Just hours before the release of The New York Times report on the multiple women accusing Louis CK of sexual misconduct, the world-famous comedian canceled both his upcoming film premiere and his appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Fans of the show were likely eager to see how Colbert would handle the awkward situation he’d been left in, or how the comedy community at large would respond to CK’s long-rumored misdeeds finally coming to light. So, as the fallout from the Times report continues, let’s take a look at how Colbert and his fellow late-night hosts addressed, or rather skirted around, the issue on their respective shows.
It can be hard to keep up with the never-ending deluge of sexual assault allegations, but yesterday was also the day we first heard allegations that Senate hopeful Roy Moore once assaulted an underage girl, which is why the majority of Colbert’s monologue was spent discussing that political bombshell of a story. The host did, however, briefly address the fact that CK was supposed to appear on his show. saying, “For those of you tuning in to see my interview with Louis CK tonight, I have some bad news. Then I have some really bad news.” After a quick callback to a joke about Jesus, Colbert transitioned into a larger bit about the recent “avalanche of allegations” and performed a mocking parody of Keith Urban’s ill-advised anti-assault anthem, “Female.”