, louis ck, the guy who engineers his entire life around cramming the n-word into his overrated comedy routines. I was really rooting for him. an absolute inspiration.
@tweetrajouhari
Fuck you Louis CK
@tonyposnanski
Fuck you Roy Moore
Fuck you Harvey Weinstein
Fuck you all that abuse your power to harass women.
only people expressing surprise re: Louis CK news in my feed are . . . . wait for it . . . . men
@annehelen
Louis CK had the audacity to make this joke while he was making women feel unsafe in his presence. pic.twitter.com/NUD147LJr7
@SarahLerner
Important reminder for Louis CK about whatever allegations about Louis CK come out: pic.twitter.com/evlBoXWdRh
@DanaSchwartzzz
