At least one thing is going to be making history this week.
Louis C.K. announced in an email to fans on Monday that he will not be performing at Madison Square Garden as scheduled on Tuesday, due to the "historic" snow storm currently bearing down on down New York City. The show would have been C.K.'s fourth at the Garden this month and he was set to break his own record for the most times a comedian has sold out the venue in a single tour.
The email assured that all ticket holders will receive a refund and also announced that C.K.'s new stand-up special will be available for direct download, as is customary, on his website "very soon." He also reminded fans that they can watch him on "The Late Show" this evening, "on your tv screen or on your paper towel or your watch or whatever you view Letterman on."
It's becoming a bit of a trend to hear from C.K. whenever New York deals with a major storm. He sent a heartfelt email to his fans before he hosted "Saturday Night Live" at the height of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Monday's email contained a bit more disappointment in light of the cancellation, but just enough of C.K.'s wit to make us temporarily forget about the two-to-three feet of snow about to bury Manhattan:
Hi. It's Louis CK here to make sure everyone knows that my show tomorrow at Madison Square Garden has been canceled. All ticket holders will automatically get a refund. I am really sorry about this and I am surprised to learn as I write this that there is only one L in the word canceled. I'll have to take my phone's word for it. But it doesn't look right to me.
In any case, there seems to be a massive storm approaching New York City. They are calling this storm "historic" which.... Well I didn't know you could call a thing historic if it hasn't happened yet. But I'm not one to defy future historic events. And I have to be respectful of the responsibility I have to the 15,000 people who are holding tickets to the show and could be stranded somewhere historically trying to get to or from my show. I think it's clearly better that I alter history in the name of safety and cancel. Besides, if you've ever tried to get your deposit back when you rent a banquet hall for a wedding that gets snowed out, you don't want to even know what the deposit is on Madison Square Jesus Christing Garden is.
So. No show. I will be on Letterman tonight, though. So you can yell boo right at my stupid and very handsome face on your tv screen or on your paper towel or your watch or whatever you view Letterman on.
Also I will be contacting you very soon about my new standup special which will be historically available only on my website louisck.net very soon.
I really want to thank everyone who came to the shows at MSG. It was an incredible experience. The audiences were great. And the crew at MSG is classy and professional.
Okay. That's it. I have to do some laundry now.
Take care of yourself and don't be a jerk to people.
Louis CK.