Louie and George Lucas Lunacy

The F/X Network has become one of my new favorite stations over the past few years, thanks to great original shows like Sons of Anarchy, The League, Justified, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.  Well, last night they set the bar even higher with the premiere of their new show Louie, which is loosely based on the life and times of comedian – and Hater Hall of Fame member – Louis C.K.  By combining Louie’s unique outlook on life with an original format, F/X has managed to produce yet another show that is definitely must-see TV.  In case you’re unfamiliar with C.K.’s brand of humor, it can probably best be summed up with one of his quotes from last night’s show:  “I know way too much about life to be optimistic.”  As far as the format of the show is concerned, it’s Seinfeld-ish in the sense that part of the show is just him on a night club stage performing his comedy routine.  This is mixed with short, autobiographical events from his life – which C.K. describes as, “very vignette-y.  It’s very vérité.  All those French words.  I use ‘em all.”  The first two episodes also featured other great comedians – and some fellow HHOF members – like Nick DiPaolo, Jim Norton, Robert Kelly, and Chelsea Peretti – Todd Barry and Ricky Gervais will also appear in upcoming episodes.  Plain and simple, the show is fuckin’ awesome and if you either, a) don’t choose to watch it, or b) watched it and don’t think it’s funny, then you can go suck a bag of dicks (link is NSFW).

To switch gears, like a fat kid riding uphill on a ten speed, I retired to my sleeping quarters after Louie ended and picked a movie from the free-standing tower that sits atop my DVD player to watch.  My selection was the third installment of the original – and in my mind, the only – Star Wars Trilogy, Return of the Jedi.  Although I have never been to a convention or dressed up like a Storm Trooper, I still consider myself to be a big fan of the franchise (pre-1999).  However, after watching ROTJ – or at least the first hour of it – I had a couple of new observations concerning this particular movie that I wanted to share:

• Is it just me, or is Jabba the Hut a lot like that guy everyone knew in high school or college who had parties all the time, and it seemed like everyone within a 100 mile radius would attend – even though 90% of the people there either didn’t know or like them?  These guys usually came from wealthy families, but their parties were filled with people from all different walks of life and backgrounds – and of course, the one annoying person that no one invited.  The host’s girlfriend was always there too; their relationships had a high turnover rate, but the girls were always out of his league, and only stayed with him because they felt chained to the relationship.  The soirees were often in huge houses – or in Jabba’s case, a palace – owned by their parents, and the entertainment was provided by loud music or a band playing throughout the night.  Things would get progressively more rowdy as time dragged on, and tensions between certain party goers inevitably flared up before the night was over – which constantly led to at least one fight, someone getting hurt, and the official end of the party.  Until the next weekend…

• So, Hans Solo is still frozen in carbonite at Jabba the Hut’s palace in the beginning of the film, and the love of his life – along with the only brotha in the solar system – are attempting to bust him out.  Leia poses as a bounty hunter, and somehow Billy Dee Calrissian infiltrates the alien entourage that surrounds Jabba.  So, in the middle of the night, Leia reaches the spot where Hans is located and presses some button that de-carbonites him.  When the process is finished, he comes tumbling out and falls on what looks to be a concrete floor – while Leia just stands there and watches it happen.  The guy she supposedly loves has been frozen for whatever the span of time is between Episodes V & VI, and yet there is not even an attempt at keeping him from falling face first and possibly breaking every bone in his newly thawed body.  Then it gets even weirder when he comes to, and states that he is completely blind.  Leia, who for whatever reason is still in her bounty hunter get-up, begins talking to him in a Hawking-esque voice and basically freaks him the fuck out.  Then after getting her sadistic rocks off, she finally takes of the metal mask and reveals her true identity.  To me, this is like having a best friend or significant other who has been in a coma for a couple of years, and when they come to, the first thing they see is you standing over them dressed up in a Gwar outfit.