Louis C.K. is at the centre of a debate about how far is too far when it comes to comedy after his controversial monologue on Saturday Night Live.

In the skit show’s season finale, the American comedian took to the stage to talk about growing up on the 70s, riffing on issues like casual racism and child sex abuse.

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The 47-year-old spoke about growing up near a known pedophile, joking that “child molestors are very tenacious people”.

“It’s so crazy because when you consider the risk in being a child molester, speaking not of even the damage you’re doing, but the risk, there’s no worse life available to a human than being a caught child molester. Yet they still do it,” C.K. said.

“Which you can only really surmise that it must be really good, from their point of view. It must be amazing for them to risk so much.”

C.K., who is known for his boundary-pushing material, went on to compare his love of Mounds chocolate bars to pedophiles’ attraction to children.

“I love Mounds bars, it’s my favourite thing, but there’s a limit. They are delicious, and yet if someone said to me, ‘You eat another Mounds bar and you’ll go to jail and everybody will hate you,’ I would stop eating them.

“Because they do taste delicious but they don’t taste as good as a young boy does … to a child molester.”

When an audience member was heard reacting in strangled disbelief, C.K. retorted, “How do you think I feel? This is my last show, probably”.

The risqué bit has divided critics. While some applaud C.K. for pushing the envelope, others accused him of rationalising or downplaying the seriousness of child abuse.

You’ll have the excuse me for not being upset about Louis CK’s SNL monologue. I save outrage for actual child molesters.

— The Rude Pundit (@rudepundit) May 17, 2015

#LouisCK should be deeply ashamed of his SNL monologue. There is nothing remotely funny about child rape.

— Honor C (@bess_y) May 18, 2015

Really?! People are freaking out about what Louis CK said on SNL?? Have you heard his stand up??! Jeez. Get a grip.

— Jitsufication (@austinkungfu) May 18, 2015