FX's 'Louie' going on 'extended hiatus'

Louis C.K. is taking a big break from Louie.

FX just announced the show is going on “extended hiatus.”

The network’s CEO John Landgraf told reporters at the Television Critics Association’s press tour on Friday that creator, star, writer, producer Louis C.K. wanted to take a break from working on the show after making 61 episodes since 2010.

Landgraf agreed with one critic’s suggestion that the situation was similar to HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, which is on indefinite hiatus until creator Larry David wants to do another season.

“Louis’ anxious to take a break and work on other things,” Landgraf said. “I think Curb is the right analogy. So, the truth is, I really don’t know [when the show will return]. He’s made 61 magnificent episodes of television, and we did an overall deal with him a couple of years ago and that has proven incredibly productive. There’s actually a third [C.K.-produced] series in the hopper that’ll get announced pretty soon that I think is also equally compelling. It’s really going ot be his choice. He could decide to take as long as a six-month hiatus … he could decide to take a two-year hiatus and we could be where HBO is with Larry David, announcing periodically that subsequent seasons will air.”

C.K. will still have a presence on the network. FX just ordered a potential companion series to Louie produced and directed by C.K. called Better Things, which is co-created and stars Pamela Adlon — who plays a fictional version of herself on Louie (and is up for an Emmy nomination for the role). Her character on Better Things is ”a working actor with no filter trying to earn a living, navigate her daughters’ lives, have fun with a friend or two, and also — just maybe — squeeze in some private time once in a while.” FX has ordered 10 episodes.

FX made several big announcements at TCA on Friday, including a renewal for The Strain, and premiere dates for several shows including AHS.