FX has set the premiere date of April 9 for the series premiere of the new comedy series “The Comedians,” starring Billy Crystal and Josh Gad, and the fifth season of the Emmy Award winning comedy series “Louie.” “The Comedians” will air at 10:00 PM ET/PT, followed by “Louie” at 10:30 PM ET/PT.
The debut season of “The Comedians” will feature 13 episodes of the new series starring Billy Crystal and Josh Gad. In “The Comedians,” Billy Crystal plays a comedy legend who is reluctantly paired with Josh Gad, an edgier up-and-coming star, in an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at a fictional late night sketch comedy show where egos and generations collide. Stephnie Weir stars as Kristen Laybourne, the anxiety-ridden producer behind The Billy & Josh Show who frequently finds herself caught in the middle of Billy and Josh’s arguments, Matt Oberg stars as Mitch Reed, the show’s head writer, and Megan Ferguson stars as Esme McCauley, a no-nonsense production assistant.
Larry Charles (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Seinfeld”), Matt Nix (“Burn Notice”) and Ben Wexler (“Community,” “Arrested Development”) are writers and executive producers of “The Comedians,” along with Crystal. Charles directed the pilot. Josh Gad is serving as Co-Executive Producer. The half-hour, single-camera comedy is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.
The fifth season of “Louie” will feature seven or eight episodes from Creator/Executive Producer/Writer/Star/Director/Editor Louis C.K. Season Four of “Louie” was nominated for a Golden Globe Award is currently nominated for a PGA Award, WGA Award, SAG Award and a DGA Award. “Louie” has won three Emmy Awards – Louis C.K. for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (2012 and 2014), and Melissa Leo for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (2013). The series has also won AFI Awards (2012 and 2013) and a Peabody Award (2013), as well as Television Critics Association Awards in each of the past three years.
“Louie” is 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. The single-camera comedy is a mix of Louis C.K.’s stand-up comedy and scripted stories. Louis C.K., M. Blair Breard and Dave Becky are Executive Producers. The series is produced by FX Productions.
In related news, FX Networks has also ordered the comedy pilot “Better Things,” created by and starring Pamela Adlon and directed by fellow “Louie” star Louis C.K., it was announced today by John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions.
If you think being a parent is hard, try raising three girls by yourself. In “Better Things,” Adlon plays Sam, a working actor trying to earn a living, navigate her daughters’ lives, have fun with a friend or two, and also – just maybe – squeeze in some sex once in a while. Her life is funny to watch, but you wouldn’t want to live it (except sometimes).
Adlon (“Louie,” “Californication”) and Louis C.K. (“Louie”) will write the pilot and serve as Executive Producers, along with Blair Breard, Dave Becky and 3 Arts Entertainment. The pilot is produced by Louis C.K.’s production company, Pig Newton, and FX Productions.
