The Last Word: Louis C.K. on Fatherhood, Trump, Chris Rock’s Advice
Louis C.K. kicked off his latest summer tour on May 17th, which will see the stand-up traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe before ending with a three-night run at Madison Square Garden on September 8th, 12th and 15th. The comedian recently spoke to Rolling Stone about fatherhood, The Catcher in the Rye, loving (and hating) Boston, retirement plans and — of course — Donald Trump.
What do you wish someone had told you about show business before you entered it?
I’m not sure anything anyone said would’ve made life easier. It’s like asking, “Do you wish somebody had told you about that scene in Poltergeist before you watched it?” [Laughs] There are a lot of moments in show business — and I’m sure in everyone else’s life — where you’re skipping along with a huge confidence, and then you step into a manhole and crack all your teeth on the pavement on the way down into the sewer. The idea of somebody telling me where all those holes were makes me sad. If I had avoided them, I don’t think I’d be as good at what I do.
What were the manholes in your career?
You know, when I made Pootie Tang, when I made Lucky Louie. But I also have a lot of wonderful memories of those.
What have you learned about yourself from being a father?
I’ve learned I have more value as a human being than I thought I did, that I can be of use to other people. That’s a very powerful thing.
What are the most important rules you live by?
Don’t try to perfect everything. When you make your choices in life, just make the choice and then make it work after. Sleep as much as possible. Don’t ever hit or kill anyone. And keep your mouth shut unless you really have to say the thing – although I don’t usually go by that one.
What was your favorite book as a kid, and what does that say about you?
I read The Catcher in the Rye in sixth grade, and it depressed the hell out of me. But I loved the way it was written. It was this young guy talking about the panic that you might be left out of life and that you’re not sure who you are. At that age you get used to feeling a little shitty. But I think it’s very healthy to consider beautifully, artistically expressed versions of your bad feelings. It helps you see there’s value to even the worst things in your life.
You’re known for having creative freedom with your projects. Why is that so important?
It isn’t about some arrogant need to not be told what to do. It’s the only way to make the show as good as possible. If you were flying an airplane and you kept asking the passengers, “How do you want me to do this?” the plane is gonna go down. Ultimately, you wanna make things that someone’s gonna find worth watching. So whether or not you have creative freedom, you have the same gun to your head, which is, “This better not stink.”