Hi. I don't know if I'm doing this right. I can't remember. I'm here to answer your questions. I have new stuff on my website http://www.louisck.com a new audio special called "Louis CK WORD live at Carnegie Hall" and an audio version of SHameless, as well as an audio version of Live at the Beacon, which is free to those who bought the video. Hi. It's me.

Comments: 7141 • Responses: 57  • Date: 

ArchibaldLeach2233 karma

I would first like to kiss your ass with generic compliments. Then I would like to ask you a boring question about your work. Is that cool?

iamlouisck2547 karma

Totally cool. I would like to respond by thanking you with a friendly exclaimation point! and then I'd like to be really humble and earnest and say I'm just so lucky to have the job.

Hey, I have a better idea. Why don't we both just take a long nap?

I haven't had pizza in a long time. And I'm fatter now.

stirfried1857 karma

Knock Knock

iamlouisck2862 karma

Death to America.

killercrane1665 karma

Can you describe the moment when you checked your Paypal and saw that Live at the Beacon Theater had made a million dollars.

iamlouisck2413 karma

It was strange. I kept looking at all the different zeros hoping one of them would explain what was going on. It was fun. It was... dirty.

iamlouisck1623 karma

alirght. I better stop now. I'm hungry. And fat. And old. So that means no more reddit. thanks again folks for giving a shit, for your questions and for watching LOUIE on FX on THURSDAY july 28th at 10:30pm! Yeah!
also http://www.louisck.com and buy things and bla bla and jesus I need to disapppear for a while I'm WAY over-exposed.

flynnski1093 karma

Wait, you mean June, right?

iamlouisck1540 karma

yeah june. Jesus. Okay really bye now.

iamlouisck1619 karma

I just am realizing that the post i made asking for specific questions will now of course shoot way down to the bottom. So I'm a fucking idiot.

metalhead41102 karma

Don't worry, everyone will find your comments, your name has a BLUE background.

iamlouisck2126 karma

hey fuck you. YOUR name has a blue background!! Oh... sorry. thanks

crackedsanity1260 karma

Hi there. Thanks for doing the AMA :)

Have you run into Ewan McGregor since he told you to put your money where your mouth is?

iamlouisck2083 karma

No. We don't do the same kinds of things. Unless he starts killing and stuffing homeless people I'll probably never run into him. I would totally kiss him right on the lips, though. Totally.

noveltiesRoverrated1244 karma

Is there a pet peeve you have when it comes to other comedians, such as mannerisms, voice fluctuation, anything of that sort?

iamlouisck2264 karma

When comedians talk to an audience member and try to make them look dumb when they aren't. Example Comedian: Where are you from? person: Queens. Comedian: What do you do there? person: I live there. comedian: I mean what is your JOB you fucking asshole??? person: (politely to his seat mate as everyone laughs at him) but I work in manhattan.

iamlouisck1054 karma

Okay I'm getting close to stopping now, folks. I have to do some post production work on an episode of the show. I should mention that LOUIE returns to FX for season 3 on June 28th at 10:30pm. does anyone have any questions about the show before I go? Or about Live at Carnegie Hall? Or anything? If so please respond to this thread and I'll take a few more here before I go. My eyes are just hurting from going up and down the page. I love doing this so thanks.

BiggieOrTupac325 karma

Did you reach out to anyone to guest star in the show that flat out denied? Also as a fellow sweaty dude, I imagine the best part of your post show ritual is peeling off the drenched tshirt? AMIRITE?

iamlouisck609 karma

I got plenty of no thank yous. I am learning though that I am at a point in my career where I get really nice NOs from people. Personally written and nice "No way will i do that" emails.
We do have some great guest stars this year, though. 3 oscar winners, not that that matters (actually 4)

Jeremy56x111 karma

Will you be doing anymore singing in season 3 like you did to The Who? I don't think I've ever laughed so hard, and related so much to a television scene.

iamlouisck241 karma

No. I thought about doing Benny and the Jets but fuck it.

Kerpl110 karma

Is the material on WORD brand new? Has it been featured on your show or anywhere else.

iamlouisck213 karma

a lot of it was on my series in small pieces. i explain that on the site.

ryanblair61 karma

Who came up with the concept for the teaser trailer? I thought it was perfect.

iamlouisck153 karma

a woman named Stephanie Gibbons does all the promos for the show. She is amazing and talented. I do nothing. I show up and let a news paper hit me or i sit on a bench for 5 minutes and I'm done.

dh961007 karma

Do you ever find yourself on reddit now that you discovered it since the previous iama?

iamlouisck2547 karma

this is my second time here. I just have to much to do to roam around stuff like this. It seems like a great thing. I just can't do it. I killed my facebook page years ago because time clicking around is just dead time. Your brain isn't resting and it isn't doing. I think people have to get their heads around this thing. All this unmitigated input is hurting folks. My opinion.

ClusterBuck957 karma

What part of a normal, regular day do you enjoy the most?

iamlouisck2212 karma

walking down a street in new york with my kids and it's warm but not hot outside and we already did a lot of stuff and we're just going home now and talking and looking at people and feeling the air and the sun is going down and it's peaceful yet buzzing with life and stories all around us.

Phntmbanana939 karma

Hey louie, big fan and all that. I was wondering what you think makes a person tolerable for you? Especially in terms of people you meet and then they immediately say they are a big fan.

iamlouisck2554 karma

No one has to be tolerated by me. People are who they are. I can opt in or out. I can participate with them or not, but tolerate is a bit... cunty.
as far as fans on the street. Well, that got kind of difficult this year because it became frequent. it's tricky because I find myself in the strange and indefensible position of being really uncomfortable due to something I am very grateful for. I appreciate every person that approaches me to say something. So I kind of invested some brain and heart space and time into puzzling out how do I deal with this? I lived some moments that i didn't like how I reacted so someone being nice. I can't expect anyone to know why it can be stressful. You sort of wan tto be lost in your own gaze and haze of your life and not be noticed constantly by folks and treated strangely and then stared at. But you sort of want a lot of things in life and you don't get all of them and it's gross to complain that people want to say how much they like your work.
okay so I puzzled it out and experimented with a few ways to deal with it. I remembered that when it was earlier in my career, when someone would say something like, once or twice day, I really liked it and felt genuine interest in them and gratitude. Why not now? SO I identified one source of discomfort. Taking pictures. Every person on the planet now has a camera. So it sometimes happens that up to 20 people in one day or more want me to pose with them for a picture that they can put on facebook. That's a lot. Also I don't like doing it. It makes me feel weird. When I'm with my kids it takes my attention from them and makes them uncomfortable (and in some cases unsafe) but pretty much 100% of people who approach me want a picture.
Okay so I separated these two experiences out from each other. Standing on a street corner accepting a compliment and shaking a hand. that's one. And taking a picture with a stranger. That's two. I have ZERO problems with the first and LOTS with the second. And i realized that the inevitability of the second made me shy away from the first. So, what I do now is this: I refuse to ever take a picture with anyone. I just say no. I don't do that. BUt I shake their hand and I talk to them for a bit. Because I like that. I can tell this disappoints people for a second but as we talk they feel okay about it. People who just want the picture and don't want to connect get a little pissed off. But that's okay. They can't always have what they want. And I get to say no to a thing I really don't like, especially that is asked of me a lot. And now with that boundary in place, I feel absolutely no inhibition with folks. I am glad to meet everyone that says hi. EVERYONE. I learn a little about a nice person several times a day. And they are kind to me. And it won't last. So it's great.

brandonclyon903 karma

Are all of your stories true? I understand some embellishments are expected. I'm really wondering about the waitress that had rape fantasies.

iamlouisck1571 karma

That one was actually true. She was sexy as hell too. She was cool, smart and sexy and she really said that. We were both in our early twenties then. At that age all bets are off. Everyone is dumb in their twenties. God bless 'em.

Mustachio871 karma

Are you wearing a black t-shirt right now?

iamlouisck1497 karma

It's dark blue. But I just vomited black blood like the lady in the french novel so now it is black.

Caserole766 karma

What is the most ridiculous thing on this planet?

iamlouisck1741 karma

dogs who don't know that they're dogs.

JoeRCK731 karma

I just wanted to know what you REALLY think of the Comedy Central comedy awards. Last year you hated it. This year, as you kept winning you just grew more and more weary.

iamlouisck1269 karma

It's just not normal to go in front of people and accept an award. What is that??? how does a human do that? It's weird. so the repetition got strange for me. I am very appreciative though It was just the moments themselves that built to be surreal.

rayrayallday718 karma

Hey Louie, I started stand up about 3 months ago in New York City, can you offer any advice/tips that you with you knew just starting out? Maybe how to handle the New York City rooms better? I know I have to get up as much as possible but I look up to you a lot and your work so anything you could offer would be great. Thanks a lot.

iamlouisck1708 karma

I can't help you at all. The only road to good shows is bad ones. Just go start having a bad time and if you don't give up you will get better.

lightning_fast714 karma

Ever think you'll make another appearance on Parks and Rec?

iamlouisck1311 karma

Maybe. I'm always too busy. I love those people. And Amy is the best.

r_HOWTONOTGIVEAFUCK599 karma

Hey Louis! I truly enjoy the gratuitous amounts of socially unacceptable material in your routine. Is there any subject matter that is out of bounds for Louis CK? Also, other comedians revere you for the amount of material you churn out. What is the source of your creativity?

iamlouisck987 karma

I don't have a source except I keep thinking of things to say, so far. I don't really relate to the idea of "unacceptable". comedy is talking about anything. So... I do that.

Darams666595 karma

What really made you want to go into stand-up instead of a shitty job?

iamlouisck1453 karma

I'd love to have a shitty job. I couldn't hold any down. Standup was the only thing I could stick with. I'm an idiot that way. seriously this is the real answer.

jbroderick575 karma

I have some really good jokes for stand-up material based from observation but I'm too scared to go to a comedy club because I don't take rejection well. Any advice?

iamlouisck1427 karma

How do you know they're really good jokes? They're probably not very good. Not if you've never even tried it once.

Flanimals540 karma

Hello Louis. Maybe a hard quesiton but do you feel there is anything you shouldn't joke about?

iamlouisck1723 karma

Well I shouldn't joke about your fucking dumb face because if I do then I have to think about it and it's just so awful. I want to forget you forever.

Anyway, not really. Jokes are good.

please buy shit on my website louisck.com, now that i insulted your fucking stupid face.

numerounoff515 karma

What do you usually do to get ready for a show?

iamlouisck1678 karma

I open my fucking stupid mouth and put water in it.

MotorboatingSofaB490 karma

Hey Louis. Long time fan. I have began to lose my hair as well. Didn’t really bother me in the beginning as I had a GF, but now I start to take notice to it more and more. How did you come to terms with the fact that one day you will no longer have hair on the top of your head?

iamlouisck1158 karma

I remember the day I saw my hair was thinning. I don't remember caring much. I don't care. It's just hair. It never bothered me much. I was pretty young, too. And it happened and is happening veeery slowly. I have a feeling dead people get really mad when we complain about losing hair.

Tesseraktion477 karma

Hola Louis, quería preguntar si todavía hablas español, y si vas a regresar a México?

Hey Louis, I wanted to know if you still speak Spanish, and are you ever coming back to México?

iamlouisck949 karma

No hablo espanol mucho. (Como puedes hechar una enie?) Mi espanol es muy feo. Voy a ir a Mexico en Julio a ver me abuelita.

radioactivjr414 karma

Do you ever let your daughters watch your TV/live shows?

iamlouisck869 karma

they came with me last time I was on Letterman and they stood right behind the backdrop, about eight feet from where I was performing on the ed sullivan theater stage. It was one of the best things ever.

Erobre409 karma

Thanks for doing this again Louis, I have two questions:

  1. Your $5 experiment I think was ultimately a big success, and other comedians like Aziz Ansari are following your lead. What do you see for the future of this style? Would you ever do it again?

  2. You recently did damn well at Comedy Central's Comedy awards. That had to be exciting but what would your dream award be and which award are you most proud of? You should definitely try for an EGOT. Or even a CEGOT since you are already 3/5 of the way there.

Love you man, you rock!

iamlouisck1242 karma

I really want a PENGOTS (pulitzer, Emmy, Nobel, Grammy, Oscar, TOny, Stanley Cup)

_Soltero282 karma

Does this make you a hockey fan?! Who's your NHL team?

iamlouisck994 karma

I am from Boston so I am a bruins fan but they lost and I got to go to a Rangers Game and I had great seats. So now I'm a rangers fan. From way back. That's how I am with sports. I refuse to stop myself enjoying two teams that hate each other. Also boston is my home town. But new york is my home. and the rangers game was FUCKING GREAT!

LibraryDrone373 karma

Do you use jokes that just pop into your head, or do you sit down and force yourself to actually write jokes onto paper?

iamlouisck1504 karma

I can't sit down and write jokes. I just flows in from some maddeningly elusive place. Believe me if i had an alaska in my brain i would drill baby drill and I'd cum right on Sarah's back while I was there.

virincognito346 karma

Hey Louis. You're by far the funniest comedian of the past 5 years, but you reached success a lot later in life than other comedians. So I have 2 questions:

1) What kept you motivated all those years before you hit it big?

2) What do you think was the most important change that you made to your act or in your life that thrust you into the spotlight?

Thanks, asshole.

iamlouisck504 karma

Actually most comedians who's success really sticks come to it late in life. It takes a long time to make a really successful comedian and I've known that from the start, truly. I always expected that I'd work in obscurity for a long long time. It's waht it takes and to me it was worth it. I have also alway found new and fun ways to make a living, writing for others, ect.

theymightbe341 karma

Hey Louie! If you could be offered a guest spot on any show currently on television, what would it be?

iamlouisck1555 karma

I would like to be on that show where you jerk off a dog and try to aim his jizz at a sleeping guy's face. what show is that? Oh yeah, 60 Minutes.

username_generator339 karma

You handle a surprising amount of work on Louie (which is great, by the way). How challenging is the workload you've taken there, given how busy you are?
Any particularly fun moments from Parks and Rec that are worth recounting?
Thanks for this!

iamlouisck1120 karma

I'm very busy all of the time. I've put a lot of thought and effort into trying to manage a lot of tasks and staying sane and staying a good father. I've learned a lot about it. I learned somethign about sharks sleeping their brains in sections, like a rolling blackout. I've applied that to my life in a huge way which is probably not smart because I didn't research it or learn about it in depth. Anyway it works. Shark sleep.

jaxioni321 karma

Could you do me a favour and do a show in London? That'd be neat! Don't worry, you can crash at my place.

iamlouisck520 karma

I would love to. I used to come to London all the time. But the show schedule and my kids makes for a small window. I think maybe next year.

liter-a-cola296 karma

Hey Louis. You've mentioned dogs several times in your show/stand-up. What pets have you had/currently have? Thanks!

iamlouisck889 karma

I love dogs. I've had two. They both died. I have no pets. My youngest daughter has a fish tank. More fish have died in it than now live in it, kind of like my closet.

treetopless292 karma

Will you come to Birmingham, AL soon/ever? I'll take you on a date. :)

iamlouisck644 karma

I've been there and I had a great time (lying. It was awful. But not Birmingham's fault.) I'm sure I'll be back. the south is really fun to play on tour.

damonish249 karma

  1. As a Kansan - ever consider coming back to the shittiest place around?

  2. What was your favorite part of KC?!

(Also, you nearly killed my brother and I with the doughnut sideways-asshole joke at the Midland show.)

iamlouisck563 karma

I always have a great time in kansas city. the crowds are great. I also love shitting on kansas city on television. I honestly don't know why.

dabuttmonkee242 karma

Hey Louis! Big fan! My question is simple and sorry if it has been asked before: Looking back at your career so far which moment, venue, joke, etc. Made you finally think to yourself "fuck yeah, I did it"?

The "did it" could be anything, most likely a personal goal. You may not have reached it yet, but I was just wondering.

Thanks!

iamlouisck600 karma

Ive had a few of those. They feel good. Getting Louie picked up for the first season was great. really great. Probably the best ever. selling out the Chicago theater for 2 shows in one night 7200 seats. That was pretty fist-pumpy too.

Reso239 karma

Hi Louis. It seems that comedians are always some of the first adopters of new tech or distribution media, yourself being a great example of this with Beacon Theatre, as well as Jim Gaffigan and Aziz. Why do you think this is? There must be something structural about stand-up comedy that makes you guys faster to adopt than the film world in general.

iamlouisck1303 karma

I"m not sure if that's universally true about comedians. I really do like putting stuff out this way. The new CD (LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL) has been on sale since friday and you can get it on louisck.com for 5 dollars, drm free. that has nothing to do with your question. Ha ha! Fucker!

neuromorph237 karma

Congrats on the Comedy Awards last week (month). Where did you decide to place them? fireplace, mantle, desk?

iamlouisck1069 karma

I have this one shelf that has them all. It looks dumb.

coolnorm235 karma

I just watched one of your standup specials with my mom over the weekend. What is one of the most embarrasing things that you've done with your mom?

iamlouisck427 karma

i was in line with my mom at a store once. two cute teenage girls (i was teenage then so it's okay) were standing behind her talking. One of them accidentally stepped on my mom's heel. She said "Ow!" The girl said "Oh my god. I'm so sorry!" My mom said "Well you really did me in!" and turned her back on them. The girls supressed a giggle behind her back. This whole thing made me love my mother WAY more. I'll never forget it.
One of them girls had a fucking can on her too.

codythebeau186 karma

Do you think you'll ever utilize your numerous talents making a film you have almost complete control over, much like on Louie? Any up-and-comers you would like to work with? I know this probably won't get answered, but it's a pleasure to have your here again Louie, you truly are a hero to me and countless others. I can honestly say that my life has been made infinitely better through your entertainment. Thank you for everything.

iamlouisck542 karma

I'm not sure what you're asking. At least I answered though! I don't really know many up and comers. there is one guy in San Diego named... fuck what's his name? Kyle. That's his name. search on youtube for "Good Neighbor" they guy in it named Kyle makes me laugh.

DriveByStoning177 karma

I just want to say that I enjoy your spread out e-mails. The fact that you don't proofread them is awesome since, let's be honest, fuck proofreading.

iamlouisck482 karma

fuck proofreading. Okay. Let's do it. Let's fuck that bitch.

[deleted]174 karma

do you plan on only doing 5 dollar drm free things nowadays?

iamlouisck422 karma

as long as it stays a good idea. We'll see. It's been really fun to do it and learn about it . Selling tickets to live shows on the site will be next and I'm excited for that too. They won't be 5 bucks, though.

tytanium169 karma

When's the last time you've had a Cinnabon at your destination's airport?

iamlouisck587 karma

I haven't had a single cinnabon since i started doing that bit (and stopped). I only ever eat kale and human flesh.

rorixx92 karma

Why did you ask Donald Rumsfeld if he was a Lizard?

iamlouisck167 karma

yes I wanted to know whether or not he was one. Also I wanted to promote a show I was doing in atlantic city. I sold every ticket and bought a very beautiful car with the proceeds. and he sold lots of books. So yay!

gjerdemj1191 karma

Hey Lou, long time listener, first time caller. I love your stand up and your show, in that order. I hope you make it to milwaukee sometime soon, you are one of the only comedians I am dying to see live. Also, any plans of doing another 5 dollar stand up?

iamlouisck194 karma

I love milwaukee. I am coming there on my fall tour which will be on sale on my website.
In fact, thanks for asking, I already have two new 5$ products on my website http://www.louisck.com Live at Carnegie Hall and an audio version of Shameless. Aids.

pkon80 karma

On the previous AMA you told us that you went from a mediocre job to being one of the most successful comedians in the industry today. If you had any advice to give to people today, what would it be? It can be the younger or older generation. What are some things you can tell us that attributed to your success?

iamlouisck213 karma

well I don't take things personally, I learn from failure and I don't give up.

Ranchland69 karma

Hey Louis! This really seems to be your year for Comedy! How did it really feel to have Robin Williams give you a shout out at the comedy awards?

iamlouisck125 karma

Robin is a great guy.

peejuan67 karma

Do you keep a journal? Where do you store your ideas an when/how often do they come?

iamlouisck149 karma

I wish I could. i have a lot of journals with one page half written in.
I sometimes will write myself a quick email on my bb when I think of something.

clarque54 karma

Love your work! My question is: What is the craziest thing to happen to you in your career?

iamlouisck193 karma

I met with an executive from FOX many years ago. She was going on and on about how perfect it would be for me to do a show there based on my act and how big a fan she was. About an hour into the meeting she said "I love when you talk about your family from Queens!" And I realized she thought I was Gerry Red Wilson, a comedian who has since passed away.

CrushTheOrphanage53 karma

Huge fan, Louis, which I'm sure a lot of people are. What's the biggest thing you've learned about comedy from creating your own show from scratch and watching it grow?

iamlouisck125 karma

How fun it is and that I can do it better if I keep doing it.

RareElegance49 karma

Do you have a favourite stand up or special that you've done? If you have, which one is it, and what made it great?

iamlouisck137 karma

I can't really watch any of them. Ii'm not the one who's supposed to be watching them.