Later this summer, C.K. will return to the hallowed Caroline's in Manhattan to play four straight nights. I asked if a small room requires the same approach to, say, his sold-out show at the Orpheum in Boston in March.
"Stand-up takes a lot out of you," he told me. "The Orpheum show was like a fucking rock concert, and I had to keep the attention of a few thousand people by myself."
Check out Louis C.K.'s YouTube channel (with more than 15,000 subscribers) for dozens of clips he's produced (look up "Louis C.K. with child"). Also head to louisck.net and read his blog entry about a recent USO trip to entertain the troops. I was curious if he fed off the crowd during the show, and his candid thoughts on winning over troops made it clear: "I had never felt that way on stage in my life. The kids laughed with such relief and gratitude. I never made people laugh that needed to laugh that badly. It was amazing."
Louis CK has dabbled in all media, from stand-up to writing, directing and producing, working on The Conan O'Brien Show, The David Letterman Show, The Dana Carvey Show, and The Chris Rock Show (he and Rock also wrote and produced the cult classic Pootie Tang). His HBO series Lucky Louie (available on DVD) was canceled after one season. Later this year, he'll co-star with Ricky Gervais in the feature film The Invention of Lying.
When I try to get him to bite on a few wiseass questions, C.K. doesn't take the bait.
Biggest thief in comedy: Carlos Mencia or Dane Cook?
"Oh man, I'm not going there," he said with a chuckle.
Bigger industry weasel: Club promoters, TV execs, or movie execs?
"Well, I've met wonderful people in each format, so I guess I can't answer that."
But I did initiate a genuine caught-off-guard response when I admitted I was surprised to hear he had been seeing a psychiatrist for years prior to his recent divorce.
"What, why?" he said, almost choking on his shocked reply. I figured a comedian gets to exorcise demons and let loose on a nightly basis while connecting with people through laughter.
"Of course, there's a connection, but I'm up there doing my job. In the end it's still work.
"I was married for 10 years and have two kids, of course I needed a psychiatrist. Who wouldn't?"
LOUIS C.K. | Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport | July 4 @ 7 pm | $36 + $26 | newportcomedy.com
