Aziz Ansari Doesn't Take the Louis C.K. Route In His Return To Stand-Up

If you’ve been wondering where Aziz Ansari has been over the last year, you’re not alone. After the assault allegation that was posted on Babe.net, the actor and comedian behind “Master of None” essentially disappeared for a year, only returning to the limelight over the past few weeks. Last night, 200 fans heard his first New York set since his accuser came forward and rather than avoiding the topic or making light of it (à la Louis C.K.), he addressed the incident with apparent sincerity.

Vulture reports that Ansari turned somber as he moved closer to the topic of what happened in January 2018 as well as his absence. After he took time to think about the allegation, he said, “it’s a terrifying thing to talk about. There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way.”

There’s certainly a difference between what C.K. admitted to and what Ansari was accused of, in both nature and in volume, but Ansari’s return and its humbler nature don’t seem to be causing the uproar that C.K’s. did. Part of that is also due to the chasm in delivery and personality styles of the men as comedians. But while people have asked if the #MeToo offenders can ever return to work, in his early attempts, Ansari appears to be showing the value of regret and earnestness.

“I hope it was a step forward,” Ansari continued in his set. “It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person.”