FX Network CEO John Landgraf opened up Friday about the ousting of Louis C.K., who admitted back in November that the sexual misconduct allegations outlined in a New York Times report were true. According to Landgraf, the decision to sever ties with the Louie star and creator was made after the comedian informed him he was going to issue a statement verifying the allegations.
"We did not find any instances or issues of misconduct at any time during the eight years we worked together," Landgraf said at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena Friday, Entertainment Weeklyreported. The network "didn't know about" the allegations prior to the Times report, Landgraf said, aside from a blind item published by Gawker, "which isn’t a viable source." Landgraf added that he views FX as a "no-tolerance" workplace. "It's our responsibility to provide a safe working environment… We're trying to get better and better."
The topic of Louie—which has been scrubbed from the network’s On Demand app—one day returning was also broached, with Landgraf pointing out that the industry-wide sea change that's taking place is far more important. "I think the next things that need to happen are bigger and more important than the question of that," he said. "I think this is a cultural movement, a lot has happened, there's more things to happen, it's a larger conversation. Also, I don't know what Louis is going to do, I don't know what's up with him, what further things he has to say, so we're kind of in a wait-and-see mode." For Landgraf, Louie still stands as "a great show," though he admitted it will likely be viewed through a "different prism" now.
In addition to Louie, C.K. also served as co-creator and executive producer on the FX series Baskets and Better Things. He will no longer have any involvement with either series, as FX has since canceled their overall deal with C.K. and his Pig Newton production company. Both Baskets and Better Things are entering their third seasons this year. “[Better Things] is Pamela’s show,” Landgraf said. “These are her stories, this is her life. Louis was her co-writer, she’s going to have to write them all herself or find another co-writer, but she’s the font, she’s the creative engine of that show and that doesn’t change."
