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Louis CK Grammy controversy: Jen Kirkman's tweet calling out male comedians for turning a blind eye to harassment sets social media ablaze

CK brought home the prestigious trophy on Sunday after his album 'Sincerely Louis C.K.' won best comedy album at the 64th Grammy Awards

A female comedian sparked a Twitter storm after she ranted against her male counterparts following Louis CK's Grammy win for best comedy album on Sunday, April 3.

CK brought home the prestigious trophy after his album 'Sincerely Louis C.K.' beat out five other nominees — including Lewis Black, Kevin Hart, and Chelsea Handler — for best comedy album at the 64th Grammy Awards. The comeback album was the embattled comic's first release in five years after he was accused of masturbating in front of female colleagues in November 2017. Fellow comedian Jen Kirkman, however, wasn't too happy for CK. 

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Kirkman -- who is mostly known for her regular appearances as a round-table panelist on 'Chelsea Lately' hosted by Handler -- ranted against CK's Grammy for the best comedy album on Twitter. The 47-year-old accused male comedians of hypocrisy, referencing the outrage that followed Hollywood star Will Smith's assault on comedian Chris Rock on the Oscars stage last month. "Remember when male comedians this week were like 'Chris Rock got slapped!! Comedy is in danger!' They never gave a fuck about those of us in comedy who were always in danger," Kirkman wrote on Twitter, adding, "They're SILENT 2nite on Louie CK winning a Grammy for an album where he jokes about his assaults."

Kirkman seemed to imply that CK's Grammy victory endangered female comedians. Many on social media appeared to agree. 

"People think comedy is in danger because their preferred brand of comedy is just hate speech with a goofy tone, which is starting to go out of style. But as you pointed out, they still have plenty of time to laugh at other people's expense before the party ends," one tweeted in response.

"Will Smith has already received more consequences for his actions than Kyle Rittenhouse has," another added.

"Motherfuckers go from 'I'VE BEEN CANCELED' to 'NIGHTS ADDED TO MY 'CANCELED' TOUR" smoother than shit through a goose," a comment read.

"Not to mention that the Grammys stretched their own rules ("The eligibility period for the 64th GRAMMY Awards is Sept. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021.") to include his comedy album, which was first released in April 2020," someone else wrote.

"Every dude responding to this with some version of tHeY WeRe jUsT JoKeS needs to take several seats," another said.
 

However, there were others who empathized with CK and accused Kirkman of mischaracterizing the allegations against him.

"Not trying to get into an argument and say people are wrong, but personally, I don't think what CK was accused of should have ended his career," one tweeted.

"'His assaults' Frankly, that devalues actual victims of assault. He asked people if he could masturbate in front of them and they said yes. That should not be grouped with physical violence. He’s been punished, is repentance not a thing anymore?" another wrote.

"If people were in “danger” they should have contacted the authorities, instead of waiting for male comedians or the Grammys to make it right," someone else offered.

"If he grabbed you & forced you to do something. If he put a knife or a gun to you & demanded you do something. That would be assault. "Assault" has a very specific definition. Someone who is jerking off in a weird context is simply offending you, which is not the same," one commented.

"I don't condone what he did & no doubt it would've been distressing to the women subject to it, but assault literally means inflicting physical harm so a distinction must be made & perspective needed; Louis CK isn't Weinstein. It's wrong to ostracise everyone who has a flaw," another chimed in.