Louis C.K. jokes about getting 'in trouble' in his first advertised Comedy Cellar performance

The New York comedy club helping Louis C.K. make his return is no longer keeping his performances under wraps.

On Monday night, C.K. performed his first set at the Comedy Cellar that was actually promoted in advance. Previously, C.K. simply appeared on stage as a surprise, reports The New York Times. This practice drew some criticism, since audience members couldn't decide for themselves whether they wanted to see the comedian who last fall admitted to allegations of sexual misconduct; five women said he masturbated in front of them or asked if he could. The Comedy Cellar soon adopted a policy whereby patrons could leave whenever they want to should they be unhappy with a surprise performer and their drinks would be on the house.

Since his initial return in August, C.K. has been performing more frequently, and he has been addressing the elephant in the room during recent sets. "I need to make jokes because I need an income," C.K. reportedly joked on Monday, telling the audience he lost $35 million last year. "When you get in trouble you find out who your real friends are," he said in another joke. "It's black people, it turns out. They'll stick by you.” He also suggested he had survived "hard things" and been to hell and back, and said he'd been working on his material all year, implying he took little time off from writing even as he dropped out of the spotlight and said he would "take a long time to listen."

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Two protesters stood outside the venue and implored patrons to walk out during his performance, the Times reports, but while a few people did leave when he came on stage, almost everyone stayed and gave him a warm reception.