Louie: Best New Show on TV
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I have been dying to talk about a show starring one of my favorite comedians: Louie C K. His new FX comedy show is just called Louie.
Unlike Lucky Louie, his offbeat HBO show, where he played a blue collar joe, this show is actually about him. It is also written, directed and executive produced by Louis C.K.
Any sitcom about a stand up comedian, and the observational humor will naturally draw comparisons to Seinfeld, as well as Curb Your Enthusiasm. But there are key differences:
• Louie is stand up comedian, and the show is about him and his life. He is (obviously) intelligent, but forlorn, with a dark cloud always hovering nearby.
• The stand up part of the show isn’t schtick or a an overt plot device — its much more real and raw and relevant. It occasionally veers, almost accidentally, into joy. Seinfeld dropped the stand up part of the show, as it was unnecessary. Having seen Louis CK a few times live (hysterical), the show’s stand up is very reminiscent of LCK’s actual stage presence, lending itself to his fatalistic sense of humor.
• Seinfeld is a much more upbeat guy than Louie is. They both are insightful observers of humans, but where Jerry is disgusted by people and reacts sardonically, Louie is disgusted by all people — including himself. He knows its hopeless . . . hilarity ensues.
• Larry David’s over the top universe of self destruction yields insane and funny situations. They are outrageous and hysterical and ready for HBO. Louie’s world seems far more real, the exception being an utterly surreal airplane trip to the South.
• Louie is quasi-autobiographical — it is a loose version of a successful stand-up comedian, a newly single father raising his two daughters — just like Louis CK.
• For a taste of LCK, check out his HBO One Night Stand — its brilliant, but his raunchier comedy isn’t for everyone. Try this hilarious NSFW vid, (I find it terribly amusing).
Regardless, the show is the best new comedy on TV (episodes here). It was just picked up for another 13 episodes by FX today.
Whether you like Seinfeld/Curb or not, you should give this one a chance on its own. FX, Tuesday nights at 11.
-Louis C.K. On Joy Behar: I Just Had A Vasectomy (VIDEO)
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August 3rd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Lucky Louis was one of the best shows on HBO. Too bad they pulled the plug.
Here’s one of the funnier moments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0–sA5Ah74 [Definitely NSFW]
August 3rd, 2010 at 9:19 pm
My favorite scene !
I referenced it here years ago:
http://bigpicture.typepad.com/writing/2006/07/lucky_louie.html
August 3rd, 2010 at 9:43 pm
One of my favorites from Louis, perfect perspective for the age of the De-leveraging Consumer…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk&feature=related
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:10 pm
The thing about “Louie” is that it is not much of a comedy. Oh yeah there are some laughs, but it is so dark and real that someone expecting a comedy of any type is going to be disappointed. However if you enjoy a smart insightful person’s dim view of the world and get a laugh or two as he shares it with you “Louie” is for you.
By the way, the guy is a great director with an intriguing visual style I haven’t really seen on TV before.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:51 pm
“Regardless, the show is the best new comedy on TV” – lol. Yeah, it’s pretty funny~
Other new breed favorites include: Jim Jefferies, Seth McFarlane, Wanda Sykes (who knew?), Artie Lange, etc.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:54 pm
the first 5 minutes of episode 4 (from the therapist scene, to his standup about being old, to meeting the 26 year old, to having sex with her) is some of the funniest TV i’ve ever seen
http://www.hulu.com/watch/167760/louie-so-oldplaydate#s-p1-so-i0
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Agreed. Caught the going south episode and loved it, “My sister sure is a big fan of yours”.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:55 pm
He looks like Jim Cramer’s twin but with more hair!!
August 4th, 2010 at 12:05 am
I’m sure Prechter would critic this semi black humour as proof positive that the DOW is going to 1,000.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Is it me or does his new goatee remind me of Jim Cramer and LouisCK is just the depressed pole of this Tweedle-manic/Tweedle depressing bipolar duo separated at birth.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Glad to see Louis CK getting another show, the guy’s routine is great. The guest appearances have been extremely well placed so far too. I think one of his best bits is the “no money” one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpaCQKJpE9k (NSFW). Pretty interesting in the current context of our economy.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I loved his stint on Parks and Recreation. I miss his character, but of course anytime a main character (Amy Poehler’s in this case) falls in love is the precise moment a good tv show jumps the shark.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Louie (for this viewer) has a VERY POTTY MOUTH…but thanks for the link because I found these two videoes HYSTERICALLY FUNNY! The rest of Louis sound a little to 14 year old humor to me…but in these times…actually, I can see where many would find it refreshing in it’s cynicism. Anyway…I was ROFL at these two. So, thanks for the “Heads Up” about his new show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOmwZUsgBBE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk&feature=related
August 4th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I see someone already posted “Broke,” but here’s a version with a little bit better sound quality:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czpmQTobQcw
August 5th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Terry Gross did has a recent interview with him. Worth listening to if you like the show.