Louie: Season 1 (Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging)

Seinfeld revolved around a stand-up comedian constantly sabotaged by the catastrophic social faux pas of himself and the people inextricably involved in his life, intercut with performance sets by the actual comic. So is Louie. But where Seinfeld was purportedly "a show about nothing," Louie is a show in which from moment to moment, you can safely expect nothing. Not only does Louis C.K. straddle the gaps in social protocol and everyday confrontations we all understand, but also the extremes of comedy and tragedy. It's a gallows comedy, in which we can find ourselves laughing in elation at the both wry and surreal absurdity of one moment, then clenching our chair arms in both tension and incredulity at moments of agonizing pain and even at times a true sense of impending brutality. There is no continuity from one episode to the next, or even from one vignette to the next. Each episode is comprised of usually two scenarios book-ended by stand-up sets by Louie, which may or may not turn out to be part of one of the scenes. It's the direct inversion by an observant everyman's misanthrope of the TV sitcom. Whereas every sitcom we've ever seen has one essential soundstage, an ongoing play-like farce that runs before two cameras, all the same characters show up and everything not only works out but is just the same as before by the end, each week Louie will give a stream of consciousness an unsystematic narrative silhouette almost invariably a sequence of encounters with characters who enter and exit, yet very few ever return. Some actors and actresses return in different roles. Louie's mother is at one point played by an old woman as an appalling malignant narcissist and in another episode a humble, warm-hearted young working-class woman. The show is written, directed and edited by its star, and he creates a visually realistic look and atmosphere for his small stories, captured quite cinematically. In the God episode, arguably the boldest, most powerful episode, he injects solemn amber tones, almost I dare say comparable to Gordon Willis' work on the Godfather films. There is a considerable proliferation of long takes in which two characters will share dialogue that sounds and feels no less real than that which we'll share with someone tomorrow. Sometimes, he's bold enough to prolong a single, stationary take in which nothing is being said on-camera, but all the action that affects the character in the shot is occurring off-camera, and in that very single take, we're carried seamlessly and steadily from deadpan absurdity to genuine terror. Then comes the cut: Life goes on; nothing's really that big of a deal. Simply put, each week, C.K. delivers one or two of the most powerful and memorable short films you may ever see.

I didn't know much about Louie C.K. before watching this, but I had a vague impression that he was a buffoon. I was listening to an interview he did with NPR, and it was interesting enough to get me to take a look for myself. I was wrong about Louie. He is not a buffoon (at least, his character on the show isn't). This show is depressing and hilarious all at the same time. I haven't ever seen another show like this - where normal life is portrayed and the depressing is funny and the funny is hilarious. My favorite thing about this show is that the character is really trying to raise his kids right - you can see that when he tells them they have nothing to complain about, and that they can ask their Aunt why she is racist. And this character is so sweet - the earnestness and sweetness that he has pull at your heart. It's as if he's the only sane one in the world, and he's standing there watching the world go by, confused and not understanding why people are jerks and idiots. I don't know - I'm usually good with words - but I don't have the words for this. It's a great show. Watch the pilot and another episode before you make up your mind (the pilot is not my favorite).

Louie is great. He's carrying the torch, he is always funny and he's real. He's got the mind of a writer, so his bits have always got a back story to them. I guess that's the reason his show is so good. He's talking about his life and the world he lives in. The same world most of us live in. He's the best comic on the scene, that's a fact. One thing, Lou--when you're doing your bit in the Cellar, do you always use the same 3 guys at the table sitting stage right? It's distracting. It's sloppy. If they aren't the same 3 guys, then they're awful close to the same. Put a woman or 2 there, or do something to really switch it up. Nitpicking? Maybe, but it's distracting. You're the best in the business, Louie CK. But you've earned it. I remember 25 years ago, you doing a bit on Conan with Robert Smeagel (?), about how to communicate with your dog. Haha. You had all your hair still. Thanks, right?

I've seen every episode so far and loved them all. I even watched 3 of them twice while waiting for the 4th to come out. If you have ever seen his stand-up and liked it then buying this show is a no brainer, you will laugh constantly. He has really honed his craft and become one of the greatest comedians of our time and this show is a great mix of little bits of standup and a fictional (I hope anyways) version of his life in short story segments. A very unique format I haven't seen before quite like this. The humor is dirty, dark and silly at times while remaining smart but unpretentious. Really a treat, I hope the network gives it a fair shot and they get a strong audience so we can enjoy more of this show. in short, watch this show and check out his standup if you get a chance. You will be so glad you did.

I like this show. It's definitely not for everyone. You have to be able to find humor in social awkwardness to enjoy this. I find it hysterical so this show fits me perfectly. It's a mix of stand up routines and short sketch bits. In the sketches, the other actors are often other stand up comics who have the same sense of humor as Louie CK. I assume they are all comics Louie knows personally from comedy clubs. So there is acting chemistry between everyone. This just makes everything flow better and be funnier. It comes down to how much you like Louie CK. If you hate his stand up, you will probably hate this show. If you like his stand up, you'll like this show because it's the exact same style of humor you're used you from Louie CK.

Good

La mejor serie que he visto en muchísimo tiempo! Es Increíble! (Incluye DVD y Blu Ray en el mismo paquete)

I couldn't say if this is comedy or drama. It's none and both at the same time. It's quirky, it's funny, it's endearing and heart-breaking all at once. The one show I would spend my life watching over and over again. Brutally honest; as if someone transported me on the set and played out bits and pieces of my life. All of the uncomfortable thoughts I've ever had are here, worded by a brilliant Louis C.K. I am in love with this show.

En perfecto estado.

This is an outstanding television series, a very intelligent comedy show. The more I watch work by Louis C.K., the more my respect for him grows. I watched a couple of "Louie" clips on Youtube and then immediately placed my order to buy this set, and am quite pleased with my sagacity. I suggest anyone who's dithering on this to do the same--if a few "Louie" clips do not 'get' you, then this is probably not for you. If they do, then congratulations, you have many hours of wonder-filled pleasure ahead of you. Regarding more mundane matters, the DVD's arrived in time and in good condition, and I was able to play them perfectly well on my laptop.