Denis Leary and Louis C.K. light up summer for FX

By April MacIntyre Apr 26, 2010, 5:17 GMT

Leary as Gavin on Rescue Me, courtesy of FX

Denis Leary is soon to be back as tortured Tommy Gavin on FX's "Rescue Me."

Tuesday nights this summer on FX will see Emmy and Golden Globe nominated drama "Rescue Me" with its new comedy series "Louie" beginning June 29. The sixth and penultimate season of Rescue Me will air Tuesdays at 10:00 PM ET/PT leading into the premiere season of Louie at 11:00 PM ET/PT.

“The pairing of Rescue Me and Louie this summer will create an hour and a half of the funniest and most ruthlessly honest comedy and drama about men ever seen on commercial television,” said John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. “We're thrilled by the quality of both these shows.”

"Rescue Me" is the brainchild of Denis Leary and Peter Tolan, and is currently in production of its final two seasons of the series.

The upcoming sixth season, returning on June 29, features 10 episodes.  Rescue Me is slated to close out its remarkable run with nine episodes for the series’ seventh and final season in the summer of 2011.

The final two seasons will deal with Tommy Gavin’s (Denis Leary) recognition of how deeply he is in need of rescue and how time is running out on his last chances for redemption.

"Rescue Me" stars Denis Leary, Adam Ferrara, Michael Lombardi, Steven Pasquale, Andrea Roth, John Scurti, Daniel Sunjata and Callie Thorne.  The series was created by Leary and Peter Tolan, who along with Jim Serpico serve as executive producers.

Adam Ferrara has recently been named one of three hosts of the US version of the BBC powerhouse, "Top Gear." 

FX has scheduled 13 episodes for the premiere season of "Louie," a comedy filtered through the observational humor of Louis C.K. Each episode puts a spotlight on Louis’ hectic life as a successful stand-up comedian and newly single father raising his two daughters in New York. 

Guest starring appearances include Ricky Gervais, Pamela Adlon and Bobby Cannavale. Adlon (Californication) played Louis C.K.'s wife Kim in the short-lived but very funny series, "Lucky Louie."