I just sat and watched the first three episodes of Louie.
I was actually one of apparently a very small number of people who dug Louis CK's HBO sitcom Life with Louie. I thought it was an ambitious experiment--a modernized version of the traditional sitcom format--that unfortunately didn't work for most of the audience. Louie is a different sort of format--stand-up in front of an audience offset by dramatized scenes that aren't always comic.
Like most of the best stand-up comics, Louis CK's work is rooted in pain and failure. A divorced father of two girls, we follow scenes where he attempts to start dating again, tries to accompany his kids on an ill-fated field trip, has a wistful conversation about marriage with a friend, etc. There's a great, touching, very serious moment at the beginning of the second episode where Louis, at a poker game with fellow comics, asks a gay friend if he's offended by the use of the word "faggot" in a comedy routine. Everyone is silent as it is explained that the pejorative use of the word dates back to the time of witch-burnings, when homosexuals were burned to death on piles of bundled sticks because they weren't even considered worth burning at the stake. "Use the word, get your laughs. But now you know what it means."
That's the strength of this show: comedy is rooted in awkwardness, and in showing that, the show can also peel back those layers and expose some of the truths and pains that we feel inside that makes comedy such an outlet and an escape. It's all filtered through Louis CK's personality, and it's a personality that's very candid, very likable, and very easy to relate to. He doesn't embrace this sort of loser/slacker persona that so many of the people ripping him off do, but instead just sort of is who he is and finds the universal humor in it.
I don't know, I'm rambling. But I really like this show, which is a huge surprise to me, since I despise everything I ever see that's made for FX. This is one they've got right.
UPDATE 4:44 PM: The scene I mentioned.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
TV Report: Louie
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6 comments:
I bought the Lucky Louie series DVD set and I have several of his comedy albums. The guy's super funny, no doubt about it. I thought the first couple of episodes were OK but I'm willing to give it a few more weeks to hit its stride. Definitely better than watching Two And A Half Men or some crap like that.
And FX has some great shows. Sons Of Anarchy is fucking ace!
I'll have to check this out; I've always been a fan of Louis CK and what you said about the people that rip off him IS absolutely spot on. At the base of things, Louis is trying to use humor as a sort of therapy to blow off steam.
Anyway, I am a bit surprised that you're not a fan of more FX programming. They have had some pretty great success with a good portion of their comedies. If you haven't really checked out "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," it's worth a look. However, I do understand that some people don't respond to certain kinds of comedy, so no biggie if you don't like it. Also, I found that "Archer" is a very clever cartoon that runs in the same vein as "Arrested Development" in terms of self-reference (rather than the Family Guy route of outside reference). In fact, a few Arrested Development's actors do voice work for the show. Give it a look if you have the time.
I love this show. He's great in it and it's got just the right touch of surrealism.
Yeh, this one is a winner. I like his stuff very much. The poker table scenes with the other comics was GOLD. I hope that becomes a regular feature. It's sorta the anti-Seinfeld and I say that in the best of all terms. Ricky Gervais as his doctor proved why I don't go see my friends who are optomotrists or dentists. They just will mess with you because they don't see you as a regular patient. Still, that bit was shameless and funny as hell. CK is a comedian's comedian. I hope this lasts a long time. Finally he found his niche. His comedic ennui is too delicious to not be out there.
Loved his HBO series and I'm really digging the new one. There really is a unique quality to it. You're laughing but at the same time it has moments that feel artistic. Plus I love the way that the shorts play out like a long joke to a punchline.
I saw 2 episodes and loved it. He is a great comedian and his humor transitioned well to his show. I just have to remember when it comes on. More people should watch it.
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