NBC's "Today" show discovered who Louis C.K. is this morning, giving the popular comic's comic a mainstream introduction to America's stay-at-home parents, unemployed people and children.
After receiving critical acclaim for the first two seasons of his FX show, "Louie," and having earned a spot on Time's list of the 100 most influential people, C.K. has risen to the top of the comedy world without sacrificing his genuine, self-deprecating and no-holds-barred humor. So when "Today" correspondent Jamie Gangel asked C.K. why he isn't a household name, he said that although he has thought about recording a "pure, clean" one-hour set, he simply isn't meant to be everyone's favorite comedian.
"I shouldn't be a household name -- I'm a filthy comedian," C.K. explained. "A household name is like ketchup. Everybody wants ketchup. Ketchup doesn't hurt anybody."
Gangel also pressed C.K. to defend his notorious tweets directed at former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin back in 2010. When C.K. said he'd do it again if he could -- because the jokes still make him laugh -- Gangel replied, flatly, "and that excuses it?" which C.K. corrected, saying "It gives it value."
Gangel, who admitted that she sees the value in his "inappropriate but so smart and funny" humor, further pressed C.K. to explain why he must go for "the cheap joke," which she referred to as "the filthy stuff." Again, C.K. dismissed the question and asked if it's so easy, why can't everyone do it?
"There's no such thing as a cheap laugh," C.K. said. "They all cost something, and it's cost me a lot, being dirty."
Watch the full interview above to also hear C.K. explain why he throws away his material every year even though it terrifies him. Season three of "Louie" premieres Thursday, June 28 at 10:30 p.m. EST on FX.