Louis C.K.'s first show, Lucky Louie was HBO's first multi-camera sitcom filmed in front of a live Studio Audience. Airing in 2006, and cancelled the same year, Lucky Louie starred Louis C.K. as Louie, a lower-class husband and father and his family as they struggle through life in Boston.
A throwback to the sitcoms Louis C.K. grew up with like All in the Family, Lucky Louie emulates those shows by not being afraid of a frank and cynical view of life. Lucky Louie also differentiates itself from other modern sitcoms by airing on HBO, which means lots of swearing, Black Comedy, sex-based storylines and nudity (Male only though. Female nudity isn't funny).
Lucky Louie contains examples of:
- Aborted Arc: The first two episodes focus on Kim's desire to have a second baby. It's not mentioned again in the show's (admittedly short) run.
- Alliterative Title
- Black Comedy: Brought over from Louis C.K.'s stand up.
- Black Comedy Rape: When Louie accidentally ends up in a confessional, he ends up telling the priest about a dream he had about being raped by a demon.
- Country Matters: Louie gets in major trouble with Kim for using the word to describe her during a heated argument.
- Deconstruction: Of Dom Coms in general. This show does not pull any punches in its portrayal of married life and parenthood, Played for Laughs though it may be.
- Devil, but No God: Apparently, Louie believes in Hell but not God.
- "Friends" Rent Control: Averted. The small apartment is quite realistic for a low-income household.
- Hollywood Atheist: Averted, Louie doesn't believe in god, but no real reason is given and he doesn't make a big deal about it.
- Overly Long Gag: The very first scene in the show:Lucy: "Papa, can we play outside?"Louie: "No."Lucy: "Why?"Louie: Because it's 5:00 in the morning. It's too early.Cue Lucy asking "Why?" to everything Louie says, causing his subsequent explanations to gradually veer off in an unrelated direction
- Standardized Sitcom Housing: Intentionally averted.
Louis C.K. said that he found other sitcom sets too complicated and mindfully sought a simple design for his set. - Token Black Friend: Invoked. Louie wants Walter to like him in the Pilot. It's because he thinks the lack of diversity in his daughter's life might have a negative effect.
- Vocal Dissonance: Louie is very surprised to find out he has been confessing to a black priest.
- We Want Our Jerk Back!: Kim's response to Louie trying to act like a better husband after Kim says she hates him.
