TBS has officially scrapped an animated series co-created, starring, and produced by Louis C.K. in the wake of the sexual misconduct allegations that were brought against him in November. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network is no longer moving forward with the series, called The Cops, which began as an animated pilot for FX back in 2016 and also counted Albert Brooks as a co-creator and star. After the New York Times story on C.K. broke in November, TBS suspended production on the 10-episode series and laid off all of the show’s staffers just a week before Thanksgiving. The show’s art director, Francis Giglio, posted the below open letter to C.K. at the time:
I am writing to you today to give a voice to another group of people affected by your actions. The amazingly talented crew on The Cops that has been tirelessly working hard to create a unique prime time animated show. We now find ourselves out of a job right before the holiday season. So many of us are frantically looking for a new project to jump on. Myself included as my wife stays home with our 3-year-old daughter and I want to always take care of them. However here is the bigger point. All of the stress and frustration that I find myself in now is nothing compared to the pain and distress you have caused those women. I will happily walk away from this project and any other project to fully support anyone that needs to come forward about sexual abuse or harassment.
Jen Richards, who had been cast on the series, also posted her reaction to the November news on Twitter:
According to this report from Vanity Fair, close to 100 employees working on The Cops were laid off after the C.K. story broke in November.
