event Louis C.K.

Writing, directing, editing, and starring in a critically acclaimed television show while creating a new hour of stand-up comedy every year would be enough for most entertainers. Hell, it would be more than enough: It would be a grueling, exhausting ticket to a complete nervous breakdown, especially once single parenthood is thrown into the mix. Yet Louis C.K. has somehow managed to find time in his busy schedule of writing, directing, and starring in his acclaimed FX vehicle Louie—as well as creating stand-up material that has made him one of the most respected comedians alive—to completely reinvent the way comedy specials and tickets to comedy shows are disseminated. In late 2011, C.K. made headlines by selling his latest comedy special directly to fans through his website, cutting out middlemen like cable channels or DVD distributors. Emboldened, C.K. sold tickets to his current stand-up tour through his own website, once again cutting out middlemen like Ticketmaster.

Writing, directing, editing, and starring in a critically acclaimed television show while creating a new hour of stand-up comedy every year would be enough for most entertainers. Hell, it would be more than enough: It would be a grueling, exhausting ticket to a complete nervous breakdown, especially once single parenthood is thrown into the mix. Yet Louis C.K. has somehow managed to find time in his busy schedule of writing, directing, and starring in his acclaimed FX vehicle Louie—as well as creating stand-up material that has made him one of the most respected comedians alive—to completely reinvent the way comedy specials and tickets to comedy shows are disseminated. In late 2011, C.K. made headlines by selling his latest comedy special directly to fans through his website, cutting out middlemen like cable channels or DVD distributors. Emboldened, C.K. sold tickets to his current stand-up tour through his own website, once again cutting out middlemen like Ticketmaster.