“Mr. Batali is examining what he has called his blind spots and considering how life might look when he is not,” the paper reports, citing the chef’s many anonymous friends. “He told a colleague that he is simply trying to learn to be the wallpaper in the room and not the room itself.”

If anyone can make a comeback, the article continues, citing more anonymous sources, it’s Batali, who “still has legions of fans and colleagues who admire and respect his generosity, culinary knowledge and charisma. Many still post their interpretations of his recipes on Instagram, ask him for selfies on the street or urge his return to ‘The Chew’ on Facebook. His restaurants continue to attract customers.”

A redemptive story arc might be a nice change of pace, the Times story continues, because “others,” including “people who have worked for him,” say “the absence of his food knowledge and his palate would be a loss.”

Yes, a real loss. You get the picture.

Then there is the Hollywood Reporter, which reported last week there’s a “consensus” that it’s time for comedian Louis C.K.’s big comeback. The article relies almost entirely on male comics, and they all agree he should be given a second chance. None of C.K.’s reported victims are quoted in the story.

Bizarrely enough, the article also quotes one female comic, Aida Rodriguez, who suggests C.K. could use his return as an “opportunity to address his shortcomings” and maybe “he can save a couple of girls from unnecessary and unwanted incidents.”

Yes, let’s hope C.K. rebounds successfully so he can save a couple of girls from making the mistake of accompanying him to his hotel room. Wait. What?

(A quick aside: Disgraced morning host Matt Lauer is also reportedly considering worming his way back into the media business, but this news hasn’t been met with any sort of soft-glow media coverage. At least not yet.)

It was just five months ago five women came forward to allege C.K. masturbated in front of them. The comedian has copped to the claims. It has also been only four months since four women first alleged they were harassed and groped by Batali. He says he doesn’t remember the incidents, but has apologized for them nonetheless.

Yet, here we are talking about their big comebacks.

I wrote earlier this month, “Five is the magic number if you’re a credibly accused sexual predator. You have to wait roughly five months before efforts are made to resurrect your public image.”

This was supposed to be a bitter joke, not a recommendation.