After spending years in exile after being exposed as a serial sexual predator, comedian Louis C.K. returned to American television screens with a Friday night appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher.

Maher gave C.K., who is promoting his forthcoming novel, an incredibly friendly reception, as did his audience, who gave the canceled comedian a standing ovation as he walked onto the set.

“I think I’ll let that standing ovation speak for itself,” Maher quipped. Maher has previously vocally defended C.K., asking Kara Swisher in an episode of her podcast last year while likening C.K.’s plight to that of Woody Allen, “Do we have to punish him for the whole rest of his life?”

The pair talked about C.K.’s novel, Ingram, which will be released next month. Discussing the novel, Maher mentions tha

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