Fans of Louis C.K.’s incomparable FX series Louie had to build up their patience in between Season 3 and Season 4, as the comedian took a well-deserved hiatus, not wanting to churn out material he wasn’t proud of. Luckily, we won’t have to suffer through a repeat of that, as Louie has already been picked up for a fifth season set to premiere at some point during Spring 2015. Somebody call Todd Barry and tell him to stop everything he’s tweeting to get ready for another superb cameo.
According to the press release, Season 5 of Louie will be the shortest one yet, with only seven episodes coming. That’s unfortunately just half of Season 4’s 14-episode span, though we’re sincerely hoping the shortened order means FX will get their shit together and cease airing back-to-back Louie episodes. It’s highly probable that many people liked getting a double dose of this surreal and downtrodden world, but Season 4’s tonal shift towards dramatic narrative made it (to me) the least effective season for mini-binging. Plus, I’d rather have 14 weeks of a TV show I adore rather than just seven. That said, it was still spectacular, and I’d gladly take more Louie even if FX aired the episodes upside-down.
Obviously there’s no sign of where Season 5 will take everyone’s favorite middle-aged comic and father, and while that may have been a non-issue in past years, the bulk of Louie’s most recent season was entirely focused on relationships and consisted of two major storylines. After the first two enjoyably random episodes, Louie showcased a brilliant “fat girl rant” from actress Sarah Baker and then wholly dug into Louie’s burgeoning relationship with the non-English-speaking niece (Eszter Balint) of a woman in his building, played by the iconic Ellen Burstyn. After that story hits every high and low imaginable, Louie’s friend and dream girl Pamela (Pamela Adlon) comes back into the picture. So will we head into that direction when Season 5 begins?
Before we even get to Season 5, though, Louis C.K. and his fans can look forward to the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on August 25. Louie was nominated once again for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, as well as for C.K.’s writing on the previously mentioned “So Did the Fat Lady” and for his direction on “Elevator, Part 6.” Will this be the year he finally snags the top honors?
