5 Reasons FX's "Louie" Will Change How You "View" TV

1. It's funny.

Following the mis-adventures of Louis CK, the show is heavily based on his life as he manages a stand-up comedy career, a divorce and taking care of his two daughters. Each episode opens with Louie miserably walking down a New York street, grabbing a slice of pizza, and descending into a comedy club basement, all while the soundtrack blasts an upbeat cover of the classic song "Brother Louie". While you may have seen bits of his comedy before, every season contains original jokes and hilarious introspections of humanity. The show is just downright funny, with pitch-perfect comic timing from CK and guest stars like Ricky Gervais, Matthew Broderick, and other stand-up comedians.

2. It's not always funny.

While most shows classified as comedies wouldn't be doing their job if they weren't trying to make your gut hurt, "Louie" is a different animal. There are some episodes that aren't overtly funny, maybe only midly amusing, yet never not entertaining. There's a really dark episode in the first season where Louie is bullied by a teenager while on a date, then follows the kid home to his house and confronts his parents, where he discovers the youth is on the receiving end of a never-ending cycle of abuse. The show can be absurd, poignant, and quite visceral, portraying New York as a Kafkaesque nightmare and delving deep into humanity's most wretched corners.

3. Unfiltered creativity.

Louis CK stars, writes, directs, produces and edits every episode. There is no commitee, no writer's room, the show has a vision and is executed by a one-man comedy machine. FX made a deal with CK; in exchange for less money, he could have complete creative freedom and no network notes. They pay him to deliver 13 episodes, scripts unseen. So what you're watching really couldn't be categorized as traditional television, it's akin to a series of semi-connected short films with varying visual styles and themes, no regard for continuity, but unlike anything done before.

4. Louis CK

With the earnestness of a puppy, the razor wit of a comedy god, and the body of an oaf, Louis CK delivers a heartfelt performance as a father and an enlightened comedian who has a pragmatic view on life and how we interact with each other. You can tell he cares about what he's talking about, has true point of view and doesn't care if he offends anyone. He's a powerhouse in the world of comedy, writing an entire new hour of jokes every year and then starting fresh the next.

5. Do you really need a fifth reason?

The second season of "Louie" premieres Thursday, June 23rd at 10:30pm. The entire first season is available on DVD, Blu-Ray and through Instant Watch on Netflix.