Lucky Louie

infobox Television
show_name = Lucky Louie


caption = "Lucky Louie"
format = Sitcom/Black comedy
runtime = approx. 0:30 min
creator = Louis C.K.
starring = Louis C.K.
Pamela Adlon
country = Flagicon|USA United States of America
network = HBO
first_aired = June 11, 2006
last_aired = August 27, 2006
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 13 (1 unaired)
list_episodes = List of Lucky Louie episodes
website = http://www.hbo.com/luckylouie/
tv_com_id = 22532
imdb_id = 0460619
|

"Lucky Louie" is an American television sitcom about a family headed by Louie, starring Louis C.K., and Pamela Adlon. It premiered in the United States on HBO on June 11, 2006. HBO ordered 12 episodes of the series which aired during the 2006 summer season. In addition, eight scripts for a second season were ordered. [http://www.syracuse.com/living/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/living-2/1156496871113920.xml&coll=1 retrieved December 10, 2006] In September 2006, however, HBO announced that the show had been cancelled. [http://www.tvweek.com/news/2006/09/louies_luck_runs_out.php retrieved June 18, 2007] This cancellation was unusual because it was not related to ratings, as the show steadily built in ratings, and had a supportive fan-base. More likely, it was the result of a poor response by critics and press, which HBO feels are important to its image Fact|date=June 2008. In Canada, "Lucky Louie" can be seen on Movie Central on Sunday evenings at 9:30pm PT and on The Movie Network at 10:30pm CST.

"Lucky Louie" is, at first glance, a classic-style situation comedy. Unlike many of its contemporaries, it features a three-camera shoot in front of a live audience with no artificial laugh track, much like the classic sitcoms of the 1970s, like "All in the Family". In premise, "Lucky Louie" is similar to other classic sitcoms like "All in the Family" or "Roseanne", telling the story of an unsophisticated working class family. Louis C.K. stated in interviews criticizing sitcoms for making the settings too elaborate and decided to have his show's sets look realistic. However, the show aired on HBO, a subscriber-supported network without content restrictions, and deals with serious mature topics like sex, as well as using adult language. Episodes have occasionally displayed male nudity. Louis C.K. stated on his message board that there would not be female nudity on the show, claiming "Female nudity isn't funny" because you can't "laugh and jerk off at the same time".

The cast of "Lucky Louie" is notable for including many people more known for stand-up comedy than acting, including Jim Norton, Laura Kightlinger, Nick DiPaolo, and Rick Shapiro. This is likely because Louis C.K. is himself a popular stand up comic, but also because Louis wanted people that knew how to perform for a live audience.

Tagline: "Some men have a dream, Louie has a family."

Plot

The series revolved around Louie who lives with his wife, Kim, and their four-year-old daughter, Lucy. Louie works part-time at the local muffler shop with his friend Mike. Kim is a full-time registered nurse at a hospital and is the family's breadwinner. In Episodes 9 and 12, it is made clear that the show takes place in Boston, as the Central Square YMCA in Cambridge and the Fenway neighborhood Italian restaurant Canestaro are used in establishing shots. In episode 13 (unaired) the Somerville Boys and Girls Club located at 181 Washington St. is shown as the location where Louie has a clown performance. Previous hints of the Boston location are the Boston Red Sox t-shirts worn by the cast and other establishing shots of fire escape covered brick apartment buildings reminiscent of Fenway-Kenmore/Back Bay area buildings and an exterior shot of Daniel's Bakery in Brighton.

Cast

Crew

Louis C.K. serves as creator, star, head writer and executive producer. Mike Royce serves as showrunner and executive producer. Other Executive Producers include Dave Becky and Vic Kaplan. For the first season, writers included C.K. and Royce, Kit Boss (Co-Executive Producer), Patricia Breen (Executive Story Editor), Jon Ross (Executive Story Editor), Mary Fitzgerald (Staff Writer), Greg Fitzsimmons (Staff Writer), Dan Mintz (Staff Writer), Dino Stamatopoulos, and Aaron Shure (Consulting Producer), formerly of "Everybody Loves Raymond".

The theme, entitled "Lucky Louie Theme", is composed by Mark Rivers.

Andrew D. Weyman serves as the series' main director. Producers on the show are Leo Clarke, Andrew D. Weyman. Associate producer is Ralph Paredes. Consulting producer is Tracy Katsky.

Episodes

DVD Release

HBO released the entire series of Lucky Louie on January 30, 2007. [http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6572 retrieved December 10, 2006] The set retails for $29.98 and includes an unaired episode "Clowntime is Over". The DVD also includes four commentaries and a look at the taping of an episode.

References