Louis C.K. Previews Life for Louie

So much for "First, do no harm..." On tonight's episode of the FX laffer about divorced-with-kids comic Louis C.K. (11/10c, FX), our hero gets way more than he bargained for in a rip-roaring visit to his doctor—guest star Ricky Gervais!—an old high-school pal whose examination consists of a barrage of bodily insults and terrifying diagnoses. That
humiliation behind him, Louie winds up in a fight with fellow stand-up Nick DiPaolo, which leads to a hospital visit.

Luckily, Louie's prognosis will be improving shortly, as he'll soon find himself connecting with the fairer sex. In a vignette on the July 13 episode, he will encounter a fetching young comedy fan angling for a hookup with a more, er, seasoned man. "Some women look at men like wine or cheese—something with a patina on it," C.K. explains. "They like to see what it's like to be with a guy who's showing his age and starting to decay." No fair telling how their tryst concludes, but let's just say it's far from happily ever after.

Also coming down the pike: Louis will find a kindred spirit in fellow single parent (and former TV wife on HBO's short-lived Lucky Louie) Pamela Adlon. While the young'uns cavort, says C.K., "They do what real parents do: smoke cigarettes and compare notes." Does all of the grumbling ever take a toll? Nah, says C.K.: "My character knows too much about life to have any optimism, but this show has optimism."

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