Smallscreen News

The Summer of Louie on FX, along with Rescue Me

By April MacIntyre Feb 18, 2010, 5:03 GMT

Louis C.K. - © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

The summer of 1973 was awash in the chorus of Louie, Louie, Louie.. Loo-wee, as the Stories' cover of the Hot Chocolate hit single "Brother Louie" took off in the States.

This coming summer, FX president John Landgraf will hope to hear people singing the praises of Louis again: Louis C.K., a brilliant comic who had a short-lived but enjoyable series "Lucky Louie" on HBO with Pam Adlon (Californication) cast as his wife, and he is a bright spot in films like The Invention of Lying and Diminished Capacity.

FX has postponed the premiere to create a more impactful Tuesday night package of the double red-headed comedic biffbangpow of Denis Leary as the tortured Tommy, and Louis C.K.'s "Louie" together this June.

The cable network announced on Tuesday (Feb. 16) that the scheduled 13 episodes previously scheduled for an April launch, will now roll out in June, using "Rescue Me" as a lead-in.

"'Louie' is a brilliantly funny and original series, and we are excited by the critical response to the show," states John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. "Even though it is a drama, 'Rescue Me' has always been regarded as one of the funniest shows on television and it will provide an outstanding, compatible lead-in for 'Louie.' We successfully used 'Rescue Me' as a lead-in for the majority of the first season of 'It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.' We believe in 'Louie' and want to provide it with the best possible platform for success."

Louis C.K. will serve as writer, director and executive producer on the series, which is the tale of a single dad, recently divorced, and is currently shot in New York City.

Louis C.K. earned praise from critics at last month's Sundance Film Festival for his concert documentary "Louis C.K.: Hilarious."