In the Louisana city to make a film, the comedian is using his spare time trying out new material in tiny comedy clubs

“I like doing shows for 18 people,” says Louis CK, not playing a lucrative private gig for oligarchs, as you might expect a comic of his stature, but onstage at a tiny comedy club in New Orleans.

One of the planet’s highest profile comedians, CK has been showing up unannounced at small bars in the city and performing extended sets for free.

While faithful local comedy fans bask in the vindication, others run frantic, text-message-triggered gauntlets across town to try and catch him. Most, though, miss out on the latest in a series of CK’s unscheduled appearances, resulting in much gnashing of teeth on social media.

The comic is in town filming the upcoming biopic Trumbo, also starring New Orleans’ own John Goodman and Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston. Since Louisiana is second only to Los Angeles for US film production, the town is used to the presence of celebrities.

However, it’s a music city rather than one with a thriving comedy scene. In the absence of New York-style comedy clubs, standup happens mostly in bars, fostered by a dedicated few comedy promoters and fans, making CK’s appearances all the more unexpected.

It speaks to CK’s reputation for generosity. He could easily sell out any of the city’s theatres, but remains committed to making his comedy accessible, selling tour tickets and downloads of his specials direct to fans for around 40% less than it would cost going through third parties.

Andrew Polk is a New Orleans-based comedian and producer of shows including Comedy Beast, a free Tuesday night gig at the 40-seater Howlin’ Wolf Den. Last month it boasted CK’s first appearance.

“It was a surprise,” said Polk. “I heard a rumour that a famous person would be coming, which isn’t out of the ordinary, but it isn’t normally someone famous outside the stand-up world.”

Cate Root, events reporter for the city’s Times-Picayune newspaper, was in the audience. “We’ve gotten great drop-ins across town before,” she said. “Bill Burr, Craig Robinson and Zach Galifianakis are among them, but there’s something special about Louis CK.”



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“It was the best surprise in New Orleans comedy as far as my experiences go,” added Polk. “He was very gracious, respectful, and polite to everyone, and I know it meant a lot to all the comics on the bill.”

That night, Cranston and Goodman were also in tow. “They were all cracking up, knee-slapping, catching their breath and hysterical at people I get to see every week,” said Root. “CK went up to a packed room and did a 30-minute set of mostly new material including a good chunk of literal potty humour.”

Sharing the stage was an obvious rush for the local stand-ups. “It made all the time spent working toward an intangible goal seem more real,” said comic Benjamin Hoffman. “That kind of thing makes the rough times seem worthwhile.”

A week later, CK popped up at Siberia, a punk music venue with a Monday night open mic. Polk was, coincidentally, hosting. “I got off stage, and a comic said ‘Hey, Louis is here’. The possibility was so far removed from my brain that I just responded “Who the hell is Louis?””

CK performed for an hour as the room filled up. “It was just an amazing chance to see someone of his calibre in an intimate environment,” said one fan.

By the next Sunday night, the city was on high alert. CK’s third appearance took place at the Hi-Ho Lounge. There was more new material: the reallocation of his bodily function noises and explaining death to children.

Local actor and director Joseph Meissner was in the audience. “You could tell he’s kind of over the worshipful treatment,” said Meissner. “He strongly implied he likes trying out material on smaller crowds and gets a more honest response that way.”

This is a path famously trodden by Jerry Seinfeld, who started his standup career afresh in smaller clubs after the universal success of his TV show.

Some comedy nights have seen bigger audiences, gambling on a coveted CK appearance. Local performers and producers like Polk hope that people will keep coming out for the local talent even in the absence of big stars.

“All I can hope for with the people getting last-second texts and flying to a venue to see a ‘secret’ show is that they’ll stick around and see some good locals. Surprise celebrity or not, we haven’t had anyone leave the shows complaining.”

Certainly no-one in town is complaining about Louis CK – especially the New Orleans’ comedians, who can now say they shared a stage with one of the greats.